Rehabbing houses is a lucrative business for savvy investors especially with the recent downturn in the real estate market. However, successful real estate investors don't just focus on big bucks with home improvement. They invested more of their time, money, sweat, tears and equity to make a property good enough to attract a prospective buyer.
Several real estate investors would also hire contractors to do the job but there are some who would really like to spend their time and become hands on with their rehabbing efforts. As we all know there is more fun in rehabbing properties when you witness and be involved from start to finish. In doing so all real estate investors who are hands on must be aware of the risks involved in rehabbing houses. There are health hazards that real estate investors should avoid when rehabbing houses.
1. Lead - those real estate investors who encountered houses using lead paint and would require removal of the paint must hire a certified contractor to do the job. Due to it's toxic nature federal law requires this and in fact regulation laws state that the removal of the lead paint must be done before remodeling a home that was built prior to 1978.
Research has it that prolonged exposure to lead paint may cause damage on the nervous system, stunted growth and damage on kidneys. This exposure happens when you are sanding wood trim or stripping old paint. So to avoid too much exposure to the lead professionals recommend that replacing the painted items is much better than stripping and sanding. And if the building happens to be a historic home then do not hesitate to hire a lead-certified renovator to do the job professionally & safely.
2. Mold - it is of great importance that you deal with the molds right away regardless of the type and amount. Get rid of any mold instantly and correct the water problem that caused it. Mold can be found and will often grow in a house when there's moisture from leaking pipes, humidity or damp course problem in the lower bricks of walls, etc.
There are different biological reactions to mold. The most common reaction with prolonged exposure to mold is severe allergy. So take the appropriate precautions when working in a mold-ridden house with respirator and gloves to protect you.
3. Asbestos - several homes build prior to 1980 used asbestos as it was popular building material back then. Mostly it is present in walls, heating and plumbing insulation, siding, flooring, window glaze drywall, plaster and joint compounds. Studies discovered that prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause severe illness such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. So these days the handling or disposal of asbestos has been restricted.
It is really of great concern that before you even start rehabbing the house you should hire a professional especially if the house is built before 1980. It is not expensive and it is better when you think of your health first before anything. And if asbestos is present you will need to replace the infected areas.
4. Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C.) - a list of various materials that may contain volatile organic compounds would be the following: paint, paint strippers, wood flooring, carpeting, glues, cleaners, upholstery, wood finishes such as varnish etc. When these compounds are inhaled (sometimes odorless which is more dangerous) for a prolonged period of time it can cause severe complications such as memory impairment, visual disorders, etc.
So wearing protective clothing and equipment like masks and goggles is a must. Also make your work areas well ventilated while working with VOC's in rehabbing houses. And try to work with low or zero VOC's if possible.
5. Mercury - older homes were introduced to heating systems and thermostats with a chemical element called mercury. Mercury is also present in thermometer and fluorescent bulbs and leaks might happen which is dangerous. As per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mercury can emit odorless toxic vapor when it spills, and even in small amounts can cause learning disabilities and liver damage.
So it is again important to use certified respirator when you are not familiar with the house because according to an environmental consultant, Brent Jorgensen, "mercury vapor is one of the most toxic things in the planet."
Rehabbing houses does indeed pose potential risks to investors like me so it is of paramount importance to consider hiring a certified professional who knows exactly what he is doing. Afterall, huge profit margins will not help you if all that you earned will only goes to rehabbing your body after you are exposed to these health hazards. So be very careful to all details concerning rehabbing houses no matter how minute it can be. A professional inspector should be able to examine the property that you are planning to buy to rehab or a property that you already acquired and you are planning to rehab. And insist that he should examine thoroughly for any potential health hazards.
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