Thinking About Home Improvement? Then Here's A Checklist!

Thinking About Home Improvement? Then Here's A Checklist!
By Shrinivas Vaidya, Fri Dec 9th

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

When it comes to home improvement, most people think that it'shas to do with painting the house from inside out and forgetabout it.

But any architectural structure is much more than just walls andceiling. There are many systems working simultaneously whichkeep 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 mostcommonly used structural systems is R.C.C. Other types includesteel 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 externalatmosphere must be checked for damage. R.C.C structural membersare 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 beapplied wherever 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 is atthe 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 anunobstructed and shortest path to outside chambers. Any cloggingof these lines can cause overflowing of the chambers, henceshould be checked and cleaned.

4)Electrical Systems:

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

All switch boards and switches in respective rooms should bechecked for proper and safe functioning. Security systems suchas 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 workingcondition.

Door and window shutter hinges should be applied with lubricantsfor smooth operations. I case of sliding doors and windows,tracks which 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 sunlightin the 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 clogging ofwater if any such situation arises. Tiled flooring must bechecked at joints. Any cracks in joins must be checked withproper bonding material.

In case of wooden flooring, extra care must be taken to keep theflooring 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 thejoints. A coat of good quality wooden polish can add life to thefurniture pieces.

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

9) Other Accessories.

This includes small thing which matter a lot, such as all thelocking arrangement at doors, windows, towel rods in thebathroom/wash basins, arrangement to dry washed clothes, storagearrangements 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 functioning ofany architectural structure is dependant of many complex systemswhich work simultaneously.

Hence all these must be given attention and respect. Anybuilding is just like a human body, with movable and stationaryparts. If dealt with proper care can give a very healthy livingexperience for years to come.

I hope this article was helpful to everyone.

Copyright 2005 Shrinivas Vaidya

About the author:Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster ofBedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Visit TODAY to get anin-depth knowledge of Bedroom Design, Bedroom Furniture Sets and Bedroom DecoratingIdeas.