How To Remove Debris After a Home Renovation
Usually, a construction crew will clean up after a big renovation job. But small bits of scrap material and debris are always left behind. What do you do?
If you’re stuck with a big post-remodel mess, you can follow this guide to cleaning up scrap material and debris after a renovation. From what kinds of construction debris you can expect to encounter, to how to dispose of it, to what you can do to make this cleanup as environmentally as possible. All the answers to your questions await.
What Kind of Debris Does a Home Renovation Generate?
Construction waste can be so hazardous to the environment that the EPA has guidelines for the suitable management of construction and demolition materials.
They underline that construction, renovation, and remodeling jobs leave behind a lot of waste. It’s up to you whether it gets disposed of properly, safely, and with as little environmental impact as possible. When cleaning up after a renovation, you can expect to encounter these types of waste:
- Lumber, wood frames
- Drywall
- Metals, including nails and scrap metal
- Masonry (brick, concrete, cement)
- Paper and cardboard
- Plastic
- Pipes and rebar
- Rocks, dirt, and sand
- Green waste like leaves, grass, and weeds
- Carpet, insulation
- Dredging materials, including tree stumps and rubble
- Appliances
- Scrap Metal
- Hazardous waste, including lead, asbestos, paint thinner, strippers, solvents, mercury, aerosol cans, fluorescent bulbs, and plasterboard.
How to Clean Up Debris After Renovation
There are a few things to consider before starting your home renovation project. First, start the air purifier immediately. It doesn’t come in this guide until dust cleanup step one, but it should be running from the start to avoid lung damage.
Remember to monitor your health during the clean-up job. Don’t over-extend yourself to get it done faster than you’re able. And when you’re ready, follow these steps.
1. Section Off the Work Zone
If the construction crew took down all the plastic sheeting that sectioned off the work zone from the rest of the property, put it back up. You want to have a dedicated cleanup space that doesn’t spread debris and dust elsewhere.
2. Clear the Air
There’s a whole other process for removing dust from a construction site. But while you’re working here, turn an air purifier on its highest setting and start feeling that clean and clear feeling in your lungs again. It isn’t worth working even a few minutes in a dust-filled room.
3. Remove all the Heavy Debris
There are a few different options for construction debris removal. But the best strategy is to target all the heavy debris first. That’ll be your chunks of concrete, your sections of plaster and particle board, your sections of rebar wiring, and so on.
Set a large tarp out on your front yard for the large debris, and don’t stop moving it out of the renovated space until it’s all gone.
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4. Remove Medium and Small Debris, then Sweep and Vacuum
Next comes the truly time-consuming part of the job. Start removing the medium-sized debris, like bricks and planks of wood, and then the small pieces of debris. That would include nails and bits of scrap metal and plastic. Once all the debris is off the floor, sweep and vacuum to get a clean floor – and don’t forget to wipe down the walls first.
5. Clean Upholstery, Wipe, Sanitize, and Mop
Now, go in with a fine-tooth comb. Go over furniture with a high-powered upholstery vacuum; wipe down every surface; sanitize after you wipe. Once everything is clean, perform the final task: mop the floor.