Once you decide to embark on a house remodeling project, you will face significant challenges, including managing construction dust.

You should be prepared with methods to handle the expected dust problem before your builder starts the renovation. These methods will ease the remodeling process and make the site conducive to work-related operations.

It’s possible to hire professional duct cleaning and dust removal services after builders complete your remodelling process. However, there are ways to manage the dust problem during the home reno process, as listed below.

Make Space For The Work

Strip the workplace and remove your large pieces of furniture from the work area before the remodeling begins.

You can adopt these preventive measures to prevent dust emissions during construction:
  • Remove Furniture and Personal Items: Start by clearing the room of all possible items, including decorative pieces, rugs, electronics, and small furniture. This not only protects them but also makes it easier to clean and organize the area after the renovation.
  • Cover Fixtures and Built-Ins: If you have built-in items like cabinets or shelves, cover them with plastic sheeting to prevent dust from collecting.

Take Personal Belongings Away From The Work Area

Any items near or at the workstation can get damaged. Hence, ensure you box up any treasured framed, photographs, documents, or other property with sentimental significance.
  • Store Items in a Safe Area: Store valuables and delicate items in a different room, garage, or storage unit. Consider using boxes or bins with airtight lids for extra protection.
  • Label and Organize: Label boxes and containers to easily locate items after the renovation, which can also speed up the unpacking process.

Transfer Furnishings:

If possible, move your furniture to another section of the house. You could put it in another bedroom or basement near the operational work site. That way, it will manage construction dust during work and provide the contractors with a spacious workspace.

Wrap Any Furniture Left In The Working Area With Thick Plastic

Dust produced during construction usually gets firmly entrenched in fabric, making it challenging to clean. However, a thick plastic coating will help prevent construction waste from staining your sofa. So whether it’s too bulky for transportation or there’s no place to move it, wrapping it with a plastic bag can come in handy.
  • Thick Plastic Wrapping: Use durable, thick plastic sheets (at least 2-4 mils thick) for better protection against dust particles and debris. Secure the plastic with painter’s tape or zippered dust barriers.
  • Double Wrapping for Extra Protection: For large or sensitive pieces that must stay in the room, consider double-wrapping to ensure dust doesn’t penetrate.

Safeguard Your Flooring

Carpeting is particularly susceptible to dust during renovations since tiny particles may quickly get trapped inside its delicate fabric. At the same time, wood flooring is vulnerable to damage from dust during renovations.

As such, purchasing flooring covers throughout your restoration, such as sticky mats, plastic coverings, and corrugated plastic is essential. It would be helpful to implement these chores before renovation kicks off—your builder will appreciate your forethought, and you'll be able to start the reno immediately.
  • Protective Mats and Plastic Covering: Use protective floor coverings like rosin paper or heavy-duty plastic sheets, which are specifically designed for construction and renovation.
  • Avoid Tape on Sensitive Flooring: Be careful using tape on delicate flooring like hardwood, as it may damage the finish. Instead, use a perimeter barrier or cardboard over plastic sheets, which provides additional cushioning.

Keeping Dust at Bay Throughout Your Renovation

Dust management time during construction involves employing containment measures. As soon as your project starts, follow these tips to keep small dirt and debris from dispersing through your living area:

Identify One Entrance And Exit To The Work Site

Select one ideal entry and exit point to the working area. Then, tape it with a protective trail of tarpaulin or plastics in and out to keep employees from collecting dust. When the workday ends, simply shake the dust off the tarps before storing them for the next day's use.
  • Set Up a Designated Path: By establishing a dedicated pathway, you reduce the spread of dust to other areas. Cover the pathway with plastic runners or floor protection to catch dust from workers' shoes.
  • Barrier Installation: Install zippered plastic sheeting or even temporary doors to seal off the designated entry/exit area

Daily Cleaning Of the Working Area

Cleaning up particles left from renovation requires a meticulous cleaning routine. Here are guidelines to keep dust at bay throughout your renovation:
  • End-of-Day Clean-Up: Arrange for workers to sweep and vacuum daily, especially if they’re cutting or sanding materials that produce a lot of dust.
  • Vacuuming vs. Sweeping: Use HEPA-filter vacuums, as they trap fine dust better than standard vacuums. Sweeping can stir up dust, so vacuuming is preferable when possible.

Inquire On The Firm's Cleaning Practices On The Job Site

Before accepting a builder's proposal, inquire about the crew's site maintenance plan. Also, ask whether they include air scrubbing or can provide a mobile dust suppression bowser that eliminates dust, particulates, and pollutants from external environments.
  • Ask About Dust Management Plans: Find out if the contractor uses barriers, floor protection, air filters, or other dust-control methods during the project.
  • Use of Tools with Dust Extraction: Some contractors use saws or sanders equipped with dust extractors, which can drastically reduce airborne particles.

Carry Out Some Cleaning By Yourself

When the team leaves the worksite, do a little cleaning yourself. Despite your excellent efforts at managing construction dust, particles may still find their way throughout your home. Therefore, pay attention and clear debris, dust, or any dirt that comes in each day.
  • Clean Nearby Rooms Frequently: Dust has a way of traveling into adjacent rooms, so regularly wipe down surfaces in nearby areas and vacuum to keep dust levels low.
  • Focus on High Dust Areas: Pay attention to windowsills, vents, baseboards, and corners, which tend to collect dust quickly.

Engage Skilled Cleaning Services

As much as you and the construction firm may take the necessary steps to tame the dust problem, construction dirt may sometimes necessitate the help of a qualified cleaner.

You can hire a cleaning agency to join the cleaning effort at the end of your endeavor before you begin using your freshly renovated house. They’ll help eliminate any traces of dust that may have remained.
  • Pre-Final Inspection Cleaning: Before the final walk-through with your contractor, consider hiring a cleaning company specializing in post-construction cleaning. They’ll know how to thoroughly clean vents, walls, and other areas where dust may have settled.
  • Air Duct and Vent Cleaning: Dust can get into air ducts, spreading it throughout your home long after the project is done. Professional air duct cleaning may be a worthwhile investment for larger projects.

Ventilation Considerations Throughout Your Renovation

Maintain airflow throughout the site. Understand that even if your builder is just working on one area, tiny particles of dust may disperse and move across your property. You can do the following in your living area:
  • Tape up your home vents to prevent dust from getting into your ventilation system.
  • Keep your windows open for ventilation purposes and to allow good airflow.
  • Use an exhaust fan to depressurize your house. It will assist by creating a pressure barrier that prevents pollutants or dust from spreading to other home areas.

Additional Tips

  • Zippered Dust Barriers: These barriers are easy to install and allow you to zip open and close entry points without tearing plastic sheeting. They’re especially useful for rooms with frequent entry and exit.
  • Consider Temporary Walls: For long-term projects, temporary walls (often made of plastic sheeting with frames) create a better seal and more durable dust barrier.
  • Mist the Air with Water: In dusty work areas, misting the air with water can help weigh down airborne particles, reducing dust spread.

By following these steps and communicating dust control expectations with your contractor, you’ll protect your home and belongings, making the renovation a more comfortable experience for everyone involved.