Featured Article about Carpentry

Thinking About Home Improvement? Then Here's a Checklist!
Shrinivas Vaidya 
15d4

Dear friends, if you are planning to improve/renovate orrefurnish your home then this article can be a veryuseful guide and save your lot of time.

When it comes to home improvement, most people think thatit's has to do with painting the house from inside outand forget about it.

But any architectural structure is much more than just wallsand ceiling. There are many systems working simultaneously which keep the building under function.

Let's have a look at these systems one by one.

1) Structural System:

This includes the support system of the entire building, namelyfoundation, columns, beams, slabs(in R.C.C structure).The most commonly used structural systems is R.C.C. Other typesinclude steel and wood.

While renovating a building special attention must be given tothe structural support system. Slabs should be checked to beleak proof. Columns and beams which are exposed to external atmosphere must be checked for damage. R.C.C structural members are always covered with plaster. This plaster must be withoutdamage.

In case of steel structures, anti-rust treatment must be appliedwherever necessary.

In case of wooden structure anti-termite treatment must be appliedwherever necessary.

2) Plumbing System:

All pipelines which carry water in and out of the structure mustbe checked for leakage. The main are of possible leakage isat the joints, hence must be carefully treated.

Water taps at the washbasins, inside bathrooms, kitchen sinks,toilet blocks, should be checked for good and smooth operatingconditions.

3)Drainage System:

Drainage from kitchen, bathrooms, toilets should have an unobstructedand shortest path to outside chambers. Any clogging of these lines can cause overflowing of the chambers, hence should be checkedand cleaned.

4)Electrical Systems:

This starts with the main supply of the electricity from thelocal authorities. The point of entering the main supply should bechecked for any excessive disturbance in voltage levels, whichmight cause damage to electrical appliances inside.

All switch boards and switches in respective rooms should be checkedfor proper and safe functioning. Security systems such as earthing and M.C.B's should be checked for safe functioning.

5) Doors and Windows

These form an important part of any structure as far as safetyis concerned. Proper functioning of the doors and windowshutters is necessary. If your home has a security alarm systeminstalled, then it must be kept updated and in proper working condition.

Door and window shutter hinges should be applied with lubricantsfor smooth operations. I case of sliding doors and windows, trackswhich allow sliding should be dust free.

6) Glass Panes

All glass panes used on windows and doors should be dust free.Any broken or cracked glass panes should be replaced immediately.

If the building has a skylight, then it should be checked to beleak proof and clean, to allow clear and unobstructed sunlight inthe interiors.

7) Flooring Materials

In most cases tiles are used for flooring. All tiles should bechecked for cracks and most importantly leveling.

In every home flooring has a natural slope to avoid cloggingof water if any such situation arises. Tiled flooringmust be checked at joints. Any cracks in joins must bechecked with proper bonding material.

In case of wooden flooring, extra care must be taken to keepthe flooring termite-free.

8) Wall Plaster and Wall Paint.

All external walls must be checked from outside for a properlayer of plaster. Plaster prevents the rainwater to seep insidethe structure. If external plaster gets damaged, rain waterseeps inside causing dampening of walls.

All internal walls must be checked for scraping of paint.

8) Furniture and Carpentry Items.

All furniture items must be termite free and sturdy at the joints. A coat of good quality wooden polish can add lifeto the furniture pieces.

Other carpentry work includes door and window shutters, doorand window frames.

9) Other Accessories.

This includes small thing which matter a lot, such as all the locking arrangement at doors, windows, towel rods in the bathroom/wash basins, arrangement to dry washed clothes, storage arrangements in kitchen/bathroom.

10)External Systems

This can include a solar water heater, electric pumps to pushthe water from underground water tank to Overhead water tank.,Cable TV antennas.

All these systems must be checked for proper functioning.

From the above discussion it is clear that proper functioningof any architectural structure is dependant of many complex systems which work simultaneously.

Hence all these must be given attention and respect. Any buildingis just like a human body, with movable and stationary parts.If dealt with proper care can give a very healthy living experiencefor years to come.

I hope this article was helpful to everyone.

Copyright 2005 Shrinivas Vaidya