DEAR TIM: I am allergic to dust. However, I want to do some extensive remodeling to my house. I know that remodeling activities can produce dust. What can I do to minimize dust in my house and protect myself? T.H.

DEAR T. H.: Remodeling activity almost always creates dust. It can generally be managed and controlled. However, you should first consult with your physician to determine your personal risk factor.

The key to dust control is to minimize the introduction and creation of dust on the jobsite. Dust can be produced by almost all construction activities. Dust can be brought into the jobsite on materials and boxes. Several things can be done to control and minimize dust.

Be sure that everything that is brought to the jobsite is cleaned before it enters your house. During demolition phases, the room in which the work is taking place should be sealed off from the rest of the house. Securely tape plastic over all door openings. This plastic should be taped to the walls and the floor so that the dust cannot escape between the door trim and the wall. Do not carry demolition material through the house, discard safely out the window in the room where the demolition is taking place. It is extremely important to completely seal off any supply or return ducts. If you fail to seal these openings, your furnace system may spread the dust throughout the entire house.

During construction aspects of the remodeling, be sure to close all windows and doors near the construction area. Wind and drafts can carry airborne dust into your house. Be sure to seal off the construction area from the house by taping plastic around all openings leading to the construction area.

Daily cleanup is important. Ask your contractor to avoid using a broom. A shop vacuum cleaner is a better alternative. Be sure that the filter is new or cleaned on a regular basis. Consider attaching a damp cloth over the exhaust port of the vacuum to catch any dust which escapes past the filter. The cloth must be rinsed frequently and should always be moist to be effective.

You should consider wearing a high quality dust mask during the remodeling process whenever you feel at risk. Various companies make highly effective masks which filter almost all dust. Other masks are available which filter harmful or toxic fumes. Some masks are disposable, while others have replaceable filters which you change on a regular basis. These masks quite possibly will enable you to endure the remodeling process. Even if you are not allergic to dust, it is a good idea to have one available.

Older homes which are remodeled often can contain asbestos in a variety of building materials. When these materials are disturbed during demolition, asbestos can be released into your home. Lead dust is also a danger. Lead can be found in paint. It was completely banned as an additive to paint in 1978. So, unless your home was built after 1978, there is a possibility that lead dust could be created by remodeling activity.

Aside from the nuisance which dust creates, it can be a health hazard. Both you and your contractor should be aware of these risks. You should talk extensively with your contractor prior to the start of the job. Ask what measures are going to be taken to minimize and contain the dust. If your house is older, you should consider having a testing agency or lab check to see if any materials you are removing or disturbing contain hazardous materials.

 

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Comments: Welcome! I, Tim Carter, don't answer questions here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area, perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me, there is an option there for you. Titan 12 May 2009, 16:07 Asbestos Dust is very very dangerous to health and all information to such adverse health effects by asbestos can be found at www.asbestoseffects.com Diana 28 Jun 2009, 07:03 I recently had my basement floor covered with decorative concrete. The workers did not block off the area and concrete dust from sanding the floor came upstairs and essentially covered my entire house. My children, 4 and 7, breathed it in, even though they were outside during the actual sanding, and had respiratory problems--but my pediatrician told me I shouldn't worry about one acute exposure. After reading about the dangers of concrete dust, however, I'm still panicking. Is there anything I can do to clean it up properly or to help my kids? John Williams 19 Feb 2010, 11:59 With the April 2010 EPA lead dust requirements fast approaching is important to remember the EPA's recommendations for a lead safe work environment. Remember to follow these simple procedures: 1. Contain the work area. Take steps to seal off the work area so that dust and debris do not escape. Warning signs should be put up and heavy-duty plastic and tape should be used to cover the floors and furniture and seal off doors and heating and cooling system vents. 2. Minimize dust. Use work practices that minimize the dust generated during renovation and repair by using water to mist areas before sanding or scraping; scoring paint before separating components; and prying and pulling apart components instead of breaking them. Dangerous practices such as open flame burning or torching and using power tools without HEPA vacuum attachments are prohibited by the rule because they generate large amounts of lead-contaminated dust. 3. Clean up thoroughly. Work diligently every day to keep the work area as clean as possible. When all the work is done, the area should be cleaned up using special cleaning methods including the use of a HEPA vacuum and wet mopping. Victor 24 Nov 2010, 20:54 We recently had some work done on our basement. They had to fix a drain pipe. They never told us to turn off the furnace so all of the dust is in the ventilation. We have since mopped the basement, cleared out and cleaned all of the boxes of the dust. We have rented a carpet steamer and gone through the house top to bottom, but still cannot get rid of the dust from this work. Can anyone tell me of a service that would come in and clean the house, the furnace and get rid of this dust. I am dried out and it just gets worse everyday. Please help. Bick 20 Mar 2011, 08:00 Check out a product called The Fantastic Fan it can remove up to 95% of all dust produced during the demo process.      View all comments *Name: Email: Notify me about new comments on this page Hide my email *Text: Security Image: Security Image Text:   Remember, Tim Carter doesn't answer questions here in the comments. You need to go to the Ask Tim page.