How To Control Remodeling Dust – Best Practices

By Robert Robillard on Dealing With Dust

  BuildClean HEPA

13 Best Practices For Controlling Remodeling Dust

As a remodeling contractor I learned early on that learning how to control remodeling dust and keeping out of the non-remodeled portion of your clients home is often more important than the quality of your work.

There is nothing worse than having your client tell you they want you to pay for a professional to remove the plaster dust from inside their baby grand piano.

Over the years I have developed strategies and researched the BEST methods to control remodeling dust.    If you believe that any of the materials being worked on during this renovation contain lead paint you need to consult and follow the EPA Renovation, Repair and Paint guidelines as well as your local and state guidelines.  Here is my best practice list on how to control remodeling dust.

How to Control Remodeling Dust

BuildClean HEPA Air Filter

BuildClean HEPA Air Filter – Concord, MA

1.  Communicate The Process To The Homeowner

Even with a hermetically sealed room you’ll get some dust.   Take the time to educate homeowners about each step you take to control dust.  They need to participate in these steps as well in order to ensure their success.  Explain that there will be some dust.  By communicating this you are setting expectations.  I like to tell clients to expect some dust and then try to follow the old adage of “promising less and delivering more” by keeping that amount unnoticeable.

2.  Isolate the Work Area

Close doors and seal the ones your not using with blue tape.  I use the Zipwall Barrier System and poly plastic sheeting to create temporary wall and cordon off areas.

Watch a video on the Zipwall dual seal barrier system.

The ZipWall system has spring loaded, expanding poles that allow you install the plastic sheeting tight to the floor and the ceiling.  Coupled with special foam rails you can crate a fairly tight dust barrier, corridor or room as needed.

dust containment wall

ZipWall Dust Containment Wall

 

I designate one doorway into the house and install a ZipDoor Kit in that entry way to separate the remodeling area from the rest of the home.   I try to choose an entry way that also has a door to close to create a double barrier.

The beauty of the ZipDoor kit is it takes me only a few minutes to install and is ideal for jobs where I need to create a dust barrier and sealed access doorway .  One person can install it in under a minute and subsequently reduces labor cost and if you use care when removing it, you can use it again.

The key here is to isolate the work area from the rest of the house and to minimize the migration of remodeling dust.  If possible completely eliminate access from inside the house to the renovations area.  That means provide outdoor or alternative access to rest rooms, outside basement access to utilities, etc.

zip door kit

ZipDoor Dust Containment – Allows Access to Non-Remodeled Area

Work to establish a negative air pressure environment with outdoor air circulation.  Try to keep the windows and doors inside the non- remodeled home closed.

 

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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