Sanding certain render finishes, textured masonry coatings and some plaster products can release fine silica-containing dust, which is a genuinely different hazard from ordinary decorating dust and needs equipment chosen for it rather than a dust sheet and a broom afterwards.
Wherever the substrate and equipment allow it, sanders are connected directly to extraction rather than left to throw dust into the room or elevation. This captures the fine fraction at source instead of relying on it settling somewhere convenient to sweep up later.
Extraction reduces the dust in the air; suitable respiratory protection is worn as well, sized and fit-checked to the individual rather than treated as one-size-fits-all. We treat the mask as the second line of defence, not a substitute for controlling dust at source.
On exterior render sanding near a public pavement or an occupied ground floor window, we consider screening or timing the work to reduce exposure to passers-by, not just to our own operatives, and we sheet nearby surfaces to stop settled dust becoming a cleaning problem afterwards.
Not always, but many render, masonry and some plaster-based coatings can contain it, so we treat unfamiliar or older masonry coatings with the same extraction approach as a precaution.
Usually yes for exterior work, though we will suggest keeping nearby windows closed while sanding is underway to limit dust drifting indoors.
On some substrates wet methods work well and avoid airborne dust altogether — we choose whichever suits the specific material and location.
Tell us which surface needs sanding and we will confirm the dust control method before quoting.
Silica dust is managed with extraction and the right method for the substrate, with masks as the backup layer.
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