How De-Building Can be Used in Demolition

When people think about demolition projects, they often imagine carefully-controlled explosions toppling large structures, or wrecking balls swinging into brick. While there are many forms of demolition available today, they’re not all as dramatic as you might think. After all, there are projects in which a company or client may want to take a more delicate approach to building deconstruction.

De-building, otherwise known as “deconstructing by hand” is the most popular method used by individuals that would prefer to avoid more well-known demolition methods for a variety of reasons. People may choose de-building to preserve period materials in an original structure, such as stone columns or wooden beams. Alternatively, deconstruction by hand can be useful in a demolition site where the underlying foundations need to be preserved for future building projects.

Some companies even use de-building to reduce the disruptive nature of demolition in residential areas with surrounding neighbours.

Understanding the Process of De-Building

Deconstruction by hand is a strategy that has been around in the construction world for hundreds of years. Many people would dismantle their properties by hand so that the materials could be reused in new structures.

Today, there are many tools available to assist with the de-building process. However, depending on the goals of your deconstruction, you may choose to stick to hand-held tools like hammers and crowbars. This is often the option that experts choose when attempting to reduce the disruptive sounds of demolition machinery in a residential space.

Most of the time, the purpose of a deconstruction process is to preserve as much material as possible from the old build. Some of the items that can be preserved include:

  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Partitions
  • Columns
  • Wood
  • Drywall
  • Mechanical, plumbing and electrical filters
  • Shingles
  • Rafters and joists

How Demolition Experts Use De-Building

Demolition teams like the one here at Jennings use the de-building process to serve their clients interests. Although deconstructing a house by hand can seem very complex at first, it’s much simpler than you might think. With the right background expertise and plenty of hard-working crew members, a home can be completely deconstructed within a matter of weeks. The team at Jennings will even ensure that any of the materials you don’t want to preserve are disposed of safely and efficiently.

Though some companies have their own strategies for speeding up the salvage of a property or home, most de-building projects follow these steps:

  • Plan the de-construction process: A good de-building plan ensures that safety precautions are taken to protect both the preserve-able materials and the people responsible for the work. During the planning stage, make sure to shut off the water and electrical power supplies for the property.
  • Work from the top down, removing the shingles and underlay for the roofing. It’s essential to protect the shingles during this stage if you plan to use them during future construction projects. Once the initial layers of the roof are removed, the plywood decking and skip sheeting can be extracted.
  • Remove interior fixtures: Some companies prefer to do this before they remove the roof, but it’s possible to work either way. Remove all the interior fixtures, including electrical and plumbing components. Take out flooring, windows, cabinetry, doors, and other hardware wherever possible.
  • Working from the inside out, remove the drywall to expose any studs underneath. You can then move to the outside of the building to break down any brickwork or siding piece by piece.
  • Roof tresses can now be cut and removed to the ground where they’re easier to disassemble. During this stage, it’s also possible to remove wall studs, although experts must be careful not to remove load bearing wall studs until it is safe to do so.
  • Remove all remaining wall studs and flooring material to expose the joists beneath the floor. Remove the joists and load all materials to be preserved into a secure truck or lorry.
  • Dispose of all hazardous materials in a safe and secure manner, according to the local regulations of the area.

To learn more about the de-building process, or to plan your demolition project, reach out to the experts at Jennings today. We serve Leeds, Hull and all surrounding areas.

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