Dust-Free Remodeling - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Journeyman T · 01-04-2008, 03:55 PM

I'm interested in any tricks (other than the obvious) for minimizing dust when remodeling. Does anybody have some?

dkillianjr · 01-04-2008, 04:29 PM

I usually plastic off the area and cover all floors inside if they are not getting replaced and cover the floors I have to walk on through the house. No zip wall yet, just masking tape and plastic lol. I also use a box fan to create a air pull out a window. And a good jobsite clean up with a shop vac during and at the end of the day. Ridged does make a little jobsite air cleaner, I have never used it so I don't know how it works, but if nothing else it makes you look good to the HO.

Dave

neolitic · 01-04-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkillianjr

Ridged does make a little jobsite air cleaner, I have never used it so I don't know how it works, but if nothing else it makes you look good to the HO. Dave

Jet and DeWalt have them too.
I'm thinking about one for the near future.
I use some off-brand "third hand" type poles I got for @$19.
Saves a lot of time and tape with visqueen barriers.

Anyone got something really good for carpeted stairs?

frbsns · 01-04-2008, 05:59 PM

Zip-Walls are the only way to go. They are expensive about $600 a piece, but you can get them on e-bay sometimes for cheap. If you have a high-end customer that can get you more work or referralls and want to impress them, zip-walls are the only way to go. Also, if you have subs, make them clean-up everyday. My crews vacuum the site and get rid of the garbage every day.

bujaly · 01-04-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frbsns

Zip-Walls are the only way to go. They are expensive about $600 a piece, but you can get them on e-bay sometimes for cheap. If you have a high-end customer that can get you more work or referralls and want to impress them, zip-walls are the only way to go. Also, if you have subs, make them clean-up everyday. My crews vacuum the site and get rid of the garbage every day.

Zip-walls??? I can't find that under an internet or Ebay search...
Is there a brand specific name or...

wireless · 01-04-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neolitic

Jet and DeWalt have them too.
I'm thinking about one for the near future.
I use some off-brand "third hand" type poles I got for @$19.
Saves a lot of time and tape with visqueen barriers.

Anyone got something really good for carpeted stairs?

I have bought this seran wrap type of plastic which sticks to the steps.

Tin Cup · 01-04-2008, 07:05 PM

We use an "air scrubber" that I own from doing mold remediation. Works great to creat positive or negative air pressure, has large flexible hoses to run out of windows, openings, etc. Kinda costly at $1500 but mine has paid for itself many times over. We still need to seal off areas with plastic but if you can control the air movement, you've won the biggest battle.

Also, we always use my nice powerfull triple filtered Hepa Vac, never a plain old shop vac. most shop vacs with dirty used filters vent out alot of small particles which eventually settle. $400-$500 for it but again has paid for itself many times over.

Most customers are impressed when we take the time to control the dust with this simple equipment. Even more impressed when we wear footies over our shoes.

Sunbelt rents this equipment, if you want a quick education check out their catalogue, kinda pricy to rent pricy when they add the new filters, that's why i just bought them. you can buy the "Zipwalls" from them also. Before you put the zipper on the plastic, don't forget to wipe the plastic with an alcohol wipe first so it will stick well.

Good luck,

Tin Cup

neolitic · 01-04-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wireless

I have bought this seran wrap type of plastic which sticks to the steps.

That stuff is okay for a day or two,
Id like to find something that holds up for a second floor bath gut!
10-20 trips a day and not need to be replaced every day.
'Course I'd like Michelle Pfeiffer to come tuck me in tonite too.

**Cole** · 01-04-2008, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bujaly

Zip-walls??? I can't find that under an internet or Ebay search...
Is there a brand specific name or...

http://www.zipwall.com/

IMHO - Every Remodeler Needs This

send_it_all · 01-04-2008, 07:16 PM

Carpet mask will work ok on stairs, but I usually vacuum the stairs really good first, then take my time putting the carpet mask down so as to tuck it into the corners really well.

neolitic · 01-04-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by send_it_all

Carpet mask will work ok on stairs, but I usually vacuum the stairs really good first, then take my time putting the carpet mask down so as to tuck it into the corners really well.

This stuff?
http://www.polytak.com/carpet_mask.shtml
Might be me but it was too narrow,
stuff got under it, and it moved around a lot.
Thinking about using regular vinyl runner, and holding it
with crown staples thru plastic caps?
(Like off of felt nails)

kevjob · 01-04-2008, 08:46 PM

We use the carpet mask no problem with demo days just replace after demo then after drywall.

Trask makes the same poles with no plastic parts for 30.00 per pole I picked them up and use them every day and they can also be a third hand

Jesse Kirchhoff · 01-04-2008, 10:06 PM

We bought our zip wall set and bag from Sherman Williams and they matched the internet price that I found online. It is well worth the money and looks impressive as well.

Ours proved its value when we had to cut in a 2'x2' projection window through a 12" block wall in the projection room of a movie theater. There where 12 movie projectors running along with all of the computers for high definition that go with them. As you can imagine dust was not an option on this one.

The Zip Wall, Rigid air cleaner and a large Shop Vac outside the barrier did the job. We had to cut for 4 minutes and then wait for the dust to clear for another 5 minutes. One of those air scrubbers sure would have been nice but we made due.

Tin Cup · 01-04-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse Kirchhoff

We bought our zip wall set and bag from Sherman Williams and they matched the internet price that I found online. It is well worth the money and looks impressive as well.

Ours proved its value when we had to cut in a 2'x2' projection window through a 12" block wall in the projection room of a movie theater. There where 12 movie projectors running along with all of the computers for high definition that go with them. As you can imagine dust was not an option on this one.

The Zip Wall, Rigid air cleaner and a large Shop Vac outside the barrier did the job. We had to cut for 4 minutes and then wait for the dust to clear for another 5 minutes. One of those air scrubbers sure would have been nice but we made due.

Good idea with the shop vac outside the important zone. you not only vented the vac outside you also created a little negative pressure inside your work area. i've done that when i could to save my hepa filters on large dusty jobs. its all about controlling the air pressure. simple but sometimes not easy.

Ever tried a "grab bag" for a job like you mentioned. Another trick from mold inspections. tape the grab bag to the wall with your tools inside, reach in with the gloves, do the work, seal it back up, close up the grab bag & all done. We used them when inspecting a medical facility once. Everybody was impressed even me.

I just saw my local big orange home improvement center selling a zipwall, i think it was in the plumbing section ???

Tin Cup

Jesse Kirchhoff · 01-04-2008, 10:45 PM

I learned about negative pressure real quick when dust came billowing out of every small nook and cranny at first

Never heard of the grab bag but sounds like a good idea.

We use a modified 7" grinder with a 12" diamond blade (with custom made blade guard) for masonry wall cutting. That thing gets pretty squirrelly sometimes and hard to hang on to - so it would probably jump out and eat up my grab bag and a few fingers with it

neolitic · 01-05-2008, 12:01 PM

Any one ever use this stuff?
http://www.dropcloth.com/cleanandsafe2a.html

**Cole** · 01-05-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neolitic

Any one ever use this stuff?
http://www.dropcloth.com/cleanandsafe2a.html

That looks pretty good.

I ordered a sample.

neolitic · 01-05-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole

That looks pretty good.
I ordered a sample.

Me too!
They're gonna think business is on the up-tick

neolitic · 01-05-2008, 04:26 PM

Talk about timely.....
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...ANEOUS%20JACKS
At that price I'm gonna add to the collection.

I've had 4 of them for 5 years now,
and they're doing just fine thank you.

Milhaus · 01-06-2008, 09:03 PM

Zipwalls are absolutely necessary. We get the four pack for around $250 each around here. I've used the carpet runners as well. Which I think are absolutely necessary as well. We slowly can change the mentality that remodeling is a rotten experience by taking these steps.
Good ideas on creating negative airspace.

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