Dust Removal Is A Key Element of A Successful Home Renovation Project

If you've ever lived through a home renovation project, you understand that dust is not an insignificant issue. Most homeowners want to stay at home during their home renovation which is why you need to make sure that your contractor has a strategy for controlling and removing dust. 

Dust is not only a nuisance, but it's also a potential health hazard. Keeping construction dust under control is an essential element of a successful project. Your contractor's goal should be to keep your life as sane as possible during your project. That means maintaining construction dust as contained to the work zone as possible. Everything from demolition, through the process of finishing walls and floors, can be disruptive to anyone living in the home if your contractor doesn't have a dust control strategy in place. 

Read About Our Home Renovation Process

Isolating dust from the rest of your home should be a priority. Nothing is worse than having an expensive home renovation, only to have to have valuable instruments, home electronics or artwork needing to be professionally cleaned after the project is over. A professional, quality design-build contractor will not allow that to happen.

Construction Dust Can Be A Health Hazard

Demolition can release substances into the air that can be extremely hazardous if not properly controlled. For example, if you live in an older home, built before 1978, there's a strong chance the dust created can contain lead which was commonly used in paint and not regulated before that date. Another potential problem is asbestos which was used in floor tile, plaster, and for insulating pipes.

That's why you need to confirm that your contractor is aware of the proper procedure for identifying dangerous materials and mitigating potential contamination. Dust control is imperative! A good contractor will take your family's safety into account when staging your project.

Dust Control Methods Used During Home Renovation

Containing dust within the designated work area is the first step. Your contractor will take some simple steps like closing doors and windows, and then installing plastic sheeting to create a temporary barrier between the work area and the rest of your home. Zip walls are temporary barriers that open and close using zippers to allow workers to come and go without releasing dust into the rest of your home. Your contractor will also plan a route to remove debris that will minimize dust exposure.

Often they will work to create a pressure barrier within the space. The negative pressure will keep the dust contained when a door is opened. This is done by controlling airflow using air scrubbers like the BuildClean dust control system to capture dust as it's released.

Protecting Your Homes Flooring and Air Handling Systems

Another area to consider is your floors. The flooring material will determine the best protective covering. Certain fabrics or self-adhering plastic sheeting may be used. Your contractor will identify the best flooring covering during the planning and staging of your project. 

We also always seal any HVAC dust in the work area. Dust can quickly enter your system and be pushed throughout the house. By covering venting with plastic, your contractor can significantly mitigate dust migration.

Containment and Capture

Plastic sheeting and floor protection are two crucial steps to containing dust during your home renovation. A final step is to bring in a dust removal system. There are several different products on the market, such as the BuildClean system that can remove a significant amount of dust during the demolition and construction process. 

Some contractors have invested in tools that also have built-in dust control systems. Using these tools can remove a significant amount of dust right at the source. When combined with these other methods, you can eliminate most, but not all of the dust your home renovation project will generate. 

Start With A Conversation With Your Home Remodeler

The best way to determine if your contractor has a sufficient plan in place to control your job site dust is merely to ask! Have the conversation early in the interview process with contractors. They will be honest about the reality of dust during your remodeling project, will share their method for controlling the safety of your project, and happily share their strategy for reducing, removing and cleaning up dust. 

A quality builder will understand the process from the perspective of the homeowner. They know that even if they provide you with the highest level of craftsmanship in the end if the process is a nightmare, it won't matter. A real pro will have a strategy and will be happy to share it with you. If they aren't forthcoming, or off-putting when asked, find another design-build professional. 

They will also give you some tips for preparing your home before demolition begins. For example, remove artwork from any walls adjoining the area under construction. Store or cover any items that could be damaged by dust. The reality is that even with extensive efforts to control dust, some will still be generated during the construction process. The goal is to manage and remove as much as possible throughout the process. 

When asked after their remodeling was complete, homeowners number one complaint 85% of the time was the dust created by their project. At Degnan Design-Build-Remodel, our client's comfort and safety during their home renovation is our number one concern. That's why we take the time to plan an effective dust control strategy from the very beginning. We work with our clients through every element of their project including preparing their home before a project begins, to controlling construction dust.

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 3/5/21. 

If you're planning a home renovation in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area, give the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel a call. Let us show you how we can make your next home improvement a smooth and productive process!

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