Plastic mold containment with an air scrubber running inside. A representative photo of the task, not a record of work at any particular property.
What you will see
Containment usually means floor-to-ceiling plastic sheeting around the work area, sealed at the edges with tape, and an entry with a zipper or overlapping flaps. Inside, one or more HEPA air filtration units, often called air scrubbers, run continuously. Many setups exhaust filtered air out a window, which keeps the work area at slightly lower pressure than the rest of the house so air flows in, not out.
Supply and return registers inside the work area are usually covered, and the furnace or air conditioner may be turned off or adjusted during demolition. Workers typically wear disposable suits and respirators and remove outer layers before leaving the containment.
The air filtration units make steady noise, and the doors and windows they use may stay open for days. Plan around that if a bedroom is next to the work area.
Household ground rules while it is up
- Keep children and anyone with respiratory conditions out of the basement or affected floor
- Do not unzip or peek inside the containment
- Leave air scrubbers running and plugged in, even overnight
- Ask before changing thermostat or HVAC settings
- Keep a clear path from the entry door to the containment
- Move valuables and anything you need for the week out of the area beforehand
- Ask where waste bags will be carried and keep that route clear
A typical sequence for a mid-size basement job
Durations vary widely with size and drying needs; this shows the order of stages.
- Setup
- Containment walls, floor protection and air filtration go in. HVAC openings in the area are sealed.
- Removal
- Affected drywall, insulation, carpet and trim are cut out, bagged and removed. This is the dustiest stage.
- Cleaning
- Exposed framing and concrete are HEPA-vacuumed and wiped; some contractors also sand framing.
- Drying and checks
- Materials are dried to normal moisture readings. A clearance inspection may be done if planned.
- Teardown
- Containment comes down after cleaning is complete. Rebuilding follows, sometimes by a different trade.
Questions to ask on day one
- Will the furnace or air conditioner be off, and for how long?
- Which window or door will the exhaust use?
- Is anyone in the household advised to stay elsewhere during removal?
- How will I know when it is safe to use the basement again?
Common questions
Can we keep using the laundry if it is in the basement?
Ask before assuming. If the laundry sits outside the containment and the route to it does not pass through the work area, it may be fine. During demolition, it is often better to wait.
General information for Highlands Ranch, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.