Containing Dust While Sanding in Occupied Homes

Sanding produces massive amounts of fine dust that can spread throughout a house in minutes. When working in occupied homes, controlling this dust is essential for cleanliness, safety, and client satisfaction. With the right setup and techniques, you can sand efficiently while keeping living areas dust-free.

Why Dust Containment Matters

Wood and drywall dust aren’t just messy—they can affect indoor air quality and damage electronics or HVAC systems. Proper containment prevents complaints, reduces cleanup time, and keeps the work environment healthier for both occupants and contractors.

Tools You’ll Need

• Plastic sheeting and zipper walls
• Painters tape and masking supplies
• Shop vacuum with HEPA filter
• Random orbital sander with dust port
• Negative air machine or box fan with filter
• Tack cloths and microfiber rags

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 80 grit: For heavy stock removal on wood surfaces.
• 120 grit: For intermediate smoothing and blending.
• 220 grit: For final prep before finishing.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Set up containment. Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting, creating a zipper wall for access.
2. Establish negative pressure. Use a fan or air scrubber vented outside to keep dust from escaping.
3. Begin coarse sanding. Use 80 grit (25-pack) for initial leveling while connected to a HEPA vacuum.
4. Smooth with medium grit. Switch to 120 grit (50-pack) for balanced surface prep.
5. Finish fine sanding. Refine with 220 grit (100-pack) for a paint- or finish-ready surface.
6. Clean regularly. Vacuum and wipe surfaces with tack cloths between grit changes.
7. Maintain airflow. Keep negative air running until all sanding is complete and cleanup finished.

Special Cases

For drywall sanding, use mesh abrasives connected to a vacuum pole sander to reduce airborne dust. For large flooring jobs, professional dust containment systems with sealed hoses are best.

Pro Tips

• Seal HVAC vents in the work zone to prevent dust circulation.
• Use low-tack tape to avoid damaging painted walls during containment setup.
• Always wear a respirator—HEPA vacs capture most, but not all, airborne dust.
• Schedule sanding during low-traffic hours if occupants remain in the home.

Aftercare

• Do a final vacuum sweep of the work zone before tearing down barriers.
• Wipe surrounding areas with damp microfiber to capture any stray dust.
• Inspect HVAC filters post-project—replace if dust buildup is visible.

FAQs

• Can I skip containment if I have a HEPA sander? No—fine dust still escapes. Always use barriers in occupied homes.
• What’s the best way to protect furniture? Remove it from the room or wrap completely in plastic sheeting.
• How long should barriers stay up? Until sanding, cleanup, and final vacuuming are complete.

Watch & Learn

Containing dust while sanding protects occupants, preserves air quality, and demonstrates professionalism—turning a messy job into a controlled process with clean results.