Deteriorated joint filling can cause seepage / moisture intrusion

Detect Issues

Moisture presence noted under the roof tiles.

Describe Issues

Presence of moisture is due to water seepage through deteriorated joint filling at floor tile joints. If not rectified on time, then it can cause intruded moisture to flow into adjacent areas below roof, which can thereby damage below ceiling and associated walls. This will create living conditions which are not good for health of residents and cause hassles by adding repair cost.

Direct Solutions

We recommend joint cutting & filling with grout by waterproofing agency.

Meaning of grout

A suitable material used for filling the gap at junctions.
Complex Damp/Seepage Problem Simple, Long Term, Least Destructive & Low Cost Solution

Complex Damp / Seepage Problem – Simple, Long Term, Least Destructive & Low Cost Solution

How Thermal Imaging Technology, Latest Tools and a trained Home Inspection Team helped in assessing and finding source & solution to serious non-identifiable damp / seepage problem in a reputed Club of Bengal.

Periodical Assessment & Maintenance can save one and all from severe problems caused due to External Moisture / Damp / Seepage Intrusion

History

A renowned club in a key location of Kolkata, India – Heritage Structure

The building was dripping in moisture problems. It had past leakage problems. Though some repairs were carried out still the issues were not properly rectified.  It was both waste of time and money and most importantly having adverse effects on human health and shelf life of the structure.

Why Team MACJ – A Buyers Choice Home Inspections was summoned?

The client was facing the following problems:

  1. Moisture patches at back wall surface at different levels in the Reception Area.
  2. Moisture patches at front wall right side near external facade plumbing duct position along electrical conduit and discoloration at wall surface.

How lack of maintenance gives rise to issues that become critical in the long turn – Read through…

Observations

Affected Areas along with same wall:

  • Ground Floor – Reception area
  • Mezzanine Floor – Kids play room
  • First Floor – Conference Room
  • Roof / Parapet Wall

Roof Parapet Wall

  1. Presence of moisture at parapet wall on right side of plumbing duct above curved chajja projection. As confirmed by IR images, water intruding from rain water outlet concealed along the parapet wall.
  2. Gaps and deteriorated plaster of parapet wall lower portion at skirting level, around plumbing duct and around plumbing pipes clamped or concealed at parapet walls / skirting junction.
  3. Minor cracks with weathering effects noted at parapet wall flashing, external surface and at plumbing duct projected wall surface with parapet wall junction.

Roof Flooring

  1. Gaps at tiled flooring noted at places effecting parapet wall lower portion.

Roof Plumbing

  1. Inadequate grouting / bore packing and no grating at rain water outlets.

External Facade
Facade Condition:

  1. IR images showed presence of moisture at external wall above reception area entrance door and around DB panel. The wall surfaces are affected by moisture infiltrating from #1- Roof- Parapet wall, #2- External facade – Plumbing duct, #3- Cracks at wall surface.
  2. Inadequate finishing and slope at curved chajja below roof level, which was leading to moisture intrusion along wall surface junction.

Plumbing Duct

  • Leakage noted at water supply pipe mid junction in plumbing duct, causing infiltration of water along the deteriorated wall surface.
  • Plaster condition at plumbing duct wall surface at places with algae formation and bare brick works, open sleeve for plumbing pipes and other conduit insertions also been noted. Moisture intruding from roof level till ground floor level along duct positions damaging either side of wall surface.
  • Electrical pipes not dressed at plumbing duct with bare plaster packing, causing moisture infiltration at either side of wall surface mentioned in Kids Playroom – Wall section. As noted AC drainage pipe terminated at duct wall surface right above electrical conduit insertions on right corner of duct and plant growth noted, from where moisture intrusion taking place during AC operation and rainy season.

Tracking the Source

  1. Roof – Rain water outlet & Parapet wall condition.
  2. Conditions of external plumbing duct.

The entire building was mostly affected from the roof:

Simple & Low Cost Solutions – Before anything and everything, the source needs to be repaired

The step wise rectification methodology is as follows:

Step 1: Roof – Parapet wall, Plumbing and Flooring to be taken care.
Step 2: Plumbing duct rectification.
Step 3: Internal wall and External wall rectification.

Main Essence – The main essence of any moisture problem is tracking the source. You not only need any engineer but an engineer who is a Home Inspector and has expertise in this particular field. Also the use of advanced tools & technology play a pivotal role in these types of inspection.

In this case we got to know that intrusion of external moisture was mainly from plumbing duct and above roof rain water outlet with cracks at external wall surface.

Also property maintenance is very important.  If periodical maintenance or health check-up of any property is not carried out or problems are overlooked, then deterioration will occur and the issues will spread. It will adversely affect both the human health and property life. Taking care of the elements of any property will not only ensure smooth functioning but will also provide those elements a longer and healthy life.

To know more, please read through our related Blog:

www.macj-abuyerschoice.com/damp-seepage-assessment-with-solutions-through-thermal-imaging-technology

MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections
Inspected Once – Inspected Right
Long Term Solution – Low Cost of Repair – Least Destruction
We ensure Long, Safe& Healthy Life of your Dream Homes

Home Inspection Industry – Seeds starting to bloom

RERA Updates

  • A Brand New concept was launched for the First Time in India couple of years back by 5 – 6 mavericks simultaneously having started, home inspection services.
  • Leading professionals (from IIT / IIM / Google / SAP / Wharton / ICAI) launch the home inspection services across major Indian cities including Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Navi Mumbai, Goa, Kohima, etc.
  • These companies include MACJ – A Buyers Choice Home Inspections, HomeInspeKtor, E-ghar, Checkmyprop, Nemmadi, meazurement, etc.
  • All these companies have now come together and formed the “Home Inspection Association of India”, a milestone achieved in the country.
  • The Association has been formed with the objective to have a common platform for the growth, development & regulation of Home Inspection Industry in India with the objective of ensuring Healthy and Safe Homes.
  • This development has major significance in the background of RERA (Real Estate Regulation & Development Act) being enacted to promote Transparency & Efficiency in the sale of Real Estate projects and to protect the interest of Home Buyers in the Real Estate Sector.

Visit: www.macj-abuyerschoice.com/welcome-to-the-sunshine-industry-professional-home-inspection-services/

Wrong Weep hole position – cannot drain water but can drain money

Detect Issues

Weep hole provided on horizontal surface of bottom channel in sliding window.

Describe Issues

For this type of window section; weep holes should have been provided on vertical surface of the bottom channel. Due to this position of weep holes, rainwater entering the hollow tube section of the channel which will seep in from-around screw hole positions for anchorage & end of this tube is open in both ends due to the design of the window. Hence rainwater seeping in through the section will affect window sill & surrounding areas. If not rectified at proper time, water will spread in attached/ associated areas and cause damage in the long run.

Direct Solutions

We recommend :
Step 1 – Sealing the weep holes on horizontal surface of bottom channel with external grade silicone sealant & capping with weep holes cap in top.
Step 2 – Weep hole to be provided on the vertical surface of bottom channel.

So What exactly is Home Inspection?

It sure is a billion dollar question. But first let me tell you what IT IS NOT. It is not an Income Tax or Sales Tax inspection neither a Police Inspection nor a Property/ Land Dispute Inspection.

We go for health check up of our bodies, right? Wherein the doctor does a complete check up of our body, whether all our systems are working properly or not, the organs are in good shape or not and prescribes medicines if required.

In the same way, Home Inspection simply means the Health Check Up of your Home or Property. Here the elements include the wall, ceiling, floor, door, window, plumbing and electrical, etc

By the end of this read, I expect the readers to know Home Inspection like the back of their hands.

Always remember the four keywords to understand Home Inspection Coverage:

Areas | Elements | Coverage | 3D of Issues

Areas – The areas in your home or apartment will include Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Living and dining, Kitchens, Balcony (the number will vary accordingly) etc.

Elements – The 7 basic elements comprises of wall, ceiling, floor, door, window, plumbing and electrical. There may be more elements like a bathroom will additionally have shower, sink, faucet, counters, cabinets, etc.

Coverage – Material types, Installation & Finishing, Operations & Functionality and General safety.

3D of Issues – Detect, Describe and Direct. We detect the issues, describe the outcome if you don’t take care of the issue and direct the solutions – what needs to be done to correct/rectify the issue.

Home Inspection – Health & safety checkup of homes

  • So, a home inspection is a third party professional service, provided by certified trained home inspectors who determine the present condition of the home’s major systems, based on a rigorous visual assessment of a home.
  • It focuses on the real time performance of the home, rather than cosmetic or code issues.
  • The result of the Home Inspection is substantiated with a system generated Inspection Report which lays down the issues that are detected during inspection along with relevant real time images for easy understanding of the clients & to suggest any improvements or repairs deemed necessary to bring the home up to the proper standards.
  • In a home inspection you don’t seek to find what’s wrong with the house, but what’s actually necessary to be repaired for a long & healthy life of your dream home.
  • The health report card of the home/property also has pocket friendly solutions to it.
  • For details Read through…… www.macj-abuyerschoice.com/home-inspection-area/why-home-inspection

Components of a Home Inspection

The Home Inspector – A home inspector is more than someone that has some construction knowledge or experience. A home inspector is a problem solver and will need to understand the subtle signs of component failures and have the ability to direct the client to the solutions. Home Inspectors must be expert communicators also. The presentation is important both verbally and in writing. And have no doubt that he/she may be an employee of a company but his/her prime motto is the well being of your home.

State of the Art Tools & Technology – The Home Inspector is armed with the latest tools & technologies to detect issues, even the hidden ones.

The Inspection Process – The inspection team typically consists of home inspector, electrician & a plumber. The process involves a non-invasive, visual examination of all accessible areas and its respective elements along with any add-on components.

Software driven Report – Software driven reports are generated within 24 hours of the inspection process is completed and submitted to the clients which explains the issues along with relevant real time pictures and its relevant solutions.

About the Industry

In the western Countries – Home Inspection is still an emerging concept in India. But it is very prevalent in US, Canada and other western countries. Over there it’s a multibillion dollar thriving industry (www.macj-abuyerschoice.com/thriving-american-market).

In India – A Brand New concept launched for the First Time by about 8 – 10 mavericks simultaneously starting the home inspection services across various Indian cities under their respective brands, couple of years back (www.macj-abuyerschoice.com/welcome-to-the-sunshine-industry-professional-home-inspection-services)

So next time when you hear the word – Home Inspection, am pretty sure the frowns and question marks will disappear and a smile along with – Oh yes, I know it or have heard about it should come to your lips.

Know your homes better. Make it healthy, safe and sound for you and your loved ones living in it.

Please do explore our website www.macj-abuyerschoice.com for more related knowledge and information.

MahaRERA Strives to encourage greater accountability, transparency and trust in the Real Estate Sector

MahaRERA Updates

  • Project Registration Status
    • Projects Registered but not completed: 15796
    • Projects Registered and completed: 3587
    • Projects yet to be Registered: 109
  • Realtor Registration Status
    • Registered Realtors: 17980
    • Realtors yet to be Registered: 186
  • Complaint Disposal Status
    • Complaint Received and disposed: 3422
    • Complaint in process of hearing: 2108

MahaRERA website: www.maharera.mahaonline.gov.in

Position matters even for a small Grating

Detect Issues

Improper positioning of floor grating as it is partially inside the wall and adequate grouting not done around it.

Describe Issues

This will create a path for moisture to intrude from-around grating position, thereby deteriorating the associated / attached areas of the property. In the long run it can hassle occupants by creating unhealthy living conditions and adding a cost & time lag during repair.

Direct Solutions

We recommend an elbow to be provided at outlet pipe to make it wall mounted or to provide scupper drain outlet.

Projects & Realtors Registration status under WBHIRA

WBHIRA

  • Registration of Real Estate Project with West Bengal Housing Industry Regulatory Authority (WBHIRA) is compulsory under U/s 3 West Bengal Housing Industry Regulatory Authority (WBHIRA) Act.
  • Total number of Registered Projects in West Bengal under WBHIRA Authority – 340.
  • Out of which Registered Projects in Kolkata under WBHIRA Authority – 102.
  • Total number of Registered Realtors in West Bengal under WBHIRA Authority – 138.
  • Out of which Registered Realtors in Kolkata under WBHIRA Authority – 96.
  • WBHIRA Website: www.hira.wb.gov.in

Protect your Home from Masked Hazards

Not every masked object will be as vigilante & handsome as Antonio Banderas as in the 1998 Hollywood film-The Mask of Zorro. Your home can also be the safe haven of one or many masked entities. Sometimes a masked entity can be a hotspot of future issues waiting to lift its dangerous head to strike at its suitable moment or pierce its false teeth into your Home Sweet Home. Basically the masked structures take refuge or take birth due to various reasons unknown to the inhabitants of the home. Also since they are masked, it is neither possible nor feasible for a common man to even get a bit of idea about it. Or may be it is possible…… let us see how…

Every house has seven basic elements – walls, ceiling, floor, doors, windows, plumbing and electrical. These elements can conceal issues which as mentioned earlier can become humongous or pose serious threat in the proper functioning and safety of your home.

Many a times when the symptoms come to the forefront, the damage is already done or it’s too late.
‘Enough of Hide and Seek… now it is time for you to confront them head on.’

Walls: Yeh deewar tootni nahi chahiye

1. Hairline Diagonal crack – Most of the diagonal cracks portray building settlement and defects in building design. Diagonal cracks originate as hairline cracks on wall surface, but with time it gradually increases in length and depth. These cracks if not treated at the right time will gradually increase in depth and effect the building stability.

2. Hollowness in plaster surface – Newly painted walls does not forecast the condition of plaster surface beneath. Hollowness on plaster surface portrays the loss of stability of the wall surface due to thermal changes, moisture intrusion and multiple developing cracks. If not rectified at right time, this will gradually lead to collapse of the plaster surface and affect the habitability of residents living inside.

3. Finishing of External Wall – If the external wall has paint finish with exterior grade paint : #1 – prior to adequate curing of external wall surface plaster, #2 – on hollow plaster surface, will lead to inadequate bonding between paint and plaster surfaces. In the long run due to climatic changes and weathering action, moisture intrusion will occur in the deteriorated plaster and paint surface and will seep inside house. (Read our blog: Moisture / Damp / Seepage – The Invisible Silent Killer: Unsuspecting Criminal – https://macj-abuyerschoice.com/real-estate/moisture-damp-seepage-invisible-silent-killer-unsuspecting-criminal/)

Ceiling: Ceiling should be sealed

A smoothly painted false ceiling can hide:

  1. Leak from roof or above floor for few months. After that some discoloration > popping of paint > peeling > Termite / insects > water droplet > collapse of false ceiling.
  2. An inadequately supported false ceiling; which will lead to sagging of false ceiling.

A painted ceiling over RCC can hide:

  1. Loose plaster / hollow plaster – which will start to peel off / collapse.
  2. Rusted reinforcement (which is the back bone of the building); building with Rusted reinforcement is structurally not stable.
  3. Hide leak from roof or above floor for few months. After that some discoloration will occur & eventually lead to damage.

Floor: Keep your feet firmly on the ground!

1. Hollowness – It causes damaging of flooring surface either tiled / marble/ CC. Causes are due to uneven preparation of underlayments. Under the impact of super imposed load like furnitures, it may get damaged. Refilling / Relaying / rectifying the hollowness is possible. But the rectifications are costly as marble finish will require epoxy base materials where as similar shaded tiles are required in case of tile work.

2. Uneven Tile – It is visible but usually granted as minor issue hence neglected. Causes are due to uneven laying of tiles and sometimes curvature at tile edges by manufacturer itself. Rectification can only be done by relaying similar shaded tiles for uniformity.

3. Slope of flooring at wet areas and atmospherically exposed areas – It is also not visible unless inspected properly. Causes are due to improper levelling of flooring and poor workmanship. Water stagnancy / pocket/ accumulation/ catchment are some defects which lead to seepage and major damages in longer duration.

Door: Lock kiya jaye?

1. Stability – It is the prime technical aspect of a door, which is a prime form of security for occupants. Spalling of plaster, rattling of frame, distinct gap at frame joints are some symptoms which are caused due to stability issue rather than resistance to sudden impact. Inadequate anchorage frame fastener/ clamps/bracings/base support which is concealed at frame and adjoined wall/floor surface are invisible to naked eyes, hence stability of frame cannot not be easily assessed in a new flats/ houses.

2. Rottening of frame bottom portion – It is caused due to lack of seasoning of solid wooden frame and also if not treated properly at concealed bands of jamb. In the long run it’s been observed that wet patches arise at bottom portions and paint deterioration at adjoined painted wall surface. It also impacts the stability as higher the moisture content at wood leads to decay and expansion of intermolecular spaces, it loses the grip with anchorage fasteners/ clamps.

3. Rattling of door panels after locking – It is caused due to poor workmanship in installing the panel rather hinges and can be checked by providing PVC groove casing at jamb groove position for latch bolts. In the long run, separation gap can be observed as continuous rattling can affect the stability of door frame and even cause bending of panel in worst cases.

Window: A window is a gateway to opportunities, but only for yourself! / Open the window to let the sun and breeze in, good for us.

1. External gap around window frame – It can cause severe intrusion of moisture / water from the gaps and deteriorate the window frame with adjoined wall components.

2. Choosing of glass panes and panels – Shattering of glass panes can cause accidents to occupants or pedestrians below. Variety of toughened glass is available in market to suit one’s need.

3. Safety approach – Window sill if below particular height, then additional grill or fixed panel to be provided to restrict tripping off. Mostly found in bathrooms and common areas. But needs to be taken care as it might get fatal.

4. Drip mould at chajja – It restricts the flushed water from vertical external wall surface from splashing inside the unit. This minor work is neglected and we often see that box window with no drip mould are prone to seepage / moisture intrusion.

Plumbing: Plumber wale Babu mera pipe thik kare dey

1. Concealed leakage – Plumbing lines are mostly concealed at wall or floor surface, invisible through bare eyes. It occurs due to poor workmanship during installation, poor joint packing compound/ material, lower grade pipes/ corrosive pipes, over lapping, wearing due to time lapse. It will show wet patches at painted wall surfaces portions around the wet area, rising dampness above skirting level of painted wall surface, stains at bathrooms wall finishing.

2. Grouting – Being the most integral pipe fitting component, it is important to provide non-shrinking, workable and high strength grouting component. The floor outlet position, wall insertions needs grouting else water infiltration will occur and travel along the floor bed mortar level and effect lower floor occupants by water percolation from ceiling, rising dampness at surrounding walls, dirt accumulation and flooring joint filling deterioration around.

Electrical: Be an Electrical Safety hero. Score an accident zero

  1. Loss of current – Generally wire passing is conveyed by conduits running concealed inside wall/ ceiling/ floor surfaces – Practically not visible with bare eyes. If any damage occurs at concealed wiring during home renovation or wire pulling, electric loss will occur and human conduction can even be fatal.

Your home should be filled with happiness in every nook and corner. Our sole motive is to keep your home hale and hearty and hence we want you to know what can be hidden behind every element. We do not want you to get distraught and get worried regarding one of the biggest investments that you have made or might make in your life. So it’s better you unmask the issues rather than waiting for the issues to unmask themselves. Be wise and get your home inspection done at the right time.