Over the years, there’s been an increase of constructed apartment buildings in towns and cities nationwide. However, new standards of construction have slipped for various reasons, for instance soaring materials, inexperienced developers, and rushed timelines.
As a result, most apartment construction occurs in a rushed manner, impacting the construction’s quality considerably. Moreover, you’ll find that the defects become evident a couple of years down the line, leaving owners with the challenge of tackling these issues. Here’s a list of some of the problems you can expect in a new building.
Waterproofing
This is a common problem in new building apartments and the major areas of concern include balconies, kitchens, and doorframes. If the waterproofing doesn’t occur appropriately in new units, owners end up spending thousands on leak identification services, replacement, or repairs to tackle existing problems.
In some instances, the owners must perform complete bathroom renovations, which could drain them financially.
Bear in mind that poor waterproofing could make a rental unit uninhabitable. If the developers don’t install the appropriate waterproof membranes, water could easily penetrate through different levels into the walls and floors, producing extensive mildew, rot, and continuous dampness.
Cracking to External and Internal Structures
Buildings move constantly but the movements tend to be so minute that they’re unnoticeable. Therefore, a building’s movement isn’t always a negative thing. It’s when you see cracks in a unit that you’ll know the movement is beyond what it could sustain.
Although cracks can be alarming, you shouldn’t be worried about some of them. However, if left untreated, others could compromise the safety and integrity of the structure. The most common sources of cracks comprise moisture thermal movement, foundation failure, and decay of construction fabric.
Window Leaks
Window leaks typically arise because of faulty installation. It isn’t advisable to have the developer’s constructors perform the installation; expert installers are necessary. Bear in mind that costly details on new windows complicate the installation. Moreover, they require regular maintenance.
The gaskets and seals require cleaning at least once a year otherwise; they’ll develop leaks and drafts. Accumulated grime isn’t good seal against the weather elements. In fact, all windows must undergo thorough vacuuming post-construction to eliminate any debris that might have accumulated there.
External Water Penetration
Water infiltration from the external sources is a common issue in new building apartments because of poor material quality, poor design, and defective workmanship on things such as doors, external windows, and balconies.
In high-rise units, you’ll frequently see this when the construction of balconies occurs above other units. Water infiltration is a destructive force that could produce other issues, including electrical damage, structural rot, and mold.
Guttering Defects
Guttering defects arise from things like undersized gutters, unsealed flashings, and gutters that don’t permit correct termination. If gutters don’t function appropriately, they could cause leaks, flooding, and damage the unit’s foundations.
Tiling Issues
Tiling issues arise from bad preparation, loose tiles, and excess adhesive. Moreover, this problem could arise in the event that the constructors don’t even out the floors before placing the tiles.
Other factors such as curing concrete and the related chemical reaction could influence the contraction and expansion of tiles, so it’s crucial that experienced tilers accomplish this task to avoid shortcuts.
Final Thoughts
Moving into a new apartment can be exciting, especially if you’re a first-time renter. However, you must be prepared to tackle the problems associated with new buildings. If you don’t know what to expect, consider this guide.
For more information on the problems associated with new apartment buildings, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a message.