Demolition Safety 101: How to Be Sure Your Demo Project Runs Smoothly & Safely
Before swinging the first hammer, get yourself into the mindset that demolition is a project in itself, not just a means of getting to the "real" project.
Whether you're planning a bathroom remodel, kitchen upgrade, or new construction, demolition must be safely completed first.
Once demolition is safely completed, you can proceed to the next stages of your project.
Here are the steps you should follow before beginning a demolition project to be sure it goes properly...
Set aside time just for demolition.
Many people are eager to get their renovation project started and underestimate the time and attention to detail demolition work requires.
Depending on the extent of your project, you may want to schedule a whole day for demolition or an entire week. Devote this period of time, however long, to only demolition.
Don't put too much pressure on yourself regarding the steps that follow demo; just focus on one thing at a time and be as safe and efficient as possible.
Safe and efficient demolition oftentimes calls for a professional, so send us an email and let the team at Troy Demolition help you.
Protect your property.
Regardless of the type of demolition project, you will want to protect your property in some way or another.
Dust is sneaky and finds its way into every nook and cranny, so simply closing a door and calling it good won't cut it. You'll want to seal the area as best you can.
If your project involves interior demolition, you'll want to hang plastic sheeting and tape around the edges to keep the dust within the work zone.
Turn off all power.
Stay safe, and turn off any and all power within the immediate work area.
Run an extension cord from a safe location with power. This may be a generator or a side of the property outside the demolition zone. You can use this power source to run utility light(s) and any necessary demolition tools.
Confirm what's behind the wall (or ceiling).
It likely goes without saying, but blindly tearing down walls or drilling into a ceiling isn't a good idea.
There are a number of things to be cautious of when performing demolition, including:
Live electrical wires
Water pipes
Gas lines
Asbestos
A stud finder can help you precisely locate studs where cables may be run.
Cut exploratory holes and use a flashlight to safely see what's behind a wall.
If you’re planning on starting a commercial or residential project please give us a call and we’d be more than happy to send you a FREE Estimate on the demolition portion. Thank you and I hope this post was of value to you.