Remodeling your home creates a pretty sizable mess when everything is said and done. Even if your contractor or crew of renovators go about the work neatly, there’s still waste, dust and dirt to eliminate when the project is complete. To help, here are a few tips for homeowners on minimizing waste and performing a thorough post-construction cleanup after your final walkthrough.
First, let’s talk about waste. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, home remodeling accounts for 22% of all construction and demolition generated waste. Although a large portion of that waste is from natural materials, some of it could be hazardous to your health, such as brick and drywall dust. Handling these materials should be done with care and may require specialized cleaning equipment.
If taking care of post-construction waste removal yourself, be sure to wear personal protection equipment. A respirator or face mask is indispensable in order to reduce the odds of hazardous dust getting inside your lungs. Employing a professional post-construction cleaning company could also go a long way in protecting your health and everyone else who lives in the house post-renovation. These services are well prepared to handle all types of projects, making sure to clean the home efficiently and dispose of waste safely.
Speaking of disposal, while you’ll probably want to rent a dumpster to remove debris as quickly as possible, you should consider which items could be potentially reused or recycled. With a little preparation ahead of construction, you could coordinate with the contractor to keep waste separated on-site as the project moves along. That way, it’s easier to recycle the waste and to donate any materials that are still in usable condition for reuse. A mixed-waste dumpster is also a sensible option for keeping items sorted and processed correctly when the time comes.
After these bigger materials have been removed, take a walk through the property to assess the supplies you’ll need for cleanup. For instance, spackling paste and spilled paint may call for special cleaning solutions for complete removal. Along the same lines is gathering the proper tools for the job. A high-powered vacuum cleaner, or shop vac, may be required to eliminate all that dust and dirt throughout the renovated area. A wet/dry vacuum is another handy tool to invest in as it helps streamline serious cleaning projects like this.
Going through important points such as these and others similar to them is a great way to set yourself up for success. Also, choose professional services if you want them to come in and take over the duties of cleaning up construction mess. Want to learn more about post-renovation inspection, cleanup and more? Check out the accompanying resource for further information.
Resources
https://www.hennepin.us/choose-to-reuse/tips/home-remodeling-reduce-waste
https://prohousekeepers.com/blog/the-best-post-construction-cleaning-guide/
Infographic created by NowRush Recycling Solutions, Commercial Dumpster Rental for Handling Your Company’s Waste Removal Needs