Builders' dust and how to clear it
Builders' dust is finer than house dust. Dust from concrete, blocks, brick, tile and stone contains silica, which harms the lungs, and plaster dust clogs a household vacuum in minutes. It is cleared with an industrial M-class vacuum, never by dry sweeping or blowing, from the top down, finishing with damp cloths.
Why it isn't like house dust, and the way to get rid of it without breathing it.
Free and no obligation. Your plan goes to one company, not a list.
- M-classindustrial vacuum for site dust
- Top downceilings first, floors last
- Dry, then dampvacuum first, wipe after
- Daysfine dust keeps settling
What's in it
| Dust | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Plaster and gypsum dust | Very fine. Clogs household vacuum filters and irritates eyes and throat. |
| Concrete, block, brick, tile and stone dust | Contains crystalline silica, which harms the lungs when breathed in over time. |
| Wood dust from MDF and hardwoods | Fine and irritant, and a health hazard in its own right. |
| Dust from sanding old paint | Paint in an older house can contain lead: have it checked before it is sanded. |
Silica dust is a long-standing concern on Irish building sites: the Health and Safety Authority ran inspection campaigns on it in 2025 and, with HSENI, an all-island campaign from June 2026, aimed at cutting, grinding, drilling and demolition. A builders clean deals with what settles afterwards.
How it's cleared
- Ventilate. Windows open, and a properly fitted dust mask for heavy dust.
- No dry sweeping or blowing. A brush or a blower puts the finest dust back in the air.
- An industrial vacuum with an M-class filter, from the ceiling down, with the bags sealed when full.
- Then damp microfibre on every surface, rinsed often.
- Filters last. Cooker hood filters, extractor grilles and any ventilation unit's filters cleaned or changed after.
Plan your after builders clean
A few quick taps: the clean your job needs, what it costs and how long it takes. Contact details come last, and only if you want a fixed price.
One builders clean of a three-bed house, after a new build: €350 to €700.
How the estimate is worked out
The ranges are what Irish cleaning companies charge for the same clean: the lowest to the highest figure for a home of that size, or per m² for a commercial unit. A smaller home's three-stage clean is its builders clean plus a sparkle clean. Use it to plan with: the company fixes the price after seeing the job or photos of it.
Mechanical ventilation
If the house has mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, ask the installer whether it was run during the works. If it was, the filters are full of dust and the vents need cleaning, or the system will blow it round the house for weeks.
Questions before you book
Is builders' dust dangerous?
Some of it. Dust from concrete, blocks, brick, tile and stone contains silica, which harms the lungs over time, so it is cleared with an industrial vacuum, not swept.
Can I use my own vacuum for builders' dust?
Not for much of it. Plaster and concrete dust clogs the filter and strains the motor of a household vacuum, and the finest dust goes straight back into the room.
How long does builders' dust keep settling?
For days after the work stops, from the air, the ducts and the backs of doors. That is why the sparkle clean comes last.
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Get the dust out before you move in
Pick the job, the home and the clean to see the price and how long it takes. When you want a fixed price, your plan goes to a single vetted cleaning company for your area.