The Rule Home Town Stars Won't Break On A Job Site (And You Shouldn't Either)
Ben and Erin Napier, the stars of HGTV's hit show "Home Town," are a great source for home advice. Whether you need to add personality to your room on a budget or need help mixing different woods in your space, the Napiers have handled it all. But beyond decorating skills, they are also experts in working on a construction site. While home renovations are fun and exciting, they can also be dangerous if not handled correctly. The Napiers have a few tips they always abide by, one important rule being that they do not do outside work in unsafe weather.
During the Season 3, Episode 13 of "Home Town," the Napiers had a plan to install an outdoor deck, but when a rainstorm hit on the planned installation day, the pair knew they had to take a step back and rework their schedule. Working outdoors during bad weather can result in injuries and the destruction of materials and tools, which in turn can lead to additional costs and an extended timeline.
How to know when it's safe to work outdoors after a storm
If you are in the midst of a home renovation that includes outdoor work, it's important to follow Ben and Erin Napier's lead and avoid doing any work outside when the weather isn't ideal. Before starting any outdoor projects, you should always check the weather forecast — even if a rainstorm is not slated until later in the day, lightning can strike up to 25 miles away from the storm, making working conditions unsafe long before the rain starts.
But even after the rain stops, you should take a few extra precautions before you get back to work. According to The National Weather Service, you should always wait at least 30 minutes after the end of a storm before going back outside. If you had any electrical tools that were plugged in, wait those 30 minutes before resuming work with those items as well. While the threat of unsafe weather can delay a project and cause stress to the homeowner or construction team, there are things you can do to stay productive while you wait for the weather to clear.
Things you can get done indoors while the weather is bad outside
During the episode of "Home Town," Ben and Erin Napier are seen walking outside in raincoats and carrying umbrellas, with Ben stating that they definitely would not be able to get the deck done that day. Instead of letting the day go to waste, the couple instead maps out and finalizes their plans for the deck, measuring what they can and then going inside to do work. If you are also dealing with unsafe weather during a planned outdoor reno, use the time to get some tasks done inside.
The Napiers began working on the ceiling beams inside the home while the rain came down outside, but if your project is solely outdoors, you can use the rain delay to work on aspects of the project that can be done in the safety of your home. If you are also building a deck or similar outdoor project, you will need to check building codes and finalize your design before you start, both of which can be done indoors. Consider measuring any materials you'll be using, painting those materials, or even cutting and preparing them too. This allows you to still work on the project without risking your safety or ruining your materials.