4 Tips on Handling In-Home Repairs During the Pandemic

The world may be faced with the challenges brought by COVID-19, but it doesn’t mean that home repairs are no longer a thing. Pandemic or not, home issues can still happen when you least expect them. It can be damage to your roof after an overflow on your gutter caused by a severe thunderstorm, or your home’s structural integrity getting compromised due to an earthquake. 

You may be inclined to bring out your toolbox and do the repair yourself. Indeed, there are some minor issues that you can fix easily. However, not all home issues can be done DIY style. You may not have the right equipment or the proper training to do the work safely and properly. It is highly advised that you hire a home repair professional to ensure a well-done job. 

Getting your home repaired during this pandemic? Here are some ways to handle home repairs during COVID-19.

1. Keep at-risk family members away from the site if possible

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that people who have underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung disease, serious heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease, as well as those that are immunocompromised, have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. 

If any of your family members belong to this group, minimize the risk of exposure by having them avoid contact with other people. As COVID-19 does not have a vaccine or cure yet, the best way to prevent it is through social distancing. Don’t let family members enter the part of your home being repaired unnecessarily. For bigger home repair projects, you may have to let them stay in a separate place for the project duration.

2.  Be proactive in screening home repair contractors

During this challenging time, it is better to be safe than sorry. Do your due diligence in looking for good home repair contractors and be proactive in screening them with regard to their medical condition.

3. Request contractors to wear masks and gloves

As part of the safety measures on the worksite, the CDC recommends that workers perform work while wearing masks and gloves. Masks prevent you from getting the virus and at the same time stops you from transmitting it. N95 masks are the best type of mask to prevent transmission. But since these are usually reserved for medical front liners, you and your home repair contractors may use surgical masks and cloth masks. 

4. Clean frequently used surfaces often

One of COVID-19’s most common modes of transmission is person-to-person contact. However, people can still get the virus from surfaces. Scientists have found that the virus can last up to 5 days on metallic surfaces and up to 4 days on wood. Reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 by disinfecting frequently touched surfaces on the worksite like doorknobs and repair tools. 

We are a few months in the COVID-19 crisis but the situation is still continually changing. Always stay updated on the COVID-19 situation and get information only from reliable sources.  As for home repairs, call a professional immediately if it is an emergency. If it is less urgent, weigh the risks and proceed only when you have the necessary safety precautions in place. 

About the Author:

Chris Woodard is the Co-Founder of Handle.com, where they build software that helps contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers with late payments and filing preliminary notices in California and most US states. Handle.com also provides funding for construction businesses in the form of invoice factoring, material supply trade credit, and mechanics lien purchasing.