‘Test all doors and pour water over the balcony’: an expert explains how to check a new building for defects | MyGuide

Let’s start with that. Christoph Theiss begins “First check if the walls and ceiling have any irregularities.” “You don’t have to worry about microcracks: they are usually quite natural. If you paint them with elastomeric paint or touch them with acrylic sealant, you won’t see them anymore. Also try moving the gypsum board with your hand. enough.”

Do the walls and ceiling feel damp? “Don’t panic, that’s completely normal too, as long as the moisture expands evenly everywhere. A new building simply has at least 5,000 liters of construction moisture, which you have to let dry out, which can take up to two years.” Is the moisture concentrated in one place? Then the building may have a moisture problem, for example due to a leak.”

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“The windows should be closed permanently,” Christophe continues. “After all, even the slightest bit of water behind the joint puts you at risk of developing mold. Take a good look, too, at the glass itself: does it show any scratches? And open and close all the windows: can you do it effortlessly and without a whistling sound?”

At the same time, pay close attention to your window sills, both inside and out. “Are they properly laid out and finished all around? Do they slope a little outward, for example, so that there is no water left on them? And are they made of the right material in the right colour, as shown in the plans? If the different pieces of natural stone vary so much In color, you can definitely tell.”

Also use all doors. “Are all the locks and knobs installed correctly? Do the doors jam, creak or pull? Do they open in the right direction? Are the door frames well taped? This is also very important.”

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It’s time to look down. “Are there any cracks or stains on the carpets and balconies? Are the tiles aligned and leveled correctly? You can check the latter by pouring water on it. No puddles are allowed. Outside, the terraces have to slope slightly so that the water can flow,” explains Christophe.

“Also check the joints of all types of tiles. Are they the right color and are they the same width everywhere? Do they show any cracks? Are there enough expansion joints inside, which is crucial in underfloor heating? And what about the panels: are they nicely finished? Beautiful, without gaps?”

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Is everything ok so far? Then we move on to the electrical installation and central heating.

“First of all, check all the sockets: are they stuck in? Be sure to try them all on. And check if enough are installed, in the correct locations, as provided for in the plans. If necessary, you can install additional places. Small cost By themselves, but it will make life a lot easier later on. And be sure to check if the ceiling has the same number of light points as mentioned in the plans, if they are in the right places, if they are all working and if the lighting is well hidden.”

All switches must be properly terminated, especially in wet areas. But don’t worry about it, it will definitely show up during the inspection. The installed meters for electricity, gas and water will not be checked if they do not work properly and have been installed.”

“Is there a stove or fireplace? Then light it to see if there is smoke in the house. Also check if the heating is working everywhere. And let the ventilation system run for a while. Doesn’t it make a lot of noise? Is it the correct system as shown?” In specs?

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It’s simple: don’t go house hunting on your own. “It’s best to visit a new building with an expert,” Christophe assures. “It is best to choose an experienced architect or contractor of your own choosing, so that they certainly represent your interests. By spending an extra few hundred euros on a specialist now, you will save yourself a lot of defects and headaches later.”

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