FAQs
Demolition FAQs:
Very little material is wasted after the demolition projects. Materials from demolished buildings can easily be salvaged, recycled, or reused. Removal and transportation of these materials from the site will be taken care of by the demolition company. Common materials that are useable from demolition sites include aggregates like bricks and concrete, scrap metal containing iron and steel, wiring materials, flooring, tiles, and wood. A properly done demolition project will have up to 90% of scrap materials put up for salvage and recycling.
Demolition procedures are typically specifically planned for each individual building.
However, there are three general classifications of demolitions, namely: interior
demolition, industrial demolition, and commercial demolition. Interior demolition, which
is usually done for renovation projects involves demolishing only some walls and inside
structures. Industrial demolition is done when factories or refineries are being torn
down. Special consideration is done due to presence of potentially harmful substances.
Commercial demolition is reserved for flattening of stores, buildings, malls, and other
commercial spaces.
There are three most common ways in which commercial demolition is performed. First,
mechanical demolition can be done. This is the most common method used which
involves lots of heavy equipment such as bulldozers and wrecking balls. Another
method is deconstruction or dismantling which is a slow process involving careful piece
by piece removal of materials. The last is explosion or implosion, which involves the use
of explosive devices. This is usually done only when other methods are not feasible.
In the United States, commercial demolition can cost anywhere from $4 – $8 for every
square foot. It is nice to know however, that the cost per square foot can be lower if the
total building size is bigger. The prices are also subject to change depending on the
demolition method used, project size, cost of government permits, and additional
expenses for transportation and disposal of potentially hazardous substances.
Commercial demolition activities are subject to regulations. Specifically, National
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations must be
followed in any demolition project in accordance to the Clean Air Act. One of the
particular considerations under this regulation is mandatory notification of the state
department if it is suspected that the building contains significant amount of asbestos.
Emission guidelines and processes for removal of hazardous materials are also
specified under the regulation.
Deconstruction involves slow, manual dismantling of building structures. While the
process may take more time, it offers the advantage of preserving recyclable and
reusable materials in better condition than they might be in when less delicate
processes of demolition are done. Ninety percent of recovered materials from
demolition are useable, though those from deconstruction are better preserved. Your
consideration of time as well as the state of recovered materials can help you choose
which one is best for you.
Local governments require demolition companies to secure certain permits before any
demolition project can proceed. A reputable and experienced contractor would explain
this to you. Because of the nature of the activity, there can be a lot of safety issues and
health risks anticipated which is why demolitionists operate under a multitude of
regulations. This is to ensure that the client, the demolition workforce, and the public is
well-protected from accidents, injuries, and exposure to hazardous materials.
Because of all the heavy machinery, noise pollution, and even explosives that may be
used and involved in demolition activities, it does not really seem to be a friend to
mother nature at the outset. It is a common misconception that demolition is detrimental
to nature. However, considering the amount of material that can be salvaged, reused,
and recycled from these activities, demolitions also contribute to environmental
sustainability. Moreover, demolitions help get rid of old buildings and factories which
potentially house hazardous materials.
Excavating FAQs:
Yes, grading is definitely necessary for your new home development. Improperly leveled
ground can lead to many problems in the future that may warrant costly repair. This
includes soil erosion, weakening of the foundation, and drainage issues. For your
residential properties, subtle sloping of patios and walkways, or adding swales to your
backyard can prevent future issues.
To prepare for your chosen excavation contractor, you have to make sure that the area
to be excavated is as accessible as possible. This may involve moving things around
that may interfere with the assessment. However, if this cannot be done, inform the
excavation company of any obstruction that they may anticipate on site visit. You may
also send them some pictures of the site, so they have an idea of what to expect.
As your chosen excavation company, you can leave this task to us. We call Dig Safe to
this job. However, you as the homeowner can mark your private utilities ahead of time.
This may include your electric lines or fences. Proper communication with your
company regarding marking of the utilities is important. Chances are, you would know
your property better than the contractor.
While we can guarantee you that we can have your excavation under control, the
weather is out of our command. Our site management team are experienced in deciding
whether the excavation should stop or start again based on the weather conditions. This
is to prevent cave-ins and other mishaps with the heavy equipment while making sure
your project does not fall behind schedule. We are equipped with boards and tarps to
cover the site to prevent flooding and cave-ins.
Our careful planning and meticulous site assessment team is tasked to make sure that
no such accident happens. Because of this, it is very rare that our crew hits water or gas
lines. However, in the unfortunate event that this happens, we have appropriate
protocol. For water line accidents, we will have the water turned off and we will shoulder
the repair. For gas line accidents, we will contact the company and they shall assume
responsibility for repair.
Our team’s thorough and expert assessment of the site makes sure that we can predict
any problem of this sort that we might encounter. However, sometimes, unexpected
problems can happen to foundations of certain structures. if there has been any
damage to your foundation, it will be our responsibility to contact the property owner to
plan prompt and appropriate action.
Depending on where you live, internal arrangements and regulations between you and
your neighbors may necessitate that you inform them of any construction project you
are planning. However, even if there are no such arrangements in place, because
construction really entails a lot of commotion, your neighbors would appreciate you
informing them of them of your projects.
To ensure utmost safety, we mark the perimeter of the area being excavated using
markers that are visible in daylight and nighttime. Moreover, we stringently comply by
safety regulations and construction codes for any project. We also update our tools and
equipment to make sure that it is safe to use them. Our personnel also undergo
necessary safety instruction and equipment training to ensure highest levels of safety.