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Home Demolition Tips

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Although demolitions are fun to watch, they pose a variety of risks. If you intend to conduct a home demolition, adequate preparation can help prevent accidents caused by oversights. Continue reading this piece for some home demolition tips.

Always Hire a Contractor

A demolition contractor brings in the technical expertise you might not have if you attempt a DIY demolition. For example, when conducting a partial demolition, the professional examines the building's blueprints to establish the location of structural features and the weights they bear. Their assessment determines the kind of reinforcement the building needs to ensure the entire structure does not collapse during demolition. 

Most demolition works require a permit. To secure the license, you must detail the demolition sequence and the safety measures you will take at the site. Your demolition contractor is best suited to apply for this permit. Moreover, most contractors have insurance coverage to compensate people who suffer injuries or whose property gets damaged during the demolition. 

Inform Your Neighbours

It is a wise move to inform your neighbours of the proposed demolition work. It helps them prepare their households for noise or air pollution. For example, they could keep their windows closed or move items that are close to the demolition site. In some instances, the strata or resident association by-laws could have restrictions on demolition work. For example, they could prohibit demolition work during certain days or hours. In other cases, you could be required to control noise from the demolition site.  

Prioritise Safety

Follow these safety measures when demolishing a structure; 

  • Barricade the area to prevent curious individuals oblivious of the site risks from accessing the area.
  • Ensure everyone on the site has personal protective gear.
  • The contractor must guarantee that the plant equipment at the site is appropriate and in excellent condition.
  • Site personnel should understand the demolition sequence and how the plant equipment will work. It protects them from getting hit by debris or plant equipment.
  • Use a safety net to contain demolition debris at the site.
  • The demolition site will have several pieces of equipment and tipper trucks. Therefore, consider a traffic management plan to prevent vehicular or machinery accidents. 

Have A Debris Management Plan 

From the onset, you must have a debris management plan at the site. Ask your demolition contractor how they will manage and dispose of the debris. If possible, recycle as much waste as you can. For instance, you could use aggregate as a base for pavements, a foundation, or a driveway. On the other hand, wood could be used as fuel or to build a patio in your landscape. You could also sell internal fixtures on E-commerce websites and metal bars to scrap metal dealers. 


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