Remodelling? Guide to Demolishing a Wall
If you are about to begin a remodelling project that involves removing a wall, you might choose to use a professional demolition services company to do the job. However, if you've opted to take the DIY route, you may like to check out the following demolition tips.
Check load bearing walls
Before you begin tearing down walls, make sure that they are not load-bearing. Load bearing walls are usually sited towards the middle of the house and you can view floor joists from a crawl space of basement. A load-bearing wall on the ground floor will extend up through the ceiling to the upper floor.
Exterior walls of a house are always load bearing and should not be demolished.
If you are uncertain which walls are safe to remove, you should consult a professional demolition contractor.
Bring down the ceiling
You can reduce mess by scoring the area between the ceiling and the interior wall that you are planning on removing. Scoring the ceiling first prevents the wall from tearing down pieces of the ceiling with it when you demolish it.
Watch out for pipes, HVAC vents and electrical wiring
Before taking down a wall that contains wiring, pipes or HVAC vents, check both sides of the wall carefully. Shut off mains power and water before you start and use a saw to cut away the dry wall to expose what's underneath, rather than just ploughing in with a sledgehammer.
Consult a plumber before you take out any pipes.
Watch for asbestos
If the property you are remodelling was built before 1978, you will need to watch out for asbestos that may have been used in wall insulation. Commission a building inspection to check for asbestos and if any is found, you'll need to have it removed by a licensed professional.
Use a saw not a sledgehammer
The most efficient way of removing a stud wall is to use a reciprocating saw with a demolition blade. Unlike a sledgehammer, a reciprocating saw will slice through nails and wood effortlessly, without making too much mess and saving you muscle strain too.
If you are planning a major remodelling project that demands demolition of walls within your property, the above tips will help you to carry out the job safely and efficiently. If the project looks like a complicated one, and there's a chance that the house has asbestos insulation or cement within it, you are strongly advised to use a professional demolition company like Roach Demolition & Excavations to do the work for you.