What Are the Different Phases of Post-Construction Cleaning?
Any form of construction can leave quite the cleanup after it. This includes everything from the rubble and other materials to the never-ending dust that finds its way into even the most unlikely places.
Before the premises reopen for clients, all of this needs to be dealt with so that the client is unaware of any construction having taken place.
This will also satisfy all health and safety requirements in order to allow staff to work in a clean and safe environment.
Create a Cleanup Plan
As soon as the final stages of the construction are complete, then the cleanup can begin.
There are three main phases, and each will involve cleaning different areas in various ways.
Before any cleanup begins, though, make sure to have a plan. Working alongside a professional construction cleaning service in Concord will save you time and money and ensure that all the finer details are noticed.
1. The general clean
Getting rid of all the larger debris items should be a first priority. There is no sense in trying to clean up while there is still drywall, chunks of concrete, or other building materials lying around.
Once all that debris has been removed, then a “rough” cleanup can begin. Trash is cleared away, an initial sweep or vacuum can be done, and stickers or glass coverings can be removed.
This will allow you to see the area that needs to be cleaned properly. The second phase can also be planned out and put into practice.
You can save time on the rough clean, as its purpose is to allow you to see what really needs to be done, such as any areas that could be challenging to clean effectively, like air vents.
2. The gentle cleanup
A gentle or light cleanup is done next. This allows you to pay attention to the windows, walls, baseboards, door frames, and floors.
Despite its name, this phase actually involves the most amount of work. It can also take the most amount of time, as you are essentially cleaning everywhere and everything.
Construction dust, in particular, gets everywhere—even into places you wouldn’t normally think about. So, now is the time to break out the special cleaning tools.
Vacuuming and dusting will remove most of the dust, but the special attachments meant for small spaces will be your best friends. You can use them to get into the gaps in vents on the floor or up high in the walls.
This is especially useful when the weather warms up, and the AC is turned on. The last thing you want is a sudden burst of dust filling the room and inconveniencing clients or staff.
Washing the windows removes the thin layer of dust that can build up over time. This allows the important natural light to shine in and brightens up the office or workspace.
Vacuuming removes all the dirt and dust from carpet fibres, and washing the baseboards and walls also brings a shine to the fresh paint.
Health and Safety Issues
For government health and safety regulations, this is the most important cleanup stage. Construction dust can create permanent health risks, leading to long-term chronic conditions that can result in substantial time off.
Fibreglass dust and concrete dust are just two of the serial offenders. Therefore, cleaning is required to be done as soon as possible, and often with the right personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard the cleaners.
This is another example of why working with a professional cleaning company during this time is beneficial. They have the correct PPE, training, and due diligence to carry out the cleaning above and beyond the basic requirements.
Recommended Steps for a Gentle Clean
To ensure this phase of cleaning is completed as required, there are a few steps that should be followed:
- The power wash: Washing windows, in general, is great. Power washing them is even better at removing all the dust and grime.
- Double-dusting: Dusting is usually done with a dry cloth. This is the first step when dealing with construction cleanup. After the dry dusting, wet dusting should be done to catch anything left behind from the first go-around.
- Appliances: Even if a wipe-down has been done, it’s best to go over them again, as construction dust will settle days later. Thus, making sure vents and appliances are cleaned is essential for their safe operation.
- Safety first: After the cleaning, closely inspect the area. Make sure that there are no exposed wires, debris, broken trim, or other potential hazards that may have been hidden under the dust.
3. The final post-construction cleanup
With all the work and detail that goes into the second phase, you may feel like all the work is now done. However, dust in the air can still settle, so a final cleanup should be done approximately 48 hours after the gentle cleaning.
This step doesn’t need to be as detailed as the previous one. Still, a second cleanup of the windows, baseboards, and floors will have the newly renovated or built space looking brand new, clean, and welcoming to your clients.
Your staff will also feel comfortable in this new environment and enjoy working without the risk of inhaling harmful particles.
Regularly scheduled cleaning can now be set in place to keep the new space new and fresh. This can be based on your desired schedule and eliminates the cleaning stress from your staff.
Post-Construction Cleaning: The RBC Clean Way
RBC Clean is a construction cleaning service in Concord that has been looking after the cleaning needs of residents and business owners in the GTA for many years. This gives us an edge and valuable knowledge regarding post-construction cleanup requirements.
Trained in all health and safety regulations, and with the right tools, PPE, and cleaning products on hand, we are your expert crew that will take care of all your cleaning needs.
So, whether it is cleanup following a newly renovated office, a purpose-built extension for more warehouse space, or just for routine janitorial services, as a construction cleaning service in Concord, RBC Clean has the team and cleaning power.
You can call us at 1-855-493-9259 or contact us online today to speak to our cleaning specialists.