Hidden issues to check before starting home renovations

Renovation building plans
Photo: PEXELS/JESHOOTS.com

(SNS) - Home renovations can be exciting, promising a fresh new look and improved functionality for your living space. However, beneath the surface, hidden problems can quickly turn a straightforward project into a costly and stressful experience. Identifying these potential issues before starting a home renovation can save both time and money while ensuring a smoother renovation process. Understanding what to check before beginning will help prevent unwelcome surprises along the way.

Structural Weaknesses
One of the most critical aspects to examine before you experiment with more creative renovation projects is the structural integrity of the home. Over time, foundations can shift, walls can develop cracks, and ceilings may sag. If any of these signs are present, consulting with a structural engineer is essential to determine whether reinforcement or repairs are necessary before moving forward with cosmetic changes. Structural issues left unchecked can worsen over time, leading to costly repairs that could have been mitigated earlier in the process.

Plumbing Problems
Old or faulty plumbing can wreak havoc on a renovation if not addressed beforehand. Corroded, leaking, or outdated pipes may be hidden behind walls or under floors. If your home has old galvanized pipes, replace them with modern materials like copper or PEX. Any renovation that involves moving fixtures or installing new appliances should include a thorough plumbing inspection to avoid unexpected water damage down the line. Small leaks may seem insignificant, but over time, they can lead to extensive mold growth, wood rot, and even compromised structural integrity.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Problem plumbing can eventually ruin a nice renovation job. Address even the smallest of leaks as they can lead to bigger problems over time.

Starting a Home Renovation: Electrical Hazards
Outdated electrical wiring poses both a safety hazard and a potential roadblock for your renovation. Older homes may not have the capacity to handle modern electrical loads. This can lead to frequently tripped circuits or even fire risks. Before starting any work, have a licensed electrician assess the wiring, outlets, and breaker panel. This ensures they meet current building codes and can support any new installations. Upgrading the electrical system early on can prevent costly modifications later. It’s best to do this before the walls have been painted and finished.

Storage Considerations During Renovation
Homeowners often underestimate where to store furniture, appliances, and personal belongings while renovations are being done. Cluttered spaces can slow down progress and even lead to accidental damage. You can find lots of home improvement tips and proper storing guides online, on various DIY forums, or on professional moving companies' websites. One such website is Dielman Moving & Storage, where professional movers share their insight to help prepare for a move or store various items properly. This can be especially useful for large-scale renovations where multiple rooms are being remodeled at once.

Hidden Mold and Mildew
Moisture issues can lead to mold growth, which often lurks behind walls, under floors, or in poorly ventilated areas. Before tearing down drywall or pulling up flooring, check for any musty smells, water stains, or signs of mildew. If mold is discovered, it’s crucial to address the source of moisture and properly remediate the problem before proceeding with renovations to prevent health issues and future damage. Mold can spread rapidly and impact indoor air quality, leading to respiratory problems and allergies for the home's occupants.

Pest Infestations
Rodents, termites, and other pests can cause significant damage to a home’s structure and insulation. Signs of infestation include droppings, gnawed wood, and small holes in walls or flooring. Hiring a pest control professional before starting renovations ensures proper handling of infestations, preventing future headaches and costly repairs. Termites, in particular, weaken load-bearing structures, making walls and flooring unsafe if left untreated.

Asbestos and Lead Paint
If your home was built before the 1980s, there’s a chance it contains hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead-based paint. These substances can pose serious health risks if disturbed during renovations. Hiring a professional to test for asbestos in insulation, flooring, and walls, as well as checking for lead paint, is a crucial step before proceeding with demolition or remodeling. Removing these materials safely requires specialized equipment and trained professionals to ensure minimal exposure to harmful particles.

Inadequate Insulation
Many older homes have poor insulation, which can lead to higher energy bills and uncomfortable indoor temperatures. Before making cosmetic changes, consider whether insulation in the walls, attic, or floors needs to be upgraded. This is especially important if you plan to remove drywall or replace flooring, as it presents an opportunity to improve your home’s energy efficiency without additional labor costs later. Proper insulation helps maintain indoor comfort and reduces strain on heating and cooling systems, saving money in the long run.

Photo: PEXELS/Bidvine

A well-supported floor improves safety and prevents costly fixes down the line, especially in high-traffic areas of the home.

Unstable Flooring
Uneven, sagging, or squeaky floors can indicate deeper structural issues that need to be addressed before laying down new flooring. Rotten subflooring, termite damage, or improper previous installations can create long-term problems. Checking for stability and making necessary repairs early on will help ensure a solid foundation for any new flooring materials you choose. A well-supported floor improves safety and prevents costly fixes down the line, especially in high-traffic areas of the home.

Poor Ventilation
Proper ventilation is often overlooked but plays a vital role in maintaining indoor air quality and preventing moisture-related problems. Bathrooms, kitchens, and attics should have sufficient airflow to prevent condensation buildup, which can lead to mold growth and deterioration. Installing proper exhaust fans or upgrading existing ventilation systems can significantly improve the air quality in your home. A well-ventilated space reduces humidity levels, preventing the warping of wooden structures and minimizing the risk of respiratory issues.

Permit and Code Compliance
Before starting any major renovation, like building a deck, for instance, obtain all necessary permits and ensure the planned work complies with local building codes. Failing to do so can result in fines, project delays, or even forced removal of completed work. Consulting with a contractor or your local building department will help you navigate these requirements and prevent legal complications down the road. Ensuring code compliance also guarantees that your renovations add value to your home rather than becoming a liability if you ever decide to sell.

A successful home renovation starts with thorough preparation and identifying potential hidden issues before work begins. From structural concerns to outdated wiring and plumbing, addressing these problems early on can prevent costly setbacks and ensure a smoother remodeling process. Taking the time to conduct a detailed inspection, seek professional guidance, and plan for storage and compliance will help create a more seamless and stress-free renovation experience. While it may require extra effort when starting a home renovation, being proactive about these hidden issues can save homeowners from unexpected expenses and frustrations, leading to a more enjoyable and rewarding renovation journey.


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The bugs are on their way back, three ways to prepare for unwelcomed insects in your home

StatePoint Media - It is easy to believe that bugs simply disappear during the winter and colder months in the Midwest. The truth is that many bug species have evolved to survive all year long, sometimes hiding in the warm nooks and crannies in and around homes. Others go into a hibernation-like state.

With much warmer temperatures and sporadic unseasonably warm days during the past week in central Illinois, household pests like ants, roaches, and centipedes are making their way back into homes or coming out of hibernation.

"Bugs can be a lot smarter and more resilient than you may realize. Even if you don’t see household pests right now, some may still be waiting in your home for those first warm days to signal them to become active, search for food and find a mate," says Emma Klingman, senior products research at Zevo, a maker of pest control products with naturally-inspired ingredients you can feel good about.

To prep your home for bug season and outsmart pests, follow these three steps:

1. Tidy up: Household pests love snacking just as much as people do, but you don’t need to play host to them. After meals, wipe down tables, counters and other kitchen surfaces. Be sure to regularly sweep and vacuum crumbs, as well as mop up to eliminate sticky food residue. Keep a tightly-fitting lid on your garbage bin, and rinse cans and jars before recycling them.

2. Be ready: Even an immaculate home will face pest problems at some point. That’s why it is important to have tools on hand to catch a problem early, before it becomes a much bigger one. Zevo’s Instant Action sprays target and shut down biological pathways found in insects, not in people or pets. Likewise, the brand’s traps use a UV and blue light system to attract and capture flying insects, and they have a discreet design that can serve as a bouncer at your home’s entry points. It’s also smart to use these traps in potential problem areas, such as near trash cans and fruit bowls and near toilet bowls and drains.

3. Safeguard the yard: Defending your yard from pesky pests will not only improve the comfort of your home’s outdoor spaces, it will help prevent insects from finding their way indoors. Be sure to eliminate standing water by properly tending to your lawn and by periodically clearing downspouts of debris. Any water feature in your garden should use running water. If you have a patio or deck, consider screening it in. If you don’t love the look of screened walls, installing ceiling fans can be an effective alternative. Run the fans whenever you entertain to deter unwanted guests, such as mosquitos, from crashing the party.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to apply bug repellant when spending time outdoors. Find a formula that will be easy to use, such as the new on-body products from Zevo, which include a pump spray, aerosol and lotion. They offer eight hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks and are lightweight, odorless and not sticky.

For more usage tips and more information, visit https://zevoinsect.com and follow on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram (@ZevoInsect).

"As we usher in gorgeous spring weather, it can be an especially challenging time of year to keep bugs at bay at home. But with the right tools and strategies, you can help prevent and combat infestations as they arise," says Klingman.

Got a bug problem in your house? You don't have to move away from the problem

StatePoint Media -- As the leaves turn more colorful and tempertures begin to drop. Little critters are going to be looking for somewhere warmer to avoid the fall chill. If you hate the idea of bugs in your home, you’re in fine company -- 1 in 3 Americans have seriously considered burning down their own home after experiencing a bug infestation, according to a new survey.

The study, commissioned by Zevo and conducted by OnePoll, found that 66% of respondents are willing to do “nearly anything” to get rid of bugs at home -- including fumigating their entire home (51%), throwing the nearest thing at it, no matter what that nearest thing is (43%) and even DIYing a flamethrower (35%). Others have changed their diet and lifestyle to avoid sightings at home, with 59% saying they will even refrain from keeping fresh fruit in their homes or buying houseplants out of fear that it will attract flying insects.


Photo:Pexels/Francisco Sanchez

In fact, some people would rather just leave it all behind and start over somewhere new. More than half of respondents (52%) have considered moving because of bug infestations, and of those who considered that option, 69% actually followed through and packed up their things.

When it comes to putting up with bugs, there are a number of home woes people would prefer to live with, including broken appliances (29%), creaky floors (26%), broken windows (26%), not having television connections (25%) and even rodents (24%).

Giving how bugged by insects people are, it’s no wonder that they have come up with some pretty creative and expensive ways to try to deal with the problem, with 48% of survey respondents having turned to DIY “hacks” and the average person spending $177 on creating homemade methods to deal with bugs. Some of the methods mentioned by respondents include using cinnamon, coffee grounds and even maple syrup to get rid of bugs. One person even recalled pouring gasoline on bugs to drown them.

Of course, many of these homemade solutions produce iffy results at best or are downright dangerous. The bug biology and behavior experts at Zevo say that if you want to rid your home of pests, there are much easier and more effective ways to go about it that don’t involve putting your home on the market and relocating. Here’s an effective two-pronged approach you can try for killing bugs and preventing future infestations:

1. Go worry-free. Most traditional insect sprays on the market today use synthetic pyrethroids as their active ingredients, which can have a noxious smell and make a room uninhabitable after spraying. For a solution that’s safe for people and pets when used as directed, check out Zevo Instant Action Sprays, which rely on essential oil to target and shut down biological pathways found in insects. The brand carries four different sprays to target everything from cockroaches and ants to yellowjackets and crickets.

2. Safeguard entry points. Pests enter the home most typically through windows, doors and the garage. Check screen doors and windows for tears, and patch or replace them. You can also plug Zevo Flying Insect Traps into outlets in areas where bugs typically gather in your home, like kitchens, bathrooms, garages and entryways. The traps use a combination of UVC and blue light to attract and trap flying insects, offering continuous defense for up to 45 days or until the trap is full.

To learn more about defending your home against insects, visit zevoinsect.com.

The next time you spot bugs, put down the gasoline can and the flamethrower. Simple, worry-free solutions exist that can help you maintain a bug-free home and your sanity.


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