Doing Demolition at Home? Read this First!

My dream of owning my first home didn't include tearing out the walls and rebuilding from the studs. But that was the exact situation I was in. I learned so many lessons, some from experts, and some from experience on how to make demolition happen. The plaster in the house was in disrepair behind plastic board and wood paneling throughout most of the first floor. I made attempts to repair the plaster, but the extent of the cracks was beyond my expertise. I priced out the repair cost, and because plastering is such a lost art, adding new insulation and drywall was less expensive. For me and my budget, I went with the more cost-efficient option. Thankfully, I was able to keep plaster in some parts of the home and I am thankful for that.

There were only a few major surprises behind the plaster. Pictured below is the sturdy, old, birch wood that has kept this house together for over 100 years. The most damage was in the kitchen, where several floor joists had to be replaced due to dry rot. Several sections of the pantry and kitchen also had to be reframed due to significant termite damage. At this point, I was too inexperienced to manage that work, so it was hired out. Although I did have a home inspection, this was missed because repairs were made to the exposed areas seen by the inspector. Essentially, I never would have known the damage was there without tearing it apart.

What makes demolition with plaster so tedious is that you also have to clear out the lath. So, after the heavy, cement-like pieces of the walls come down, you have to remove the skinny wood strips that were nailed in. You'll need good gloves for this and a good eye to make sure you don't end up with nails in your hands or feet. This was no easy feat, and many lessons were learned throughout this process.

After demolishing nearly 1000 square feet of house, I have some tips you should consider before starting a demolition project.

BEFORE: Yes, there are many considerations and purchases to make before hammering at any wall.

1. Demolition Trash Bags- they are thicker and stronger than regular bags for heavier waste

2. Disposing of Waste- Does your neighborhood have bulk pick-up? Will you have to make a special request? Do you want to use Bagster bags that get picked up? Do you have a free local dump? Do you need to rent a dump trailer? You may need a permit if the dumpster is not in a driveway. Do you want to donate anything?

3. What to Buy-

   • Safety Glasses/Goggles- you'll want to protect your eyes from flying debris and dust

   • Flat Pry Bar- the multi tool that will pry things apart, remove nails, and much more

   • Demolition Hammer- yes, every hammer is not created equal. a demolition hammer will do much more damage than the average

   • Stud Finder- I've had three stud finders and the stud buddy has never failed me

   • Baseboard remover tool- this will help you do less damage to your walls when pulling the baseboard away from the wall

   • Utility Blade- scoring baseboard and other items that may have seals with caulk. Another tool with endless uses

   • Driver Drill and bit set- an impact drill is imperative for any and all work, the torque will pull away old screws and have tons of other uses later

   • Heavy duty gloves- protect your hands from the dirt, grime, and potentially sharp things you may grab in the process

   • protective clothing from head to toe

   • good knee pads- buy the good knee pads first! when working on pulling staples or tack strips from floors, you'll appreciate the extra cushion

   • broom- you'll want to keep your regular house broom separate from the one you use during demolition because of dust and other particulates that may be involved

   • big dustpan- larger dustpan for bigger items to clean up. This is a must-have for easier work and again, you don't want to use your regular household tools for your demolition work

   • shop vac- if nothing else, demolition work causes excessive dust to flow around your space. A shop vac is made for this particular type of dust and cleaning. The shop vac can also be used for cleaning your car or for wet clean-ups.

   • Tarp- used to block specific work areas to keep dust contained as much as possible

   • cleaning supplies- I love Simple Green but I'm also a fan of the hot water, bleach and powdered Tide mix. That mix will help clear odors and set in stains. Even on walls and other surfaces.

   • Air filter- you'll need to change your filter out more often when making excess dust. I like reusable ones that can be washed out

DURING:

1. Start small- so often you see people swinging sledgehammers wild and free at every wall in sight. In reality, that is not such a good idea. Behind walls are ductwork, pipes, and electrical wires so caution and awareness are important. I'd recommend starting in a small space to get an understanding of where the studs are. Even disposing of debris as you go will help keep a tidier workspace overall. Check on both sides of the wall and even use a stud finder. All of these things are precautions so as to not mistakenly hit something not intended.

2. Change your air filters twice a month or more to keep the air throughout your home as clean as possible.

3. Check for outlets- these are always attached to studs in the wall either on the left or right of the wall stud

4. Be mindful of nails and screws- in old homes, nails were often used, and without paying attention, you could easily grab something with a nail attached. No one wants that trip to the hospital. Also, grab your impact driver and unscrew things like cabinets vs. ripping them out of the wall. That way, there is much less cleanup.

5. When in doubt, ask an expert. No need to make permanent or expensive damage to your home due to not asking an expert. Removing walls can be structurally damaging if you take away something that should be there.

AFTER:

1. Clean, clean, clean! - there will be dust in places you didn't expect. Give your whole house a wipe down

2. Change that air filter for a fresh start

3. Get to work on your project!

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.