How Home Design Can Create Danger!
This post is provided by Katherine Smith.
When we build or renovate a home, one of the highest priorities is often to make it uniquely ours. We want to include features that make it stand apart from every other house on the street. And thanks to greater availability of tools, training, and materials to the DIY renovator, it is easier than ever to take on the work yourself.
Unfortunately, that is where problems can emerge. It is not a big deal to paint or to change floor coverings, but the minute you start penetrating walls and floors, you are on some very risky ground that can quickly lead to expensive and dangerous structural mistakes.
Interfering With Utilities
We think of walls as hollow structures that do nothing but divide spaces. But that is certainly not true. It is very easy to cut into sheetrock or paneling and to get into electrical, water, gas, or sewer lines. Sometimes the problem is immediate, such as a tripped breaker that reveals a mistake. Other times, damage like a pinhole leak in a water line may go unnoticed until years of accumulated hidden damage comes into the open.
Even just adding demand to your utilities can cause trouble. Your home has a finite ability to supply energy and water. High water requirements will lower pressure and decrease functionality. Excessive demand for electricity can trip breakers and damage equipment. Situations like this are a big part of the business for Electrical Safety services, which performs inspections ...
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