What is included in post-construction cleaning? The essentials

Whether your space is a cosy abode or a sprawling office complex, we aim to equip you with all the necessary information to navigate the final stage of your construction project with confidence and ease.

What is post-construction cleaning?

Post-construction cleaning is a type of cleaning service fit for new or renovated buildings. Professional post-construction cleaners will ensure that debris and dust are thoroughly removed. They will tend to walls, carpets and floors, ensuring they are deep cleaned, ridding them of dirt and bacteria. These teams will also take care of windows, wall fixings and washroom facilities, ensuring they are clean and protected to ensure longevity and maintain quality.

The main aim of post-construction cleaning is to bring a new or renovated environment to a clean, hygienic and safe standard and prevent potential health hazards, ensuring a safe space.

What is included in post-construction cleaning?

Debris and dust removal: essential first steps of post-construction clean-up

After the construction process ends, the initial phase of post-construction cleaning begins with debris and dust removal. This stage is paramount for setting the foundation for a thorough cleaning, ensuring all subsequent tasks can be performed effectively and safely.

Before deep cleaning can commence, it’s crucial to clear the area of any lingering construction debris. This includes remnants of building materials such as drywall, nails, screws, and wood offcuts, which can pose hazards if not promptly and properly handled.

Types of debris commonly found on construction sites:

• Lumber and plywood scraps
• Electrical wiring offcuts
• Drywall and insulation pieces
• Tile and countertop remnants
• Protective plastic and tarps

Debris and dust removal is, at times, a large task requiring a strategic approach:

• Manual collection: Workers gather and remove larger debris by hand, often using tools such as shovels, wheelbarrows, and brooms.
• Industrial-grade vacuum cleaners: Integrating high-efficiency air filters, these vacuums are adept at eradicating finer dust from the environment.
• Air scrubbers: To further purify the air, portable air scrubbers might be utilized to capture airborne particles and minimise dust-related issues.

Once the space is clear of visible debris and the air has been filtered to eliminate most dust particles, the stage is set for a complete and meticulous cleaning. This precise approach safeguards against potential complications that could arise from leftover materials or dust and ensures a spotless and pristine environment, ready for occupation or further interior detailing.

If you’re looking for more on what professional cleaners do, see our recent blog, ‘What is commercial cleaning?’

Deep carpet cleaning

After the hustle and bustle of construction, it is crucial to remember the importance of a thorough, deep carpet cleaning. Carpets can harbour construction dust, debris, and various allergens that can harm indoor air quality. You must address construction residue within carpets to not only preserve the appearance and extend the lifespan of the carpet but also to ensure a healthy, dust-free environment.

Techniques used for deep carpet cleaning:

• Vacuuming: This initial step removes surface dirt and particles to prepare the carpet for deeper cleaning.
• Steam cleaning: Often referred to as ‘hot water extraction,’ steam cleaning uses high-temperature water to penetrate carpet fibres, dissolving and dislodging grime.
• Shampooing: This involves using specialist carpet shampoos that break down dirt and stains, which are then vacuumed away.
• Spot cleaning: Targeting specific stains, professionals use targeted treatments to eliminate tough spots without affecting the rest of the carpet.

Engaging professional carpet cleaning services ensures the effective removal of all construction waste from carpets, contributing to the overall success of the post-construction cleaning process.

Research has shown that carpets can hold around 200,000 bacteria in each square inch, so regardless of whether your carpet has been cleaned post-construction, it is recommended that you vacuum your carpets once a week and have them professionally cleaned by specialists at least once a year.

Hard surface floor cleaning

After completing any construction project, it’s essential to thoroughly clean up to ensure hard surface floors remain in excellent condition. Whether your space has elegant hardwood, durable tile, or any other type of hard flooring, professional post-construction cleaning services care for your floor, catering to each material’s needs.

Tile, hardwood, and other hard surface floors

Preserving the quality of hard surface floors begins with precise cleaning designed to protect and ensure the longevity of your floors. Expert cleaners like BIC plc, utilise tailored methods to care for different materials. Cleansers are chosen for delicate hardwoods, while stronger solutions may be used for tile and engineered materials, always ensuring the manufacturer’s recommendations are followed.

Removing adhesives, stains, and other markings

• Adhesive removal: Remnants of tape, labels, and other adhesives are common on new floors. Specialised solvents are used to effectively dissolve adhesives without damaging the floor’s finish.
• Stain treatment: Stains from paint splatters, spills, or construction materials are treated using appropriate stain removers that work without harming the floor material.
• Marking eradication: Scuff marks and other discolouration is buffed out, leaving behind a pristine surface.

Each step of the hard surface floor cleaning process is conducted with a keen eye for detail, ensuring that your floors remain in peak condition and retain their aesthetic appeal long after the construction crew has departed.

General sparkle cleaning tasks

A post-construction clean requires high attention to detail in areas such as kitchens, washrooms and fixings such as skirting boards, windows and sockets. Preserving the quality of these areas ensures longevity in these fixings, and cleaning is designed to ensure health and safety standards are met.

• Windows and internal partitions/balustrades: Remnants of construction debris and dust can cling to things like windows; our specialist teams use material-appropriate solvents in order to clean and protect the quality of your windows and internal partitions/balustrades.
• Skirting boards, vertical walls and switches, and sockets: Paint splatters, labels, tape, and other scuffs can be visible after construction; our teams use appropriate cleaning equipment to ensure high cleanliness standards whilst maintaining the quality of your skirting boards, vertical walls and switches.
• Washrooms, toilets, kitchens and staff facilities: Washrooms, toilets and kitchen facilities require extensive cleaning to be ready for post-construction use. Our team of qualified specialists use professional disinfectants and equipment to ensure facilities are ready for safe and hygienic use.

Relevant certifications

In line with expertise and knowledge, post-construction cleaners should come with an array of certifications and training; our team of specialists holds all of the below:

• CSCS – proves that the individuals working on construction sites have completed the appropriate training and qualifications.
• IPAF – a training programme covering mobile elevating work platforms, mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) and construction hoists.
• PASMA – this s the nationally recognised body for mobile access tower safety and training.
• Site Supervisor Safety – for site supervisors detailing all about your legal responsibilities regarding health, safety, welfare and environmental issues.

Visit our builders and sparkle cleaning page for more information on our professional post-construction cleaning services.