Be it the construction of a commercial building, a new home, or be it a remodeling project, the simple thought of the project being completed gives us a degree of satisfaction.
When a construction or renovation project is finally completed, it almost feels like a huge achievement. Although, the work is not completed yet.
Often as it happens, after the workers have cleared the space and the property is ready from the inside and out, you may think that the property is “ready to move” but the case might be quite different.
On closer inspection of any property after construction, you’re likely to find a huge amount of dust settled in the space along with various other waste materials, etc.
This is where post-construction cleaning comes in. Post-construction cleaning is extremely important to ensure that the property is clean, safe, and ready to be inhabited.
Be it a commercial property or be it residential property, post-construction cleaning is something that you simply cannot overlook.
From scuff marks to dust and a variety of other remnants due to the construction process, post-construction cleaning can be hectic, strenuous, and can be complicated without the right knowledge and guidance.
In this article, we have done the heavy lifting for you. Reading further, you will find the most essential details that you need to know about post-construction cleaning and will also find out 10 effective and highly useful tips for post-construction cleaning.
If you have a fixed move-in date promised to your tenants, knowing these tips about post-construction cleaning is very essential.
It will ensure that the building is ready to move within the stipulated time and this will prevent any delays or complications.
But before we go on to the tips for post-construction cleaning, here are a few things to consider and remember when undertaking a post-construction cleaning job under yourself.
Remember, it is an extremely extensive and time-consuming job that will need a lot of effort.
While you can hire a cleaning company for the job, if you want to save some money and go DIY with it, then you must be aware of the following details, points, and tips on post-construction cleaning.
Best Tips For Post-Construction Cleaning
Here we are, with the list of the best tips for post-construction cleaning. The list contains the best tips that work the best, will help get the best results and help you get a neat and clean property with the least effort and in the shortest possible time. These tips are tested and come from experts in the field. Check them out.
Clearing out the leftovers of the contractors
Construction work leads to a huge mess. It is inevitable and unavoidable.
A simple walk around the place and you will find everything starting from lumber and drywall to other garbage and leftovers of the contractors.
The very first thing and one of the most important things that you need to do is clear up this mess.
The leftovers of the contractors which may include plastic tarps, tape, drop cloths, and other construction supplies like nails, screws, staples, bolts, etc. must be cleared off during the post-construction cleaning.
Expect to encounter and collect considerable amounts of trash and debris during this step of post-construction cleaning.
Taking care of the hard floors
Another one of the most important and primary parts of post-construction cleaning is taking care of the hard floors.
The floors of properties can be of different kinds and the cleaning procedure will quite consequently depend on the kind of flooring it is.
For this, during post-construction cleaning, floor inspection is essential. Construction jobs have a huge impact on the hard floors, especially if it is a renovation or remodel.
Before you apply any method of cleaning, research or ask an expert about the kind of cleaning the surface requires.
There are chemical solutions available for cleaning some specific flooring materials and surfaces.
You also need to check the floors for any signs of damage before you start mopping, waxing, and polishing. You may also need to buff the hard floors.
While DIY techniques work pretty well for vinyl flooring, wood flooring issues and cleaning may sometimes require professional expertise and the involvement of a flooring company.
Cleaning the carpets
During the renovation, reconstruction, and remodeling projects, one of the most affected items is the carpets of the property.
Carpet fibers are highly susceptible to dust and tiny particles and often trap all the dust and tiny wood splinters emitted during the construction process.
As a matter of fact, the carpet may also start to smell different as the fibers can even trap the construction odors that linger within the premises.
For the cleaning of the carpers, which is a key pet of post-construction cleaning, you may need a heavy shop/industrial vacuum to get the dirt and foreign particles separated from the fibers of the carpet.
These particles will probably set deep in and tangle with the fiber build to make it very difficult to clean.
After the vacuum, you will need to apply shampooing and deep-steam cleaning. You will have to dry them out properly before they are ready to use again.
Treat the walls and baseboards
Construction jobs usually involve the use of a wide range of equipment that can affect the walls and the baseboards.
There can also be a chance of the walls getting scratched and hit and there can be scuffs and smudges to the baseboards as well.
To begin with, the interiors must be thoroughly checked for any damages that need repainting or patching. Once this aspect is taken care of, treat the walls and baseboards.
Ensure thorough cleaning of the walls and scuffed baseboards with suitable cleaning solutions and water, or whatever is appropriate, and make sure that they look neat and are free of any kind of dirt.
Attention to the windows and mirrors
Whether it is a property for your personal use, or whether you want to sell it or rent it out, dirty windows are undesirable. No one wants to stare at dirty, dingy windows and mirrors.
Not only do they look awful, but it is also terrible for business. You surely need to pay attention to the windows and mirrors and make sure they are neat and clean, during the post-construction cleaning.
To clean window glasses and get the mirrors shining, use a standard and certified heavy-duty glass cleaning product. Work from top to bottom and then rinse thoroughly.
You may have to repeat the cleaning process quite a few times based on the degree of cleaning the windows and mirrors need.
You can also use dry cloth and polish for the final touches and finishing and get the windows and mirrors shining.
Look after the lighting
Construction jobs affect the lighting of a property as well. Any construction job generally leaves dust and powdery residues on almost everything within the property and the lights are no exception.
It, therefore, becomes necessary to clean the lighting. This will ensure maximum efficiency and also prevent unpleasant odor within the premises.
The dusting of bulbs and fixtures with a soft, dry cloth will do the job. Do make sure that the electricity is turned off when you do the job.
Clean the cabinets, drawers, and closets
While a lot of us may forget about the closets and drawers in our properties, cleaning them is a key part of the post-construction project.
You may wonder if that is the point of cleaning them as they will be closed during the entire construction process.
Although, what you need to know is that the construction residues can enter the closed cabinets and drawers as well.
This is why you need to inspect the closets, cabinets, and drawers within your property.
Along with the cleaning of the floors, walls, and synthetic materials, do remember to clean these spaces as well.
Take care of the HVAC and interior systems
The HVAC system within a property is basically designed to catch dust and dirt present in the air.
Quite naturally, construction activities will lead to an immense collection of dust in the HVAC system.
Change the filters of the system and you can also hire a professional to get the ductworks cleaned and the entire HVAC system tuned up.
Make sure all interior systems and vents are free of dust and any residues and impediments.
Inspect the sidewalks and driveways
The driveways and sidewalks make the first impression on any visitor at a particular property.
It is the very first thing noticed by a person entering the property and the construction process will also leave some amounts of dirt and leftovers in these parts.
Make sure that the sidewalks and driveways are swept neatly and that all leftover building materials and other garbage are cleared off.
You can also power wash the driveway and sidewalks to remove any residual dirt, sand, stones, and gravel that may have accumulated during the construction process.
Focus on the details
This is a key part of any post-construction cleaning job. There are very minute aspects and little touches that can lead to a successful cleanup project.
Simple things like polishing the doorknobs or dusting window frames, outlets, and switches, and removing dirt from the sliding door tracks can make a huge difference.
This step is basically the fine-tuning of the property and you need to focus on very minute details to complete the perfect post-construction cleaning job.
Things To Remember Before Post-Construction Cleaning
If you have decided that you will do the post-construction cleaning job all by yourself, then you must have a very clear idea about the size and the scope of the property.
Based on that, you must reconsider the decision of handling the post-construction cleaning by yourself.
While building contractors, in most cases, can clean a worksite after the completion of the construction job, but the work is not foolproof and may still need some extent of dusting, polishing, or even deep scrubbing.
For this, you need to first be sure of the amount of cleaning that space needs.
After you through that process, you will first need a list of things that you may probably need while cleaning the property post-construction.
After the construction is completed, if you are not employing a professional cleaning company then you will inevitably need these items in your inventory before you start off with the post-construction cleaning.
Let us take a look at the list of things that you need to start off and complete the process of post-construction cleaning by yourself.
- Trash bags
- Vacuum cleaner
- Dust masks
- Brooms
- Mop heads
- Rubber gloves
- Hoses
- Scrub pads
- Scrub brushes
- Cleaning bins
- Step ladders
- Ladder bumpers
- Window cleaning equipment (including buckets, strip washer, steel wool, rubber blades, rubber blades, squeegee, razor blades scrapers, etc.)
- Chemical solutions (including all-purpose cleaning solutions, spray bottles, stainless steel, metal, wood, window, stone cleaners, etc.)
- Extension ladders
- Safety equipment
- Utility carts
- Carpet cleaning supplies (strippers, floor finish, detergents, deodorizers, pre-sprays, spot protection, rinses, etc.)
Along with these items, you must be able to devote the required amount of time as it is a daunting task and might not even be a day or two’s job.
Although, you have nothing to worry about if you do not have any expertise in the field.
Even without any expertise, you can do a pretty neat and perfect post-construction cleaning job.
With the right kinds of equipment, and the top 10 tips on post-construction cleaning from the experts, that are listed below, anyone can confidently take up a post-construction cleaning job and complete it successfully.
Bonus Tips!
There can be two things that can be useful for you not just for post-construction cleaning but also for sustainable property maintenance for a longer period of time. They are:
- Hiring a professional cleaning company for post-construction cleaning as well as regular cleaning of the property to make sure that you get sustainable results.
- From time to time deep cleaning both on the inside and outside of the property including preventative measures like pest control, etc.
Final Words
With these 10 tips for post-construction cleaning, we can assure you that your job will become 10 times easier and if you have decided to take it up upon yourself to get the property cleaned, you can get the best results.
On top of all that, these tips and considerations will help you get the perfect cleaning, and ensure neat and tidy premises with minimum effort and in the quickest time.
