Deconstruction vs. Demolition | Airtek Environmental advantix|

Deconstruction vs Demolition

Bringing down a building that’s past repair can cause a lot of mess and take a lot of time to destroy and clear, but there are concerns that lie within the walls of older buildings that many businesses may not think about. Commercial buildings constructed before the times of OSHA and modern building regulations may have major health and environmental risks lying within their framework that could cause severe problems if the building is just knocked down.

Hazardous Building Materials

Hazardous materials like asbestos, mold, and lead could not only affect workers on-site but can also spread to surrounding buildings in the area. The process creates a lot of waste and leaves wide openings for hazardous materials to be handled carelessly and dumped into improper disposal sites. All in all, demolition poses many risks and while seemingly cheaper it can have a business missing out on the benefits of choosing deconstruction instead. Deconstruction may take more time and a bit of extra cash but has advantages that will make it more appealing overall.

Benefits of Deconstruction

Deconstruction is a process that focuses on salvaging as much of a building’s materials as can be saved and re-purposing or donating as many usable pieces as possible. When a business plans to deconstruct a building instead of demolishing it, they not only avoid creating unnecessary waste but also have materials to donate charitably and claim as a tax deduction in the future. With as much material that’s left behind by a commercial building that could easily be donated, a business can see a sizable amount of their investment in deconstruction paid back come tax time.

Less waste also means less clean-up post-deconstruction. Demolition destroys not only valuable building materials like windows, doors and framing lumber, but it also can wreck the groundwork for the property itself. If a business is planning to re-purpose the property or sell it, demolition can create a lot of potential issues. The property can lose value quickly if it is torn up during demo work. Deconstruction preserves the state of the property and allows for less clean-up time, letting a business move onto their next step after the building deconstruction is done.

Environmental Services for Building Deconstruction

Careful deconstruction plans also help a company avoid the potential health risks to employees, contracted workers and people around the deconstruction site. When working with environmental consultants like Airtek Environmental, we insure the safe and careful removal of hazardous material and create a process for the building deconstruction. Airtek employs all tests and specialties at their disposal to keep all people in contact with the site and the surrounding area safe from potential microbes and health hazards present in older building materials. Airborne microbes and toxins can cause issues ranging from chronic irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs to deadly conditions like mesothelioma cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Workers with asthma and other upper respiratory issues can be severely burdened by the demolition dust and dirt kicked up by demolition and may end up hospitalized depending on the severity of their reaction. The potential hazard situations caused by demolition can leave a business paying more for it in time, money and lost resources.

During a period of Remediation, Airtek Environmental specialists educate all workers accessing a building site on industrial hygiene, test air quality for toxins and bacteria and study surfaces and materials present for potential risks. By utilizing these steps and working alongside a business to create a sound strategy for deconstruction, an environmental business can help a company avoid worker’s comp and insurance claims by keeping workers healthy and out of harm’s way.

Why Choose Airtek Environmental Consultants?

Airtek Environmental is designed to help businesses accurately analyze the health and environmental safety of a company’s building before tear down begins. Airtek’s services can show a company the benefits of choosing deconstruction vs demolition through expert consultation and testing using advanced technology and methods. When it is time to destroy a building, whether a business is moving or rebuilding on the same property, Airtek can work alongside a business and help them to create a safe environment for workers through deconstruction planning and on-site testing that identifies hazards. They can also educate workers on proper hygiene and safety practices while being present during deconstruction. These methods of risk assessment and prevention can save a business time and money that could otherwise be lost during a demolition job. To find out more about Airtek Environmental’s consulting services or set up an appointment to plan your business’s building deconstruction, call 718- 937-3720.