10 Ways to keep Dust under control during a remodeling project

Why is Dust important to control?

Dust control is a serious issue during remodeling projects. With sanding drywall and demo taking place, dust, especially drywall dust gets everywhere. For people with asthma and allergies, it can turn into a bit of a health issue. Certain remodeling projects can last for months, if not longer, so over time, if the issue is not handled properly, it can wreak havoc.

That is why construction dust control should be a big priority during a remodeling project. In this blog post, we are going to discuss the best dust containment measures to keep you enjoying clean air the entire time.

Plastic is Your Best Friend

When it comes to containing dust, plastic is indisputably the most effective solution for keeping your worksite clean. You can use it in multiple ways! For example, by placing a layer of plastic over furniture and vertical surfaces, you successfully prevent any pesky dust particles from seeping through porous materials.

Contain your space

Another way to use plastic in your dust containment efforts is by creating a temporary plastic wall or walls throughout your space using thick plastic sheeting. The plastic sheeting prevents the dust created from taking residence in other spaces in the house.

So, if you have a remodel going on in your kitchen and don't want it to travel into other rooms, you can use it to block the doorways, while still allowing easy access in and out of the space for workers.

Many companies sell this material. ZipWall is a widely known company that sells plastic sheeting temporary walls for residential and commercial use.

Home Depot also carries plastic dust barriers like this dust containment pole kit.

Water

Before sanding, you can mist a little water to prevent a lot of dust from forming. This will help the dust to settle, making it easier to clean up.

Use a Box Fan

According to the EPA, utilizing box fans is a great way to ventilate dust from the work site out of the house. This works because the fan creates a pressure barrier that helps prevent more dust from traveling to the rest of the house. To use this method, put a box fan in a window and secure it so it can not be pushed over by children. If it rains or snows, be sure to take it out of the window.

Ask subs to cut wood outside

A key factor in dust control is dust prevention. Remodels usually come with the need for carpenters to frame doorways or walls which creates a lot of dust from the wood being cut. Instead of allowing carpenters to cut wood in the home, ask if they could cut the wood outside.

Protecting Floors

Carpet can be a holding ground for dust and other particles that are accumulated during a remodel. This can be problematic if you have children crawling around on the carpet. That is why dust containment is extremely important if you have carpet. There are multiple products that you can use. One is Trimaco's carpet protection film.

Cover Heat & A/C Vents

Another dust control method is using duct tape to seal off air ducts. Your HVAC system is a transportation method for the dust to circulate through the entire house, so taping up your air ducts will stop dust in its tracks. For the dust that does manage to get through, simply change your air filter. Consider buying the best heavy-duty air filters when you're starting a remodel.

Create singular pathways

If you want to keep dust under control, consider utilizing an organized strategy that involves creating distinct sections in your home and appropriately placing furniture within them. This will enable you to better manage the presence of dust and maintain a clean environment. You can also designate one entrance/exit, one material storage route, and one area in which materials can be cut. This will greatly reduce the number of dust particles that may travel beyond the designated work area.

Vacuum

A HEPA-filtered vacuum is a great tool to have on hand for dust control. The filters work very well at capturing even the smallest of particles so they don't escape. Vacuums now have filtration systems capable of removing particles as small as 1 micron. The portability of vacuums also makes it easy to clean up messes quickly, helping minimize the amount of airborne dust caused by activities such as grinding and sanding.

After the contractors finish working each day, be sure to thoroughly vacuum up all dirt and debris around the job site. Before walking in any area of work that may still be wet, ensure it is safe for you to do so by confirming the dryness of tiles on-site.

Keep a Shop Vac Handy

A shop vac is a great tool for dust control during a remodel. Not only can it pick up larger debris like nails and screws, but with the addition of a specialized filter, it can help reduce the amount of smaller particulates present in the air.

Setting up shop vacs at multiple points throughout your remodel will help increase their effectiveness, as they can capture dust as soon as it's created rather than letting it accumulate and become airborne. Not only is using a shop vac better for controlling dust, but will also allow you to have a cleaner home while the remodel is still going on.

We hope that you've gained some valuable tips that will help your remodel end on a positive note, with very little dust left behind.

For tips on how to find a contractor near you, or if you should stay in your home during a remodel, check out our blog. If you want a contractor who cares about you and your home, you can also get in touch with the team at Alabama Construction Pros.