What Are the Four Methods of Demolition?

When you think about demolishing a building, you probably imagine a large wrecking ball smashing into it, as seen in so many cartoons. However, what most people don’t realise is that there is no universal process of demolition; instead, there are multiple methods and which is used depends on the specific needs of the project in question.

There are four main methods of demolition that we’re going to be covering in this article to ensure you can make an informed decision when planning your next demolition project.

What to consider before a demolition

Planning permission: Most demolitions fall under the umbrella of development, which means planning permission will be required – we’ve covered this in more detail here – plus a Section 80 Demolition Notice. This means you’ll need to create a comprehensive plan detailing the method of demolition and the potential impact on any neighbouring properties.

Scale of the work: Does the building need to be completely demolished? Or are you planning to retain some of the structure? Is the structure exceptionally large or small? The scale of the work will affect the demolition method you choose.

Hazardous materials: If the building contains hazardous materials, such as asbestos, this will need to be removed by a specialist before any work can take place. In buildings constructed before the full asbestos ban was introduced in 1999, this is something you’ll have to be particularly aware of; check out our previous article on this topic for more information.

Neighbouring properties: How much of an impact will the planned demolition have on neighbouring properties? If the disruption is deemed to be excessive or the properties are within close proximity, this may limit your demolition options.

Explosive demolition

One way to demolish a building is via a controlled explosion, also known as implosion. Although this method may look dramatic, every last detail is carefully managed to ensure the safety of all those involved. Best used in large, commercial buildings, explosive materials will be placed in strategic locations – usually near the support structures for maximum impact – and detonated at a predetermined time. This causes the building to collapse in on itself in a matter of seconds. However, this method isn’t suitable for every building; in fact, less than 1% of demolitions are carried out by implosion.

Manual demolition

As the name suggests, manual demolition is when a building is dismantled entirely by hand, piece by piece, using tools such as sledgehammers, jackhammers, picks and more. Typically, a top-down way of working is implemented, where you start work on the roof of a structure and then make your way down to the ground. This method is best suited to small or narrow structures in urban areas to minimise disruption to neighbouring properties.

Mechanical demolition

Unlike manual demolition, mechanical demolition is carried out entirely by heavy-duty machinery, such as a wrecking ball or an excavator. This type of demolition must be carried out by specialist operators in full compliance with all OSHA regulations. High reach demolition also falls under this category; this is when a specialist attachment is fitted to an excavator to break up a building from the top down – an ideal method for tall buildings, such as tower blocks, offices and factories.

Façade retention

Façade retention is the process of maintaining the external structure, or façade, while carefully dismantling and removing the internal structural elements, like walls, columns and floors. This type of soft strip demolition takes the property back to its bare bones to provide a blank canvas for any renovation work. Façade retention is ideally suited for listed buildings or period properties, as the character of the exterior can be preserved while internal work is ongoing. For more information, check out our previous article on the subject here.

If you’re looking to carry out a demolition project in London, Hertfordshire, Essex or beyond, let the team at Hill Demolition help. With over 50 years of experience, we offer a complete range of demolition services and can advise on the best method for your specific project – simply contact us today.