Do you have an upcoming remodel planned on your calendar? Are you worried about the dust and dirt covering the rest of your otherwise clean home? Not to worry, there are many ways to help the issue and your contractor should already be on it!
If this has not been a topic of conversation with your contractor, or its not detailed in the proposal/estimate provided to you, make sure to ask the right questions to ensure your home stays as clean as possible!
Now, lets get something straight, NO ONE, not anyone can keep your home 100% dust and contaminate free during a remodel, especially a large scale remodel. However, there are some very basic steps that can be taken, along with some more advanced products and procedures, to be as clean as possible while under a renovation.
Its my opinion , that any contractor who does not talk to you about dust containment practices from the start, probably does little to help the cause. Make sure to ask how they will manage the contaminates during the renovation and ask to see pictures of containment on prior jobs!
Some easier products to install on your floors would be, the traditional drop clothes and protective paper for light remodels. During more serious remodeling projects, covering floors with a high density cardboard protection, like Ram Board, is the best idea. Be careful not to tape Rambaord to a finished wood floor(not even painters tape) as it can easily remove the finish as its pulled off!
Plastic carpet protection is the best for carpets anywhere. It can be installed on all carpeted floors, including stairs, without damaging them when removed. Its not a bad idea to ask your contractor to apply 2 layers of plastic carpet protection, especially in high traffic areas, as it can rip easily. All flooring protection should be, at very least, vacuumed at the end of the day so you and your family do not have to trek through dirt and grime.
Entire rooms or sections of the home should be contained by installing containment polls and heavy weight plastic across the room or over the door. The plastic should be aped at the floor, walls and ceiling providing an air tight seal!A zipper, used to access the zone easily can be installed anywhere you want and should be the only penetration in he plastic!
Make sure to seal off any HVAC returns that might be in the space, so your systems does not carry dust from that section of the home to the rest! A very amateur mistake on the part of your contractor, but you would be surprised as to how many people forget this easy, but crucial, step! Just make sure it is not the only return grill to the system, or you will effectively choke the system out and could seriously damage your HVAC.
Lastly, installing a good exhaust fan in a window, inside the containment zone, can have profound effect on limiting the amount of dust that finds its way out. Creating a negative pressure to the exterior inside the zone will ensure, most if not all, of the dust is taken to the outdoors!
One of the last things to remember about dust and small particles, is the risk of lead and asbestos, which both pose serious health risk. Lead is most commonly found in homes pre-1978 and should be only be dealt with by a incensed and certified Lead removal contractor. Asbestos is most commonly found in old pipe insulation, old flooring, some old wall board and even siding products. Be especially careful to have your home inspected by a professional to detect the the presence of either, before any renovation!
Remember, Ask your contractor what they will do to help ensure your home stays as clean as possible! Here is a quick list for easy reference:
- Drop clothes and paper floor coverings(light remodel)
- Ramboard for hard surfaces (high density cardboard)
- Double layer of plastic carpet protection
- Heavy weight plastic containment walls with zipper entrances
- Light weigh plastic over an of your belongings
- Sealing off HVAC returns
- Installing an exhaust fan in the window to ensure a negative pressure to the exterior.
- Work Site filtration system
- Applying mist to areas under construction(helps keep the dust down)