Professional cleaning services and post-construction cleaning services are not created equally. The tools, training, and goals of the two differ widely. A residential maid service would not be properly equipped for post-construction cleaning and vice versa. Unlike a standard or even a deep home or office cleaning, a post-construction cleaning deals with more than just the everyday dirt and dust that gathers over time.
Regular household or office cleaning helps to improve hygiene and helps with the aesthetic appeal of a space, but post-construction cleaning functions as more of a necessity out of safety and security. The dust produced during construction sticks on materials like windows and cabinets which require special solutions and tools to fully remove. However, post-construction cleanup also involves removing leftover materials that may include wires, glass, and nails, which may be unsafe for you.
Post-construction cleaning also helps to create a safer environment during the process of construction. Construction involves heavy equipment and hazardous materials, and construction site accidents can be severe, as well as the particles that are created during the building process. Particles like silicates and other harmful toxins must be removed to maintain a safe environment during construction and afterward. Without post-construction cleaning, a construction site would be a dusty, dirty, and unsafe mess.
Post-construction cleaning isn’t just a matter of dust, either. It requires knowing how to properly dispose of hazardous materials, how to clean and polish brand-new flooring and walls, and addressing safety issues like loose wires or leaks. Not only does post-construction cleaning allow a client to enjoy a space soon, it’s a one-time project that will save time and money while providing lasting health and safety benefits.
Three Stages of Post Construction Cleaning
To better understand the process of post-construction cleaning, it helps to understand the three different stages in the process.
Phase 1: The Rough Clean
A rough cleaning is typically performed when all framing, electrical and plumbing work has been completed. This phase can usually occur after a professional cleaning service visits your space to inspect the environment and develop a blueprint for what kind of work needs to be performed and when it will be performed.
The rough clean stage takes place either during or just after the construction work wraps up. Rough cleaning can include scrubbing down plywood or concrete to ensure the new flooring is installed correctly. The rough cleaning phase will largely include properly disposing of debris, leftover building materials, and other large pieces. It will also include removing stickers and labels from doors, cleaning windows, and other items, as well as vacuuming the whole space. This phase can be the messiest, but it clears the path for more detailed and rigorous cleaning in steps two and three.
Phase 2: The Light Clean
Don’t be fooled by the name, the light clean phase is the most labor-intensive phase of the post-construction cleanup, and it also requires the most specialized equipment. Restrooms, kitchens, and other rooms that serve a specific purpose will be attended to with detailed care. Installations like toilets, sinks, windows, cabinets, and counters will get a thorough cleaning as well. Because of the amount of detail needed to perform a proper light cleaning, this is often the most time-intensive part of a post-construction clean.
In this phase, cleaners will pay special attention to cleaning items like baseboards, door frames, mirrors, floors, walls, cabinets, and even the interiors of air ducts. Dust and other fine particles that were created by construction and even during Phase 1 of cleaning must be removed with special neutralizing cleaners and by the use of microfiber rags and HEPA-grade vacuum cleaners. The second phase of cleaning then clears the way for the third and final part of cleaning, the touch-up process.
Phase 3: Touch-Up Cleaning
This part of the cleaning occurs a few days after the light cleaning and aims to remove any dirt and dust that has settled during the days after construction was completed. This phase of cleaning includes debris removal but also consists of cleaning fingerprints, stains, and other smudges that may have occurred during the final processes of construction.
Touch-up cleaning can also include exterior cleaning when necessary. At this phase, cleaners might perform power washing, tile and grout deep cleaning, exterior window washing, and more. Each commercial cleaning service differs, but exterior cleaning – at least window cleaning – is commonly performed at this point.
Contact Us When The Dust Settles
Post-construction cleaning is an essential step to improve the safety of your space. It is not like regular cleaning with Windex and Clorox wipes, it is far more detailed and requires a specialized team with the proper knowledge and experience to get the job done. We would not advise performing your own construction cleaning, it is a dangerous and difficult job that should be left to trained experts. Improper post-construction cleaning can lead to long-term problems with your site and also to your own health.
When you hire Legacy Construction Cleaning you receive a reliable service that meets your deadlines and does not disrupt your schedule. Using the latest tools and technology, we deliver efficient and cost-effective cleaning. Our aim is to satisfy customers in such a way that they will be happy to refer us to other clients.
Please contact us today to learn more about our post-construction cleaning services!
