Dust Containment and Control Strategies
fxdp
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Has anyone figured out a good way to contain and control dust during the remodel of an interior room, while allowing easy access (double “door” of plastic sheeting)? I’ve never had complete success keeping the dust out of the rest of the house. I’d be interested to hear the dust control strategies of others.
Thanks.
Replies
What Ive done more than once is to completely seal off the room and enter through a window openning after fashioning a temp plywood door to replace it and building a staging on the outside for antry porch. Only worthwhile for a total redo, not just a few pieces of moulding and repaint.
Taking a class in Lead abatement can give you some thoughts.
But be careful about that. Once you know what should and can be done, you are morally and legally obliged to do it.
;)
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.
The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."
--Marcus Aurelius
....and for those instances where entering through the window is not possible (due to cost or height or shrubbery below or just plain safety):
I purchased an attic fan at HD and mounted it on a sheet of plywood. The plywood fits the window opening and therefore seals the opening so blow back doesn't occur. I also replaced the temperature controled on/off switch with a reostat to control how much pull the fan should have. Funny though, I almost always use it full force.
I then apply two sheets of 4 - 6 mil plastic which overlap each other by 1/2 the door opening. The fan stays on 24/7 until the work is completed. Use clear plastic because the black plastic sheeting really shows the dust. HO don't care that it is only on the roomside face of the plastic.
The fan provides negative pressure so dust can only leave the room in your vacuum or out the window.
Sorry Piffin. I couldn't resist the jab.
Edited 12/28/2002 5:25:30 PM ET by Frankie
Not to return the put down, (is a negative pun an unpunny one?) But for where you leave the room, you can put down a tack pad to catch the dust off your boots. .
Excellence is its own reward!
"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.
The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."
--Marcus Aurelius
Frankie,
I set up a draft fan, too, and have had great success with it. Another thing I do is set up my chop saw right next to the fan so that any excess dust is quickly entrained with the outgoing air. This is especially nice when working with MDF.
The only thing negative I could say about the draft fan is that some worry warts will wonder about all that dust going outside and onto the flowers, etc. But there's no pleasing all the people all the time! ;)
Ragnar
Negative pressure -- great idea. I shall put it to work. Thank you.
ml
delta makes a small dust collector reasonable priced. That will help get the dust before it gets air born.
Put a 20" box fan in out side window if not to cold. Seal it in the window with Styrofoam. set up your dust creating tools in front of the box fan in the window.
A home made air filtration: 20" box fan with two furnace filters duct taped on also the type of 1/8 foam they use on air conditioners you can get that at fabric stores. It works a reasonable well
Cover all cold air returns and forced air ducts in the room. plastic