Kitchen Remodeling - An Introduction to Dismantling
January 20, 2005
If your remodeling job is at all extensive, you will need to set up a temporary kitchen in another part of the house. The location should be convenient and have access to water, allow you to keep foods cold and heat up meals. Sometimes portable appliances like a crock pot, electric frying pan and a microwave work best for this temporary arrangement if you are replacing your old appliances.
Most Common Mistakes:
1. Damaging the wall as you remove old cabinets
2. Damaging counters, cabinets or floors you plan to reuse
3. Not shutting off utilities before beginning work
4. Getting dust and debris in adjoining rooms
5. Not estimating or allowing for enough time to remodel
Before You Start
1. Box up everything that will not be used in your temporary kitchen. Label the boxes and store them out of the way.
2. Remove anything that isn't nailed or screwed down. This includes drawers, lazy susan's, spice racks, wall clocks, ornaments, etc. Place a protective cover over anything that must remain in place while you work.
3. Make arrangements for the removal of any refuse that may accumulate during the remodeling. if you must rent a dumpster, do so in plenty of time or have a pick up truck on hand for hauling the rubbish to the dump. If you plan to salvage the old cabinetry for a workshop or donation to a charitable cause, have a place ready for them to go as you take them out of your work area.
4. Before removing any major appliances, turn off all utilities. This can be done at the individual shut off valves for gas and water. If there are no shut off valves, you will have to turn off the main valve. The main gas valve is usually located near the gas meter. Remember that, once you turn off the gas to the whole house, ALL pilot lights will have to be relit before they will work again. Without careful planning you may find yourself without hot water when you're ready to clean up after a hard day's work.
5. Disconnect uses or turn off circuits to the area in which you will be working. In older homes, the wiring may have been modified over the years and it may not be clear which circuits or fuses control specific areas. If you are unsure, turn off the main power or get professional assistance. Never take a chance with electricity! In addition, tape over the breakers so the won't be turned on inadvertently. If you plan on upgrading your electrical system and adding new outlets and fixtures, it will be necessary to dismantle all existing outlets and fixtures.
6. Remove all light bulbs. Then, dismantle each fixture by using a screwdriver to unscrew the plate and the receptacle and pull the receptacle out of the box. Put wire nuts on any exposed wires for the interim. The bare copper wire is the ground and does not need to be capped.
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