High-end residential refurbishments demand clean, quiet and unobtrusive dust control. Occupied homes, delicate finishes and exacting clients leave no room for haze, odour or tracked debris. The solution is a layered approach focused on prevention, control in the air and disciplined housekeeping.

Discreet containment and pressure control

Establish tidy, well-sealed partitions with a small lobby to stop pressure dumps. Keep the work zone slightly negative so dust is pulled in, not out. Where layouts restrict ducting, use recirculating air scrubbers and increase local cleaning to compensate. Temporary barrier systems like ZipWall make neat enclosures that protect décor without fixings.

Capture at source without fuss

Use LEV-equipped tools for cutting, sanding and chasing. Select blades and speeds that minimise dust. Use water suppression for masonry where surfaces allow and where moisture won’t stain. Keep hoses short, check extraction airflow under load, and service filters to keep noise and odour low.

Quiet airborne control

Place air scrubbers to pull air from cleaner areas into the work zone, avoiding drafts across occupied rooms. An air scrubber such as the MAXVAC Dustblocker can support negative air in contained areas when set up correctly. For hazardous fine dusts, plan for high-efficiency filtration (H13/H14) and follow COSHH.

Housekeeping that protects finishes

Ban sweeping and compressed air. Vacuum with industrial units using high-efficiency filtration and soft accessories around sensitive surfaces, then damp microfibre wipe. Bag waste at source, cap containers and use agreed routes. Floor protection, sticky mats and regular touch-ups prevent tracking.

Reassure with measurement and etiquette

Use a PM meter to spot-check PM2.5/PM10 outside the enclosure and adjust controls if readings rise. For stonework, plan to meet the HSE WEL for RCS of 0.1 mg/m³. Communicate schedules, pause noisy tasks at agreed times, and, where helpful, use acoustic screens such as BigBen SoundBlockers to soften disruption.

Practical takeaways

• Neat, sealed enclosures with slight negative pressure.
• LEV on tools; choose lower-dust methods and speeds.
• Thoughtful air scrubber placement; verify performance under load.
• Vacuum and damp-wipe only; protect routes and finishes.
• Use PM spot checks and align works with household routines.

With careful containment, source extraction and respectful housekeeping, premium refurbishments can proceed cleanly and confidently in occupied homes.