How to Set Up a Solid Containment for Water Damage Jobs

When you're setting up a containment barrier for drying out a water-damaged room or keeping dust in check during demo, you want something that holds up, keeps air flowing right, and doesn’t leave the place looking worse when you're done. Here's a down-to-earth guide based on solid field experience, with some details you don’t always hear about.

Containment Is More Than Just Plastic on a Wall

A solid containment setup does more than block off space—it controls dust movement, protects your gear, and keeps clients from freaking out. The better your seal, the better your equipment works. But there’s also the human side: clear communication, clear boundaries, and a setup that doesn't invite questions every five minutes.

Clear, Hazy, or Black: The Plastic Debate

Let’s break it down:

• Clear plastic shows off your work but can bring unwanted attention.
• Hazy sheeting gives just enough privacy while letting in light.
• Blackout plastic works great when you don’t want anyone looking in or being tempted to unzip the barrier.

If the job’s short and sweet, 3mil is fine. For longer or higher-traffic jobs, 6mil gives you durability—if it’s decent quality. Not all 6mil is created equal.

LEARN MORE: The Drying Chamber: How to Use It for Rapid Structural Drying

Tape It Like You Care (Because You’ll Be Back Otherwise)

Surface damage from tape is one of the top complaints homeowners have. Avoid it by layering:

• First down: blue painter’s tape.
• Top layer: stronger duct or containment tape.

Not only does this save walls and trim, it shows you know what you’re doing. If the job pays well, don’t cheap out here.

Don’t Let Your Barrier Suck in Like a Trash Bag

Negative air pressure is crucial, but if your setup looks like it’s about to implode, you’re missing something. Balance is the name of the game:

• Add a filter vent or slit to let clean air in.
• Run your HEPA scrubber constantly.
• Consider an exit chamber if traffic in and out is frequent.

You want the air to move through, not get trapped. That’s when odors, spores, or dust escape—or you collapse your own containment.

What You Say Matters: Client Curiosity Management

If folks see you working behind a clear sheet, expect questions, interruptions, or worse—someone ducking inside. Try this instead:

• Choose plastic that hides enough to discourage peeking.
• Use zipper access to clearly show where entry is allowed.
• Be proactive: explain your setup and politely lay down the rules.

Containment isn't just about air—it’s about controlling the whole environment.

Smart Tricks That Make Setup Faster and Neater

Every minute spent fighting with plastic is a minute not spent drying or demoing. Speed up without getting sloppy:

• Use staples and tape for tight edges—just patch holes when you're done.
• Tension poles help hold shape without dragging down your ceiling.
• Test your floor tape on a hidden spot—some finishes lift easier than others.

If you’re doing this often, keep a checklist in your truck. Saves time, every time.

Plan Before You Build: Use a Floor Plan App

Before you even cut plastic, it's worth taking five minutes to sketch the space. The quickest way? Use a floor plan app like magicplan to create a digital layout of the area on your phone or tablet. That way, you can map out where containment walls should go, mark problem spots, and even record temp and moisture readings right inside the sketch.

This kind of upfront planning helps you visualize the space on a macro level—and it makes it way easier to hand off documentation if you need to loop in a team, a supervisor, or the adjuster later. Once drying begins, you can keep using the same app to log your equipment, readings, and drying progress in one place.

Wrap It Up Right (And Charge What You Should)

Containment done well protects your work, your gear, and your rep. It’s not just plastic and tape—it’s a system. Document what you install, explain it to the client, and yes—bill for it.

Add-on costs like filters, zipper doors, vents, or extra tape are part of doing the job right. They save you time and hassle and show the client that you treat their space like it’s your own.

READ MORE:

3 Strategies for Efficient Estimating of Water Damage Mitigation Projects