A Renovator’s Guide to Home Safety Features

Home renovations are a great way to increase the value of your property. They can also be an excellent investment because they return on the initial cost and time spent.

Renovations have been shown to increase the resale value of homes by significant margins, and they are a great project to turn a tired old property into your dream home as well.

As a rule of thumb, you should only spend 2% of your property’s value on your renovations to get the most bang for your buck.

But whether you are looking to replace a bathroom or kitchen or undertake a complete renovation of your property, it is essential to look past simple aesthetics. Safety is a huge factor in any renovation, and we have outlined some of the safety features you should consider as part of your planning.

Image from Slavin

Roof Anchor Points Are The Most Critical Part of Your Roofing System

Whether you’re working on residential or commercial properties, roof anchor points are a crucial part of your roofing system. They provide the necessary support for your roof’s weight and help prevent it from collapsing or sagging over time. Without them, you could be in danger of having leaks or other structural issues with your home.

Roof anchors are also the best way to secure your building against natural disasters and inclement weather like high winds, hail, torrential rain and even cyclones. This is because they provide a strong, reliable connection between the building’s structure and its roofing system. This not only prevents leaks but also helps prevent damage from wind-driven rain, hail, or snow.

You can also use roof anchors to secure solar panels, TV antennae, satellite dishes and other equipment to prevent them from being blown away in a storm. But, again, it’s essential to have these installed by a professional to be correctly secured and last as long as possible.

Cross Braces Are a Great Way to Add Stability And Strength to Your Home

They’re easy to install and can be used for many different purposes, from adding support in the basement or crawl space to stabilising an exterior wall.

They’re an easy, affordable solution for homeowners who want to keep their homes safe from damage caused by natural disasters and severe storms. Cross braces can be installed on the exterior of your home in minutes with no need for heavy equipment or expensive construction crews. You’ll be able to feel confident that you’ve done everything possible to protect your family and property when disaster strikes.

The benefits of cross braces include:

  • Increased structural integrity.
  • Reduced noise from outside sources.
  • Better insulation against extreme temperatures.
Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

Electrical Safety Considerations For Your Renovation

Electrical safety is one of the most important considerations for any homeowner undertaking a major renovation. It can be easy to overlook, but it’s not something you want to take lightly.

Not only is it essential to consider all wiring and outlets during the renovation process, but this is also a golden opportunity to upgrade existing electrics to the new industry standards, including:

Your switchboard: If you are renovating an older home, chances are you have an older switchboard as well. These can be a hazard to you and your family, an electric shock risk, and a fire danger. Investing in a brand new switchboard with modern circuit breakers, wiring, and enclosures will ensure a reliable supply of electricity and safety across the board.

Safety features: Look for features including Arc fault detection devices (AFDD), Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCB) and a Residual Current Device (ACD).

Smoke alarms: Like your electrical components, the smoke alarms in the home you are renovating could also be dated. Look to replace them with modern ionisation and photoelectric alarms.

Total safety solutions: Older homes were likely wired room by room. In some cases, there will be layers of electrical installations and some very cluttered, unsafe wiring under the house or through the walls. Renovating is a golden opportunity to re-do the wiring and created a connected household that is more efficient and much safer.

Including these safety features in your renovation planning can save you from heartache down the track by improving your home’s structural integrity and overall safety. We recommend taking the time to consider all of these safety features while also investigating what other additions you should consider in your project.

 

Gail P
I am a beachy type of person, living in Newport Beach, and oftentimes I’ll go for a swim with my daughter. When I’m bored, I’ll help make package boxes for my little girl’s sticker company on Etsy.