Holy Construction Dust!

Updated on May 05, 2011
M.. asks from Detroit, MI
8 answers

Hi Ladies,
We are currently building a room in our house for our new baby, the room probably wont be completely finished when she gets here so I am worried about my kids the new baby and the dust. I knew there would be a little dust, but this is A LOT! We havent even gotten to the really dusty part yet (the sanding) and my whole house was cloudy from dust today. My countertops in the kitchen were even covered in dust and they are working all the way on the other side of the house. Is this healthy for us? Should I stay somewhere else with the kids and the baby?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

We are going to block off with plastic once they start sanding. Im just nervous because there was a TON of dust today and they havent started sanding which is the worst!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Have you draped plastic sheets on any opening that leads into the new room? It probably won't get rid of dust completely in the rest of the house but it should help.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Green Bay on

Drywall dust is the WORST! It even keeps on showing up after the project is finished. I don't have any advice about how it will affect your health but a couple tips to help keep the dust in the construction area. Definitely hang some plastic between the room under construction and the rest of the house. I have heard that if you spray the plastic with water on the construction side the dust will stick to it better instead of filtering to the other rooms. Not sure how often you would need to do that though to make it effective. Also, if you can have the workers enter in and out of that room without going through the rest of the house it helps a lot! Good Luck and just remember how great it will be to have the space when it is finished!

2 moms found this helpful

J.G.

answers from St. Louis on

Well....when I work with drywall I always wear a mask when sanding. The particles from tearing down walls aren't small enough to really mess with your respiratory system but....I don't live there so I am not sure what they are doing that is spreading the dust.

What I would do is ask the company doing the work. They should give you a straight answer lest you sue them later when y'all grow a second head or something.

Is there any way you can use plastic sheeting to separate the area being worked on from the rest of the house?

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

Tell them to clean up after themselves-everyday-you're paying for it!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.P.

answers from Pittsfield on

I wouldn't think it's too healthy for you all- especially not for a newborn.

Have you tried getting a plastic drop cloth and sealing off the room that's being worked on? If you're already doing that, it might be a good idea to find somewhere else to stay.
Congratulations!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

be sure to run a heavy-duty shop vac when the sanding begins! Just turn that baby on & let it run. Also ask if they can use the wet-sanding method.... it really makes a difference.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Have them put up plastic at the doorway when they are sanding but more importantly put pantyhose on the return air registers around your home.
they also sell white filters that fit in the floor register under the vent.
Pull the pantyhose tight over the vent. The dust get in your furnace vents and spreads throughout the house. It is best before you start the project to tape up every unused room with thick plastic and tape. Good luck

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Omaha on

The dust will also travel through the ventilation ducts. Be sure to buy a very high quality particulate air filter for your a/c. Replace it often.

Dry wall dust is awful... gypsum. It's also "sticky" so when you start cleaning/dusting use a wet rag. It's been 3 years since we remodeled our basement and I'm still finding drywall dust!!

1 mom found this helpful
For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions