Cleaning up after a demo project can be as much of a headache as it sounds. The last thing you want to do as a general contractor is to start another task after finally finishing a demolition. However, as it is likely written in your contract, you’re responsible for the cleanup party!
And although cleaning up doesn’t sound too enjoyable, it’s a cap-off to a job well done. And it can be easier than you might think! To ensure that your cleanup procedure is as streamlined as possible, you should know all of the ways to clean up after a major demo project.
Below are some helpful tips. If there are specific cleaning requirements listed in your contract, be sure to complete all of those first and then follow these tips for a more-than-professional cleaning process!
Here’s what you need to know.
1. Wipe Down All Hard Surfaces
After a major demolition project, large amounts of dust are inevitable. Unfortunately, the dust is going to collect on just about everything. Your first step in the cleaning process should be to wipe down all hard surfaces.
Start at the top of things and work your way down. This prevents you from having to do more work than necessary. Start by taking a dry dusting cloth and wiping down the walls from top to bottom.
Then dust all moldings and cabinets as well. Next, you’ll want to wipe down any countertops or other flat surfaces where dust might have fallen on.
2. Clean Air Vents and Replace Filters
As dust flies in the air, it also makes its way to the structure's air vents. All air vents in the building should be dusted well, but pay close attention to the ones near the demo area. Remove air vent covers and do a quick wash with soap and water if needed.
Washed air vents should be given a sufficient amount of drying time before being returned to the walls. Be sure to let your client know that they’ll need to be placed back on the walls after drying and that all air filters should be replaced before doing so.
This is a small extra step that you can take that’ll go a long way. Your client will appreciate it.
3. Ensure All Surfaces Are Dust-Free
You want to leave your clients happy and that means leaving them with a dust-free home or office. There are many different surfaces that can hold dust on them so you want to be sure to check all areas before finishing the job.
Some areas that are commonly forgotten about are ceiling fans, light fixtures, lampshades, decorative items, art pieces, and electronics. Be sure to do a quick inspection of the area before putting your duster down. It’s safe to say that you should take the duster to EVERYTHING in the area where the demo took place.
This will ensure that all dust is removed.
4. Vacuum All Upholstery and Carpeting
Once you’re done dusting, you can then move on to vacuuming all upholstery and carpeting. If you don’t take the effort to vacuum the upholstery and carpeting, the settled dust can cause the home or office to look dirty. Furthermore, dust is an allergen that could potentially cause a mild allergic reaction among the building’s occupants.
Be sure to pay attention to detail and vacuum all of these surfaces. Don’t forget about the curtains as well! Dust loves to settle on carpeting and furniture, but it’ll settle on curtains just as easily.
Let your client know that he or she might want to even vacuum a second time after you leave and the dust has more time to settle.
5. Sweep and Mop Hard Floors
Any hard floors in the building should be swept and mopped. Be sure to save this as one of your last steps because dust from the higher surfaces will fall and land on the floors. After you sweep the floors and remove all dust, you can then mop the floors.
It’s ideal to use a disinfectant to mop the floors. When mopping, pay attention to the baseboards and be sure to remove all settled dust on those as well.
6. Rent a Dump Truck and Use Hauling Services
There are several ways to ensure you leave your client’s home and land clean and dust-free, but there’s only one way to ensure that all materials from the demo are removed from the property. You’ll need to rent a dump truck or use a hauling service to ensure everything is removed properly.
Some materials that you can expect to haul away using a dump truck are gravel, mulch, sand clay, fill dirt, and more. Using a hauling service is the easiest way to clear the property of leftover debris. When completing a large demo project, you’re certain to have plenty of different materials that need to be removed.
After Completing a Demo Project, It’s Time to Clean!
After the completion of a large demo project, it’s time to start cleaning. Cleaning up after a major project might be the last thing you want to do, but at least it’s the last thing you have to do. Cleaning time means the job is almost done and leaves the recently demo-ed property looking better than it was found.
When you’re finished with a large demo job, be sure to contact Mark’s Clearing and Grading to see how we can help.