CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION REVIEW | May 2016

Concrete is the most used human-made material worldwide.It is used twice as much as all other materials combined together. Concrete is very popular as it is multipurpose, has unique engineering properties, is cost effective and its ingredients are easily available. Concrete is durable. It is a strong material, which has a long lifespan and it can be moulded into any shape and size when freshly mixed. In spite of great advancements made in concrete technology today, the ability to produce high quality concrete for waterproof structures is still evolving.

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CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION REVIEW | April 2016

Repair of concrete structures has been a major focus of attention in recent years worldwide. The ever changing lifestyles of consumer, changing environment and various other factors are driving demand for high quality construction of residential structures and its continuous maintenance. This is leading to growing usage of construction chemicals. Concrete admixtures account for the majority share in India’s construction chemicals market. It has been observed many times that concrete structures have fallen short of their performance expectations. This may be due to structural deficiencies, material deterioration, unanticipated overloading or physical damage.

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ADO Content, March 2016 | Kolkata

This is a helpful and easy guide to assist you in taking good care of your apartment. Improper cleaning and maintenance can lead to damage of your apartment. This guide is only to assist you with general guidelines towards proper care of your apartment so that you can keep your home safe, clean and avoid future inconveniences.

• Walls and Ceilings
  Water spots and large cracks are indications of underlying problems, do pay timely attention. Consult with professional experts for repair. Soiled walls and ceilings can be repaired with the right selection of construction chemicals and trained applicators.

• Floors
  Flooring should be cleaned with damp sponge mop / cloth / suitable material in order to prevent dust, excess water spills, etc. Please note that abrasive cleaners can damage vinyl tiles, wood flooring and sheet materials. A soft scrub or nonabrasive cleaner is recommended to remove stubborn stains.

• Avoid pouring water directly onto the floor as there can be water ingress through tile joints.
• Tile and ceramic floors need to be first swept and then cleaned with a damp sponge mop / cloth.
• Soiled mop water needs to be replaced with clean water and fresh cleaner as dirty water can leave behind stains.
• Wooden floors should be dust-mopped first and then cleaned with a cleaner.

• Windows
  Moisture on windows can damage the frames and also adjoining walls. This usually occurs during extreme hot or cold temperatures. Promoting air circulation over windows by opening drapes or blinds will prevent moisture.

• Keep the insects out by use of proper window screens / nets.
• Blinds can be dusted with a towel or feather duster. Soiled blinds may be washed in warm water and mild detergent.
• Clean window tracks / channels will ensure easy opening of windows.

• Kitchen
  Sharp objects and abrasive cleaners can damage refrigerator, stove and kitchen counter top surfaces. Mild detergents and soft scrubs are always recommended to prevent premature wear of these areas. It is also important to store unused foods in closed containers and clean the cooking area after meals have been prepared. These practices will assist in the prevention of pests in your apartment.

• Cabinets, countertops, refrigerators and the stove should be cleaned regularly using a mild detergent.
• Cabinet gaps should be properly sealed with the right material to prevent insects / dust.
• To prevent the attraction of pests, it is recommended to immediately cleanup spillages and food. Garbage also needs to be taken out on a regular basis and not allowed to accumulate.
• Excess bags, boxes and containers provide areas for pests to live. It is important to limit unused bags and boxes in Kitchen.
• Avoid using counter tops as chopping boards.
• Stove burners, plates and ovens should be cleaned at least once a week to reduce the possibility of fire.
• Refrigerators need to be cleaned every month.

• Bathroom
  Moisture from the shower and bath can cause damage to walls, ceiling, floors and tiles. Moisture will also promote the growth of mold. It is important to keep the ventilation fan on or the window open for at least fifteen minutes after a shower. This will ensure that the moisture has been vented from the room. Water can enter behind tiles and damage walls if the grout or sealer between tiles is missing or damaged. Mold further deteriorates the grout. Therefore, it is important to clean the tiles regularly.

• The exhaust fan must be turned on or the window opened during bathroom usage in order to remove excess moisture.
• A bath mat should be used when stepping out of the shower to prevent water damage the floor.
• Mold can be removed from tile and grout by the use of specialty chemicals.
• The bathroom should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week using a soft scrub cleaner.

• Plumbing
  Clogged pipes, leaks and drips need to be taken care immediately to prevent additional damage to the system and surrounding structure.

• Never pour cooking oil down the drain. Cooking oil should be poured into a container, covered and placed in the trash.
• Pipelines should be adequately flushed with water.
• Consult plumber before using any type of drain cleaner. Improper use of cleaners can damage fixtures and pipes.

• General Cleaning Recommendations
  Using improper cleaning materials can make tasks more difficult and cause damage to surfaces. The following should be kept in mind before beginning any cleaning task:

• Products recommended for specific tasks should be used for those types of tasks only.
• Read instructions on cleaning products before usage.
• Most cleaners are designed to be used on specific surfaces and may cause damage if used on unapproved surfaces.
• Never mix solutions together. A chemical reaction may occur and lead to permanent damage of the surface.
• Most spills and stains can be removed easier if cleaned promptly and regularly.
• Do not attempt to make repairs on your own, seek expert advice.

ADO Content, March 2016 | Kolkata

If you have decided to do away with monthly house rents and to move out of your rented apartment to your own dream house or apartment here is a quick checklist for you to note. If you are going to buy your first apartment, then this article might help you with a checklist that you can note and verify before buying.

• Decide on the area / locality in which you want to buy an apartment. This may involve spending some quality time in that area or at least doing some basic research.
• Before you buy, research the market to make sure you are getting value for your money. Consult some independent valuers or real estate agents and check recent sales trend in that area.
• Visit as many places as you can in looking out for properties that fit your criteria, so you’ll have a good idea of what your money buys. Investment on buying your own apartment involves your hard earned money and also lot of emotions…so be careful.

Now let’s say you’ve found your dream apartment …

• Do check that the property you are interested in is close to the facilities you require for your family, for example shops, public transport, parks, hospitals, schools, gym, etc. This helps you to save time as well as staying connected.
• Consult with Lawyer, Architect / Engineer, Financial Advisor with the details of the apartment that you intend to buy for expert guidance and advice.
• When you choose to live in an apartment consider whether the building is close to the main road or any other public place(s) – mall, multiplexes, bars, etc. What is the amount of passing traffic – will it be noisy? Will the noise or crowd affect your lifestyle? It is a good idea to arrange inspections of the building during different time points of the day – in the morning, evening or during peak hour, before you finalise the agreement.
• How old is the building? You should consider the age of the building. Are any facilities likely to require repairs or replacement? It is strongly recommended that you obtain an architect or engineers report on the building before deciding to buy. It is always advisable that any repair or replacement work to be carried out under professional guidance only.
• What are the security measures of the building for example, can anyone walk into the building or there is a security check at the entry point? Provision of close circuit cameras?
• Does it have a balcony so you can enjoy the view or spend some time to relax? Or is the balcony being blocked by other buildings or facing the wrong side of the sun?
• What are the monthly maintenance charges? Many people don’t think at this aspect when they buy a new apartment. They will generally cover the municipal tax, property tax, assessment tax, water charges, common electricity charges, elevator charges and charges for hired helps, like the garbage cleaner and security, etc. Find out will be the maintenance charge, what cost heads are included in the monthly maintenance charges. For example, car parking charges may be separate.
• If you have a car this must be an important question to ask. Will car parking be provided and do you have to pay extra for it? For pre owned apartment check with the seller of the apartment if his/ her parking slot will be made available to you with the purchase of the apartment. If the previous owner did not have a car parking space, speak to the secretary of the society and ask for a parking slot.

Hope these tips and advices become useful to some of our readers.  Do feel free to get in touch with us for any technical assistance, we will be happy to help you.