Demolition is an ideal option for people that need home extensions or those that want to pull down old homes to create space for modern houses. Demolition works expose demolition contractors to various risks. Therefore, it should be a carefully planned and executed activity. Below are a few things you should know about house demolition.
Always Work With An Experienced Contractor
Consider the following when hiring a demolition contractor.
- What is the contractor's specialisation? For instance, when pulling down a building with a few storeys, check whether the professional has demolished similar buildings in the past.
- The contractor should have an operating licence and adequate insurance coverage. Besides, check the local building commission's website to know whether the contractor has been accused of low-quality work in the past.
- The contractor should have demolition equipment such as wrecking balls, bulldozers and excavators. Inspect the equipment to ascertain that its mechanical condition.
- The contractor should have reasonable terms and pricing. For instance, the demolition contract should compel him or her to complete the works and observe the agreed-upon deadlines.
Understand The Site Hazards
Inspect the site to identify hazards that might hinder the demolition. For example, demolition equipment such as excavators could come into contact with low-lying electrical wires or damage underground water and gas lines. If the demolition site has clay soil, you should use earthmovers that have tracks rather than tires. Additionally, you should remove dangerous materials such as asbestos and lead.
Create A Demolition Plan
The demolition plan explains the method of demolition. For instance, if the building is in an isolated place, the contractor could use implosion. If the building is located close to other buildings, the contractor could opt to demolish walls and remove internal fittings to help control the spread of demolition debris. The demolition plan also details the safety measures to be observed at the site. For instance, the demolition site should have a barricade. Besides, site personnel should have protective clothing. The contractor could use a water curtain to control dust at the site.
Demolition Cleaning
The demolition contractor should explain how he or she will clean the demolition site. Consider demolition waste recycling. Sell steel bars and internal metal fixtures to scrap metal dealers. On the other hand, stone and concrete can be crushed and used as aggregate. If you cannot recycle the demolition waste, the contractor should dispose of it at an appropriate facility.
When conducting residential demolitions, work with an experienced contractor, understand the site hazards, create a demolition plan and clean the demolition site.
To learn more, contact a resource that offers home demolition services.