Isolate the bathroom before demolition, protect adjoining areas and access routes, capture dust at the source and clean the site daily. Agree on noisy work, water shutdowns and bathroom access in advance. No occupied renovation will be completely dust-free.
Prepare the Work Zone
Remove toiletries, towels, medicines and movable furniture. Store hygiene items in sealed containers away from the work zone and cover furniture that cannot be moved.
Use securely fixed dust barriers at doorways and other openings. Agree with the contractor on how air vents will be managed; do not seal or alter active heating, cooling or ventilation systems yourself. Barriers must not obstruct emergency access or create trip hazards.
Protect floors, stairs and the full route used by workers. Nominate one entrance where practical, and set aside contained areas for tools, materials and waste.
Contain Dust and Clean Daily
Dust controls should capture particles close to the task and prevent them spreading beyond the isolated area.
Ask how the contractor will control dust when cutting tiles, concrete, masonry or other silica-containing materials. Controls may include suitable tool-mounted extraction or wet cutting, depending on the task. Household vacuums can release fine dust back into the air, so contractors should use an industrial dust extractor selected for the hazard.
Negative air pressure and filtered air-cleaning equipment may help when professionally planned, but they do not replace source controls or make hazardous dust safe.
To reduce dust transfer:
- keep work footwear and protective clothing outside occupied rooms;
- contain debris before moving it through the home;
- vacuum settled grit rather than dry sweeping;
- clean barriers and protected floors at the end of each day; and
- check doorways and barrier edges for escaped dust.
Stop work if suspected asbestos or another hazardous material is uncovered. Do not sample, drill, cut or disturb it. Arrange assessment and any necessary removal through appropriately qualified or licensed specialists. Leave demolition near concealed plumbing or electrical services to the relevant licensed trades.
Plan Household Access and Shutdowns
Agree on working hours, noisy tasks, deliveries, waste removal and service interruptions before demolition. Nominate one contact for access questions, schedule changes and cleaning concerns.
Confirm which toilet, shower and basin will remain available. If there is only one bathroom, arrange temporary bathroom facilities or alternative accommodation rather than entering the work zone.
Plan water shutdowns in advance, including the expected duration and affected fixtures. Keep the property’s water isolation point accessible, but have plumbing disconnections, alterations and reconnections completed by an appropriately licensed plumber. Our Sydney plumbing team can help plan and carry out this work safely.
Keep children and pets away from the bathroom, protected access route, tools and stored waste. Schedule the noisiest and dustiest work for times when residents with health, mobility, sleep or work-from-home needs can be elsewhere.