Home renovations, especially those that involve a large amount of demolition, come with many inconveniences. One of the main annoyances of a remodeling project is the amount of dust and debris that is generated. Construction dust easily travels throughout your home, forming a thick film on all of your furniture, floors, and belongings. To avoid the hassle of having to clean up all the dust after the project, you can take the following steps to contain dust during a demolition and remodel.
Steps
Step 1. Close as many doors as possible during the renovation
This is the fastest and easiest way to help contain construction dust. Rooms that the construction crew does not have to enter must keep the doors closed at all times. Rooms, as well as bathrooms, should be locked when no one is using them. Closing doors in your home will go a long way in mitigating the spread of dust and debris.
Step 2. Place plastic sheeting around the work area
One of the most effective solutions for controlling construction dust is to hang plastic sheeting around the area being renovated. You can find cheap film in the paint aisle of your hardware store. Thus, you can hang them using a tape or inconspicuous fasteners, such as staples. Consider making long vertical cuts in the middle of the plastic sheeting to allow clearance.
Step 3. Push the powder out by creating a pressure difference
The best way to do this is to open a window and turn on a fan that faces an open window. This will push the dust that is in the air out and prevent it from entering other areas of your home due to the pressure difference.
Step 4. Protect the floors in your home using tarps or plastic sheeting
One of the things that is most easily ruined by construction dust is the floor. Hardwood floor finishes can be affected by excess dust, and construction dust can grind deep into carpets where it is difficult to clean. Avoid this problem by placing plastic sheeting or tarps on any area of the floor that will be exposed to foot traffic during a home renovation.
Step 5. Use water-cooled tools equipped with vacuum cleaners whenever possible
Some construction tasks produce a lot of dust, for example cutting wood or shingles or sanding any surface. To reduce dust, many tools may be equipped with a vacuum dust collection bag or a water cooling system. You should always use a tile saw with a water pump on, which will pretty much remove the dust. Miter saws, circular saws, and hand sanders should be equipped with dust collection bags that reduce the amount of dust that flies.
Step 6. Turn off the heating and cooling system that relies on domestic ducts
If your home's heating and cooling system uses ducts to force air movement, turn them off during the entire remodel if possible. Forced air systems easily stir up construction dust and distribute it throughout your home (avoid closed doors and plastic sheeting during the process). Turn off the heating and cooling and consider taping plastic or paper over the duct registers and vents.
Step 7. Complete as much of the work outside as possible
The tasks that you can do outdoors should be done like this. This includes cutting wood or tile with a power saw. Performing these tasks outside and then bringing the cut materials indoors dramatically reduces the amount of construction dust in the home.