Operation Dust

Our kitchen ceiling project finished up yesterday.   It took a little longer than we expected (the contractor didn't work on the weekend, then he had a sick kid to take care of) but the results were worth the wait.  For the first time in years we have a pristine ceiling without cracks or spots.

Installing drywall is a tedious, multi-step job that I would not want to tackle:  Attach the material with screws.  Spread a layer of joint compound over the screw holes and seams, apply tape to the seams, and let dry.  Put up the edge bead, mud it and add another layer of compound to the joints. Sand everything, prime, and paint.

As I was making out a check to pay the contractor he told me how he'd used a  low-dust joint compound, covered everything with plastic before he sanded, then swept the kitchen floor after he pulled up the plastic to keep things clean, but I know from past experience that didn't mean much. Drywall dust is fine and attaches itself everywhere on surfaces horizontal and vertical no matter how much you try to contain it.   Now that the construction job was done it was time to do some cleaning.

The wood floor in the front hall sported a thick film of dust. I wiped it off with a damp cloth, then continued my wiping on the dining room floor. I got a new rag and tackled the furniture.  Several rags later the furniture was dust-free and I went back to the kitchen to wipe down the counters and cabinet tops.

The next time I left the kitchen and walked down the hall I turned around I saw a trail of dusty footprints behind me.  The floor was NOT clean!  I grabbed the mop and buckets and washed the kitchen floor.  Twice.  When I was done it looked and felt much better.

 However, I know the drywall dust battle isn't won yet.  When I sat down at my kitchen desk this morning I saw a white deposit on top of the white chair rail I'd missed last night.  There's also a lot of floating dust that will land in the next few days.  I'm confident that if I'm diligent I'll come out on top.

Five years ago today: New Thing #260--Recipe for Repotting