Architectural Salvage During Demolition

As long-time contractors in the demolition business, R. Baker & Son has come across countless objects that practically call out to be salvaged and not tossed away. After so much exposure to these architectural artifacts, we’ve gained a “sixth sense” as to what is unique, interesting, valuable, and sometimes extraordinary.  

Layers of paint, tarnish and dirt, combined with years of use, cover-up, and neglect, can hide great potential in objects that, to the untrained eye, might appear to be junk. So many of these special and unique items can only be duplicated at great expense, but with proper restoration, these items can shine once again as artifacts of value and beauty. Much-sought architectural salvage includes doors and windows, plumbing fixtures, mantels, gates, shutters, columns, paneling, moldings, tiles, marble slabs, architectural sculptures, and much more. 

R. Baker & Son is serious about saving artifacts on demolition projects, which can be reused by clients or resold as part of our asset recovery efforts. Please contact us at (732) 222-3553 for more information.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/demolition-contractors-new-jersey.php

Interior Demo - Making Way For New Manufacturing Facility

 

R. Baker & Son was recently contracted to provide interior demolition services for a new client that had just purchased a 95,000 square-foot rubber tire tread factory. With plans to construct a new manufacturing facility, the owner was anxious to get started with demo and construction prep. 

First to undergo demolition in the facility was a two-story, 8,000 sq. ft. office space. The Baker project team got to work safing off the office area by disconnecting the electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, and teledata systems. Workers removed drywall and other demolition debris from the office area and moved it to dumpsters using telescopic lifts, scissor lifts, a front-end loader, and two bobcats. Metal studs and other ferrous scraps were separated for recycling. 

While the offices were being demoed, two other crews set to removing the old lighting along with obsolete unit heaters and miscellaneous ductwork. All plumbing and electrical were removed except for the main service, which would be used for temporary power needs. Exhaust fans and intake louvers were removed and the openings were blocked with plywood and screening to prevent birds and other animals from entering. Two large bay doors were removed and replaced with temporary hinged doors for future construction purposes. A scaffolding system was erected to allow exterior access to the roof. 

Once interior demolition was complete and the building had been reduced to four exterior walls and a roof, R. Baker & Son sawcut the 6-inch concrete floors, about 20,000 sq. ft., into 2’x 3’ sections for removal so new plumbing and trench drains could be installed throughout the facility. The concrete was tested for contamination, of which there was none, and removed for recycling. 

Safety was a top priority on this demolition and construction prep project, which took approximately five weeks to complete, including complete interior and exterior cleanup before punch list review. R. Baker & Son crews worked from north to south to allow construction activities to start directly as soon as demolition of each section was completed. The project was completed safely and with efficiency, and two weeks were gained on the overall project schedule.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/interior_demolition.php

Zero Punch List - Demolition

 

Unless its performed by a highly experienced and professional contractor like R. Baker & Son, demolition can be a messy, chaotic process. Demolition experience dictates the best tools, equipment, and approach to getting a project done safely, quickly, and with the best outcome possible. What clients appreciate most is how a contractor leaves a project, preferably cleanly, and with no details left unfinished. No owner wants to have a mile-long punch list at the end of a project that takes multiple reviews and ages to complete. This is why R. Baker & Son strives for a “zero” punch list at the end of every project. 

On most demolition projects, there is no clear line of demarcation of where the demolition should end. For example, exactly to what point should pipes be cut, or where electrical systems should be taken back to. Its often up to R. Baker & Son as the demolition contractor to make the determination not only to delineate where the demo ends and work to that objective, but to leave a clean, well-prepared starting point for the next contractor. 

We monitor our own work as our demolition projects progress, developing and taking care of our own punch list items before we consider our contract tasks to be complete. When it’s time for the owner to come in and compile their punch list (which can be exhaustive and tend to take on a life of their own) it is always R. Baker & Son’s goal to have zero punch list items to be completed. This includes both contract work and extra work not specified in the contract.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/selective-demolition.php

R. Baker & Son Process Tank Repair Project

A longtime R. Baker & Son client with several large process tank farms at their New Jersey facility contacted us for assistance with tank repairs. A manufacturer supplying tank agitators needed several experienced riggers and millwrights for interior and exterior repairs. Usually, the Baker team is called in to disassemble and remove tanks, but this time we were helping to renew them. 

Over the years, these 20,000-gallon tanks had been used to mix and store various food and plant process media prior to shipment via truck or rail to other U.S. locations. At 23 years old, the tanks themselves were in excellent shape and needed little more than new gasketing and a good cleaning inside and out, but the tank agitators used to mix the media had taken a beating and were in need of repair or replacement. Agitator runout measurements were far beyond allowable parameters, so it was the decided that the best and most financially feasible plan of action would be to repair eight of the agitators and completely replace three. 

Tank interiors measured eighteen feet in height and could not accommodate scaffolding, so workers would need to be lowered into the tanks in order to reach the upper part of the shaft to perform shaft heat treatment and repair or replace agitator blades safely. Instrumentation and upper and lower manway covers were removed to allow ventilation and access to the tanks and a bosun’s chair with fall protection was used to gain access to higher levels of the agitators. Once heat treatment was completed on the agitators slated for repair, the shafts and blades were tested for runout and verified to be within acceptable parameters. 

The R. Baker & Son rigging and millwright team next moved on to the tanks in which the agitators required replacement. Again using the bosun’s chair, the interior blades were removed, leaving the only the hubs. An 80-ton crane was brought in to remove motor gearboxes and shafts and new pre-engineered replacement agitators were rigged into the tanks. After the Baker team installed new blades, runout tested successfully. 

At completion, the tanks were in like-new condition with repaired or new agitators, new instrumentation, new LED lighting, and new spray balls for cleaning. R. Baker & Son took about two weeks to complete the project with little downtime to the customer as we were able to coordinate our activities with the customer’s operating requirements. 

The agitator manufacturer was duly impressed with our ingenuity and professionalism and will use R. Baker & Son’s rigging and millwright team to make similar repairs nationwide at other facilities.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/rigging-contractors.php

Baker Provides A Wide Range of Environmental Services

Included among R. Baker & Son’s core services are environmental remediation and decontamination. We boast a team of highly-trained environmental remediation personnel as well as an arsenal of tools and equipment that includes excavators, power and pressure washers, HEPA vacuums and filtration, industrial scarifiers, line-pigging equipment, and more. Remediation and decontamination are often performed as part of the demolition, decommissioning, dismantling, or other projects. R. Baker & Son personnel are HAZWOPR certified and CSE trained.

  R. Baker & Son environmental services include: 

     *Surface Cleaning (soda blasting)

     *Pipeline Cleaning and Pigging

     *HVAC and Other Duct Cleaning

     *Non-ACM Insulation Removal

     *Column, Tank and Vessel Cleaning

     *Scarification

     *HEPA Vacuum Services

     *Line Flushing and First Line Breaks

     *Power Washing and Steam Cleaning of Pipes and Equipment

Surface Cleaning/Soda Blasting

Soda blasting is widely recognized as a superior and environmentally friendly method of cleaning, paint removal, and degreasing surfaces. Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is granular and sharp enough to remove carbon, grease, oils, paint, rust, dirt, etc., from a variety of surfaces. Unlike harsh sandblasting and other methods that can damage substrates, however, it can be used on virtually any surface including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized metal, concrete, ceramic tile, glass, plastics, rubber, neoprene, etc., and is environmentally safe. ARMEX, the industry leader, offers a variety of particle sizes, formulations, and equipment, allowing R. Baker & Son to accommodate our clients’ wide range of needs.  

Pipeline Cleaning and Pigging

Pipeline buildup causes contamination, reduced flow, and decreased production, and can lead to cracks in the line. R. Baker & Son provides pigging as an effective method for removing solids and liquids, scraping, line drying, and pipeline inspection. Pigging is accomplished by propelling a cylindrical or spherical “pig” through a pipeline using one of several means including existing product flow, compressed air, inert gas, or it can be towed through a line by a cable or other device. As the pig travels through the pipeline, it sweeps the line by scraping the sides and pushing debris ahead. Other methods of pipeline cleaning employed by R. Baker & Son include flushing, jet-washing, hydro-blasting, mechanical cleaning, acid cleaning, and chemical cleaning, depending on a client’s specific needs.  

HVAC and Other Duct Cleaning

HVAC ductwork can become dirty over time, spreading dust, mold, bacteria, and other contaminants throughout a facility and causing a myriad of health and productivity problems associated with poor indoor air quality. The buildup of dust and debris in duct systems can also restrict airflow, reduce system efficiency, provide a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, and increase the risk of fire in facilities where combustible dust is present. Ductwork should be periodically inspected and cleaned by a certified professional like R. Baker & Son.

Non-ACM Insulation Removal

When the removal of non-ACM insulation (fiberglass, cellulose, etc.) becomes necessary, R. Baker & Son strictly adhere to proper safety procedures. Equipment such as HEPA vacuums, filters, and air misting, are used to prevent hazardous particulates like fiberglass, mold, rodent droppings, and other contaminants from escaping into the air, and all materials are properly containerized and disposed of.  

Column, Tank and Vessel Cleaning

Safety is always of utmost importance when cleaning columns, vessels, and other confined spaces.  Automated, remotely-controlled cleaning using high flow, high-pressure water jetting pumps is always preferable and used whenever possible, though human intervention is sometimes necessary. In projects where human entry is required, stringent safety procedures and PPE requirements are strictly followed. R. Baker & Son uses the latest high-tech cleaning equipment and workers are fully trained and experienced in both automated and manual cleaning methods as well as material containment and disposal.

Scarification

Scarification is a process used on concrete flooring to clean, texturize, level, groove, or remove material. It is commonly performed to remove deteriorated, damaged, or contaminated concrete, or to remove epoxy, paint, adhesives, or other coatings. Scarifying leaves surfaces clean, evenly textured, and ready to receive a new coating or overlayment. R. Baker & Son uses scarifiers that are equipped with a vacuum system to capture dust and utilizes HEPA scarifiers in conditions or environments in which it is necessary to capture and contain 100% of airborne particulates and over 99% of heavier solids. 

HEPA Vacuum Services

Environmental cleanup and abatement often require HEPA vacuum equipment for the removal of hazardous and toxic materials, dust, particulates, and fine powders. HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air, is a type of filter that meets an efficiency standard set by the DOE, removing at least 99.97% of all particles greater than 0.3 micrometers.  R. Baker & Son provides HEPA vacuum services for lead abatement, lead paint removal, mold remediation, duct cleaning, and various other applications. 

Line Flushing and First Line Breaks

When process pipes require flushing and/or first-line breaking, R. Baker & Son can provide all the necessary pumps, filters, hoses, and other equipment required for a full gamut of specifications. It is important that lines are properly flushed, vented, and verified as clear of hazardous residue, plugs, or pressure during line breaking, so it is important that these services be performed by trained, experienced personnel. 

Power Washing and Steam Cleaning of Pipes and Equipment

R. Baker & Son provides power/pressure washing and steam cleaning for a variety of pipe- and equipment-cleaning tasks. Pressure washing requires specialized industrial equipment, and appropriate measures are taken for water reclamation, filtration, containment, reuse, or disposal. Steam cleaning reduces the amount of water used by up to 95% compared to power washing and reduces or eliminates the need for solvents or chemicals. It can be safely used in water-sensitive areas such as around electrical equipment, in control panels, on motors, etc. Steam can be used to clean and sanitize pipes, as well, and can reach small cracks and crevices. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/environmental.php

Requirements of Selective Demolition in Healthcare Facilities

Some of the most challenging selective demolition jobs are renovation projects that take place in healthcare facilities, where demolition team members must be specially trained to work in sensitive environments. Patient and worker safety are of utmost importance in hospitals, surgery centers, and rehabilitation facilities, so meticulous planning and strict adherence to clean demolition procedures are critical to these types of projects. 

Case in point, a large hospital in northern New Jersey was adding on to their cardiac care unit and R. Baker & Son was tasked with interior demolition. Before the area could be segmented off, modifications to ventilation and airflow, as well as electrical and hospital gas systems, were necessary. It had been determined that much of the ductwork could be cut and the existing ventilation system rebalanced to compensate for changes in the HVAC system. The Baker team worked closely with MEP contractors, walking down and identifying where lines would be cut and capped or rerouted and color-coding each, with red signifying what would stay and green signifying what lines were to be removed. 

Selective demolition in a healthcare facility requires the construction of a cocooned area with airlocks at the entrances and exits to ensure that dust and contaminants cannot escape the work area. Airlocks are monitored by a magnehelic differential pressure gauge to ensure negative pressure is maintained at all times. Peel-away adhesive mats are installed at all access points to ensure that dirt from the work area is not tracked onto facility floors. Demolition debris is deposited in bins that are covered with plastic sheeting and must be fully wiped down before passing through an oversized exit airlock and over a sticky mat to remove any remaining contaminants. 

Once all debris had been removed from the demolition area, R. Baker & Son performed a detailed review and prepares a punch list to ensure all work had been completed. Last but not least, the entire area was wiped down and cleaned with industrial HEPA vacuums to eliminate as much dust as possible before new construction began.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com

R. Baker & Son Demo Team Completes Plant Demolition

R. Baker & Son recently completed a demolition and decommissioning project at a northern New Jersey plant. The first of R. Baker & Son’s tasks was to demolish a 60’ x 30’ fuel pipe platform, which included valves, filters, etc. Baker team members painstakingly drilled pilot holes to identify lines that still contained oil. When found, openings were cut in the pipes to allow thinning of the viscous oil with diesel fuel, followed by filtered vacuum removal. 

Crew members next assisted in recovering tons of raw proprietary product from a 12’ x 60’ silo that was 47% filled. We worked closely with the owner and environmental team to remove the product via vacuum truck then performed demolition of the silo. An adjacent metal storage building that still contained various crates and drums was slated to be demolished next. The product in the containers was identified by our environmental team, labeled, and removed for recycling or disposal. Lighting, ventilation, building structure, and concrete foundation were carefully dismantled and recycled where possible. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com