Sometimes it can be cheaper to tear down an old building and start from scratch rather than trying to renovate it. Demolition is also eco-friendly. The demolition company will sort through the debris and salvage anything that can be reused or recycled, which helps the environment.
Wrecking Ball Method
The wrecking ball is one of the most popular and classic building demolition methods. This technique involves swinging a large steel ball from a crane to destroy structures. However, it’s essential to understand that this method has risks. When not properly controlled, wrecking balls send debris flying in all directions, cause structural collapses, and may smash through previously-concealed hazardous materials such as asbestos.
This method requires impeccable timing and sequencing by trained demolition specialists. It’s also a very noisy and messy method. It’s best used for buildings with open space around them that allow the crane to move freely. Dust is also a concern, so workers should wear protective gear to minimize exposure. It’s a good idea to have high fencing or barriers around the site and to cover trucks carrying wet loads to prevent spills and runoff.
Hydraulic Excavator Method
All structures eventually run their course and must be destroyed. The demolition process requires careful planning and precise execution. It must be safe for the workers involved and nearby buildings, roads, and utility lines.
In the mechanical method of building demolition Boston MA, specialized equipment breaks apart and removes materials. It includes hydraulic excavators equipped with a telescopic arm that can reach higher floors of taller structures. The arm has various attachments, such as hammers or crushers, to demolish the structure.
For smaller buildings, demolition professionals can use the implosion method. It is a powerful and efficient technique that uses explosives to bring down the structure rather than using gravity to destroy it. This technique is essential in a large, open area and with a trained operator.
Hydraulic Hammer Method
This method swings a massive steel ball from a crane into the building. It brings down the structure from its highest points first, reducing the height of the building without altering its foundations (usually used for partial restoration). This technique protects surrounding buildings and homes from damage.
For tall concrete structures, excavators with shear attachments cut through the steel structural elements. Hydraulic hammers are commonly used to crush concrete into manageable sizes and remove reinforcing steel. Other tools, like demolition shears and powered lances, make openings in concrete walls. This technique is often employed where explosive demolition is not feasible or desirable. Temporary supports are also required to withstand loads of machinery and falling bricks, concrete pieces, etc.
Wrecking Bar Method
Wrecking bars are long metal rods with a chisel or claw end that can pry apart materials. They also have a gooseneck end that allows them to fit into corners and tight spaces, maximizing leverage. They can be used to pry off flooring and roofing or break concrete. They can even pull nails too wedged in or deeply embedded to remove with a claw hammer. The wrecking bar method is a slower and more careful process than other demolition methods. It is best used when the structure’s structural integrity is sound and complete demolition is not required. It is also the safest method when compared to other demolition methods. All flammable and dangerous materials should be removed from the building before beginning demolition.
Wrecking Crane Method
The wrecking ball method throws a giant steel ball at the structure that must be torn down while a crane suspends it. It requires a highly skilled crane operator, as missing the target could tip or overload the crane. The optimum time to choose this demolition method is when you need to dismantle buildings too high for an excavator or bulldozer to reach. However, the worksite must be fenced off to ensure that surrounding structures are not damaged by debris or dust. This method is also used for structurally unstable buildings that need to be lowered. For more significant buildings, explosives are placed on the floor of one part and then blasted, which causes the upper parts to fall onto the lower ones.