Containing dust during renovation projects
Most remodeling and home renovation projects include some level of dust and debris that gets kicked up and can find its way around your home or office. As a handyman service, we recognize that easing the fall out of dust during any renovation project is as important as the finished product itself. Any good contractor will go out of their way to mitigate the mess created during a remodeling project and that includes dust. But what happens when you try your hand at a DIY home remodeling project? We have a few suggestions for homeowners who want to contain the dust and dirt when they are doing home renovation projects on their own.
Protecting your property
Dust particles can creep up anywhere - including on your great-aunt's antique lamp and your favorite espresso machine. To protect your property properly and contain dust during a renovation, your best options are cover or remove. Contractors like us will usually do our best to remove items from the vicinity before we start working. If we can't remove it, we'll cover it.
Covering your furniture is especially important. While you could drape items with a tarp or clothing, you should consider buying poly plastic sheeting to cover your furniture, furnishings, and anything valuable that cannot be removed from the room itself.
Protect floors
Floor protection during home improvement projects has improved dramatically over the last few years. When you're painting, protecting your floors is a crucial part of the project - you don't want wet paint on your floors, do you? The same rings true for dust - when dust particles get on your floor during a renovation project, it gets messy. It gets worse when you try to clean the floor covered with dust! Rather than making a bigger mess, cover your hardwood or tile floors with a non-slip tough fabric roll. Have carpeting? Opt for a self-adhering plastic that resists punctures and is a 3 mil. polyethylene film that resists punctures. When you have high-traffic areas, lay ¼foot sheets of Masonite down to floor protection.
Workspace isolation
This might seem like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised how many DIYers forget to isolate the workspace. No matter which part of your house you're updating, you want to seal off the workspace itself. Sometimes it's as easy as closing a door and sealing off the bottom of the door. But when closing a door isn't an option, there are a few other things you can do. You can purchase one of the following:
ZipWall Dust Barrier System
3rd hand Magnetic Dust Barrier
Surface Shield Kit
You can also make your own ZipWall alternative. You can:
Use PVC pipes to main your own containment space and clamp plastic sheeting to the structure
Hang plastic sheeting off doors
Create a pop-up tent outside to contain dust when cutting wood
While you're sealing up your workspace, don't forget to seal return ducts. This helps prevent fine dust particles from going through your HVAC system. It also prevents your furnace filter from clogging up which slows down the overall airflow.
Renovate without the mess
When you take on your renovation project, there's bound to be some kind of mess. Let's be honest - no home project can be completed without some kind of debris or dust. However, when you take the steps above (like we do!) - you can contain the dust easily to something that's manageable and won't drive you crazy to clean up. If you decide you don't want to take on a project yourself and would rather hire a professional handyman for the job - make sure you ask them about their procedures for containing dust. If they give you a vague answer, call us instead.