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Water is one
of the greatest enemies of buildings,and if adequate precautions are not taken
it can seriously degrade your precious asset.Most problems arising out of rain
can be tackled with a little forethought and by following precautionary
measures.
The world of nature always welcomes rains.The rain
rejuvenates flora and fauna. Rain washes clean the environs and external building surfaces. But it's a different story inside.The rains could add to
your woes here, causing numerous problems.But these are all solvable, and it is easy to tackle them with proper
precautions and corrective measures.
Usual Problems:
Rains raise atmospheric humidity. Inadequate sunlight
and ventilation affects enclosed areas in buildings.Eventually dampness creeps
in, and it is injurious to the people who might already be suffering from
respiratory problems.
Dampness leads to the proliferation of algae, discoloring
painted walls and resulting in peeling and flaking.Continuous darkness can
affect artifacts like oil paintings.Another common problem is the seepage of rain water.Water percolates
through minute surface cracks on the roof and creates soggy patches on ceilings
and walls.It could even enter hairline cracks in the flooring causing tiles to
become uneven.
Water proofing:
While constructing a house, water proofing of terraces
and toilets is extremely important.Windows and doors facing the exterior must
have an overhang or chajja to prevent rainwater from entering the interiors.Water proofing compounds mixed into the plaster give an added layer of
protection against water.
The exposed brick, though aesthetically attractive, can
become an absorptive surface, in the absence of plastering.Varnishing or
painting the brick surface will give partial protection. Water seepage also
occurs through the ground. It is advisable to raise the plinth above ground
level, and have flagging concrete or plinth protection along the base of the walls on the exterior.
Interior problems:
In bathrooms the dampness caused by steam creates a
film on all the surfaces there.A black mould forms on shower curtains and
walls, causing the warping of storage cabinets and the plywood backings of
mirrors.
In kitchens due to the regular washing of cooking
vessels, the splash area above the sink as well as the surrounding floors gets
constantly splattered with droplets of soapy water,and this can make the floor
a potentially dangerous slippery area.
The wardrobes and carpeting are difficult to maintain
areas inside bedrooms. If a damp wall has a wooden wardrobe attached to it,
water enters the woodwork and causes it to warp.The subsequent expansion and
shrinkage makes the closing of shutters difficult since the alignment is lost.The wet carpets in closed rooms without air movement emit an odour which is
very difficult to eradicate.
During rainy days it's the utility areas which are used
the most.Semi dry or dripping wet clothes which hang from clothesline or
stands,wet umbrellas, rain coats and wet shoes are usually placed here to
avoid messing up the rest of the house.
Tips
Some sensible and easy to follow precautions if taken
in time can solve most of the above problems.
-Water proofing treatment should be done without fail
during construction.
-All rooms should have adequate cross ventilation.This
facilitates air movement, and prevents odours.
-Sunlight should be allowed to enter areas that are
prone to dampness.
-Areas with dripping water should be periodically
mopped to avoid stains on the floor.
-Walls that have constant contact with water should
have cladding with glazed tiles or enamel paint. These surfaces then can be
wiped dry. Shower curtains have to be wiped dry after a shower since mouldy
patches left on the plastic are difficult to clean.
-In rooms where natural ventilation is not possible,
air purifiers/ humidifiers, air conditioners, fans and exhaust fans can help
maintain optimum humidity.
-The woodwork used for cabinets in wet areas should be
raised above floor level if there is water.They should be coated with a
melamine layer or should be fabricated from water proof plywood with laminated
surfaces.
-The interiors of wardrobes which are dark and damp,
are often prone to silverfish and mould. These cause patches on internal walls,
wood work and clothes.The use of naphthalene and silica gel desiccant packets
helps to alleviate these problems.
-Absorbent floor mats can be used to absorb water from
rainy footwear, and avoid muddy patches on clean tiles and carpets.
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