Cleaning after building work

[StillRunningWithScissors]

We are currently living in a dust-filled house.

The extension is now into its final stages (minus Windows and doors being fitted, flooring and trim/architrave/skirting etc).

I've been trying to clear the dirt and dust as we go along, but I'm hoping someone has some goods tips on cleaning it all before we move back into the rooms downstairs.

I have a shopvac type of Hoover, but it seems to still push a bit of dust out.

Not sure if the hepa filter on my allergy vac will protect the motor from the plaster dust?

Have been damp dusting bits, but think I need to shift a lot of the dust first (it's very thick in places).

Any tips?

Thanks

[wheresmyphone]

I tried myself for 3 weeks then blew money on a cleaning team from an agency. Best money I ever spent!

[JaniceBattersby]

Henry. All the builders I know use them. My husband hoovers up bits of brick with them. They’re virtually indestructible.

[PurpleStar123]

Following!

[PigletJohn]

don't use your domestic hoover.

if you have a builders canister vac, it probably has a cartridge filter. You can buy a new one if yours is worn, damaged or clogged.

You can also (probably) buy a paper bag to fit. It is the size of a pillowcase and wraps round the inside of the canister, the cartridge filter pokes down the middle. The bags catch a lot of the dust before it reaches the filter, making it last longer before clogging, and also easier to empty. Sharp nails and broken brick may puncture it.

Check the cartridge filter is tightly pushed into place. Yoy can clean it by brushing down the pleats, and, eventually, you can wash it in the sink (they can be used with water)

There are cheaper foam and cloth filters that are not as good.

The bags and filters will be something like these (I don't know if yours has the same fit, but it's likely)

[PigletJohn]

p.s.

for people who need a vac, I think this one is good value and it has a power socket to start automatically if you attach it to, say, a circular saw or sander.

It is pretty cheap but has a 2-year guarantee, so if you buy one at the beginning of your escapades, you are pretty sure to get your money's worth. Afterwards, it will be useful for cleaning the car, garage, shed etc.

The plastic heads and hoses are flimsy but you can buy attachments on ebay for a few pounds.

If you are rich enough you can buy a Nilfisk for hundreds of pounds, but you will be sad when the builders throw it down the stairs or reverse their truck over it.

They are quite noisy.

[Modestandatinybitsexy]

I second a Henry. We had the plaster stripped from the walls on two rooms by different contractors both bought Henry’s. You’ll need to keep hoovering as the dust settles but eventually it gets less.

The dust sticks to everything so make sure you’re wiping down walls and skirting as you go too :)

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Thanks everyone.

Our builder brought a Henry onsite for s while, so I used it. Back to my own shopvac now.

Have been painting some rooms, so lots of wiping down walls and skirting. It's (slowly) getting better.

:-)

[mommybear1]

Hi we are renovating our home and the builders dust is a nightmare I have used the builders Henry which works well having also blown up my own v expensive Miele as I had not realised the dust would affect the filter! Expensive lesson learnt. We ended up buying a Titan as suggested above - fab. You may want to look on eBay for accessories eg larger vac head than that supplied. It takes an age to clean up so good luck!

[whiskyowl]

I think this is a war of attrition!

Even some time after building work has finished, dust in the air is settling. The only way that I can see of getting things properly clean is to keep removing it, over and over and over again.

I have a builders' vac and a domestic vac. I use the builder's vac to give everything a good vacuum, then bring in the other vac to sort out any residual dust.