You and your significant other have finally gotten around to installing new countertops and cabinets. You are looking to do a significant overhaul of the kitchen, so there is demolition involved. Here is what you should know: there are right and wrong ways to manage a demo project. Make sure you learn how to do it right before starting. Otherwise, you could create more work and expense for yourself.
DIY Demolition Can Be Fun
While some homeowners hire professional installers. Others prefer to manage both the demo and installation themselves. As far as DIY demolition goes, it can be kind of fun. You get the opportunity to let out some of your angst and save some money at the same time. But don’t be too aggressive.
Undertaking a kitchen demo in a reckless manner could unnecessarily damage things you were planning to save. It could even be unsafe. So again, learn how to do it the right way. It starts with preparation.
Preparing to Demolish
Preparation is key to a safe and successful demo. So what’s your first step? Shut off the utilities. Make sure you turn off the water and trip the circuit breakers for all of your electric outlets and appliances. If you are running a gas stove, shut the gas off as well.
Unless you plan to eat out throughout the entire construction project, you might also want to set up a temporary kitchen somewhere else in the home. Now is the time to make sure you have everything you need for your temporary setup so that you can store the rest of your kitchen stuff away.
Finally, take pictures of the kitchen before you start the demo. If anything goes wrong, and here’s hoping it doesn’t, you may need the pictures for insurance purposes. Having them to compare ‘before’ and ‘after’ looks can provide a bit of entertainment when you are looking back on this whole thing years from now.
Install Some Barriers
It is a good idea to protect the rest of your home by installing some barriers. Hang plastic sheeting in any open doorways. You do this to contain dust. If you are planning to keep the existing floor, lay some plastic sheeting down to protect it.
Covering any vents and ductwork in the kitchen will help prevent circulating dust around the rest of your home. Meanwhile, plastic sheeting or an old throw rug on the floor leading out of the kitchen will cut down on dust tracked through the house.
It’s Time to Start the Demo
Preparing for demolition also includes disconnecting and removing appliances. That goes without saying. Once the prep work is done, remove the countertops first. You will have to disconnect plumbing under the sink. Likewise for wiring if you have a countertop cooktop.
Be careful when removing the countertops. Use a pry bar to gently break them loose from the cabinets underneath. Then lift up and carry each piece out of the work area. Moving on to the cabinets, start with the upper cabinet’s first.
Be sure to unscrew the cabinets rather than just ripping them off the wall. If you can support them with something underneath, you will reduce the risk of injury. Move to the lower cabinets once the upper structures are removed.
Finally, your last step (if applicable) is to remove the backsplash. Again, be gentle and go slowly. Then clean up and you’re done. Now you are ready for the installers to bring in your new cabinets and countertops. With any luck, the new pieces will go in just as easily as the old ones came out. Here at Bedrock Quartz, we handle the demolition and installation while you get to pick the colors, materials and let the experts do the rest. Contact us or visit one of our showrooms today.
