5 Handheld Tools Needed for Demolition
When involved in a demolition project there are several tools you’ll be needing before starting and like with any type of project, the tools you’ll need are all dependent on the specific demolition job you’ll be doing. Of course, there are certain tools you’ll need for demolition all around, so here are the 5 tools needed for demolition, no matter the job.
Safety Equipment
Demolition is a profession that is no joke. It’s a dangerous job that requires safety and regulations to keep both workers and the public safe during the undertaking of a project. The most important tool that everyone needs right from the beginning is safety equipment. PPE or Personal Protective Equipment should be always used and never disregarded. These tools or pieces of equipment were specifically made to keep you safe. Take advantage of the safety equipment and don’t take it for granted, because this is your safety and life that is being put in danger when undertaking a demolition job.
The types of PPE you should be considering are respiratory protection, eye protection, hearing protection, hand protection, foot protection, head protection, skin protection, and height safety equipment.
Respiratory protections include tools such as dust masks, gas filters, and/or particulate filters. These help for protection against airborne substances that can be toxic to your health.
Eye protection includes tools such as goggles, welding helmets, face shields, and (tinted) safety spectacles. Protect your eyes at all costs, you only have one pair.
Hearing protection includes tools such as earplugs, earmuffs, and helmet ear attachments. A demolition job isn’t a quiet project, it’s a loud demolishing of a structure which means there’s going to be a considerable amount of noise. Make sure your ears are covered properly with PPE to keep your sense of hearing intact.
Hand protection includes tools such as gloves. This is just one tool but within there are many different types of gloves to consider for your job. Protect your hands so you can keep doing your work.
Foot protection includes tools such as steel-toe boots/shoes. Having proper footwear for a demolition job means not crushing one of your feet if a piece of a structure were to fall onto your foot. A broken foot is not a fun injury, and neither are any injuries that can be easily avoided through PPE use.
Head protection includes tools such as helmets, caps, hoods, and hats. Your head is where your brain is, and although we like to think we’re invincible, we are not. Our heads are fragile and one decent hit can cause severe brain injury. The difference between usage of a helmet and not can be the difference between you resting at home in bed or a hospital bed. Be safe, wear your helmet.
Skin protection may seem redundant but if you’re working on a demolition project out in the sun, put on sunscreen, wear a hat, and wear long-sleeved clothing. You’ll be sweating a lot, and you’ll be uncomfortable. But consider that discomfort only lasts however long your workday is as opposed to a sunburn that can last weeks? Take the lesser of two evils, protect your skin.
Height safety equipment is another PPE that most don’t think about since “It’s a quick job, I don’t need it”, but you’re better off safe than sorry. Harnesses and/or fall arrest devices should be used when working from heights to keep yourself secure in the event of an accident.
Sledgehammer
The most basic of tools that often are thought of when it comes to demolition, the sledgehammer continues to be a reliable tool for demolition contractors that requires to be up close and personal with the structure. Sledgehammers can weigh different amounts and choosing the right one for a job depends on what you’re taking down. If you’re taking down a small wall then you’ll need a sledgehammer that matches the amount of force needed to take it down, and that doesn’t mean get yourself a 40-pound sledgehammer. This means get yourself a 2–10-pound sledgehammer so you can quickly and efficiently take down the wall. Sledgehammers are also used to break concrete and are often used to do so if you’re breaking down the foundation of a structure.
Crowbar
A tool that most people don’t think of when they’re doing an up-close and personal demolition job, the crowbar is an extremely useful tool for demolition contractors. They’re a fantastic tool for prying up a piece of a structure that may be stuck, removing nails where needed, or used as a lever to force pieces of the structure apart. The crowbar is universal when it comes to its uses in demolition, and you should consider always having one on hand when involved in a demolition project.
Pliers
Another tool that isn’t considered “important”, the pliers are an integral part of demolition when it comes to small residential demolition. If you’re re-building a portion of your house, pliers are fantastic for removing the carpet or removing nuts, bolts, or screws. A handy little tool that fits in your pocket (although we do not suggest you carry them in your pocket), the pliers are great when you need to do a little loosening on a structure on a small scale.
Demo Fork
A demo fork is a tool that often isn’t known by people outside of demolition contractors, but within the industry, it’s a tool that is considered extremely valuable for its uses. Much like the crowbar, it’s used for prying up a structure’s parts, but the demo fork is used on a bigger scale. It allows for the prying of wood flooring, decking, metal sheeting, roofing, window and door frames, tile flooring, drywall, paneling, and other parts of a building that may need to be removed during your demolition job. The ability to be maneuvered by one worker, the demo fork allows you to apply a strong amount of force to a structure without having to use your force. Shaped like a fork, it works exactly how you think it would and gets the job done efficiently for you.
These are 5 tools needed for demolition, and a few of these tools are primarily for possible use when it comes to up-close and personal demolition projects. Even so, these tools should be always on hand when doing a job since you never know when you’ll need to get up close with a structure. Of all these tools, safety equipment is the most important and we fully endorse never skipping out on it as it can cost you more than the demolition job is worth. Thanks for reading our 5 tools needed for demolition, check out the rest of our site for more advice from Windsor’s Demolition contractors.