Sometimes it’s necessary to demolish an old building once it has passed the point of repair to make room for new development. Demolition is the quickest phase of a construction process, as it is easily done and completed in a short time period. However, it’s important you have a comprehensive strategy from the beginning of the demolition to the final touches on your new property, so in this article, we’ll cover the most important things and what to consider before demolishing a building.
Planning permission
Depending on the size and location of the building, you may need planning permission before you begin demolition, although most demolition projects won’t need planning permission. A hired demolition company will be able to sort out all the relevant legal paperwork before you start.
Risk assessment
It’s important to make sure you’ve taken into account everything you need to do and the effect of this on the surrounding environment before you start any demolition work. We recommend getting a specialist to complete a full risk assessment form, giving you guidance on how to carry out the demolition safely and what risks will be involved. If the building contains asbestos, this will need to be removed by specialists before any demolition work is done, as this could cause a multitude of health issues if inhaled by any of the workers. There are other materials to look out for that could pose a risk, such as:
- Mould
- Rotten wood
- Lead paint
- Chemicals
- Unstable structures
- Loose roof tiles
- Air conditioning systems
Surrounding areas
Ensuring the surrounding area of the building you want to demolish is cleared is vital. Any trees, greenery, or animals must be cleared from the area to prevent any accidents. If you’re demolishing a building which is attached to another, the neighbouring home is entitled to support after the building is removed. It’s best to come up with a fully comprehensive plan before approaching your neighbours, giving them peace of mind you have everything planned out professionally.
Disconnect services
It’s important to disconnect all services that are installed in the building, such as gas, water and electricity. If this isn’t completed, this could have devastating effects on the surrounding properties, costing even more money.
Demolition method
There are three main methods of demolition, all with different strengths, so choosing the right one for your demolition project is vital. The methods are as follows:
Explosive
An explosive demolition allows for the rapid destruction of a building, without impacting the surrounding area. This is only suitable for larger buildings and is legally required to be carried out by a specialist, certified contractor. The structure is first weakened, then explosives are placed at the base and midway up the building. The explosives are detonated only after all glass and asbestos are removed to avoid an increased risk of injury.
Hand
This method is often used when only parts of the building need demolishing, or the demolition needs to be done in a more sensitive manner. This is also the preferred method when working around mineshafts and pedestrian areas. This is also referred to as reverse construction, as you work by starting with the last features that were constructed and work backwards.
Machine
The most frequently used method, machine demolition reduces the need for people to work at height or doing manual labour. Common machine demolition techniques include swinging ball, wire rope or hydraulic pushing arm. This is mostly used on houses and small apartment complexes.
The team here at Down To Earth Demolition have over 30 years of industry experience, giving us the know-how on demolishing any building. A family-run company, we pride ourselves on delivering first-rate customer service, from start to finish. For more information on our services, please get in touch with a friendly member of our team.