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Demolition 101: Tools and TechniquesBy Jim Sulski Summary: Jim helps do-it-yourselfers carefully plan out their demolition job. Tools and techniques are defined for different types of demolition jobs. For the most part, home improvement involves fixing things or putting things
together. There is a segment of home improvement, however, where do-it-yourselfers actually get to take - or break - things apart: Demolition. Without proper preparation, however, demolition can be a frustrating experience on jobs big or small, such as removing a wall in the bathroom to lay new tile, or knocking down a poorly constructed addition to make room for a new structure. The key to demolition is having the proper tools. For example, a reciprocating saw can be used to remove everything from plaster walls to countertops to pipes. It's probably the single fastest tool that you can have when it comes to demolition versus a hacksaw. Another must is a pry bar, which is especially important when there's something that you want to save, such as a piece of woodwork. Other good tools include a sledgehammer, a large claw hammer, a wood chisel with a three- or four-inch blade, and several sharp putty knives. In addition to tools, proper protective gear is also extremely important. Always wear safety goggles and a hard hat or cap to protect your head. Heavy gloves and work boots are a must, as are long-sleeve shirts. Finally, always wear a dust mask as even the smallest jobs can produce clouds of fine debris. If you're working inside, ventilate the area properly by opening a window. With the above precautions in mind, what follows is a guide to demolishing
the different areas of a home: Tearing down a wall is not as hard as it may seem. First, make sure the wall is not a load-bearing wall, supporting the levels above. Before demolishing a wall, shut off the electricity and water to any outlets, switches and/or plumbing fixtures in that wall. Drywall walls can be removed by slicing out sections between the studs with a reciprocating saw. Then pry off the strips of remaining drywall nailed or screwed to the studs with a pry bar. Plaster walls can also be removed in sections with a reciprocating saw. There are special blades for cutting through plaster and lathes. Another way to remove plaster walls is to use a hammer to break up the plaster. You can then use a pry bar to remove the lathes. Ceilings are taken apart in similar to walls except, of course, they are messier as you're working overhead. Also, if there is loose fill insulation packed above, most of it will undoubtedly come down as you remove the ceiling. WOODWORK Woodwork is easily removed with a couple of pry bars and a few other common tools: A putty knife or two and a hammer. If you're planning to save the woodwork, you'll need to work gently. Get behind the woodwork by inserting a putty knife. Once you have a gap going, work in the pry bar and gently back away the woodwork from the wall a few inches at a time. Often times, woodwork will snap back in place once you remove to pry bar to start on a second spot. That's why a second pry bar often come sin handy. FLOORS Floors and floor coverings can also be easily removed with the correct tools. Carpets can be removed with a utility knife. Vinyl tile can be removed with special wide-blade putty knives. Stubborn pieces can be loosened by warming them with a heat gun or hair dryer. Wooden floors can be sawed out with a reciprocating saw (be careful not to
cut into the joists below), or if you want to salvage them, remove the wood
boards one at a time with a pry bar. © by Jim Sulski. All rights reserved. February 1, 2005. NOTE: This column is distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate, PO Box 366, Glencoe, Illinois, 60022. This column may not be resold, reprinted, resyndicated or redistributed without written permission from the publisher. © 2005 by Ilyce R. Glink. Distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate. |
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