Renovating older commercial buildings comes with a unique set of challenges, many of which can pose serious health and safety risks if not handled properly.
From asbestos and lead to mold and hidden structural damage, environmental hazards are often hiding behind walls, beneath floors, or in ceilings built decades ago!
At Environmental Demolition Group (EDG), we specialize in environmental demolition for aging and historic commercial properties, helping building owners, contractors, and facility managers prepare safely for restoration or redevelopment.
Our team knows how to navigate hazardous materials, protect your structure’s integrity, and stay in compliance with today’s most stringent regulations!
What Is Environmental Demolition?
Environmental demolition involves the safe and compliant removal of materials that pose health or environmental hazards during a building’s renovation or redevelopment.
Unlike complete demolition, which involves the destruction of entire structures, selective demolition is a more controlled process that targets only what needs to be removed to make the building safe and usable.
This might include:
- Removing asbestos, lead, or mold
- Preparing older structures for remodeling or reuse
- Clearing contaminated debris following fire or water damage
At EDG, we identify what must go, what can stay, and how to safely move forward, especially when the building has historical significance or complex environmental concerns.
Common Hazards in Older Commercial Buildings
Older commercial buildings, especially those built before the 1980s, often contain materials that are now banned or heavily regulated.
Unfortunately, many of these materials remain in place (sometimes hidden from view) until it’s time to remodel or repair the structure.
Some of the most common hazards we address include:
Asbestos
Once commonly used for fireproofing and insulation, asbestos is now a well-known carcinogen. It can release microscopic fibers that pose serious respiratory hazards. Our team is licensed to perform asbestos abatement, following all OSHA and EPA guidelines.
Lead-Based Paint
Buildings painted before 1978 likely contain lead, which becomes dangerous when sanded, scraped, or disturbed during renovation. We perform lead paint remediation, with strict containment protocols, as part of our environmental demolition process.
Mold Growth
Moisture, plumbing leaks, or post-fire water damage can lead to extensive mold issues, especially in aging materials like drywall and insulation. We provide commercial mold remediation, including dry ice blasting for hard-to-reach or porous areas.
Fire Damage
Fire can weaken structural elements and expose hidden contaminants. Our environmental demolition services often follow fire damage restoration, helping stabilize the building and remove charred, contaminated, or compromised materials.
Other Hazardous Waste
Old HVAC systems, industrial finishes, mold-ridden ductwork, and PCB-containing components (like electrical components) may also require specialized hazardous waste removal.
Why Selective Demolition Is Safer in Older Structures
In older buildings, full demolition is often unnecessary and risky. These structures often hold historical value, hidden hazards, and structural quirks that require extra care and precision.
Selective demolition allows EDG to carefully remove what’s harmful or damaged while preserving the building’s core integrity.
Instead of tearing everything down, we only remove what’s necessary: damaged or hazardous materials, non-load-bearing walls, outdated systems, or contaminated components.
Benefits of Selective Demolition:
- Prevents Structural Destabilization: Older buildings may already have compromised support systems. Removing interior components without a strategic plan can lead to collapses or expensive repairs; however, selective demolition avoids these risks by prioritizing stability.
- Preserves Architectural and Historic Features: Custom woodwork, arched windows, decorative plaster, or original brickwork are often present in historic buildings. Selective demolition helps maintain character while modernizing the infrastructure.
- Streamlines the Renovation Process: Focusing on removal areas (e.g., outdated electrical, mold-contaminated drywall, or lead-painted surfaces) results in faster and more efficient renovations.
- Enhances Regulatory Compliance: Selective demolition ensures the proper handling of regulated materials, including asbestos, lead, and mold. It also supports compliance with EPA, OSHA, and state health department standards.
- Reduces Environmental Impact: Instead of sending entire structures to landfills, selective demolition enables the salvaging and recycling of materials where possible.
How EDG Approaches Environmental Demolition
We’re more than demolition contractors; we’re environmental remediation experts. Our team is licensed, trained, and experienced in a full range of services that support safe building restoration. Here’s a breakdown of our process:
- Site Evaluation
We begin by inspecting the structure and identifying potential hazards using industry-standard assessments and testing methods. - Containment Planning
Containment zones are established using negative air machines, HEPA filtration, and other measures to prevent cross-contamination during work. - Selective Demolition
Only contaminated or compromised materials are removed. This may include flooring, ceilings, drywall, or non-structural interior walls. - Remediation & Disposal
Materials are safely removed and transported to approved disposal sites in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. - Final Clearance
Upon completion, third-party testing and inspections verify that the space is safe for renovation or reoccupation.
We prioritize transparency throughout the process, keeping clients informed and coordinating with other trades to ensure the project remains on schedule.
Specialized Services We Offer
Our specialized services are tailored for older commercial structures that require environmental remediation, precise removal, and long-term risk mitigation.
Here’s a closer look at what we offer:
Asbestos Abatement
Interior and structural component removal with full EPA compliance.
Lead Paint Remediation
Careful stripping, containment, and disposal using certified practices.
Mold Remediation & Dry Ice Blasting
Our dry ice blasting technique utilizes frozen CO2 pellets to safely remove mold without damaging underlying surfaces, making it ideal for wood framing and crawl spaces.
Fire Damage Cleanout & Recovery
We help stabilize fire-damaged buildings and safely remove debris and contamination.
Hazardous Waste Removal
Safe, regulatory-compliant removal of mercury, PCBs, chemical residues, and other waste materials.
For a full list of what we offer, visit our services page.
Who We Work With
Environmental Demolition Group supports an array of industries that rely on safe, compliant, and highly specialized demolition and remediation services. We frequently partner with:
- General Contractors – We work closely with contractors who need expert support during renovation, fire recovery, or environmental hazard removal in aging commercial properties.
- Facility Managers – Whether it’s a hospital wing, university building, or factory floor, we help facilities teams safely prepare spaces for upgrades, retrofits, or reoccupation.
- Environmental Consultants – We’re trusted by consultants who require a licensed contractor to carry out abatement, remediation, and selective demolition under strict regulatory standards.
- Architects & Engineers – Our team collaborates on adaptive reuse and renovation projects to retain architectural integrity while removing unsafe or outdated materials.
- Government & Public Entities – From courthouses to schools, we help municipalities and agencies manage environmental risks in older infrastructure safely and efficiently.
- Property Owners & Developers – For owners of aging or historic buildings, we deliver cost-effective environmental services that support preservation and redevelopment goals.
Geographic Service Area
We are based in Kentucky, but our impact spans far beyond. We are fully licensed and certified to perform environmental demolition and remediation services across the Eastern and Midwestern United States.
Our core service areas include:
- Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati
- Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia
- Tennessee, Illinois, and Missouri
- Southeastern markets, including Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolinas
Why Work with Environmental Demolition Group?
We believe in doing the job right because cutting corners with hazardous materials isn’t just risky, it’s irresponsible.
- 100+ years of combined experience
- Certified teams across multiple disciplines
- A deep understanding of older commercial buildings
- Compliance with EPA, OSHA, and local guidelines
- A focus on health, safety, and long-term results
Let’s Talk About Your Next Demolition or Remediation Project
Every building tells a story — especially the older ones. At Environmental Demolition Group, we take a turnkey approach rooted in your goals and built around lasting results.
We respect your property, your people, and the history behind the structures we work on. Every project is a partnership.
Contact us at 859-363-4863 or request a proposal to speak with one of our environmental demolition specialists.
Let’s make your next project safer, cleaner, and more efficient from the inside out!
