No matter how thoroughly a contractor seals off a construction area, dust always finds its way into nooks and crannies. As if that wasn’t bad enough, construction dust can endanger your health and damage your property unless you remove it completely. Fine dust can wreak havoc on sensitive equipment and HVAC systems.
Having been involved in post-construction cleanup in Denver for the last 25 years, we know that dirt and dust find their way into every inch of a building or warehouse. This is why post-construction cleaning presents such a difficult task – it can become maddening to clean an area, only to uncover more and more dust and grime.
Aside from dedication, a proper post-construction cleaning job requires a lot of equipment and careful planning. For example, if you want to attempt post-construction cleaning on your own, you will need these supplies at a bare minimum:
- Soft-bristled broom
- Stiff-bristled brush
- Handheld brush and dustpan
- Mop and bucket
- Cleaning rags
- Microfiber cloths
- Dusters
- Large sponges
- Magic erasers
- Plastic sheeting
- Masking or painter’s tape
- Putty knife
- Dish soap or all-purpose cleaner
- White vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Window cleaning solution
- Warm and cold water
- Stepladder
- Squeegee
- Trash bags
For most contractors or business owners, the process of purchasing and utilizing these supplies doesn’t justify an investment. Don’t forget that post-construction cleaning also requires personal protective equipment such as dust masks, eye protection, rubber-soled shoes, and specialized equipment such as power washers, wet/dry vacuums, floor polishers, power washers, and more.
Post-construction cleanup is a full-time job in itself, and most organizations do not employ or insure cleaning staff. Not only are we properly equipped, but we also have the necessary expertise to perform efficiently.
The Post Construction Cleaning Process
Post-construction cleaning requires a well-planned, coordinated effort to clean construction sites in a timely and cost-efficient manner. While it might seem like a simple task, many who attempt to DIY construction clean create a larger mess in the process or simply become overwhelmed by the amount of work necessary to execute a proper cleaning.
While every professional cleaning service takes a different approach to post-construction cleaning, it typically resembles something like this:
Rough Cleaning
This is the first stage of a post-construction clean and involves removing any debris and the major sources of dirt. Following a rough clean, the property will still be dirty by ordinary standards, but the majority of the mess will be gone. This step also involves:
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- Removing any construction debris
- Removing paint and caulking splashes and adhesive residue
- Wiping down windows, glass doors, and partitions
- Removing stickers on glass or appliances
- Washing walls, door frames, and baseboards
- Sweeping and vacuuming floors
Deep Cleaning
Once the rough cleaning has been completed, you must go back over the property and conduct a more thorough clean to remove all the remaining dirt. Even with the most careful rough cleaning, dust will get moved around and end up settling after the first pass, so it makes sense to clean all the major dirt and then start over to ensure everything is truly clean. This step involves:
Touch-up Cleaning
Days after conducting the deep clean, you’ll notice that more dust than usual has settled on flat surfaces. After most construction work, fine dust will be your biggest problem. Even when taking all the proper precautions, this kind of dust is almost impossible to completely contain. Unfortunately, it can cause damage if it clogs your HVAC system or gets into electronics. Using a damp microfiber cloth can be effective, but it can also clog with dirt and mud up easily, creating more mess. Professional post-construction cleaning crews will sometimes use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, but this step often involves tedious effort.
The moral of this story is that post-construction cleaning is not an easy or simple task. It involves specialized equipment, highly trained individuals, and lots of persistence and patience. We will not lie – it requires a massive amount of work and most people are ill-equipped to handle the task.
We have seen many attempt DIY post-construction cleaning, but this often creates a larger mess and it also elongates the process. After realizing that DIY post-construction cleaning was not a wise effort, you have to hire professionals, who must then restart the process. At this point, weeks have passed and you still have an unclean site.
Aside from the hard work, time commitment, equipment required – professional post-construction cleaners should also be hired to ensure safety and efficiency. By the time you purchase and attempt to clean a site yourself, the professionals would already have the job completed. Contact us today for a free quote!
