So You Think You Can Demo! | Express Recycling and Sanitation

Demo – demolition – part of every home renovation project; after all, you have to rip out the old carpet before you can install that new hardwood floor! You have to tear out the circa 1970’s harvest gold fiberglass shower before you can install the beautiful new granite tiled shower stall.

But, if it isn’t done right, your whole renovation project could teeter on failure very quickly. Demolition can also be frustrating to the novice as well as expensive and dangerous.

Most people go into renovating without understanding that demolition is as much a part of the process as the “fun” part. Companies like Express Recycling and Sanitation understand the process of demolition so it is always best to consult a professional before proceeding.

If you have your heart set on being part of the demo process, here are a few tips:

Devote a whole week or weekend (depending on size of the project) to demo.

Don’t start your renovation project on the same week/weekend as your demo – you won’t feel like it after you’ve been breaking down walls and ripping up floors. This will also keep you from feeling pressured to move too quickly which allows for more safety precautions to be taken.

Deal with areas that will not be demolished BEFORE you start.

We have received phone calls from eager demolitionists who thought closing a door would be good enough. Remember, drywall and plaster dust will find every crevice and crack to sneak through. There are products out there that will help prevent these situations or you can seal the areas off with sheet plastic and blue tape.

Find out what’s behind the wall or up in the ceiling.

Are there water pipes, live electrical wires, asbestos, gas behind those walls? It’s always best to find out before you start swinging a sledge hammer or crowbar. Always assume there is electrical wire. You can drill holes in the walls that will help you explore with a flashlight to find out what is behind them.

Power – turn it off!

I know, this should be very apparent but too often people leave the power on and accidents happen. If you need light for your project, light the room by running an extension cord and use a utility light.

Rent a Dumpster

Whether you decide to pick up as you go or go full speed with your demo and clean up afterward, you will need a dumpster or a rolloff as they are commonly described. If you’re doing a demo of any real size, renting a dumpster will save you from taking multiple trips to the landfill and the money you spend – although they are very cost-effective – will be worth every penny.

Have it hauled off

If your project is small, you might consider hiring a company like Express Sanitation to haul off the debris. For example, if you’re tearing out a small bathroom, you can just dump everything on the back patio and have them haul it off for you.

Have the right tools on hand

You should select tools for your demo project just like you would select the right tools for a construction project:

Sledgehammer
Crowbar – a big one
Prybar – a flat, hand-held tool
Claw hammer – if you have one, don’t go out and purchase a new one as they get pretty dinged up and sometimes break.

Protect your lungs

You should always use a Respirator or at least a dust mask. If you’re stirring up dust in a older home, other hazards could be in that dust such as lead-based paint or asbestos. A HEPA respirator works best. If you can’t handle the respirator, and you’re sure that there are no hazardous materials onsite, you should at least use a dust mask.

Wear boots and coveralls

Boots are a must when demoing a house. Stepping on a nail is no picnic and a mistake that you do not want to repeat. You can purchase disposable paper coveralls to wear over your own clothes. These work well, especially if you’re demoing something like a ceiling.

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