HGTV's Jasmine Roth Shares The Crucial Safety Task You Need To Do Before Demoing
There's no denying that one of the most fun and satisfying parts of any remodel project is the demolition. To expend all that energy is cathartic, gets the blood pumping, and makes the whole home renovation process exciting. However, demoing your rooms is also very dangerous, with debris flying everywhere and who knows what behind your walls. HGTV's Jasmine Roth recently encountered a couple who had begun their demolition project without following proper safety precautions, and the possibilities were sobering. Before any demolition project, it's crucial to turn off all power to the area at the breaker box to prevent the chance of electrocution.
The walls of your home don't just serve to separate the rooms and hold up the ceiling, they are conduits for all the hidden wiring, plumbing, gas lines, and ventilation that makes everything function. Virtually every wall of your home is going to have at least one of these elements running through it, so it's imperative you turn them off before knocking anything down.
The dangers of live power lines
Damaging any of the hidden pipes or wires within your walls can be dangerous. Busted water lines can wreak havoc all over your room, whereas gas leaks are literally a combustion hazard. Both of these sources need to be curtailed whenever demoing an area that features them, but it's likely the devastating effects won't be immediate and can be somewhat curtailed with quick thinking. Not so with power lines.
If you're breaking down a wall of your home with live electrical outlets and wiring running through it, you could be instantly electrocuted if you happen to hit them directly. If that happens, the effects could be deadly. Before any demolition job, always go to the main electrical control box and turn off the power to the entire area you'll be working in. Don't just take the box's labeling as truth; confirm the switches and outlets are definitely disabled before proceeding with your demo. It could mean the difference between life and death.