Tanya Klien
A bathroom renovation is both exciting and messy at the same time. Some people create a pile on the curb, or by the backdoor, and sometimes that’s fine. Some renovators use a rented dumpster, but that is not always the best solution. From sewage to construction debris, one has to take special care to avoid bacteria, mold, and lead during renovations. It has to be avoided while you work on your pipes, walls, floors and drains, and materials should be discarded properly in order to avoid disease.
Today, we’re going to give you a few professional guidelines that we at Anta Plumbing follow when we do bathroom renovations, kitchen renovations or even basement lowering and waterproofing.
1. Get the Right Tools
Getting the appropriate safety gear and demolition equipment goes without saying, but in addition, you also need ventilation-free safety goggles, quality gloves (rubber, nitrile, PVC, polyurethane, or neoprene), a properly-fitted mask (rated P-100 with a respirator) and a ventilation fan.
2. Seal Off the Area
When you cut, sand, grind, or scrape an area where there may be lead, mold or any other contaminants, it will stir up toxic dust that can be ingested or inhaled. Use heavy-duty plastic tarps and strong tape to seal off the area, or separate it from the rest of the house. Also seal off the forced air heat registers to keep the dust from entering the duct work. You can also keep the dust from spreading by spraying it down with water before you cut or sand.
3. Ban Unequipped Individuals
Only the necessary, fully-equipped individuals should be in the area that is being worked on. Ensure that no pregnant women, children, elderly people, pets and curious onlookers stay well away from the area.
4. Removing and Disposing of Mold
While mold does not make the official list of hazardous waste, it is most certainly toxic to your health, and you should take care when you abate and dispose of it. Don your safety gear to ensure that you don’t make direct skin contact with it when you scrub it off, using a bleach, detergent and water solution. If mold has infected porous or absorbent areas, those items should be discarded.
When you need to caulk something, first clean it thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before you apply mold-resistant primer. Once the primer has dried, you can apply the caulk.
Preventing Mold in Your Newly Renovated Bathroom
Once mold has set in, it can be hard to remove it without requiring a whole renovation, or at least some costly replacements. Anta Plumbing’s renovation experts know how to avoid mold from festering in new and older bathrooms, and it basically comes down to proper cleaning and increased ventilation.
1. Humidity is a culprit in mold growth. Run your AC or use a dehumidifier.
2. Use a bathroom exhaust fan for 10 minutes after you have showered to vent the steam to the outside of your home.
3. Deal with any visible spots or other issues right away to prevent it from taking root.
4. Leaks, no matter how small, allow moisture to seep into your floors, walls and cabinets.
Don’t delay – call Anta Plumbing today to ensure that you have no slow leaks that encourage mold growth. We offer a wide range of plumbing services, performed according to the applicable city codes to ensure your safety and peace of mind.
