Demolition is a general term used to cover quite a long list of services. For instance, site clearance, salvage, material recycling, industrial recovery, and dismantlement of the structure are all concepts that fall under demolition. Whether you are a property owner or just someone who is interested to learn more about demolition, the information provided below will hopefully answer some of your most pressing questions:
What happens to material after a demolition project?
It makes sense that people would wonder what happens to such a hefty pile of materials after a structure has been taken down. You may be surprised to hear that a demolition done successfully is one that actually produces almost no waste. So many materials in today’s structures can be salvaged or recycled.
Materials such as iron, steel, bronze, copper, brass, insulation, ceiling tiles, wiring, plasterboard, roofing material, wood, brick, and porcelain can be reused in other projects. Property owners can make a little bit of money back on their demolition investment if they plan the project around recycling and salvaging the most that they can.
Are there different types of demolition?
Yes, there are various kinds of demolition based on the building and what the goals are for the project. Every demolition job is unique, and should only be performed by a qualified professional. Don’t hesitate to ask about a company’s accreditations before signing a demolition contract. The types of demolition include:
- Interior Demolition: taking apart the interior structure while ensuring the exterior is preserved. This is usually a step in preparation for a renovation project.
- Selective Demolition: removing a specific exterior or interior section of a building while protecting the integrity of the rest of the structure and nearby areas.
- Total Demolition: the entire structure is taken down.
- Dismantling/Deconstruction: carefully and methodically taking apart a structure and preserving the material for either reuse, recycling, or salvage.
- Mechanical Demolition: specialized tools and equipment is used to break away at the structure. Equipment such as excavators, skid steers, and demolition robots may be used.
- Crane and Wrecking Ball: Less frequently used and more of an earlier method of demolition, cranes and wrecking balls are used to take down a structure.
- Implosion: explosions are utilized and strategically placed so the structure collapses on top of itself within a predetermined path. Less than 1% of projects for demolition involve implosion, and must be done by a highly trained professional.
What is demolition in comparison to deconstruction?
With deconstruction, the amount of material saved is maximized through a hand-demolition approach. Workers slowly sort through materials of the building and recycle, reuse, or salvage what they can. The terms demolition and deconstruction can go together, if the demolition contractors are intentional about salvaging valuable materials whenever possible. Standard demolition jobs that don’t account for reusing materials take less time. Many residential demolition services in Malibu, CA focus on environmental impact, and can provide further information about how this approach can benefit your project.
Thanks to Nielsen Environmental for their insight into demolition services and common questions.
