Use windows for ventilation, not for moisture flow…… Avoid Gaps

Detect Issues

Gap noted in between external window sill and window frame.

Describe Issues

Most common damage inside homes occur due to water seepage from the gaps between window frame & external wall. Gap will be a source for moisture to flow inside the home. If gap are not filled properly, it will lead to moisture intrusion, paint deterioration & damage to walls.

Direct Solutions

We recommend sealing the gap surrounding window frame with appropriate sealant.

Home Inspection Services Industry launched for the First Time In India | A Multi – Billion US Dollars Concept

Home Inspection Industry, has its seed sown in India from the City of Joy (Kolkata).

Home Inspection Industry, a potential contributor to the Indian Economy within a due course of time, and a multi-Billion US Dollars Concept. It has its seed sown from Kolkata (City of Joy), and spreading all over India at a Rapid Speed. With over 12 to 15 Companies already started operating in different parts of India within a span of two years, the service is making its presence felt, with this well proven Concept World Wide. Companies like MACJ- A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections (PAN – India), HomeInspeKtor (Bangalore), E-Ghar (Delhi), Meazurement (Mumbai), Nemmadi (Bangalore), Checkmyprop (Pune) etc, have taken an Initiative to nurture and Promote this Industry in the Country. And accordingly have formed “Home Inspection Association of India” (HIA) a Non-profitable venture.

The Objectives of the Association are:

  • To Spread Awareness about the availability of the Service across the Country.
  • To streamline and incorporate an Operating Standard for all the Home Inspection Companies and related Professionals.
  • To Encourage and Promote the Industry throughout India. And spread awareness about the business opportunity.
  • To train young mind and encourage them to opt for a new and reliable profession called Home Inspectors. Further creating Huge Employment Opportunity in various Sector.

The Latest updates relating to this Industry are as follows:

  • Home Inspection a Brand new Concept launched in India for the First Time. 12-15 Companies started Operating in different parts of India.
  • Home Inspection Association of India formed on January 2018.
  • Top Home Inspectors of India joining as Founding Members of the Association.
  • Mr. Gautam Chatterjee (MahaRERA Chairman) agreed to be an Honorary Member of the Association.
  • Website of the Association launched. (www.hiai.in)
  • MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections conducted more than few thousand Inspection of Indian Homes across the Country.

Proper packing around AC pipe can keep your home healthy

Detect Issues

Packing not provided around AC pipe at exterior wall.

Describe Issues

If packing is not provided, then unwanted water and dust from external area will enter house, chances of insect & bird infestation will occur. This will also increase condensation from AC gas pipe, which will lead to paint deterioration & water seepage in future, resulting in deterioration of both home and human health.

Direct Solutions

We recommend packing with suitable grade cement mortar followed by primer and paint finish.

Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority advancing in a Good Pace

RERA Haryana

  • The Haryana Government, Town and Country Planning Department notified Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules dated 28th April, 2017.
  • The office of Regulatory Authority is located at:
    1) Mini Secretariat, New Office Block, 2nd & 3rd Floor Sector-1, Panchkula, 134114.
    2) New PWD Rest House Civil Lines, Gurugram, Haryana
  • Shri. KK Khandelwal & Shri. Rajan Gupta appointed as a Chairman of HRERA Gurugram & Panchkula respectively.
  • Website Launched (Visit: www.haryanarera.gov.in)

Improper anchorage can decrease your pocket size

Detect Issues

Significant damages noted at wall due to improper anchorage of door frame and failure of wall surface due to impact during door operation.

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Describe Issues

Damage at walls has happened due to improper anchorage of door frame. If not rectified at the right time, it can further deteriorate wall condition along with separation of frame from wall surface during the impacts. This would lead to decrease in strength of walls and difficulty in smooth operation of door. Hence hampering occupants by adding repair cost and time.

Direct Solutions

We recommend masonry repair with fiber mesh & suitable additive.

Purpose of fiber mesh

It provides high strength and durability.

Proper filling around door frame provides firmness

Detect Issues

Gap noted around door frame.

Describe Issues

If these gaps are not filled with proper material, then fixing of the frame with wall will not be firm and will act as insect / termite hub. It may also lead to water seepage. Therefore it needs to be filled properly to avoid problems in future. Its rectification procedure is easy, cost effective and less time consuming.

Direct Solutions

We Recommend gaps to be filled with self expanding material.

Classic case of mystery water seepage from a false ceiling having a non-identifiable source

Waterproofing / Other Vendors’ Solution
Before MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice Team Inspection
Short term solution as source not identifiable
Damage to ceiling / upper floor
Repair time: 20 – 25 days
High Cost of repair – Rs.1,50,000.

How MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice team solves this with a minimum of fuss & cost but maximum of technology, knowledge, & experience.

Description:

Classic case of unidentifiable seepage in a Prayer Room Ceiling that would have resulted in short term solution at high cost of repair with property damage and a lot of time. MACJ – A Buyers Choice Home Inspections identifies the source and solves the problem with its 3L service philosophy – Long term solution – Low cost of Repair – Least destruction

Background:

MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice team observed the following on visiting client’s home (5th Floor Unit):

5th Floor:
Water droplets falling from the Prayer room ceiling approximately for the last six months.
Presence of water pocket / trapped water noted in the alcove of the Prayer room as inferred by infrared camera.

6th Floor:
As the water was coming from the ceiling of 5th floor, so it was expected that the source of water was at the floor above (6th Floor) where it had made the path from the left corner above the alcove ceiling. Also at the left side of the sixth floor wall, minor efflorescence was noted which indicated presence of soluble salts and moisture. The 6th floor had a Prayer Room directly above, an open balcony with plants, a window ledge and a bathroom at a distance surrounding it. The source could be from anywhere.

The water path on the floor indicating leak in the concealed drain pipe

Possible Alternatives:

MACJ team did thermal (infrared) scanning of the area to track the water path and possible source of the leak. It was noted at 6th floor, an Air conditioner (Split AC) was installed on right side which had water drainage. The Drain line was a long concealed pipe running across the marble floor from right side to left side where the air conditioner drainage had been given in the balcony. Only the starting and end points were visible.

Apparently the Air conditioner pipe in 6th Floor either had a leak or an improper joint from where the air conditioner water was leaking.

Alternative Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) – Substantiation:

MACJ carried out NDT along with Deductive reasoning for making sure that the leak was from AC drain pipe. The team decided to pour 1.5 L of water in the starting point of the drain pipe and observed the ‘said end point’ for 15 minutes. But less than 500 ml water came out.

Eureka! Within that time frame, fall of water droplet in the affected area had increased. Hence more water was reaching the area due to leak/ improper joint at the drain pipe.

To substantiate our findings on Monday (15th may) we made alternate connection at the waste water drain pipe of the air conditioner at the sixth floor prayer room and requested our client i.e. the home owner to operate the air conditioner normally. 5th Floor: At fifth floor on the third day i.e. Wednesday (17th may) we observed the falling droplets reduced to bare minimum.
By Friday (19th may), as confirmed by our client the falling of water droplets had completely stopped.
On Saturday (20th may) it was reconfirmed that the droplets had stopped and the ceiling had reduced moisture.
6th Floor: On Saturday (20th may) we re-connected the waste water drain pipe of the air conditioner the way it was connected before.
5th Floor: By Monday (22nd May) water droplets started falling again. This reconfirmed that there was leak at the existing waste water pipeline of the sixth floor prayer room air conditioner.

Recommendations

Most of the current drain pipe was concealed under the finished wall and floor; hence it was not practical to replace that pipe. From a practical and economical point of view, we recommended to install a new drain pipe towards the room corresponding to the sixth floor air conditioner wall and then placing it towards the duct nearby. We recommended to use ½ inch rigid UPVC / CPVC pipe with company approved sealant only.

Conclusion:

A leak in the Air conditioner drainage pipe gave our client sleepless nights. Thanks to MACJ – A Buyer Choice experts, the issue was correctly and precisely identified with a simple solution. We should also applaud the client who proved wise enough to engage MACJ – A Buyers Choice Home Inspections to solve the problem. Not only did the MACJ team solved it successfully but also saved the client from major future damages which would have also resulted in incurring a lot of money. Our recommendations were also pocket friendly.

Waterproofing Company Solution Before MACJ Inspection MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice Solution after Inspection
Short term solution as source not identifiable Long term solution as the source of leak identified
Damage to ceiling / upper floor Non-destructive solution
Repair time: 20 – 25 days Repair time: 1 day
High Cost of repair – Rs.1,50,000 Low cost of repair – Rs.10,000

MACJ – A Buyer’s Choice Homes Inspections Motto:
LLL – Long term solution – Low cost of Repair – Least destruction

RERA Authority Holds Firm Position in Uttar Pradesh

RERA Uttar Pradesh

  • Uttar Pradesh notified the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules on October 27, 2016.
  • The office of Regulatory Authority is located at Naveen Bhavan, Rajya Niyojan Sansthan, Kala Kankar House, Old Hyderabad, Lucknow – 226007.
  • Former chief secretary Rajive Kumar has been appointed the new full-time chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UPRERA)
  • Website Launched on 26th July, 2017.

A leakage can leak your savings

Detect Issues

Leakage noted at sink bottle trap.

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Describe Issues

Waste water will not completely drain through outlet but will fall on the floor which will create unhealthy and unhygienic condition. Its repair on time, will help residents to keep their home clean, healthy and hygienic.

Direct Solutions

We recommend to reinstall the bottle trap with manufacturer’s specified gasket in the junctions.

Meaning / Purpose of Bottle trap

A bottle trap is provided to receive solid waste from washbasin, kitchen sinks and other appliances. This reduces the chance of drain blocking.

Let door sill guard your home against unwanted water

Detect Issues

Unit floor and external lobby area floor are at same level.

Describe Issues

As the floor of unit and external lobby are at same level, hence water and dust from floor lobby will enter inside unit. This will hamper the residents extremely in daily basis and they will be always facing difficulty with unwanted water and dust inside their house. Its rectification is very easy and cost effective.

Direct Solutions

We recommend to provide door sill of suitable size.

Meaning of door sill:

The horizontal piece of wood, stone, tile or metal at the threshold of a doorway.