Post-Construction Cleaning: Why It's a Professional Job

You've just finished renovation work. The kitchen is redone, the bathroom is brand new, the paint is fresh. All that's left is to... clean. And then you discover the scale of the disaster.

Plaster dust everywhere. Even in the most unlikely corners. Glue traces on tiles. Greasy film on windows. Grout residue in corners. And this fine white coating covering absolutely everything.

"Well, a good vacuum and it's sorted," you think. Except no. Post-construction cleaning is a different world. And there are serious reasons why it's a professional job.

What Construction Really Leaves Behind

Even a well-managed site generates dirt you don't suspect. And some are more problematic than they appear.

Plaster Dust: Fine, Invasive, Stubborn

Plaster dust has an annoying particularity: it's extremely fine. So fine it infiltrates everywhere. In electrical outlets, under skirting boards, inside cupboards you thought were protected, in parquet grooves.

And when you sweep? You put it back in suspension in the air. It settles again a few hours later. You start again. It comes back. It's endless.

Crystalline Silica: A Real Health Hazard

What many don't know is that construction dust isn't just dirty. It can be dangerous.

According to INRS (National Institute for Research and Safety), crystalline silica present in many building materials (concrete, mortar, tiles, brick) is classified as a proven carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

In France, nearly 365,000 workers are exposed to this silica, mainly in construction. Regular inhalation can cause:

• Silicosis: irreversible pulmonary fibrosis
• Lung cancer
• Chronic bronchitis
• Respiratory tract irritation

According to Prevention BTP, these conditions can appear several years after exposure and continue to progress even after exposure has stopped.

That's why construction cleaning professionals use specific equipment and strict protocols. It's not a luxury, it's health safety.

Other Problematic Residues

• Glue residue: tile glue, parquet glue... Once dry, it becomes very difficult to remove without damaging the surface
• Cement and mortar traces: once dry, it won't come off without specific products and techniques
• Paint splatters: on glass, handles, frames... Painters aren't always the most careful
• Greasy film: construction releases particles that mix with humidity and create a stubborn haze on surfaces
• Grout residue: tile grout, silicone sealant... Often overflowing and difficult to clean properly

Why Broom and Standard Vacuum Aren't Enough

Broom: The Worst Idea

Sweeping construction dust is counterproductive. According to Kärcher experts, dry sweeping puts up to 80% of fine particles back in suspension in the air. You breathe them, and they settle elsewhere. Zero efficiency, 100% risk.

Standard Vacuum: Insufficient

Your household vacuum isn't designed for this type of dust. Silica and plaster particles are so fine they pass through standard filters and are expelled back into the air. You vacuum on one side, it comes out the other.

Not to mention that the amount of debris can quickly clog or damage a consumer appliance. We've seen vacuums rendered unusable after a single attempt at post-construction cleaning.

What You Really Need

For effective and safe post-construction cleaning, you need:

• Class H industrial vacuums: equipped with HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air) that retain 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns
• Professional steam cleaners: to loosen dirt without aggressive chemicals
• Floor buffer: for heavily soiled hard floors
• Squeegees and telescopic poles: for high surfaces
• Appropriate stripping products: depending on residue type (glue, cement, paint)
• Protective equipment: FFP3 masks, coveralls, goggles

This equipment costs several thousand euros and requires training to use correctly. It's no coincidence that post-construction cleaning is a specialty in itself.

The Professional Method: Step by Step

Post-construction cleaning follows a precise protocol. Out of order, it doesn't work.

1. Assessment and Preparation

• Site inspection to identify types of soiling
• Verification that work is actually finished (no touch-ups planned)
• Protection of fragile elements if necessary
• Removal of large debris by contractors (normally included in their service)

2. Rough Dusting

• Floor vacuuming with industrial vacuum
• Dusting horizontal surfaces (window sills, tops of fixed furniture)
• Cleaning ventilation ducts and grilles

3. Cleaning from Top to Bottom

• Ceilings: cobwebs, spray marks
• Walls: marks, splatters, fingerprints
• Light fixtures: dusting, cleaning globes
• Door tops and frames

4. Specific Surface Treatment

• Windows: removing paint and glue traces, cleaning glass and frames
• Tiles: removing grout residue, descaling if necessary
• Hardwood/laminate flooring: fine vacuuming, floor-appropriate washing
• Sanitary fixtures: descaling, removing construction limescale
• New appliances: removing protective films, cleaning surfaces

5. Finishing

• Deep floor cleaning
• Inspection of each area
• Touch-ups if needed
• Ventilation to evacuate suspended residue

How Long Does It Take?

Let's be concrete. Post-construction cleaning is:

• As an amateur: 2 to 4 days of intensive work, with often disappointing results and dust reappearing for weeks
• As a professional: a few hours to one day depending on surface area, with definitive results

The difference? Equipment and experience. We know exactly what to do, in what order, with what products. We don't waste time trying methods that don't work.

When Should You Clean?

The Right Timing

• After contractors leave: they should have cleared their debris and tools
• Before moving in: you don't want to unpack in the dust
• After complete drying: paints, grouts and fillers must be dry (usually 48-72h)

Don't Wait Too Long

The longer you wait, the harder certain stains become to remove. Glue dries, cement hardens, paint marks set in. Ideally, schedule cleaning in the week following the end of work.

What If You Do It Yourself?

We won't lie to you: it's possible. But here's what you need to know:

Equip Yourself Properly

• FFP3 mask: mandatory for handling construction dust
• Safety goggles: particles irritate eyes
• Gloves: stripping products are aggressive
• Disposable or dedicated clothing: you don't want to bring this dust throughout the house

Some Rules

• Never dry sweep: slightly dampen or vacuum
• Ventilate constantly: windows open throughout cleaning
• Change water often: dirty water redeposits dust
• Multiple passes: don't expect to do everything in one go
• Wait 24-48h and do it again: suspended dust will resettle

Accept It Won't Be Perfect

Without professional equipment, you won't achieve the same result. Fine dust will continue to appear for several days, even weeks. It's frustrating, but it's reality.

Why Choose Fast Clean?

We've been doing post-construction cleaning for years. We know the pitfalls, the products that work, the effective techniques.

• Pro equipment: industrial HEPA vacuums, steam cleaner, floor buffer
• Suitable products: professional strippers, degreasers, descalers
• Proven method: we know the right order for optimal results
• Speed: what would take you days, we do in a few hours
• Guaranteed results: we don't leave until it's spotless

And above all: you can move into a truly clean home, without spending your first weeks chasing dust.

Coordinate with Your Contractors

A tip: plan post-construction cleaning from the start of the work. Contact us 2 weeks before the planned completion to book a slot. Project completions tend to all fall at the same times, and we prefer to guarantee our availability.

We can also coordinate directly with your project manager or contractor to intervene at the right time, without wasting time.