Is your building healthy

Is your building healthy?

        During the monsoon season, your house needs extra care and attention.  Hence, keep an eye out for possible telltale signs to avert any mishap from happening

Building collapses are an annual occurrence, especially during the monsoon.  According to the data released by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 1051 dwelling houses/residential buildings collapsed in 2020 alone, in which 1091 people lost their lives.

      However, if you are an aware resident, you’ll be able to catch the telltale signs about your building, which could help you avert a major mishap and possible loss of property and life.  Hence, here is a look at some tips from experts to help you gauge your building’s health better.

Cracks

Cracks are the worst enemy of any structure as it is a clear indication of weakness.  “Look out for deep cracks in beams or columns (in the housing and the building).  Also, if the flooring has begun to corrode, it means that the structure is giving away”.

    The cracks can be a sign of damage to the foundation of the structure.  To avoid any mishap, ensure you get it repaired by a professional.  If several people in your building are noticing such cracks in and around their apartment, it is best to inform the government authorities and get your building’s audit done.

Leakage

Water leakage is a very common issue during monsoon.  However, it is dangerous and can also prove to be fatal if neglected.  “During the monsoon, moisture seeps through the exteriors of the house and causes internal wall dampness.”

    Leakages can also cause short circuits and shocks, further leading to accidents.  “To prevent water seepage in walls, exterior waterproofing coats should be used; this will create a barrier for the rainwater and moisture, and your walls from getting damp.”

Uneven gaps in doors and windows

“As joints of doors and windows are made of metal, they can be damaged by moisture retention and undermine the building structure if the seams are not adequately sealed.  An early assessment and repair when the cracks are identified, will ensure that the damage is minimum”.

 Spalling of concrete

“The spalling usually starts as hairline cracks in the concrete structure.  The cracks then start to get wide and then the area bulges before the concrete starts falling off.  This process is called spalling and it is seen in several places like slabs or columns.  The concrete becomes more porous and allows the water to reach the steel rods.  As a result, the steel and concrete become weak and it can no longer stand strong and support the structure as it is used to when the building was new”.

            “To fix this, you can repair the old and affected concrete.  Polymer concrete works best as it has adhesive properties that allow repair of both, conventional cement based concrete, and polymer-based concrete”.

Regular check-up

                “In the monsoons, sometimes old air conditioning cages can also get dislodged and fall off due to wind pressure.  It’s important to get this checked by the air conditioning service engineers”.

                 “It is to be noted that nearly 20 per cent of all accidential fires that take place are not only due to short circuits, but also poor-quality wires, and inappropriate wiring practices.  Do check for the status of electrical wiring in your building as they are the ‘veins and arteries’ of your homes and thus should be of good quality” .

                   As far as painting is concerned, Jangid shares, “Try to use waterproof paints and the addition of a water sealant, which works as a protective layer on concrete walls.  Get the exterior walls of your house painted with weather-resistant paint solutions.  Paint the walls before monsoon, that is, between February and April so that the paint gets enough time to dry and settle and your walls are thoroughly protected.”

                   Also, conduct due-diligence through your watchful eye.  “We had several problems of water leakage and spalling concrete last year.  We wrote to the concerned officials in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and got our building audited.  It was found that ceilings and parts of slabs and buildings like the stairs and outer paint needed to be redone.  The fund was sanctioned through the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in our area, and we got all the work done.  As a result, we did not face any major problem this year and the safety of the residents remined intact.”