Commercial demolition involves tearing down anything from office buildings to restaurants and retail stores. Commercial demo projects are usually more complex and require more work than residential jobs. That’s why you’ll need a professional contractor along for the ride.
But what exactly does a demolition contractor do?
Whenever an old or decaying structure stands in the way of a builder or developer, a demolition contractor ensures the building is demolished safely.
Here are some things to expect when working with a professional:
Plan Accordingly
Before the building comes down, a demolition contractor must confer with subcontractors, architects, and engineers to determine a clear plan so all parties are on the same page. The contractors need to know exactly what the construction plan will look like to execute an effective demolition job.
Survey the Area
Once the demolition contractors are in on the plan, they survey the area and building to identify hazardous materials or structural weaknesses. This is an overall safety precaution to ensure everyone remains safe. If a building is demolished without being surveyed, harmful materials, such as asbestos, lead paint, or synthetic mineral fibers may be exposed.
Hazardous Materials
A demolition contractor may notice that the building has a popcorn ceiling, which may be a source of asbestos. Asbestos may be present in insulation, flooring, roofing, plaster, and more. Asbestos abatement has to be well-planned to ensure safety for the crew and the public.
Structural Weaknesses
During the surveying portion of the job, demo contractors may notice structural weaknesses that can cause potential accidents during the project.
Common indicators that contractors look out for include:
- Cracks in walls or ceilings
- Uneven gaps in windows and doors
- Sagging, cracking, or sloping floors
- Sagging roofs
- Roof leaks
- Crumbling brick or concrete
- Soil pulling away from exterior walls
Prepare for Demolition
Once the survey process is over and all hazardous materials have been removed, the demolition contractors will prepare for the task at hand.
Many demo jobs may require clearing trees from the property and/or grading the land. Contractors must also determine how they’ll go about the demo, whether it’ll be through manual or mechanical methods. Some jobs require both techniques to ensure a thorough demolition will be executed.
Cleaning Up
After the demolition is complete, the demo contractor takes care of the clean-up.
Mobile waste containers are often used to remove debris from demolition sites. In some cases, cranes, front haulers, and backhoes may be necessary to clean up a job. Some materials and debris may be salvageable, like concrete, wood, corrugated cardboard, and more.
Once all the debris and materials are cleared from the demo site, pressure washers and shop vacs can help remove dust and dirt from the area.
Absolute professionalism is required for commercial demolition projects, and that’s why you need the help of our demolition contractors in Connecticut. The Bella team has years of experience with various demo jobs and always strives to provide exceptional customer service. Contact us today to learn more!
