Dust Control Strategies for Healthy Indoor Air During and After Renovations

Author: Zak Hutsul 
Date: Mar 07, 2025 
3 min read

I used to live in a small two bedroom condo in Etobicoke. 

Like any broke, mid-20’s grad, I needed a roommate to help carry the rent. It was the first time living on my own and I had these sensational ideas of what it would be like living with a friend. We would work hard during the day – this is around the time I was getting Picture Perfect Painters off the ground – and let loose a little in the evenings. 

The first few months were idyllic. But as the months turned to years, I found myself working very hard to maintain not only the friendship but also the cleanliness of our small condo. 

Renovations are no different than relationships, especially long projects with many moving parts. One of the things I value most in life is tidiness and organization, and I expect nothing less when it comes to our jobsites.

Contain the Mess: Negative Air Pressure & Zip Walls

Dust finds a way. 

Those annoying little devils will plot their escape through small pockets of air unless deterred through controlled measures. 

A negative air system is one such tactic. By setting up a Zip Wall Dust Barrier System and maintaining at least four air exchanges per hour with an air mover, we create a controlled working environment where dust doesn’t travel around the house without a license.  

Cutting & Sanding Without the Cloud

Traditional carpentry and drywall sanding equipment can sometimes leave the air full of fine dust particles. 

Festool power tools make dust containment simple for everyone. The built-in extraction systems capture dust at the source. 

The difference? 

You won’t find a layer of drywall dust coating your furniture weeks after the reno work is done.

Take the Mess Outside (When Possible)

Weather permitting, moving dust-producing work— like cutting wood or tiles —outside or onto a balcony is a simple but effective way to prevent contaminating the air indoors. 

This small change can drastically improve indoor air quality by keeping the worst of the offending suspects out of your living space.

HVAC and HRV Maintenance: Replace Filters 

Your HVAC system doesn’t just regulate temperature—it circulates air, and newer Heat Recovery Ventilator models exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. 

Swapping out HVAC filters and cleaning HRV filters after major construction milestones/projects ensures clean, healthy indoor air long after construction is finished. 

Post-Renovation Deep Clean 

Even with the best containment efforts, dust can still be a rude party crasher. There is no better feeling than the sight of a post-construction cleaning crew after a job well done.

A Note on Air Purifiers 

While everyone can benefit from a clean and organized home, it is especially essential for people with asthma, families with young children, or those sensitive to airborne allergens. 

We place a medical grade air purifier on each floor of the house during and after construction when the situation calls for it.