When we renovate older buildings, we may create new problems by altering the behaviour of heat, air and moisture.

As a building ages, wood parts will shrink and swell, water and pests may get into assemblies and cracks may form because of materials degrading. Performing a thorough audit and inspection of a building BEFORE retrofitting are critical to understanding how to proceed with proposed changes.

HAZARDS

Altering a building and its conditions for air tightness, insulation and comfort may see you dealing with the following:

• Toxic materials like asbestos, vermiculite and others.
• Dust, mold and spores from animals that may lead to respiratory and nervous system damage
• Unstable structures that are rotted or deteriorated because of moisture damage

Always treat these situations with care and use recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Don't take chances with your health!!

Some hazardous materials or areas in a building may not be obviously dangerous, especially if they are hidden inside assemblies or beneath layers of finish. There may be hazardous materials that are relatively inert as long as they are undisturbed and in good condition.

Studying the historical application of materials can help you understand what you might find when you dig into older buildings. Architectural history and appreciation courses may be offered at local community colleges or universities.

REMEDIATION

When a building has hazardous materials in its structure and finishes, the process of removing these hazards is called REMEDIATION. This work is done by professionals who have training in the safe handling and disposal of materials, such as lead, asbestos or mold. If your business is mainly renovation and retrofit work, consider training someone on your crew in the proper remediation of hazardous materials.