First off, what is partial demolition? The 2014 NYC Building Code defines it as “The dismantling, razing, or removal of structural members, floors, interior bearing walls, and/or exterior walls or portions thereof, including all operations incidental thereto.” Instead of tearing down the entire structure, only selective parts are removed. For any demolition project, it’s important to plan first to avoid negative impacts. In our blog, we’re going to discuss why partial demolition is necessary and the precautions attached to it.

When It’s Needed

If there’s a room that needs expansion, that’s when partial demolition comes in. A wall that divides two rooms will be cleared and new walls will spring up for stability. Building extensions offer another reason as to why only partial demolition is required. By removing exterior walls and melding together old and new parts of a building, this type of demolition will allow for a smooth result. Upgrades or modifications to a building, as well as projects to improve or fix plumbing defects, are additional examples when utilizing partial demolition.

Precautions

Partial removal is trickier because you need to provide support to the rest of the structure, you don’t want to remove a load bearing wall and certain equipment might not be applicable as well, so it’s best to consult a professional to plan out the best roadmap. With careful planning and engineering, ramifications will be avoided and the structure’s integrity won’t be harmed. The purpose of partial demolition is to keep certain parts of the structure intact while improving or expanding one area, so the whole building must be kept under close observation.

Conclusion

At times, a full demolition is needed, but when you don’t want your project to start from the ground up, then partial demolition is your best option. Communicating closely with a team of professional engineers is vital to the success of the project. Any mishaps could create detrimental effects on the structure, so it’s always recommended to carefully plan ahead weeks in advance. Contact your local demolition company for more insight on a project that you’d like to carry out.