Construction Cleaning: The Best Guide
You are probably familiar with the destructive nature of construction work if you have built or remodeled your home. Dust and dirt can happen even when things go according to plan. There are special cleaning needs for post-construction cleanup. If not properly cleaned, brick or drywall dust could cause damage to your house. Additionally, some debris from construction can pose a danger to your health.
Our experts are skilled in post-construction cleaning. No matter if you are just finishing remodeling or have an ongoing insurance claim, these post-construction cleaning tips can help get your home back on track so that you can take pride in its appearance.
Construction cleaning services: Do you need to hire a professional?
It’s crucial to decide if it is worth hiring a professional or completing a DIY post-construction clean before you start. Sometimes cleaning up after renovations or construction is similar to regular cleaning as it involves:
- dusting.
- vacuuming.
- polishing.
If the job is particularly difficult, you may need to use specialist tools like
- wet/dry vacuums.
- commercial floor polishers.
- shop vacs.
You can rent the majority of construction equipment at your local hardware shop, however, once you factor in your labor cost, it may be cheaper and more efficient to hire an expert cleaning service.
Cleaning tools and equipment for post-construction
Although you might not require all these tools at once, it is a good idea to have them on hand. You can take a look around your home and think about what materials are needed to clean them (e.g. brick dust, paint, spackling paste) as well as how to do it. Some of them include:
- A shop vacuum is a high-powered vacuum cleaner.
- Vacuum for wet or dry use
- Floor polisher
You should also consider trash collection. It’s likely that you’ll fill many trash bags with debris and dust. Even after small renovations, it’s amazing how much stuff accumulates. Ask your contractor if they have a dumpster that you could use. Or, talk to your waste management company about renting a bag for large amounts of garbage.
Preparing for post-construction cleaning
It is important to organize your cleaning before you begin a post-construction clean. It will make your cleaning easier and save you time. You should start at the furthest point of the front door and move up, down, in, out. You’ll be able to move dirt and dust outside more often than you would if it were spread around and making even more mess.
Before you begin cleaning, make sure the dust is gone completely. This will make the final job easier and it will keep you from inhaling too much dust. You can seal any areas that haven’t been affected with plastic sheeting, which is available at most hardware stores. To attach the plastic to walls or doors without permanent damage, you can use masking tape (also called painter’s tap). To protect your HVAC system, make sure to cover vents and other openings with additional plastic sheeting.
Use a soft-bristled brush to clean each room. To remove any loose dust, sweep up the walls and ceilings. Then brush towards the middle of each room. Wearing a dust mask is advisable if the dust is very bad. It can be easier to sweep the dust by lightly spraying it with water.
Do you need a post-construction cleaning contractor?
Homeowners and managers often underestimate the costs of employing a professional cleaner to clean their property after they have completed construction. Although it is tempting to do the work yourself, and save some money, there are many reasons that hiring a professional cleaning crew can be a good idea. These are their qualifications:
Safety
Post-construction cleaning professionals are familiar with the dangers of cleaning up after contractors. Professionals are familiar with the hazards of cleaning up after contractors have left. They know how to spot stray glass and shards, as well as what protective equipment to use to prevent injury.
Skill
Cleaning Pros are trained to know which methods to use and what equipment to use for each type of stain and every surface. Professional cleaners are also familiar with the hidden places, so you'll not be surprised to see a drawer stuffed full of dust or paint splatters after a professional cleaning.
Equipment
You will likely need professional equipment unless you are willing to damage your vacuum cleaner. The cost of renting can easily become prohibitive. If you are cleaning multiple rooms or a property, this is especially important. The Cleaning Pros have the best tools and can also use commercial cleaning products when necessary. This ensures faster results.
Budget
It might seem like you are saving money on a post-construction cleanup, but is it really true? Cleaning materials, tools and equipment, as well as the cost of renting and disposing of trash, can quickly add up. Not to mention your valuable time. If something happens and expensive equipment is damaged, cost-saving measures could cost thousands. A professional cleaner will charge a flat fee, so your budget can be protected.
Cleaning after construction
After you have gathered all your gear and cleaned out as much dust as possible it is time to get started. You can usually do major cleaning in multiple steps. A rough clean is followed by a touch-up clean that may take as long as one week.
Do a rough cleaning
This stage is the beginning of a post-construction clean. It involves the removal of all debris and major dirt sources. The property may still look dirty according to normal standards after a rough cleaning, but most of the clutter will have been removed.
Deep cleaning
After the initial cleaning is complete, you will be able to go over your property again and do a thorough clean. It’s easier to clean the property post-construction in 2 passes than it seems. Even the best cleaning will not eliminate dust from the surfaces. It is possible for it to settle after just one pass.
Please keep in mind the following recommendations:
- Start at the outermost point of the building and clean it thoroughly.
- Particular attention should be paid to bathrooms and kitchens
- To clean glass doors and windows with a squeegee, use a sponge to scrub them.
- Clean walls, doors, and baseboards.
- Use a soft and dry cloth to dust light fixtures.
- To remove dust from HVAC filters and vents, use a vacuum to clean them
- Clean carpets, and vacuum floors
Cleanse the area with a touch-up
You’ll see more dust on flat surfaces in the days after you remodel your home. Smudges, fingerprints, and marks might appear on mirrors or windows. To remove any signs of construction, wipe the surfaces with a microfiber cloth.
Cleaning fine dust from a renovation
Fine dust is the biggest issue after most construction. This type of dust can be difficult to contain, even if you take all necessary precautions. It can damage electronics or cause problems if it gets into your HVAC system.
A microfiber cloth dampened is the best method to remove fine dust. You should not get your dust wetter than necessary. The dirt will stick to the cloth and turn into mud. The cloth should be used to collect the dust, and not soaked. You’ll need to do this on all surfaces, even floors.
After each use, wash the cloth and rinse the water out. You won’t be able to reapply wet dust in areas that you believe you have cleaned. Let the area dry completely and then use a vacuum attachment with a brush attachment for any dust remaining. Then, wipe the floor and walls with a moist cloth.
We Can Help You!
General Contractor Pro is a company that is responsible for managing and overseeing construction projects from start to finish. We are often hired by property owners, developers, or businesses to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required standard. We also hire and manage subcontractors.
