Having entered the remodeling industry fresh out of college in 2005, I never imagined that my first experiences living through a home remodel would be while I was pregnant. Talk about some serious nesting! If you are planning on remodeling before your little one arrives, here are a few tips to keep yourself, your baby and your mind safe and sound.
MUST HAVE: GREAT DUST PROTECTION
Great dust protection is a must-have for many reasons, but when you’re pregnant and growing your newest family member, it’s imperative. The EPA came out with Lead-Safe requirements for all contractors to follow, and for good reason. Lead was commonly used in paint for residential use prior to 1978 and has been linked to behavioral problems, reduced IQ and learning disabilities. Every contractor is required to provide all homeowners and tenants the Renovate Right pamphlet, no matter when your home was built. At Case, we take pride in our Lead-Safe work practices and take indoor air quality while renovating seriously– zippered dust doors are installed at the entryways to the affected space(s); temporary vasqueen dust walls are installed to seal off as much dust as practical from adjacent areas; HVAC registers & returns are given an additional filter to prevent as much dust from entering into the HVAC system as possible; and Case uses Hepa Filtration 360 Air Purifying Units on most all projects.
For more information about laws surrounding Lead Safe work practices, visit the EPA’s website.
PLAN AHEAD… AND STICK WITH YOUR PLAN!
Make sure to have a plan for your remodel & stick with it! Whether your remodel is big or small, having your selections made and materials ordered prior to construction will allow for a smoother ride during construction. Be sure to choose a contractor with whom you trust your home & that understands all your priorities before swinging a hammer (…ahem TIME is of the essence here…) Trust me -the last thing you want to be doing while pregnant and under construction is running around town trying to track down the perfect countertop, a cabinet pull, hardwood floor stain or that striking accent tile you knew you should have ordered the moment you saw it but is now out of stock. Having all of your selections lined up, ordered and on site prior to the start of construction will help to make the most of your time (and your contractor’s time), and alleviate any stresses that may come from the due date that inevitably awaits.
ZERO VOC PAINT
If you’re anything like me when I was pregnant, patience was a virtue that was thrown out the window the minute I knew our little one was on the way. So, if you’re nesting and feeling the urge to get your hands dirty, painting can be a safe & productive way to get involved! Make sure you’re handling products with low or No VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). Both of our children’s rooms were painted with Benjamin Moore’s Natura paint which has zero VOC’s. I was able to feel like I was contributing something more than, well… a child, to the process.
