Window replacement - how much dust?

coffeehound

The HA is replacing all the windows on this flat soon. How much mess is this likely to cause please? Should I buy in dust sheets to cover and wrap everything?

ETA: it is 1980s brick and tile construction

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tonyh66

Yes it will be dusty, it could be windy, raining, the blokes fitting the windows won't give a fig about damaging your stuff, be aware and prepare.

Jackmydad

tonyh66 wrote: »

Yes it will be dusty, it could be windy, raining, the blokes fitting the windows won't give a fig about damaging your stuff, be aware and prepare.

This. Be prepared.
However letting them get one with it without moaning unless they really are being a PITA, and an endless supply of tea, coffee and biscuits does tend to make them more inclined to be careful.

FreeBear

In the middle of having a couple of windows replaced this week - A fair bit of dust will need to be hoovered up when the guys are finished. So worth getting some dust sheets to cover stuff up. When they are gone, be prepared to do a deep clean to get rid of the last few bits of dust.

googler

Yes. Get painters plastic dustsheets, and put them from wall to wall on the carpet, with masking tape at edges to skirting to hold them down.

Put fabric sheets in the walking areas and tape them so they don't move on the plastic.

Put more plastic sheets over furniture.

If you have anything that you don't want the dust to get into (HiFi (turntable, cassette deck etc), TV ventilation grilles, computers, phones) wrap them up and/or put them in a cupboard.

George_Michael

Something that was suggested to me and which I did the last time I had a window replaced was to get a floor fan, turn it on to its lowest setting (so it's not blowing in the faces of the window fitters and annoying them) and point it towards the window from about 15 feet away.

The fitters didn't even feel the breeze but it was more than enough to blow the majority of dust out rather than it coming into the room.

coffeehound

Thanks for your replies, that's unanimous then. Just ordered eight poly dust sheets for under £6 on eBay, so at least they werent too pricey.

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LandyAndy

I'm really surprised at the answers. A friend and I replaced all the windows in my previous house (13 large windows) and there was hardly any mess at all.

Rodders53

LandyAndy wrote: »

I'm really surprised at the answers. A friend and I replaced all the windows in my previous house (9 large windows) and there was hardly any mess at all.

Me, too.
Recently had the whole house wooden dg windows and doors replaced with upvc. Some mess. Inevitable. But a remarkably unremarkable amount.
Fitters used dust sheets etc and tidied up after themselves.

Of course I was paying, not a housing association, but even so.

Elfin safety may not approve of anything on the floors that the staff could slip on. Sheets over furniture etc should be fine.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will ensure the workers are happy, and happy workers do a better job!

Existing windows style may make a difference; but even 30-odd years ago when we had critall steel sg windows and quarry-tiled sills replaced with hardwood the fitters were clean and tidy.

Some fine dust must be expected though.

no1catman

Agree with the last couple of replies.
Any decent installer should/would bring their own dust sheets, and clean (vacuum) up afterwards.
A good clue would be the tradesman taking off shoes on entering to do the measure up.

Don't see any cause of dust anyway - apart from a bit of drilling.

It pales it nothingness when compared with taking walls back to brick, re-rendered, and re-plastered! Been there had that done!!

FreeBear

no1catman wrote: »

Don't see any cause of dust anyway - apart from a bit of drilling.

Wood dust from cutting out the old frames.
Brick dust from drilling & cutting out damaged bricks.
Bits of plastic from cutting the trims.
Bits of expanded foam & sealant.

Nothing a quick run round with a hoover to cause a problem. The vast majority of the dust is either outside or contained within the bay - The fitter hung a dust sheet over the work area and I'd already sheeted up the carpet.