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Congratulations! You’ve been issued the appropriate building permits and know what codes you need to follow. You can now begin preparing for remodeling your bathroom. What’s the first step? Getting the old bathroom ready. That means removing any existing components as needed, exterminating any insects or other critters, and checking for radon, asbestos, carbon monoxide and other health hazards. If your bathroom has walls that you won’t be using, they will need to be removed before remodeling begins. Make sure the walls are not load-bearing, supporting the floor above. If you need to move a supporting post, consider hiring a contractor to do the work for you as there may be issues that can jeopardize your home’s structural integrity. If you need to tear into walls, this is a good time to also take care of any insects or other pests that have or may soon damage your house. Contact a licensed pest exterminator to inspect the room and make recommendations for pest eradication. You also may need to make some repairs before continuing. Radon is an odorless gas released when traces of uranium in the ground decay. Outside the home radon quickly dissipates in the atmosphere. Underneath a home radon gas can build up and become a health hazard, especially to those who smoke cigarettes or have respiratory problems. Fortunately, you can buy a radon test or alarm kit at larger building materials outlets and use it to find out if hazardous amounts of radon gas (4 picoCuries per liter of air) are present. Instructions with the testers and alarms will tell you what to do next. Asbestos, unfortunately, isn’t as easy to detect. Asbestos was used in many building materials until about 30 years ago when the potential health hazards were identified. It was used in insulation, flooring, and other materials. Only airborne asbestos poses a health risk. That means removing some building materials in older homes can release asbestos particles into the atmosphere and potentially cause health problems. Contractors trained and licensed for asbestos removal may be the best option if you suspect that your old bathroom has asbestos. Check your local telephone book under “Asbestos Abatement & Removal Service” or “Asbestos Consulting & Testing” to learn how to have your home inspected for this hazard. Depending on state laws, homeowners may be able to legally remove a small amount of asbestos material with out a permit.
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