Don’t make it more complicated than necessary
Protecting any parts of the house not being used is an important task in any remodeling Protect a Home. This is a difficult task given the many trips with tools, materials, and debris. Then there are the muddy boots and dusty clouds, as well as the occasional dropped tool that always seems to land on a smooth surface.
Josh Risberg, a long-standing remodeling pro, gave us some excellent advice. These tips will help you to protect certain areas of your home while keeping them safe and sound, while also allowing you to rip down those parts.
Wrap Window Treatments
Plastic is best for covering most windows that are exposed to dust. If you have to open windows, cover them with plastic. It is dangerous to remove window treatments. You can lose parts, metal slats bend or fabric gets dirty. It can also be very expensive to replace damaged treatments, if there is one.
Tape the plastic to the top casing. Once the plastic is taped, wrap the plastic around the casing and tuck it under the plastic. To attach the plastic to the back of the treatment, open the window and tape it to the top jamb.
Furnace filters can be used to cover registers
Registers can be covered to keep dust from the furnace and ducts. They shouldn’t be covered in plastic. The blower motor can be put under too much load if it blocks airflow from and to the furnace. You can instead tape cheap furnace filters over the registers. The filters will preserve airflow and contain dust.
Still, it is a good idea not to turn off your HVAC system when you are doing dusty jobs like demolition and drywall finishing. During this dusty work, be sure to replace and check the furnace filter regularly.
Friction-Fit Dust Barrier
You can create a temporary wall with plastic to stop dust from settling in other areas of your house.
This is how you do it in a room that’s finished without damaging the surfaces.
- Start by placing the bottom plate on the ground where you want.
- The top plate should be held up with insulation.
You can have a helper wedge some studs between the top plates and bottom plates every four feet. Cut the studs to 3-3/8 in. This will allow for the wall to be cut shorter. This allows you to adjust the thickness of your plates, and also leaves a 3/8 inch gap. You can leave the insulation in place. To avoid damaging the wall, use a staple gun instead of a hammer-tacker to install the plastic.
- Double the amount of plastic on the top to ensure a secure grip.
- Place a woodchip path
Walking back and forth across a muddy yard is one of the most difficult tasks in remodeling. Temporary plywood walkways may be one option to keep the muck away, but they can sink into the mud and eventually get as dirty as it gets.
Instead of using plywood, lay down a path made of wood chips. Once you’re done with the work, you can scatter the wood chips across an unfinished yard and then sod over them. If the paths are muddy, you can simply add another layer. Wood chips are better than stringy Mulch, and some varieties can be purchased for less than $4 per bag.
Cover the Countertops
Every flat surface in a workspace will become a shelf or workbench. Cover countertops with cardboard to protect them from scratches and nicks. You should use clean cardboard. Make sure to wipe down the counter before you lay it down. To prevent the cardboard from sliding, tape the edges.
Paint-On Tub Protection
It is not a good idea to showcase a bathroom renovation by displaying a gorgeous bathtub with an ugly scratch. You can protect your tub with a tough, rubbery coating. You can apply tub protection products such as this one by brushing or rolling it on and then peel it off once the job is complete. Two coats is usually enough.
Additional Resource:
https://gordonreese.com/planning-a-whole-house-remodel-without-stressing/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/20-tips-for-planning-a-successful-house-remodel/
https://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/