Re: Hole in the wall

Mazda, welcome to the boards.

I tore a hole on one of the walls of my small, humble abode years ago. From my experience, dust would always be a issue because the cement/concrete becomes powdery fine like talcum once you tear a hole on the concrete wall. I dunno about the other DIYers here but minimizing dust would be a difficult proposition. As far as the noise goes, if the hired hand would use power/hammer drills or grinders in tearing the hole, noise would unfortunately be present. These things are noisy. Also, the harder the concrete, the more difficult to tear a hole, especially if the rebars/steel for the wall is thick.

Good luck.

Re: Hole in the wall

Here's an idea to minimize dust: spray water on the area being torn down while it is being drilled or grounded. Spraying mists of water would reduce dust drastically. However, be prepared to have mud on your floors. If you can get hold of a diamond disk grinder to grind away on the wall, much better because AFAIK diamond grinders reduce dust. However, these babies need a generous amount of water for lubrication and as coolant.

Re: Hole in the wall

Installers of marble/granite floorings normally have a vacuum cleaner with collecting/suction bag/bin. This will reduce dust, which is the main concern in internal concrete grinding. Noise can hardly be controlled, except for opening more windows to temper vibrations.

Re: Hole in the wall

There are wet and dry type diamond disks, but I find that the wet type cut better and last longer than the dry type. To reduce the dust, the cut should be as thin as possible, and cutting with a diamond disk will make the smallest cut of all.

However, given that the wall is a foot thick, there is no way that dust will not be created. But a good mason will be able to cut that hole in a day or two, so the noise and dirt will only be there for a minimal period. Hollow block walls are relatively easy to cut. After the plastering, the hollow blocks are very soft and easy to chisel away.

Re: Hole in the wall

As far as I know, you really can't avoid dust while you demolish the existing wall. What we do is enclose(built up wall) the surrounding area using a tarp or plastic canvass(sako), and simultaneously use a vacum cleaner.

Re: Hole in the wall

baka pwede yung method ni Mr. Bean he! he!-jok

when I installed a window type aircon in my parent's house, I don't have the proper power tool so I used my trusty mammer drill and bored holes outside the house, around the area of the concrete wall that needs to be cleared, as far as the bit would go, mga 4". You can imagine how many holes I did (Ithink that's when my hearing started to fade at yung mga kamay ko mahihiya vibrator ni nokia) The rest of the work sininsil ko ng cold chiesel. since the wall is around 6" thick, hindi all the way ang butas which is good since most of the chunks and dust fell outside. Ng sinsilin ko yung kabila inside the room, madali na, saka medyo straight ang edges.

Re: Hole in the wall

Guys,

Shouldn't you first find out if that concrete wall is load bearing or not ?? Are there floors above you ?? If you are in a condo, i believe you have to ask permission from the admin people. If you are renting a place then even more complicated right ?

Re: Hole in the wall

tscotom, I've been to Mazdamazda's home. It's a single storey bungalow.

Re: Hole in the wall

Guys,

Shouldn't you first find out if that concrete wall is load bearing or not ?? Are there floors above you ?? If you are in a condo, i believe you have to ask permission from the admin people. If you are renting a place then even more complicated right ?

yeah. that was the first thing that came into my mind. since it is a wall, it was put there to support something above it. maybe you need some reinforcement to to replace the support that was taken away.

Re: Hole in the wall

In our country, most houses are built with columns and beams to support the load. Load supporting walls are seldom found in conventional construction, which has reinforced concrete columns and beams and hollow block walls.

Have you ever handled a standard hollow block? Even a 5 year old karatedo will easily break it with bare hands.

Re: Hole in the wall

...Even a 5 year old karatedo will easily break it with bare hands.

hehe. I guess, true kung walang palitada and nakapwesto sya tulad ng sa mga demo nila. ;D

Re: Hole in the wall

Dust is my main issue as well, guess I'll settle for the vacuum and plastic trapals. No way for water, it's between my living room and kitchen now I just have to decide what to put stained glass or mini-bar or keep it empty.