TIP IT RUBBISH REMOVALBrick demolition is an integral part of most construction and renovation projects, whether you plan to clear out some space or build a new house.
It is even required in the case of older residential buildings where the mortar has cracked, causing the bricks to move. However, the process can often pose quite a challenge as the bricks need to be broken down into smaller pieces. This can be quite messy and involves considerable time, cost, and hard work.
So, we’ve written down 6 tips to remember when doing brick demolition that can simplify the process.
6 Tips To Remember When Doing Brick Demolition
1. Securing Permits
One of the first things to do before starting any brick demolition project is to check whether a permit is required with the local council. Most brick demolition projects will need legal approval from the local council, irrespective of their scale. It will ensure that the work goes on smoothly and save money by keeping the disposal costs down.
There might be different requirements for acquiring a permit, depending upon the general location of the house, size of the room or building, and any heavy machinery involved. Without obtaining a legal permit, a project can result in fines, increasing its cost.
However, a permit is not required for bringing down a freestanding exterior wall.
2. Undertaking Proper Inspection
Before proceeding with the job, ensure you get load-bearing walls properly inspected. Engineers must first look at the property and conduct proper research before breaking down any wall. Having an engineer present when any load-bearing walls are brought down is vital for maximum safety.
For a DIY project where you don’t want to hire an engineer, the first thing to do is find the blueprint of the structure. Walls in a residential structure like a house usually have wires, and plumbing embedded within that might be affected by the demolition.
Hence, hire an electrician to terminate breaker boxes, electrical cables, and other electrical fixtures or a plumber to disconnect the gas lines safely. Any demolition job will also include materials such as asbestos that need to be disposed of properly using suitable equipment.
For getting such fixtures removed, make sure to hire professionals who offer trustworthy services.
3. Taking Proper Safety Precautions
When undertaking a demolition job, safety is always the number one priority because materials such as asbestos can often cause health problems. Wear protective gear, like safety goggles, a respirator mask, and thick leather gloves when handling hazardous materials.
Additionally, you need to ensure your family’s safety when undertaking such a project, as falling bricks and other materials are a major safety hazard. Luckily, securing the project site can be done by using a warning sign or roping off the demolition area around the brick wall to prevent access.
We suggest using one warning sign per square meter to keep people away from the demolition area.
4. Protecting The Floors
Protecting the flooring underneath the demolition area when removing an interior wall is necessary so that you do not need to undertake repairs afterwards.
Brick demolition can be messy due to bricks and debris falling from above but covering the floor with a tarp, canvas, or other protective materials may prevent damage. You can also place plywood under the canvas at the wall base to protect the floor.
5. Start Chipping Off From The Top
When demolishing bricks, always start chipping at the top layer of the brick wall using hand tools like a sledgehammer, hand chisel, or air chisel. It will prevent the entire wall from collapsing, which is especially important when working inside the house.
Following that, place the chisel into the joint of the mortar between the first two bricklayers and start loosening it with a hammer. Use enough force to knock the mortar chips off for loosening the top brick and proceed in the same way for the rest of the structure.
However, be careful not to damage the entire wall; tear off one brick at a time and remove it carefully, even if the entire process may take a few days.
6. Removing The Debris
Chipping away the bricks will expose unwanted old material in the interior of the wall. Before you tear off the newer bricks, any underlying metal, such as PVC pipes or other fixtures, needs to be removed.
Use a reciprocating saw and a pry bar to tear off the next layer of bricks and proceed with the demolition. Moreover, an air chisel can help speed up this repetitive process and simplify the job.
Long story short, completing a demolition project yourself can help save money and reduce costs. But if you’re unsure, get the job done by hiring a professional contractor or company that offers brick demolition services.
Final Words
Brick demolition has become an essential part of many modern building construction processes.
However, since it takes a lot of time and often requires heavy machinery, following proper guidelines and observing necessary precautions is crucial. Additionally, experience in using tools like a reciprocating saw and pry bar can be quite handy.
In a nutshell, undertaking a demolition process by yourself can lower the overall cost and help save money.
but remember the points mentioned in this guide to stay safe.
