Dust Mitigation During a Remodel
(10 things to think about)
Dust prevention during a home remodel is a crucial aspect of the renovation process. Excessive dust can not only be a nuisance to clean up but can also pose health risks to you and your family. By implementing effective dust prevention strategies, you can minimize the amount of dust generated during your remodel and create a safer and cleaner environment in your home.
I have been doing high end remodeling for 20+ years now, and the most important thing to remember as a contractor is that you are a guest in your client’s home. As a guest in someone’s house, you always want to go the extra mile to not be more of a hassle than necessary. I’ve seen a lot of systems through the years, from zip walls to air scrubbers. There have been many lessons learned over the years, and I would like to share them with you.
In this blog I will go over 10 things to think about when starting a remodel. I hope this helps to provide you with valuable tips and techniques to keep dust at bay.
They are: 1. Dust Prevention During a Remodel
2. Dust Control Strategies
3. Dustless Tools
4. Ventilation
5. HVAC Protection
6. Cleaning
7. Contractor Communication
8. Furniture Protection
9. Air Scrubbers
10. Post Remodel Cleaning
1. Dust Prevention During a Remodel-
Dust prevention is a key consideration during any home remodel. The first step in minimizing dust is to plan ahead and establish a dust prevention strategy before the renovation begins. By taking proactive measures, you can effectively control dust levels and ensure a cleaner and healthier living environment throughout the remodel.
2. Dust Control Strategies-
There are several effective dust control strategies that you can implement to prevent dust from spreading during a remodel. One of the most important strategies is to contain dust at the source by using dust barriers and sealing off the work area. Plastic sheeting or tarps can be used to create a barrier that prevents dust from migrating to other parts of the house. While they do work well, in my experience the ZIP WALL systems work much better. Also, they sell reusable sheets to create the barrier with, which if you are as environmentally conscious as we try to be, is a real plus. The amount of used plastic that is thrown away can be quite excessive.
3. Dustless Tools-
Utilizing dustless tools and equipment can significantly reduce the dust generated during a remodel. Dustless saws, sanders and vacuums are equipped with built in dust extraction systems that capture dust at the source, preventing it from becoming airborne and spreading throughout the space. We prefer to use the FESTOOL systems. Each tool has a dust extraction system that attaches to a FESTOOL vacuum which utilizes an internal HEPA filter.
4. Ventilation-
Proper ventilation is essential for controlling dust levels during a remodel. Ensure that windows and doors are kept closed during construction to prevent dust from entering other areas of the home. It may sound a little counterintuitive, but a gust of wind causes far more problems than it’s worth. The barriers end up acting like sails catching a breeze, which can lead to them falling over and exposing the entire house to the dust. I have seen it enough times that I no longer tempt fate and just keep all windows and doors shut.
5. HVAC Protection-
Protecting your HVAC system is crucial for preventing dust from circulating throughout your home. Change the air filters regularly to prevent dust build up and consider installing temporary air filters or covers to protect the system during the remodel. Seal off any ducts or vents in the work area to prevent dust from entering the HVAC system! I cannot stress this enough. If you do not and the dust enters the system, when the AC kicks on dust will be sent out of every vent in the house. I promise you it only takes one time for this mistake to never happen again!
6. Cleaning-
Regular cleaning is key to controlling dust levels during a remodel. Use a wet/dry vacuum to clean up dust and debris as it accumulates and wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth or microfiber cloth to capture fine dust particles. Clean tools, equipment, and work areas regularly to prevent dust from spreading. The biggest one for me is vacuuming off the table saw or chop saw after use. If you do not, the next time you turn it on the dust gets blown into the air. No fun, l assure you.
7. Contractor Communication-
Effective communication with your contractor is essential for implementing dust prevention measures during a remodel. Discuss your concerns about dust control and establish clear expectations for maintaining a clean and dust free work environment. A reputable contactor will have experience in dust prevention techniques and will work with you to minimize dust during the remodel. We hold weekly meetings with our clients and lead off by asking about their living conditions and what we can do to help make it cleaner and easier on them.
8. Furniture Protection-
Protecting your furniture and belongings from dust is important during a remodel. Cover furniture with plastic sheeting or tarps to prevent dust from settling on surfaces. Again, we try to avoid wasting plastic as much as possible, so we use large tarps to cover furniture that get reused on as many jobs as possible. Remove and store valuable or delicate items in a separate, dust-free area until the remodel is complete.
9. Air Scrubbers-
Air scrubbers work wonders to keep dust at bay. When used in conjunction with barriers is when they work their best. The air scrubbers suck the air though a filter and blow the clean air out a duct, which is place outside. This creates a negative pressure inside the barrier, meaning that even if the barrier is failing somewhere, the air outside the barrier is being pulled into the construction zone, not the other way around, making it much harder for dust to exit the area. We use the BUILD CLEAN 360 AIR SCRUBBER. We have used several brands, but this has worked best for us.
10.Post Remodel Cleaning-
Once the remodel is complete, thorough post remodel cleaning is essential to remove any remaining dust and debris from the space. Vacuum and mop floors, wipe down surfaces, and clean HVAC filters to ensure a clean and dust free living environment. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service for a deep clean to eliminate residual dust. Remember to always clean from high to low, so dust never falls on something you have already cleaned.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, dust prevention during a remodel is a critical aspect of maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. By implementing effective dust control strategies, utilizing dustless tools, ensuring proper ventilation, protecting your HVAC system, maintaining regular cleaning, communicating with your contractor, protecting furniture, using air scrubbers and conducting post remodel cleaning, you can successfully minimize dust levels and create a safe and dust free space during the renovation process. Prioritize dust prevention during your remodel to ensure a cleaner and healthier living environment for you and your family.