I’m having a new HVAC system put in, replacing an oil burner and radiators. There are systems in the attic and in the basement, with vents and returns in the ceilings of the 2nd floor and the floors of the 1st floor. They started with the 2nd floor; I noticed after the first day that they cut holes in the ceilings that there was fine white dust everywhere, for example on high tile ledges in the bathroom, nowhere near the opening. I assumed that this was from a non-HEPA vacuum cleaner. I explained to the guys that I don’t want them to use the vacuum, but only to sweep, and I would finish cleaning up by wet-wiping. I showed them the dust and explained the problem clearly, and I mentioned it a couple of other times, when electricians were coming in and I wanted them to be sure that no one used a vacuum. Today they cut the holes in the floors of the 1st floor. I didn’t expect much of a problem as gravity would be working in our favor. When I came home from work, there was fine dust everywhere. I have white counters, and when I wiped a small section with a damp paper towel, it was filthy. There is a visible layer of dust all over my black stove. There is dust all over the cabinets, on every ledge.
I was upset enough to text the guy about it; he called and said that they did not use a vaccuum, but the circular saw filled the air with dust.
There are only about 9 floor openings, most of them quite small (something like 8" x 14"). I don’t understand why it was necessary to spew dust throughout the house. Am I being unreasonable? I have had floors refinished and I know that fine dust gets everywhere, but it seems that they could have found a way to make a few small holes in the floors without making the whole house filthy.
That dust goes everywhere. Only way to really do it would maybe be to seal off the rooms with plastic.
no, you are being unreasonable. we had HVAC replaced in October, which included redoing all ducts and adding a couple of vents. One of the things that we checked with references was 'how clean are the guys? Do they clean up well each day?"
Our team did pretty well. Missed one room on the first day, but the next two they did a great job clearing out the dust and grit.
To avoid dust everywhere, they sealed off rooms with heavy plastic sheets while cutting, and covered the carpet as well.
edited to add: they did use a portable hepa vac to clean out the ducts.
I covered everything upstairs with plastic (thinking I was being overcautious for just a few small holes) and the LR furniture and rugs (thinking I was being really over-cautious for a few holes in the floors) but now I’m glad I did. At least I limited the damage.
Sounds like a big project. TBH, without putting up the sheeting taped to the ceiling, the dust is probably inevitable.
I agree it is a messy job. I had the drywall repaired by a very good workman. He warned me about the mess and did everything to protect, putting up sheeting everywhere. And yet I would find dust, pieces and bits in corners for months.
Sweeping is far worse. Dust is inevitable in this job. Provide them a HEPA vacuum if you are concerned about dust. Most decent shop vacs that you can get at Home Depot have the option of a HEPA filter. Even a non HEPA shop vac would be better than sweeping. I’m sorry to say, I think you are being unrealistic about the construction process. They can’t plastic off rooms if they are venting your whole house. I would put plastic over the upholstered furniture, though. Remember that once the job is done, they can run the fan for a few hours, which will remove most of the dust from the air if you purchased a system with a whole-house HEPA filter. Then you can wipe down the counters and such.