Frequently Asked Questions

Answers, instruction manuals, videos and more
This section provides answers to common questions, demo videos of our products, instruction manuals and repair procedures. It's all right here.

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In addition, you'll find a video on SLP pole cleaning. It's all designed to keep your ZipWall^® dust barrier system working like new.

Cleaning ZipWall^®Spring-Loaded Poles

What is the recommended space between poles?

The poles can be spaced 10 to 12 feet apart if there is little or no air movement. The stronger the air movement - such as a site open to the outside - the closer the poles should be placed to one another. If there are strong air currents or wind gusts putting pressure on the plastic sheeting, you may need to bring them as close as five to six feet apart.

Plastic sheeting: Do ZipWall^® products come with plastic sheeting?

We do not provide plastic sheeting because of the variety of sizes and thicknesses our customers require. You can usually find the plastic sheeting that is right for your job at paint stores, home centers, hardware stores and specialty stores in your area.

Plastic sheeting: What size roll should I buy?

We recommend that you get plastic on a continuous roll that is long enough to reach from the beginning of the wall you are making to the end. With a continuous roll you will not have any breaks or seams that need to be sealed with tape. The width of the plastic should be at least a foot larger than the height of your ceiling where the wall will be installed. For example, if you have an eight foot ceiling, be sure your plastic is at least nine feet wide.

Plastic sheeting: What is the recommended plastic thickness?

The keyhole-snapping feature of the head and plate will comfortably accept any plastic up to 8 mils thick. We suggest the use of the lightest plastic your application calls for. The lighter the plastic the easier it is to handle and the less expensive it is. Super light plastic sheeting (under 1 mil), can be hard to control. These super light plastics are generally so light and so full of static electricity that they want to cling to everything.

What is the ZipWall^® Jack?

The Jack is the red housing containing the spring and plunger that screws onto the top of the Kit 20 pole. It has two very important functions:
It holds the plastic to the top of the pole
Its special non-skid plate presses the plastic to the ceiling, while the spring creates tension between the floor and the ceiling. This holds the pole in place as it supports the plastic wall. With the SLP 12 (Spring Loaded Pole) and new Kit 20 the functions of the jack are incorporated into the pole.

How does ZipWall^® system work with negative air?

The ZipWall^® system was originally designed for applications using negative air and handles it very well. Because negative air creates pressure against plastic, it tends to tug on the poles. Thus, you may need to place the poles closer together. With moderate pressure you will find that 6 to 8 feet spacing between poles is a comfortable range. For very high pressure situations you may need to place the poles as close as four feet apart

Can the ZipWall^® poles be used outdoors?

ZipWall^® requires a ceiling. Thus, it can be used on porches and balconies provided they have ceilings. It should not be used if there are high winds. This can cause damage or result in injury and we suggest caution.

On what ceiling types does the ZipWall^® system work best?

It works on all types of ceilings, including plaster, drywall, textured or popcorn, and suspended. For suspended ceilings it is important that the plate (on top of the pole) be placed on the grid or T-bar that holds the ceiling tiles in place.

What are the working height ranges of the SLP 12 and the Kit 20?

The working height range of the SLP 12 foot (Spring Loaded Pole) is from 4'7" to 12'. The working height range of the original Kit 20 is from 6'9" to 21’ including the Jack. The new Kit 20 pole, which has the function of the Jack built into the pole, ranges from 5'2” to 20'.

What do the ZipWall^® Poles and Jacks weigh?

Each SLP weighs about 1.5 lbs. The original Kit 20 pole and jack combination weighs 3 lb 6 oz. as does the new Kit 20 pole. This light weight makes carrying multiple poles and jacks to and from the job site very convenient.

How much weight can the ZipWall^® pole hold.

The weight the poles and jacks can hold depends on the strength of the person tightening the pole, this includes the new SLP. The average person will twist the poles tight enough so the pole can hold 60 to 80 lbs. However, with a stronger tightening twist, a person can produce a hold of about 110 lbs. (Caution: Do not use for holding anything that could fall and cause injury or damage).

Can I clean the non-skid head plate

Keep the non-skid, non-marking surface clean by using soap and water and a scrubbing pad or by running it through the dish washer.