An old building beyond repair is best demolished to give room to a newer, safer, and more robust structure to live or work in. However, demolishing a system, ancient ones, should be done carefully. A decrepit architecture can contain hazardous materials, both on the structure and the soil around it.
Here are some things to do before you go ahead with your plans for demolition to ensure your safety as well as your workers and the neighborhood.
Be aware of all lines coming into the house through the siding. Take care in these areas so that you don’t damage the home’s power source or leave yourself without cable or phone service. If you’re using a ladder to remove siding from high on the building or just getting onto the roof, be sure the ladder contacts the top of the structure at least two steps below the ladder’s top step. If possible, tie the ladder to a stable surface near the upper support point.
Make sure you know whether live electrical wires, pipes, or HVAC conduits are behind it. Turn off power and water before beginning. Cutting into wiring or pipes can cause serious injury to you and seriously damage your house.
Head to the basement or attic to determine if it’s load-bearing – meaning the wall helps support the ceiling or roof above it and is integral to the structural integrity of the house. To determine if a wall is a load-bearing, look at the exposed joists in the cellar or attic. If beams are perpendicular to the wall, it’s likely load-bearing.
Floors can have multiple layers of covering, roofs can have numerous layers of shingles, walls can turn out to be load-bearing, and newly revealed pipes can spring a leak. Allow room in your budget and schedule to deal with the unexpected.
Professional contractors know it’s hard to remove a hardwood floor with a putty knife or take down a wall with a tack hammer. It would help if you didn’t try it either. Before you begin your demolition project, be sure you have the right tools on hand.
Protect your eyes with safety goggles and your lungs with a dust mask or respirator. Flying particles can cause serious injury. Inhaled insulation or lead paint dust can create respiratory illness. For most projects of moderate to grand scope, it’s wise to invest in a dumpster. Remove construction debris quickly as you progress to keep your work area safe and efficient.
Building demolition can be simple and easy if you follow the rules and perform the necessary preventive measures before the project. If hazardous materials such as asbestos have been identified, you must follow government regulations for asbestos removal. All hazardous materials should be removed from the site and disposed of correctly to prevent the spread of contamination in the surrounding areas. As long as you follow the guidelines of your HazMat inspector and the recommendations of your city inspector, your demolition will go smoothly and without any worries.
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