How to Control Noise During DIY Demolition

Posted on: 18 May 2017

You should make careful plans for how you will manage noise pollution during the DIY demolition of your home. These measures are necessary in order to avoid being fined by the authorities in case the noise at the demolition site exceeds the acceptable limits. This article discusses some of the helpful measures that you can take to minimise noise pollution during demolition.

Activity Sequencing

House demolitions usually involve several activities that generate the high amounts of noise. For instance, breaking up pavement may generate as much noise as breaking up a concrete wall. A clever way to limit the extent of noise pollution involves planning those noisy activities so that they take place at the same time. This method ensures that the duration of the noisy activities is kept to a minimum, instead of conducting those noisy activities one by one. This method assumes that you will be working with helpers.

Avoid Nighttime or Weekend Work

Many municipalities have higher noise limits during weekdays. It may therefore be helpful for you to schedule the most noisy demolition activities during the day on weekdays so that the higher noise limits work in your favour. Avoid working at night when the laws stipulate that construction or demolition noise should be kept within a lower limit than the level that is permitted during the day.

Opt for Less Noisy Methods

There are usually a variety of ways to perform different demolition tasks. For instance, you can cut a concrete slab into smaller segments instead of pounding it with a jackhammer. Cutting the concrete is a less-noisy demolition method when compared to pounding that same slab. Always use the least noisy method for each of the demolition activities at your site.

Carefully Select Equipment

Rent or buy demolition equipment that has inbuilt noise attenuation components, such as mufflers. You can also select equipment that uses electricity from a power socket instead of equipment that depends on a generator. Generators tend to be noisy, while plugging a cable into a wall socket doesn't emit any noise.

Use Noise Barriers

You should also consider setting up noise barriers, such as piles of excavated material, between your site and the surrounding properties. Those barriers will absorb a significant portion of the noise so that the surrounding community will not be inconvenienced as you do your work.

Managing noise at a demolition site requires you to implement several complementary techniques throughout the project. Hire a demolition expert if you lack the capacity to implement sufficient noise-reduction measures so that you can meet the noise regulations in your area.

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