3 Tips To Getting Your Demolition Job Completed Safely
When you're hired a contractor for an upcoming home renovation, it's often possible to save some money by opting to handle the pre-renovation demolition yourself. Provided you've agreed with the contractor that you'll take care of this job, it's time start thinking about the task at hand. Successful and safe demolition is about more than just having fun smashing walls; to truly perform the job correctly, it's important to take a systematic approach to ensure that an errant swing of the hammer doesn't lead to a hefty repair bill. Most important, it's paramount to get the job done safely. Here are three valuable tips to employ.
Start With The Right Safety Gear
Before you swing your first hammer, you must ensure that you're wearing the gear that will keep you protected during this physical task. Steel-toed and steel-soled boots or shoes are imperative, as even a tidy demolition job can leave nails or screws scattered around the ground that pose a hazard to your feet. It's also important to wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Since you'll be working on your knees at times, cushioned knee pads will help to prevent injuries. A dust mask or ventilation system is handy due to drywall dust and other irritants in the air, while a hard hat, earplugs and eye protection are also valuable.
Take Walls Down Carefully
For a small-scale demolition project in preparation of a renovation, you won't likely be tearing up framing and sub floors. Instead, you might be removing the drywall from one or more walls. Never swing a hammer blindly at the wall. Use a stud finder to identify the location of the wall studs and then use the hammer to break a hole in the drywall between the studs. Inadvertently hitting a study with your swing of the hammer could cause a serious wrist or arm injury. Once you've made your initial hole, use a pry tool to remove small sections of the drywall in a controlled manner. Doing so will help you avoid hitting a water or gas line, which could lead to an injury.
Use A Disposal Chute
Renting a demolition disposal chute and securely running it from your window to a waste bin outside is ideal if you're working on the top floor of your home. This chute will allow you to safely send debris to the waste bin rather than throw objects out the window and retrieve them later. In addition to making your life easier in terms of preventing excess trips up and down the stairs, the use of a chute is important for the job's safety.