Demolition Safety 101

While demolition projects can be fun, they can quickly turn dangerous if safety is not a top priority!

Northeast Pennsylvania Porch Demolition

Before swinging the first hammer, get yourself into the mindset that demolition is a project in itself, not just a means of getting to the “real” project, whether it be a bathroom remodel, kitchen upgrade, or new construction.

Once demolition is safely completed, you can proceed to the remaining stages of your project.

Set aside time just for demolition.

Many people are eager to get their renovation project started and underestimate the time and attention to detail demolition work requires.

Depending on the extent of your project, you may want to schedule a whole day for demolition or an entire week. Devote this period of time, however long, to only demolition.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself regarding the steps that follow demo; just focus on one thing at a time and be as safe and efficient as possible.

Safe and efficient demolition oftentimes calls for a professional, so call the highest-rated demolition company in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area! A+ Enterprises Demolition Services

Protect your property.

Regardless of the type of demolition project, you will want to protect your property in some way or another.

Dust is sneaky and finds its way into every nook and cranny, so simply closing a door and calling it good won’t cut it. You’ll want to seal the area as best you can.
If your project involves interior demolition, you’ll want to hang plastic sheeting and tape around the edges to keep the dust within the work zone.

Turn off all power.

Stay safe, and turn off any and all power within the immediate work area.

Run an extension cord from a safe location with power. This may be a generator or a side of the property outside the demolition zone. You can use this power source to run utility light(s) and any necessary demolition tools.

Confirm what’s behind the wall (or ceiling).

It likely goes without saying, but blindly tearing down walls or drilling into a ceiling isn’t a good idea.

There are a number of things to be cautious of when performing demolition, including:

  • Live electrical wires
  • Water pipes
  • Gas lines
  • Asbestos

A stud finder can help you precisely locate studs where cables may be run. Cut exploratory holes and use a flashlight to safely see what’s behind a wall.

Pick up after yourself as you go.

Demolition NEPA
Cleaning up after a demolition project is very important!

Generally speaking, it’s a good rule of thumb to make sure you pick up after yourself as the demolition progresses. It keeps your workspace clean, which in turn ensures it is safe and easy-to-navigate.

On the flip side, some people prefer simply charging ahead with the demolition work and then picking up all the debris at the end. That’s fine, too.

If your demolition project is of a decent size, renting a dumpster is easily the most cost-effective and convenient method for removing debris. Whether you clean up as you go or once all the demolition is done, a dumpster has you covered.

Hauling services are another option for demolition clean-up, but they are less cost-effective than renting a dumpster when it comes to large cleanups. However, junk removal services can be great for demolition projects that are too small for a roll-off.

It really depends on your preference, but whichever debris disposal method you choose, make sure you make safety a top priority.

Make sure you’re prepared.

When it comes to construction, you wouldn’t start a project without getting the right tools and supplies first. The same goes for demolition.

If you’re tackling the job yourself, make sure you have the right tools for the job, like:

  • Sledgehammer
  • Large crowbar
  • Prybar
  • Clawhammer
  • Gloves
  • Protective eyewear
  • Respirator or dust mask
  • Heavy duty boots

Call us today! 570-373-9996

     




    • Fast service, excellent price. Picked up on the same morning that we called. Will definately recommend and call again. Sal was very professional. Guys who showed up at our home were professional as well. We prefer to use local companies and this is one we expect to keep on our list.

      T Seidel Avatar T Seidel
      July 8, 2019

      Very professional and efficient. Came on short notice. Very nice guys. Extremely good job done swiftly.

      Julianne Cusick Avatar Julianne Cusick
      May 27, 2019

      Very nice to deal with. Showed up promptly. Worked throughout the entire day. Did a fabulous job! Would highly recommend.

      Sandra Hill Avatar Sandra Hill
      June 11, 2020
    • Professional and courteous. We have sought the services of this company twice now. Each time they were more than accommodating with very reasonable prices. A+ service.

      Charles Zaffuto Avatar Charles Zaffuto
      May 2, 2020

      I can't say enough about Sal. He was very patient, knowledgeable, and went out of his way to ensure my company was taken care of. I absolutely recommend anyone to use this company. They get in and out very quickly and offer a great price. They also stick to their word which is very rare now-a-days!

      Mark Van Dyke Avatar Mark Van Dyke
      October 25, 2019

      Great service , They came the same day I called. Very friendly and efficient. Great price for removal. Highly recommend this company. Very professional and A plus rating. Arrived on time and ready to work.

      Tina Stella Avatar Tina Stella
      August 5, 2019
    • Hard working guys got the job done in one day. I recently bought a foreclose property and have A+ Enterprises help do the clean up. Its a 3 bedroom house full of junk, and everything was gone at the end of the day. Image a house hoarders live in, 3 bedrooms, each with bed, dressers, night stand, TV and many other trash, you do not want to be in the room more than 1 minute. Kitchen full of dirty dishes, appliances and dining table with chairs. At the end of the day, whatever not bolted down was gone, including most of the nasty carpet. I will definitely use their service again. Great service and the hard working people.

      Calvin L Avatar Calvin L
      April 7, 2021

      Professional Service and Very Affordable. Fast and Efficient. I highly recommend.

      Doug Fedor Avatar Doug Fedor
      August 25, 2020

      I got a 100% accurate estimate from the owner and he dispatched a crew to clean out my house the next day (!). The guys were professional and very nice and personable, making a tough situation much easier to handle. Moreover, they worked until the job was done way over my expectations. This company has the best prices in our area and they are complete pros. I would recommend them to anyone...don't hesitate and call A+ first! They will be my first call in the future! Added 3/1/2020: So 18 months later I had to clean out a 2nd floor apartment and 3rd floor attic. This attic was stuffed floor to ceiling with junk and the apartment full of furniture. Sal had a crew there within 24 hrs of my call and cleaned it out in ONE DAY! They even swept up and went through with garbage cans to completely clean the house. I value good service and A+ always delivers...I recommend them to my friends and family and have now used them 3 times. Each time the price is far less than I expected and the work is way better than I'd expect. If you have a job that you're afraid to deal with...call them!!!!! It is the best call you'll ever make! They have always come through for me. Thank you!!!!

      Daryl Williams Avatar Daryl Williams
      March 2, 2020
    • I would highly recommend this company. Very respectful employees. Worked efficiently, were conscientious and very careful. Fairly priced and made this cleanup of 50 years worth of “things” easy.

      Kathleen Doyle Avatar Kathleen Doyle
      October 10, 2020

      These guys are awesome! They came here when promised, were really nice and friendly, and they did what they were supposed to do in a timely fashion. The price quoted was changed because I had more “stuff” to get rid of. However, they quoted the difference before getting the rest of the things out and we agreed. I will certainly call them next time. Thanks, A+!

      TJ Belt Avatar TJ Belt
      March 26, 2019

      The 3 man crew did a fantastic job in clearing out and disposing of several large and small items that still remained after a 2 day estate sale. Items removed included beds and mattresses, 3 couches, bedroom chest of drawers, old refrigerator and electric stove, computer desk, old and very heavy television, several tools plus much more.Very courteous workers and owner was great to work with. Highly recommend and you won’t be disappointed.

      Rich Winslow Avatar Rich Winslow
      August 21, 2019
    • A+ is a first-rate, highly professional outfit. They offered courteous, efficient, same-day service at a more-than-fair price. I recommend them with great confidence.

      Joel Shuman Avatar Joel Shuman
      July 8, 2019

      AMAZING!!! 30 years of junk in a HUGE truck garage. We could not have done this job without A+ Enterprises. Thanks to Sal, Joe and the entire staff. I've never met in this day and age such HARD WORKERS!!! Also extremely polite and professional. I HIGHLY recommend this company to everyone. My rating is A+++++++++++

      Bunny Degilio Avatar Bunny Degilio
      August 8, 2019

      Sal and his team were fantastic to work with. They were professional and arrived on time. Our scope of work was larger than originally estimated and they immediately dispatched an extra truck to finish up our job in record time. I would highly recommend them for all your removal needs.

      Bryan McFarland Avatar Bryan McFarland
      December 5, 2019