Selective demolition is useful when you want to make structural changes to a part of your home without destroying the entire building. This type of demolition is common when making interior remodels, altering a building or constructing an addition. Whichever your project is, you need to carefully plan it out to prevent damage to the rest of the structure. A proper plan may also save you a lot of money during the subsequent construction project. Therefore, as you prepare for the demolition, here are four steps to take.
1. Create a Detailed Demolition Plan
Work with your demolition contractor to create a detailed plan. What parts of the structure do you want to tear down? What do you intend to do with the space in the future? Answering these questions will prevent extensive destruction to other parts of the building. Your plan should also include details on the following:
- A plan on how the demolition contractor will access the site
- Proper dust control measures to protect the rest of the home from the demolition work
- A plan of tools to be used to enable partial demolition, such as using attachments such as shears instead of wrecking balls to reach high components
- Mould removal to prevent exposure to mould spores
A proper plan will not only streamline the project but also make it easy for you to project the costs of the project.
2. Inspect for Hazardous Materials
If your property was built before the 2000s, it might contain hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead. Exposure to these materials can cause severe respiratory problems. Therefore, a demolition contractor should not go in blindly. Inform them of the need to conduct a pre-demolition inspection. If hazardous materials are present, you can take the proper remediation measures to prevent exposure of dangerous fibres and fumes into the air.
3. Determine the Components to Keep
When tearing down a part of your structure, there's a chance you will want to keep some components for the new building. This will save you a lot of money as you won't be forced to buy new fixtures for the remodel. Some of the components include lighting fixtures, plumbing pipes and fixtures, floor tiles, windows, beams and much more. Make a list of these things early so your contractor can know to preserve them during the project.
4. Decide What to Recycle or Trash
Demolition projects generate a lot of waste. However, not all of it should end up in the landfills. Items such as concrete, timber, nails and metal can be recycled for your next project. If you don't wish to recycle, you can always sell them and make some money. Therefore, decide what you will reuse or trash. This way, your contractor can separate the recyclable materials and carry away the rest to the landfill.
As you prepare for selective demolition, work with an experienced contractor to ensure a successful project.
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