Beware the Dangers and Traps in Australia's Recent Home DIY Craze, Says Bourne Bathroom Renovations Experts
Australians are going through a home DIY craze with the housing industry expecting earnings of $30 billion over the next few years due to home renovations; however, experts from Bourne Bathroom & Kitchen Centre put DIY-ers on their guard of the dangers and traps of doing the job themselves.
MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Australia is experiencing a home do-it-yourself (DIY) craze. The Housing Industry Association is expecting earnings of $30 billion over the next few years as a result to home renovations. However, experts from Bourne Bathroom & Kitchen Centre warns DIY-ers of the dangers and traps of doing the job themselves.
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A representative from Bourne Bathrooms & Kitchen Centre, a leading Australian supplier of bathroom, kitchen, and laundry products, says, "The leading danger in DIY home renovation is the exposure to asbestos, which was used in houses built between 1945 and the late 1990s." He goes on to say that it's found in many elements of a structure, including: cement, fireproofing, insulation, roofing, and paint.
"People who do their own renovations, and may not be real construction experts, can inadvertently expose themselves to this material. Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer which are life-threatening conditions," comments the bathroom & kitchen expert. "The Australian Mesothelioma Registry even says that the country has one of the highest incidence rates of malignant mesothelioma in the world, which is scary."
Bourne's representative also says that home DIY-ers should be aware of unforeseen expenses, which may be beyond their initial budget. For instance, if the house is an old one then its wiring maybe outdated and may require thousands of dollars in rewiring costs. The same thing goes with the pipes and plumbing. "Getting a professional opinion from the outset can help people dodge these unexpected costs."
The Melbourne-based company offers the following tips and suggestions for DIY-ers who are thinking about starting their first project:
- Contact an expert to do an inspection of the whole house, especially if asbestos is suspected. This is one material only the professionals should handle.
- Put a buffer of 20% to the renovation budget should there be any unexpected problems.
- Always check and get a permit. One is needed for renovations that will change the structure or systems of the house. This includes the electrical wirings, plumbing, adding new windows, and moving or removing of walls.
- Only use high quality materials and supplies to ensure the safety of the home and its occupants.
- Always assume that something can go wrong.
Whether it's upgrading a bathroom or kitchen, hot water systems, air conditioners, Bourne Bathroom & Kitchen Centre have been helping DIY-ers and homeowners find the right products for their renovations for over 20 years. For a showcase of their products, visit their website at http://www.bournebathrooms.com.au/.
About Bourne Bathroom & Kitchen Centre
Bourne Bathroom & Kitchen Centre began in 1992 and now has one of the largest ranges of bathroom, kitchen, heating, laundry and water solutions products in Melbourne. The family business has grown to include more than 50 employees across five Melbourne store locations, a head office and a central warehouse.
SOURCE Bourne Bathrooms & Kitchen Centre
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