Pre-Demo Inspection

Oftentimes, people want to jump into demolition right away. However, beginning demolition without conducting a pre-demolition inspection can pose a number of risks. Instead, consider delaying the start of your demolition project and conducting a pre-demolition inspection. During the inspection, experts will be able to check for a few key factors that can impact your demo project. For instance, materials, asbestos, mould, structural issues, foundational issues, environmental problems, etc. All of these factors play a huge role in the cost and timeline of your project. So, it is important to have an inspection done prior to beginning demolition. 

It is important to note that a pre-demolition inspection is typically required. However, this can change from city to city. So, it is important to check with your local municipality for the regulations surrounding demolition. You can also ask your demolition company in Kelowna for more information!

Type of Demolition

The type of demolition that is being conducted can also have an impact on the environment. Usually, the type of demolition is determined by what’s being torn down and where. Some of the most common demolition methods include a bulldozer, an excavator, a wrecking ball, and a sledgehammer. Each mode of demolition can produce different sizes/amounts of debris. So, it is important to make sure that you choose the mode of demolition that is most suitable for the area. For instance, you wouldn’t use a wrecking ball to demolish a home in the suburbs. This would make a mess and ultimately be dangerous.

Demolition Company in Kelowna Advises About Asbestos

Asbestos is a dangerous substance that is often found in older homes and structures. It is made up of different minerals that naturally occur and resist heat. Asbestos-containing materials were put into a number of homes in North America prior to the dangers of asbestos being uncovered. Asbestos is known to cause cancer and numerous other life-threatening conditions for people and animals. If you suspect that the structure planned to be demolished might contain asbestos, let your demolition company know. Asbestos is one of the key reasons why getting a pre-demolition inspection is so important!

It is best that a skilled professional handles and disposes of any materials containing asbestos. Without proper care, there are severe health and environmental risks involved. Find a local demolition company in Kelowna that is equipped to assist with asbestos-containing materials. 

Soil Contamination

Soil contamination is a prominent problem when conducting demolition. During a demolition project, the soil becomes disturbed. This can be because of the demo itself or the heavy equipment that come-and-go from the site. Soil can become contaminated through contact with chemicals, oil, gas, or heavy metals. When the soil is disturbed, it is easier for it to be washed away by snow and rain. This can lead to the contaminated soil ending up in waterways and polluting them.

Before demolition, it is important to know how to manage contaminated soil in your municipality. Certain sediment control measures are likely in place in your city to prevent contamination. Your contractor will be able to ensure that these guidelines are met. 

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle With Your Demolition Company in Kelowna!

Yup, that’s right! Demolition companies do their very best to salvage usable materials from pre-existing structures. This helps to minimize waste and repurpose old materials. By taking the time to separate materials, you can help reduce the impact that demolition has on the environment! Help us keep usable materials out of landfills by practicing the three R’s in your next demo project.

Contact us Today!

Demolition is best done by a professional demolition company in Kelowna. At SWIPE we have several years of experience dealing with demolition, excavation, and asbestos/mould removal. For help with a residential demolition project, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you during the demolition process. If you have any questions regarding our procedure, feel free to reach out. We look forward to working with you in the near future. 

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Start by Communicating.

Communication with your neighbours is key to a successful demo project. If you think you can get away with demolishing your home without speaking to your neighbours first, you are crudely mistaken. The first step in any demolition project is to notify your neighbours. And, give plenty of notice. Put yourself in the shoes of your neighbours and think about how you’d feel if you woke up to a wrecking ball outside your window without warning. Chances are you’d be upset. Preserving a cordial relationship with your neighbours is essential. Be sure to notify people in your neighbourhood well before construction commences. This will give them time to make necessary adjustments. Especially, if they have small children or pets. 

Also, it is important to tell your neighbours about the significant dates of your project. For instance, you’ll need to mention things like pest control. Or, asbestos removal and when the project intends to begin and end. 

If your neighbours bring up any concerns about your project, do not ignore them. It is best to address any concerns right away. Your next-door neighbours have a right to ask questions about your project. Especially, if it is close to their property line. It is important to note, that if you need to use their property for any reason during the project you get written consent. 

Demolition in the Okanagan Involves Cleaning up.

Oftentimes, being neighbourly during a demolition project can simply mean cleaning up. Waste should be collected on a regular basis in order to prevent hazards and angry residents. Piles of waste are not only an eyesore but can also cause serious safety concerns for those living in proximity to your property. Building materials and debris should be disposed of properly at the end of each day. If there is lots of mud or dirt, then this should also be cleaned off of the streets following the workday. As a homeowner, you should also be wary of nails and sharp objects that could be on the roads near your property. Loose nails can pop tires and be dangerous for people/animals walking in the area. Keeping your demolition in the Okanagan clean is a key part of staying neighbourly. 

Be Mindful of Noise.

Noise is arguably the biggest concern for neighbours during a demolition project. Most bylaws indicate that you can only use construction equipment from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm Monday to Friday, 9:00 am until 7:00 pm on Saturdays, and no construction noise on Sundays and statutory holidays. During the times when noise is permitted, it is important to keep the volume at a minimum to ensure the consideration of your neighbours. After all, nobody wants to hear the banging of a jackhammer for eight hours straight! However, if you know that you are going to be using loud equipment for long periods during one of the days, notify your neighbours ahead of time. This is crucial especially if they work from home or have young children. 

Safety is the #1 Priority With Demolition in the Okanagan

Lastly, make sure that the demolition project remains safe. As a homeowner, it is your duty to ensure that the contractor you hire follows safety protocols and is upholding a safe work environment. Failure to do so can result in fatal accidents, which is why safety is so important during a demo. However, safety is about more than protecting people and pets. During a demolition project, you’ll need to make sure that none of the neighbourhood services are broken (water, power), your neighbours’ properties stay safe and dangerous materials/machinery aren’t left unattended. All of these things contribute to having a safe work environment in a neighbourhood setting.  

Demolition in the Okanagan is best done by an experienced team and contractor. At SWIPE we have plenty of expertise dealing with demolition and asbestos/mould removal. For help with a demolition job, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you during the demolition process. If you have any questions regarding staying neighbourly during the demolition process, feel free to reach out. We look forward to working with you in the near future.

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1. Demolition in Kamloops is Unsafe.

The most commonly thought myth is that demolition in Kamloops is unsafe. However, this is not the case. Demolition jobs are planned very thoroughly and with great detail. Generally, a permit is required. And, there are lots of precautionary measures that take place before demolition can commence. Every job must be assessed for risk and approved by an engineer. This way, there aren’t any surprises. In addition to the extensive planning, demolition contractors and teams are trained to be in the demolition environment. This means that they have specific skills to guarantee no dangerous mistakes are made. Someone who works in demolition has the ability to do well in tight spaces, use specialized equipment, work at heights and with hazardous materials. 

2. You Don’t Need to be an Expert to Demolish a Building

So, you think you don’t need to be an expert to demo a building? Wrong. Demolition can become extremely dangerous when left to an amateur. There are lots of moving parts within the demolition and each crew member hired has a specific skill set to ensure the safety of the team. Oftentimes, demolition teams will have to deal with asbestos and mould. Or, perform controlled explosions. All of these tasks require training and expert knowledge. In order to follow city guidelines and safety regulations, you need to be an expert. Otherwise, demolition can pose severe health and injury risks, and even fatality. You wouldn’t perform surgery if you weren’t a surgeon, so don’t demo a building if you’re not a demo contractor. If you are in need of demolition services, it is best to reach out to an expert! 

3. Demolition Causes Harm to the Environment

Next, is the myth that demolition is harmful to the environment. If following proper protocols, demolition is actually beneficial for the environment. Demolition companies must adhere to proper disposal procedures for all materials. This means sorting everything out piece by piece to ensure each item goes where it belongs. All demolition contractors must follow city landfill guidelines for what can be thrown out, recycled, and resold. The way each material is dealt with differs from landfill to landfill. So, it is important that experts stay on top of waste management standards. For more information on how we sort materials for the landfill, check out the article “Sorting Used Materials With a Demolition Contractor in Kelowna”. 

4. Historic Buildings Suffer Because of Demolition in Kamloops 

Lastly, is the myth that demolition destroys historic buildings. There are many scenarios where demolition contractors are hired to work on historic sites to refurbish or preserve old buildings. Most cities have strict regulations on how much of a building can be demolished in order for it to still be considered historic. Furthermore, demolition teams have specific protocols to make sure that historic buildings do not get harmed during the demolition process. In most cases, demolition contractors are hired to make the building safer and up-to-date with current building codes. This way, there aren’t any dangerous accidents. 

Contact Us For More Info on Demolition in Kamloops

There are all sorts of myths surrounding demolition in Kamloops, however, it is important to note which ones are false. In the majority of cases, demolition is incredibly safe and well-thought-out when in the hands of an expert. Moreover, demolition has a positive impact on the environment because of how strict the rules are when it comes to sorting demolition materials. Finally, historic buildings are not harmed by demolition but instead preserved. 

Demolition is best done by an expert team and contractor. At SWIPE we have plenty of experience dealing with demolition and asbestos/mould removal. For help with a demolition job, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you during the demolition process. If you have any questions regarding the demolition process, feel free to reach out. We look forward to working with you in the near future. 

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Meeting City Regulations and Management 

Permits are a necessary part of excavation. Most cities will require a permit to do the simplest of construction projects. Furthermore, a permit provides specific regulations and guidelines required by your city as you work on completing your project. An Okanagan excavation company is knowledgeable about permits and city guidelines. Thus, making the process of excavation much quicker and easier. 

In addition, an excavation company needs to have expert management skills. Oftentimes, bigger excavation companies will have more than one project on the go. This means that they need to effectively manage their time in order to get everything done on time. Project management is a prime skill needed to operate an Okanagan excavation company. 

Okanagan Excavation Company Removes Debris and Delivers Material. 

An Okanagan excavation company like SWIPE Contracting has fleets of heavy-duty machinery. These large machines can be used to haul debris and deliver materials. Even if you don’t need a big hole dug, an excavation company can still come in handy. For instance, demolition projects or landscaping projects can produce lots of debris. In order to remove unwanted materials from the job site, you can hire an excavation company. Or, if you need materials like rock, dirt or sand delivered to a job site. Working with an excavation company can help save you time and money. 

In some cases, excavation companies will offer snow removal services to commercial properties. This is because they have plenty of machines to attach plows to. Additionally, they have dump trucks to haul out the snow after it has been shovelled from the site. Contracting an excavation company to remove snow from your property in the Okanagan can be extremely beneficial. Forget having to shovel several inches of snow by hand when you can hire an excavation company to do it for you.

Safe Demolition Services 

SWIPE Contracting Ltd is familiar with demolition. Excavation companies often offer demolition services in addition to their removal services. This is because of the versatility of their equipment. Most excavation companies will offer some kind of commercial or residential demolition services. However, commercial and residential demolition are two very different jobs. 

Demolition projects require precise planning and city approval. An excavation company can help you with disconnecting utilities and services. For instance, gas lines, water lines, electricity and sewage. It is important that the building is tested for asbestos and other potentially harmful materials before demolition. Without hiring an expert, you could expose yourself to life-threatening situations. Demolition can be extremely dangerous when done improperly. Be sure to hire a contractor if you need demolition services for your next construction project. To learn more about why you should hire a demolition contractor, read the article “Why Hire an Okanagan Demolition Contractor?”.

Grading and Improving Drainage on Your Property

Another great service that an excavation contractor can provide is grading your property. Grading is the process of creating a level base, or one with a specified slope. This is done in preparation for construction work, making landscape and garden improvements, or improving surface drainage. Drainage issues can cause mould, damage your foundation, and reduce the integrity of materials like concrete and wood. Having adequate drainage on your property is essential. 

In order to prevent drainage issues, excavation companies can be hired to fix the slope of your property. For residential properties, it may be a matter of sloping your driveway towards the street. Moreover, you may need the help of an Okanagan excavation company to slope your yard away from the foundation of your home. Furthermore, excavation companies can also help create a level base in order to start the construction of a new building. 

Contact Your Okanagan Excavation Company Now!

If you’re in need of an Okanagan excavation company, contact us at SWIPE Contracting today! We’d be happy to help you with your latest construction project by offering any one of our services listed above. We would love the chance to come to assess your job site and get a quote prepared. For more information don’t hesitate to reach out to us. It’s our duty to ensure safe and timely excavation services. We look forward to helping you out soon! Be sure to visit our website next month for more information and updates.

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