Intro

Are you SICK OF DUST!? Most jobs kick up clouds from demo, sanding, and cutting. Clients hate it. Your crew hates breathing it. Dust also ruins finishes and tools. The good news: you can control it. This guide shows what works, why it works, and how to set it up fast. We’ll cover negative air, HEPA capture, smart barriers, and clean workflows. You’ll get exact steps, tools, and timeframes. By the end, you’ll have a simple plan you can use on your next job.

Quick Answer

If you’re asking, Are you SICK OF DUST!?, lock down three things: contain the room, create negative air (−2 to −5 Pa), and capture dust at the source with a HEPA vacuum (99.97% at 0.3 μm). Add daily wipe-downs and a clean path out. This combo cuts mess and stress.

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways
• Why Dust Control Matters on Every Site
• Are You Sick of Dust? Core Controls= That Work
• Room-By-Room Tactics That Catch Dust
• Setup Steps: 30-Minute Dust Control Plan
• Pro Tips, Costs, and Common Mistakes
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Key Takeaways

• Build a sealed work zone with 6‑mil poly and zippers in 20–30 minutes.
• Aim for −2 to −5 Pascals negative pressure and 4–6 ACH in the zone.
• Use HEPA vacs rated 99.97% at 0.3 μm with 4–5 metre hoses.
• Do a 10‑minute daily check: seals, fan airflow, filter load, clean path.
• Add the dust plan to your proposal so clients see the value up front.

Why Dust Control Matters on Every Site

Dust is not just a mess. It damages lungs, tools, and finishes. Fine dust (under 10 μm) floats for hours. It travels through returns, under doors, and across floors. One careless cut can coat a home. On most jobs, dust also adds cleanup time. That’s unpaid labour.

Here’s the fix. Treat dust like water. You contain it, control its flow, and drain it out. That means barriers, pressure, and capture. Do those right, and the house stays clean. Your crew works faster. Clients notice the difference.

This pairs well with understanding "professional proposals" and "invoice templates" so you can price and present dust control clearly.

Are You Sick of Dust? Core Controls= That Work

When you think, Are you SICK OF DUST!?, use this three-part system.

1) Contain

• Build a plastic room. Use 6‑mil (0.15 mm) poly with zipper doors.
• Tape seams with 48 mm tape. Press edges into corners for a tight seal.
• Cover vents and returns. Seal gaps under doors with foam or a draft stop.

2) Create Negative Air

• Place an exhaust fan or air scrubber in the zone, venting outside.
• Target −2 to −5 Pa. In general, this keeps dust from leaking out.
• As a rule of thumb, aim for 4–6 air changes per hour (ACH) in the zone.

3) Capture at the Source

• Hook tools to a HEPA vacuum rated 99.97% at 0.3 μm.
• Use a 4–5 metre (13–16 ft) hose so the vac can stay outside the room.
• Add a pre-filter or dust bag to extend filter life.

Add a clean path: floor protection, sticky mats at exits, and a staging area. Keep dirty and clean sides separate.

If you need to show this plan to clients fast, tools like Donizo let you voice‑capture site details and generate a clear proposal that lists dust control steps. Clients see the value and sign off faster.

Room-By-Room Tactics That Catch Dust

Different rooms need different tricks. Use these proven setups.

Kitchens

• Zip-wall the kitchen with 6‑mil poly and a single zipper door.
• Place the exhaust duct through a window insert or core hole.
• Use a HEPA vac on saws and sanders. Wipe counters and cabinets daily.

Basements

• Seal the stairwell. Close returns. Use negative air to pull dust down, not up.
• Dehumidifiers help keep dust from clinging during wet work.

Bathrooms

• Tight spaces leak fast. Double-tape edges and fan around plumbing penetrations.
• Run a small scrubber continuously at low speed to maintain −2 to −3 Pa.

Occupied Homes

• Build a two-door airlock using two zipper doors, 1 metre apart.
• Lay 10–15 metres of floor protection to the exit. Add a sticky mat.

When you’re thinking, Are you SICK OF DUST!?, remember: small leaks cause big messes. Spend 10 minutes checking seals before work starts.

Setup Steps: 30-Minute Dust Control Plan

Follow these steps at the start of each dusty task. This is your repeatable system.

1. Walk the space (2 minutes). Note doors, vents, and a window for exhaust.
2. Poly up (12 minutes). Hang 6‑mil plastic, tape with 48 mm tape, add a zipper.
3. Seal HVAC (2 minutes). Tape returns and supply grilles fully.
4. Place exhaust (5 minutes). Duct a scrubber/fan outside. Target −2 to −5 Pa.
5. Tool hookup (4 minutes). Connect HEPA vacs with 4–5 metre hoses. Check seals.
6. Clean path (3 minutes). Lay runners, set a sticky mat, prep a staging table.
7. Daily check (2 minutes). Filters, seals, airflow. Fix before you cut or sand.

That’s 30 minutes. It saves hours later. On most sites, this also prevents callbacks.

Pro Tips, Costs, and Common Mistakes

Pro Tips

• Bag dust at the tool. Use shrouds on grinders, sanders, and saws.
• Keep vac filters clean. Pulse or swap pre-filters when suction drops.
• Vent outside, not into an attic or crawl. Moisture and dust will linger.
• Use a 25 ft (7.5 m) hose to park the vac away from the cut.
• Schedule dust-heavy work together. One setup, one teardown.

Typical Costs (General Ranges)

• 6‑mil poly and tape: $25–$50 per small room.
• HEPA filter set: $40–$120 depending on brand and size.
• Window insert for ducting: $30–$80 in materials.
• Stick mats: $20–$40 per pad (good for 30–60 entries).

Common Mistakes

• Skipping negative air. Barriers alone still leak.
• Using non-HEPA shop vacs. Fine dust passes through.
• Venting inside. You’re just moving dust around.
• Forgetting the path out. Footprints spread dust fast.

If you also want help presenting this in writing, our article on "project timelines" shows how to plan clean work phases, and our guide on "change orders" helps you price dust extras clearly.

FAQ

Do I really need negative air, or is plastic enough?

Plastic helps, but air moves dust. In general, −2 to −5 Pa negative pressure keeps air (and dust) flowing into the work zone, not out. Without it, every door opening and cut will push dust into the house.

What HEPA rating should I look for in a vacuum or scrubber?

Look for HEPA filters rated 99.97% at 0.3 microns. That’s the common industry standard. Pair the vac with proper tool shrouds and a 4–5 metre hose for best capture.

How often should I change filters?

Check daily. Swap pre-filters or bags when suction drops or dust cakes the surface. Main HEPA filters last longer but still need inspection every 1–2 weeks on dusty jobs.

Can I pass dust control costs to the client?

Yes. Most clients accept a clear line item when they understand the benefits. Include the setup time (about 30 minutes), materials, and daily checks. Show it in your proposal so there are no surprises.

How do I keep the rest of the home livable during demo?

Build a tight zone, run negative air, protect floors 10–15 metres to the exit, and use a sticky mat. Wipe high-touch areas at lunch and end of day. Keep doors to clean areas closed.

Conclusion

Dust control is simple when you use a system: contain, create negative air, and capture at the source. Do a quick daily check, and protect the path out. Next steps: 1) Add a 30‑minute dust setup to your schedule, 2) Stock 6‑mil poly, zipper doors, and HEPA filters, 3) Train your crew on hookups and checks. To present this plan clearly in your quotes, platforms such as Donizo help you capture site details by voice, include the dust plan in a branded proposal, and get e‑signatures fast. Put this in place today and breathe easier on your next job.