What is a Post Construction Cleaning?
April 21, 2020
Post Construction Cleaning
Whether your plan is to remodel an office space, build a new home, or renovate a commercial building, the day you step inside the space will bring about a great joy and a lot of emotions. But that day may not go as you planned or even be delayed if a proper cleaning process is not put in place.
Why Is Post Construction Cleaning Important?
Construction naturally comes with a lot of moving pieces and a lot of people operating within the same space at the same time and so it tends to be messy. Construction projects usually are run on a tight schedule and have multiple sub-contractors performing tasks specific to their trade. Once work on a project has started, there will be debris and trash that start to accumulate and with everyone working within the same area, it not only makes it increasingly difficult for the building's owner or project manager to gauge which crew is responsible for which trash but it starts to become a safety hazard and a big potential roadblock in the project's timeline. A cleaning process can help prevent any safety issues and also serves as a way to inspect every last detail of the project by helping to ensure homeowners everything is secure and in place before they begin to use their new space. For these reasons, a cleaning crew may be needed before, during, and/or after a construction or renovation project.
How Does A Post Construction Cleaning Work?
As the name would suggest, a Post Construction Cleaning would be a cleaning performed after construction is completely done but in most cases, there are multiple stages involved. The first of which is a Rough Clean which usually occurs before the final flooring is installed. This step involves removing trash/debris, prepping the floor for installation, washing interior windows, and dusting all the surfaces. A Final Interior Clean happens once the flooring is installed and all the final elements of the construction process are complete. A Final Interior Clean is a more thorough cleaning and involves removing all dirt/dust, wiping down walls and baseboards, vacuuming the flooring and carpet, washing all windows, removing any trash, and cleaning all other surfaces. A Final Exterior Clean goes hand in hand with the Final Interior Clean and is needed depending on how big the project is. This includes washing exterior windows and doors, sweeping entryways and driveways, and dusting any exterior lighting.
What Equipment And Supplies Are Needed For A Post Construction Cleaning?
Although most of the equipment doesn't differ than what you would normally use in a regular home cleaning, there are things specific to construction projects such as hazardous waste, large debris, drywall dust, nails, and sawdust that require special equipment and supplies. The following is a list of what you will need for most post construction cleanings:
- Shop-Vac System
- Push Brooms
- Mops and Buckets
- Extension Ladder (Preferably 30-foot)
- Step Ladder
- Regular Vacuum
- Multi-Purpose Cleaners
- Squeegees
- Steel Wool
- Razor Blades & Scrapers
- Scrub Brushes
- Lots of micro-fiber cloths
- Lots of trash bags
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- Other Necessary Cleaning Solutions For Stainless Steel, Wood, Stone, etc.
What Is Included In A Post Construction Cleaning?
The first thing that should be done is to remove all the trash and debris from the premises. There is most likely going to be lumber, drywall, tarps, tape, nails, screws, bolts, and other garbage that will need to be disposed of properly. The next step would be to vacuum and mop the floors. The floors may also be polished and/or buffed depending on the stage of the cleaning. Carpets will attract and trap tons of dust and wood splinters; once the carpet is vacuumed, it will then be shampooed. During construction, the walls and baseboards of the home will often times get dinged and scratched by the building crews moving big, heavy equipment in and around the house. Any damage should be reported to the project manager so they can be addressed and patched up. The walls and baseboards will be cleaned thoroughly and cleared of any stains and scuff marks. Windows look their best when you can see through them and during the build and installation phase, windows and mirrors tend to accumulate dust and fingerprints. All windows and mirrors will need to be washed and polished. With all the sawdust floating around, there will be thick layers of dust waiting for you upon light fixtures, furniture, appliances, and any other flat surface it find it's way towards. A heavy degree of dusting will be required on these areas as well as near any vents.
Building a new home can be a lengthy and frustrating process but having a cleaning system in place can help save you from a lot of headache. Minute Maids is here to help make sure your construction project goes smoothly and results in a clean and beautiful home/office by the time you move in.