DIY Demolition
Published: September 7, 2006
There are certain jobs that weekend renovators are happy to leave to the professionals but when it comes to demolition they are often ready and willing to get their hands dirty. This is fine if you really know what you are doing but over the years I have seen so many people create all sorts of catastrophes that cost untold headaches and expense.
A common mistake is to create one large room from two smaller ones by knocking down the dividing wall and taking the support beam out with it. That support beam was holding not just the wall but the whole house and I’ve had to carry out emergency surgery to stop the house from falling down.
Another problem is taking out a wall with all the hidden plumbing and electrics still intact. Before you know it, the basement is flooded because the water hasn’t been turned off and the breakers trip because the wires have been cut inadvertently.
People have cut the pipe taking the effluent away from their house and then lived to regret it when someone upstairs has flushed the toilet. And I’ve even had a situation where someone was landscaping and they cut a pipe and suddenly they have a domestic disaster on their hands as this big lake appears in the middle of their property.
I’ve also had to rescue people who have had drainage problems and have decided to investigate with a jackhammer. They get so far and realize they are in big trouble when they see there’s a big cavity beneath the rubble.
It’s not unusual for people to get half way through the demolition and become unstuck. The previous owners may have done some odd things to the house, putting up three walls to save on demolition for example, so it’s no surprise when the current home owner is stumped about what to do next.
Sometimes people overdo the demolition and rip out more than they should do. Where a contractor will use a reciprocating saw to cut materials, homeowners are often tempted to pull everything out because they believe it will all need to come out anyway. We then have to start from scratch when some of the old structures could have been salvaged.
With some demolition jobs there are also hidden health and safety issues to consider. If you have an older home you could have a problem with asbestos. The mineral was used in wall and ceiling insulation and even linoleum tiles. Left undisturbed, asbestos is not usually a problem but when the material is broken or crushed, tiny fibres are released which can cause serious lung problems. A contractor will know what to look for and will subcontract to a specialist demolition team if asbestos is present.
The best thing to do is contact your contractor and say “what can we do to help?” And generally they will say they would rather do it themselves. And it’s not because demolition costs a lot of money, it’s just that they have the experience and can prepare properly and anticipate and spot problems as they go along. They also want to make life as easy as possible for their future clients.
If you are not careful, that do-it-yourself demolition that you thought would save a few thousand dollars could end up being a costly mistake. If you’re unsure, leave it to the professionals and save yourself needless time and mess. Not only will the demolition be controlled, they will take precautions that you may not even have thought about.
If you’ve got some expertise or know someone who has, then great, doing it yourself is not a problem. Just make sure you know exactly what the plan is before you start swinging that sledge hammer.