Intelligent Scaffolding

Is your home in dire need of renovation? Remodelling a property, no matter how small or big, is an exciting and rewarding experience. A complete renovation allows you to update what you don't like about your home and create a happier and more enjoyable place to live. A fresh change can be all you need to boost your well-being. If your property is quite old, this can also be the perfect opportunity to restore it to its former glory. However, it's essential to understand that property renovation has several dangers.

Intelligent Scaffolding is a scaffolding company in Liverpool, specialising in domestic and commercial scaffolding across the North West of England. Intelligent's core philosophy is to offer scaffolding solutions that make it easy and safe to carry out work on a property. With safety at the forefront of what they do, they know how to keep safe when renovating a property and have provided some tips.

What Are the Dangers of Renovation?

Several reasons make property renovation such a dangerous task. The risks are more prevalent for older properties, but any remodelling will come with hazards. One of the first points to consider is potential damage to the property's foundations, which could cause walls and other structures to break and collapse. Breaking a water pipe by accident is another prime example, resulting in flooding, which can ruin the property and generate electrical hazards. Following this point, faulty or exposed wiring is a significant risk as it can cause electric shocks or fires.

Mould is a common problem for residential properties. You may find mould in areas with lots of moisture and humidity, such as attics, basements and bathrooms. Mould is also likely to form when there is a water leak. Symptoms of inhaling or touching mould include allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Lead poisoning is another hazard to be aware of, especially in older homes that contain lead paint. If absorbed into the body, lead can damage the brain and orders like kidneys. All sorts of creepy crawlies can live within the walls of your home, such as spiders and rats, which can sting and harm you if care is not taken.

Asbestos is a natural mineral that has proven popular for construction due to its fire-resistant and electrical insulation qualities. However, the dangers of asbestos have since emerged. Inhaling asbestos fibres has been proven to cause several health problems, including lung conditions like mesothelioma and lung cancer, with hundreds of thousands of deaths yearly. Many countries, such as the United Kingdom, have banned the use of asbestos. But with that said, millions of older buildings still include products containing asbestos. Asbestos only becomes a threat when fibres are released into the air, which can happen during renovations if materials are damaged.

Toxic substances like dust and fumes are hazardous to inhale, causing various illnesses affecting the respiratory system. There's a good chance that your house may be dusty and if painting, there is the risk of paint fumes. One of the most common accidents in construction is falling from height. There's also the possibility of hearing damage due to noisy equipment. Finally, if you decide to live elsewhere while work is carried out, there's a chance that burglars might target your home.

Tips for Keeping Safe

Remodelling a property might sound scary and dangerous, but it doesn't have to be! There are plenty of things you can do to protect yourself and others. You should always complete a thorough plan before starting renovation work. Make sure you know where the wires, gas and water lines are and if there is any asbestos within the house. Identify any problematic concerns, such as mould and dust, as early as possible. We recommend hiring specialist workers like builders, plumbers and electricians instead of taking the task yourself. Even if doing it alone can save money, if something goes wrong, it will cost more in the long run and may cause an injury.

It should go without saying, but whenever working with electricity, turn off the mains to prevent electrical hazards. You should install fans in high-risk areas, especially bathrooms, to remove moist, humid air and prevent mould from forming. Personal protective equipment must be worn by people on-site at all times. PPE can include masks to avoid inhaling airborne particles, gloves, ear protection and goggles. Ensure you take regular breaks to breathe fresh air.

A scaffolding system is highly effective for renovation projects as it allows you to work efficiently at height on a stable platform while preventing you and heavy items from falling. A scaffold can also support your property's foundations, preventing walls from toppling over and crushing someone. Scaffolding is a far safer and more efficient solution than a ladder for reaching high places.

We know dust and fumes can be harmful, so improve ventilation by keeping windows and doors open during work. You can also use a local exhaust ventilation system to capture and eliminate harmful particulates before you and others have time to inhale them.

You can look to hire a security company to deter burglars. Companies traditionally offer several services, including mobile patrols, alarm response and keyholding. A combination of these services means trained guards will routinely check your property, and if an alarm is triggered, they will attend to descale situations caused by trespassers or environmental dangers.