Demolition is typically the first step in most home remodels, and if you have asthma, the dust created by a demolition project can make your condition worse. Ideally, you should move out of your home while it's in the midst of demolition and remodeling, but if that's not possible, there are things you can do to safeguard yourself. Take a look at these tips:

1. Hire a demolition company that specializes in low-dust work methods.

When hiring a demolition company, talk extensively with your rep about how the company's workers mitigate dust. Ideally, you want to hire a company that specialises in low-dust work methods. 

In particular, this should involve sealing off the work areas with plastic. It should also involve using an extractor fan to blow dust out of the work area and away from the home and lightly misting work areas with water to keep dust from flying.

2. Schedule your demolition during the most temperate month of the year.

Ideally, you want to avoid scheduling your demolition work during months where you need to use your heating or cooling system. If you have a duct-based system, you cannot use it, as it will help dust migrate from the work area to the rest of your home.

Rather, you want your heating and cooling off during the demolition, and you want your vents sealed so that they don't fill with demolition dust.

3. Increase your vacuuming and dusting routine.

In spite of how careful the demolition crew is, the amount of dust in your home is likely to increase during a demolition. To keep it under control, increase the amount of vacuuming and dusting you do during the demolition project.

If vacuuming and dusting makes your asthma worse, delegate this job to a family member or hire outside cleaning help during the demolition. Alternatively, some demolition companies include extra cleaning as part of their packages.

4. Choose new building materials with your asthma in mind.

After you've taken all the steps to ensure the demolition process doesn't exacerbate your asthma, you need to think about the materials that are going to be used during your remodel.

In particular, you should  look for eco-friendly paints, insulation and other materials that don't contain a lot of volatile organic compounds or formaldehyde. Formaldehyde, in particular, has been linked to immediate asthmatic attacks in workers, and in some cases, exposure has been known to cause asthma.

For more tips on navigating a demolition when you have asthma, contact a professional demolition expert.