Save some money and do the task by demolishing your wall by yourself, but wait!! Before proceeding, here is a checklist that will help you in achieving the desired results:
Check for any Load on the wall
You don’t want to surprise yourself; therefore, the first and the most crucial step for tearing or knocking down any wall is to look around for any loads if that wall is bearing.
If so, ripping that wall probably would not be possible and look for some experts from the field to do the job or else look for an alternate solution because you don’t want to let your ceiling drop and affect rest of your house. If you are an amateur, it is always recommended to hire a pro.
Check for any pipes or wires running inside the wall:
Your wall is not just a brick loaded barrier or partition to divide the rooms. There could be some very important components hidden inside the wall cavities that are crucial for your house to function. Those components could be damaged if you are not careful in tearing the wall.
For example, there could be plumbing pipes, electrical wires, HVAC vents, insulation material etc. running inside the walls that you may not be aware of and damaging them unintentionally can cost you a lot.
Cover Up:
You will, definitely need to clean after tearing down your wall. But, you should cover up your furniture, and other things nearby to reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do. Don’t use cloths or materials that are difficult to clean for this task.
If you have old clothes available, use them for this task.
Check for toxic materials in the wall
If it is an old house, check for asbestos. Get a professional to inspect and remove asbestos installations if there is any. Asbestos can become airborne when you are tearing down the wall; it is not healthy. Hence, if the wall is older than 1980, you need to definitely get it checked.
Lead paint is also another harmful material that is found in walls that were built before 1978. Engage the services of a professional to check the wall for lead paint as well. If it is present, follow the professional guidelines for removing it so that it does not contaminate the home.
Always start from the ceiling down:
Starting off from the ceiling has its benefits. It will help in preventing the sheet rocks from falling and create less mess. Moreover, it will help you to save the flooring from any damage and also to rebuilt the wall if you change your mind at any point in time.
Another important feature could be to add a temporal support to the ceiling, especially if you are attempting to remove the wall on your own. This will help to prevent you and the surroundings from any unforeseen damages.
Choose your tools:
Tools are the most crucial part for any project, so be wise in choosing your tools. One of the traditional and best ways is to choose a sledgehammer. This is the most cost-effective way for knocking down any wall.
However, on the brighter side and for a more professional job, a reciprocating saw is not a bad choice for tearing a wooden wall without breaking a sweat. Ideally, the reciprocating saw should have a demolition blade or bimetal.
There are many such effective tools that will ease your demolition project. So, put some time in surveying the right tool for your project, which will save you loads of time and hard work.
Safety and surroundings:
Make sure you are equipped with the required safety equipment. It is always recommended to clear the area where the demolishing will occur and wear the safety equipment (goggles, gloves. respiratory mask) before initiating the project.
Anyone who will be around the demolition area should wear appropriate protective clothing. Wood and dry particles will get everywhere, so be prepared for that.
What to do with the debris:
You should have everything planned even before you start tearing down your wall. You should consider how you are going to handle the debris from the wall tearing. Some of this debris may be harmful, hence, make sure than you don’t drop any of them in any part of your house.
Double trash bags when you want to carry out pieces of broken wood and nails. So that they don’t fall out. When tearing the wall, make sure you clean up as you go. So that you can have more room around the area. If the home contains toxic substances such as asbestos or lead paint, follow specific guidelines to get rid of the debris. Additionally, get help from professionals like Kurt’s Rubbish Removal to remove all kinds of wastages.
The best time to tear your wall:
In some cases, you don’t need to tear down your wall urgently. If that is the case, you can wait to do it along with other projects. If you need to change the flooring for your home or do any huge home project, wait, and do them together.
Look at the scale of the project and decide if you and your family will need to move away for some time. If it is a massive project that will last for days, you may need to relocate since the dust will be too much for you.
Position of the wall:
Consider the structure of the house before you start your project. Tearing down a wall from a story building is entirely different from that of a single-story home. The two or more story project is a lot more expensive, and it demands expert advice.
If you are breaking a wall from a two-story home, you need to be cautious so that the story does not put pressure on the other load bearing walls in the home.
Tearing down your wall by yourself can save you a a lot of money if you do it right. Engage the services of professionals when necessary. If you try to cut corners, you may end up wasting more money than you need to.