Demolition on the outside of your home

• If you're taking on a project that requires you to remove siding from the home, make sure you are aware of all lines coming into the house. You can do some real damage to power sources inside if you neglect to check for all lines going in.


• When using a ladder to remove outside siding always make sure the ladder touches the top of the structure at least two steps below the ladder's top most step.

Demolition on existing walls and flooring

• Walls can be tricky, so it's important to do your homework before just knocking one down. Go down to your basement or attic to determine whether or not the wall is a load bearing wall first. "Load bearing" simply means that the wall helps support the roof or ceiling and plays a key role in the structural integrity of the house. One way to determine if the wall is load bearing is by the direction of the exposed joints. If they are perpendicular it is a load bearing wall.


• Before tearing any flooring out of the home just be prepared to take several layers of it out. Flooring can be one of the longest demolition projects in a home remodel because there are generally several layers to take off.

Drywall demolition

• If you have decided to remove drywall make sure you know what's behind the wall. Know where the wires are and what they are for; know where plumbing pipes run and plan accordingly. There's nothing worse than removing drywall and running into a plumbing problem that you hadn't expected.

General suggestions on demotion during a home remodel:

• Make sure you shut off your power and water before starting anything. Cutting wires will cause serious injury to you, not to mention your home.


• Using the right tools will make all the difference in the world. Not go out and spend the least amount of money on something because you're cheap. Get some good tools so that the job is easier.


• Always cover your eyes and protect your ears if you are using large and loud pieces of machinery. You don't want to damage your hearing or lose eyesight because you forgot to put the earplugs in or your goggles on.


• Clean up quickly so that there aren't dangerous things lying around the house. Many people will rent a large dumpster so they can just dump the garbage in it when they're finished or as they work. By keeping your work area clean you keep it safe and much more efficient.

These are just a few tips for demolition during a remodel. As Joe Skach has already said, there's more to demolition than picking up a sledgehammer and swinging at the wall." Most important is safety; be safe and good luck.