Archive for the ‘ Demolition ’ Category

Methods of Masonry Demolition in Maryland: Pusher Arm

Monday, November 24th, 2014

Whether you’re clearing way for a beautiful new masonry structure, or just looking to get rid of a structurally unsound eyesore, you need to consult a masonry demolitions expert on how you’re going to take down your masonry structure in Maryland. But how to do it? Del Prete Masonry is here with the inside scoop on one of the most common masonry demolition tools: the pusher arm.

What is a Pusher Arm?

A pusher arm is masonry demolition in-speak for a hydraulically powered excavator or loader that has been re-fitted with attachments to repurpose these construction machines for masonry demolition, such as percussion breakers and excavator buckets.

The Advantages of Pusher Arm Demolition

The chief benefit of using a pusher arm for your Maryland masonry demolition project is that the machines are very mobile, can handle large amounts of masonry at once, and are able to work on walls and floors that are above ground level. A team of pusher arm machines can be strategically employed to bring down masonry structures in a relatively short amount of time. Great for demolishing masonry infill structures, pusher arms can take down an infill structure by pushing them over in stages using continuous horizontal pressure.

The Disadvantages of Pusher Arm Demolition

To work efficiently, pusher arm machines need sufficient space to maneuver and gain access to a structure, as well as a flat and sturdy base. They are also limited by the reach of their arms whch must be extended at least 1.5 meters above the building being demolished. This method of masonry demolition is not recommended for large buildings on difficult to navigate sites

Pusher Arm Demolition Safety Precautions

Make sure that your Maryland site has been secured against unintentional entry by unauthorized personnel during demolition.
Always conduct demolition from the exterior of the building, and never let anyone enter the building while pusher arms are in operation.
Be sure that the operator has been trained in the work, or is being instructed by a trained person.
Use hand demolition to get the building to a level where pushing can start.
Separate the masonry structure from any attached buildings using hand demoltion.
Make sure that debris does not build up too high against the walls: this may push the wall onto the machine.

Need Masonry Demolition in Maryland?

Call Del Prete Masonry. At Del Prete Masonry, we’ve got the expertise to perform masonry demolition by pusher arm, and a wide variety of other methods to ensure your unwanted structure is safely, and quickly, taken apart. We’re also one of Maryland’s most respected masonry construction groups, so we can replace any demolished structure with a pristine, and affordable, one in no time.

To find out more about your masonry demolition options, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Posted in Blog, Demolition

Methods of Masonry Demolition in Maryland: Demolition by Ball

Monday, November 10th, 2014

If you have a structurally unsound or physically unappealing masonry structure, or have purchased land with a building that doesn’t meet your needs, chances are that you need masonry demolition. Continuing our series on the various types of masonry demolition, Del Prete Masonry, your Maryland masonry company, is here with a behind-the-scenes look at how demolition via wrecking ball works.

While most building can be taken down with a wrecking ball, it’s a highly delicate process that requires years of training and experience to execute safely. Below are some general precautions that masonry demolitions experts must observe when demolishing a building via wrecking ball.

Machine Safety

Most wrecking balls are not attached to dedicated wrecking machines; rather they are affixed to converted cranes. Demolishing masonry via wrecking ball is a taxing task and it’s important to make sure the crane is properly equipped to deal with the added strain. Cranes using a converted drag line are considered the best for demolition via wrecking ball while hydraulic ram cranes should never be used for this purpose. Cranes must be outfitted with a Falling Object Protective Structure and the Safe Working Limit (The maximum weight which the crane arm can safely carry) must be at least 3 times the weight of the wrecking ball.

General Safety

The wrecking ball must be fixed to prevent it from disconnecting with the line and this connection should be safety checked every hour. All unnecessary personnel and the general public should be kept well away from any masonry demolition, particularly when using a wrecking ball. Also, any building that are attached to the masonry that will be demolished must first be detached by hand, otherwise serious structural damage could occur.

Need Masonry Demolition in Maryland?

Call Del Prete Masonry. At Del Prete Masonry, we’ve got the expertise to perform masonry demolition by wrecking ball, and a wide variety of other methods to ensure your unwanted structure is safely, and quickly, taken apart. We’re also one of Maryland’s most respected masonry construction groups, so we can replace any demolished structure with a pristine, and affordable, one in no time.

To find out more about your masonry demolition options, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Posted in Blog, Demolition

Methods of Masonry Demolition in Maryland: Demolition by Hand

Friday, October 31st, 2014

At Del Prete Masonry, there’s nothing we appreciate more than a fine stone structure, but sometimes for the new to be built, the old must come down. When it comes to masonry demolition there’s more than one way to get the job done. While masonry demolition should never be attempted as a DIY project, having a better understanding of how it works can help you know when it’s time to call in a professional masonry demolition . Today we’ll be looking at masonry demolition by hand.

Conducting masonry demolition by hand is a time consuming and difficult process. Demolishing masonry by hand requires ample scaffolding, structural reinforcement, protective gear, and a wide variety of sturdy demolition tools to be done safely.

Process

When performing Maryland masonry demolition by hand only one story of a structure can be demolished at a time. It’s typically safest to start with the highest level, the roof, and to work your way down from that point. A portion of every floor should be taken out so that debris can fall through to ground level.

It’s important not to let destroyed masonry pile up though. An overloaded floor could collapse, starting a chain reaction of collapsing floors and taking down the entire structure with tools, and more importantly people, inside. At the conclusion of every work day guying and propping must be done to ensure that the remaining portion of the structure can safely stand on its own overnight.

Personnel Safety

When conducting masonry demolition by hand in Maryland, law requires that guardrails and barriers must be erected in any place that poses a potential hazard to workers or the public. If there are areas in the demolition site where this is impossible, workers must be outfitted with anchored safety harnesses, and must be adequately trained in their use.

Before conducting any kind of masonry demolition by hand, Maryland requires employers to conduct hazard assessment to determine what specific safety precautions are necessary.

Need Masonry Demolition in Maryland?

Call Del Prete Masonry. At Del Prete Masonry we’ve got the expertise to perform masonry demolition by hand, and a wide variety of other methods to ensure your unwanted structure is safely, and quickly, taken apart. We’re also one of Maryland’s most respected masonry construction groups, so we can replace any demolished structure with a pristine, and affordable, one in no time.

Posted in Blog, Demolition