When to Stop a Renovation Project & Call a Professional
Some home renovation projects are not overly difficult, so that a homeowner can manage them on their own; for example, removing a wall to change the footprint of a room, or removing old flooring tile and installing new tile in its place. However, there are times when you want to stop your renovation project, even if it's something relatively minor, and call for a professional to assist. Note when this is and why it's so important, for your safety and to ensure the work is done right.
You hear or see cracking
During any renovation work, you want to be aware of any odd sounds, such as cracking, wood splitting, creaking, groaning, and the like. This can mean that you've done something to disrupt the home's support, so the wall studs or floorboards are shifting and cracking.
You may also see cracks in the walls or ceiling, or what appears to be uneven drywall or a sloping ceiling. If this damage was not present before your renovation, it's good to stop what you're doing and call a professional, to inspect the work and ensure the home's frame is properly supported, before you continue with your project.
You meet unexpected electrical wiring tasks
You may think you know where all the electrical wiring in your home is located, but may be surprised to find wiring behind otherwise empty walls or even under floorboards. This may be older wiring that is not active or connected to anything, or it may be the result of shoddy electrical work. Whatever the case, you don't want to try to move this wiring yourself or even touch it; call an electrician to handle it for you, and reroute the wiring as needed for your new plans.
You discover mould, asbestos, or pest infestations
If you tear out a wall or pull up any flooring and see a substance you know is not fibreglass insulation, consider that it could be asbestos. What appears to be black dirt around building materials could actually be mould. Signs of pest infestation include droppings, shed insect shells, and burrowed tunnels along insulation or through wood. These are all very dangerous to homeowners; asbestos and mould are very hazardous to your health, as are pest droppings.
Pulling up more building material can increase your exposure to these dangers, and may also disturb a nest or colony of pests. If you come across any of these during a renovation project, stop your work, vacate the area, and call an asbestos removal company to inspect the area and remove those substances or fumigate as needed.