The construction industry is approximately 9% of GDP and most years it’s a growth industry. This is because there is an ever-expanding need for homes and business premises. The industry is also fuelled by high property prices, making it difficult for some to get on the property ladder and encouraging construction projects.
The problem is with such high demand it is possible that corners are cut and defects go unnoticed until it’s too late. That’s why it’s essential to have procedures to minimize defects in building construction projects. Several methods are used by Boom & Bucket to ensure the construction reaches the right standard.
Magnetic Particle Testing
Several firms offer magnetic particle testing. This process uses X-rays and Gamma rays to inspect the construction of walls, floors, and other parts of the building. The great thing about this testing method is that it’s non-invasive. The building doesn’t need to be disturbed to confirm that it has, or hasn’t, been constructed properly.
The rays scan through the material and create a map that shows the different levels of density within it. If these don’t fit the expected standard for the material then it can be determined that the building has a defect.
The question then will be regarding cost and liability for repair.
Visual Inspection
Building projects should be inspected regularly by the building controller. This will allow them to spot potential defects as the building is created.
Although this isn’t an exact science, an experienced inspector will spot most issues. The advantage of finding a defect early is that it is much cheaper and easier to resolve.
The inspector can also verify that the project is being built according to the approved blueprints. Any deviation can cause the project to be shut down until the matter is resolved. Failure to rectify discrepancies can lead to project shutdowns until the issues are resolved, highlighting the significance of thorough visual inspections conducted by qualified professionals from Florida Engineering.
Material Quality
If you’ve specified a specific material like extruded aluminum profile for a project you’ll want to be sure that this is the material that has been used. Although this can be verified by the visual inspection it can also be confirmed by consulting with the supplier and verifying their production techniques.
The trick to minimizing these defects is to ensure that all construction firms have trained their staff properly and have strict guidelines that need to be adhered to. By having regular inspections there will be less likelihood of individuals or teams utilizing sub-standard materials or not completing the job properly.
Combine this approach with a structured payment schedule and the builder won’t get paid in full until the building has been properly approved and signed off.
That’s the real trick, getting the construction company to accept responsibility for any defects during the build. If they are doing their job properly there won’t be any. By verifying the construction company standards and inflicting stiff penalties on defects, it’s much easier to minimize or even eliminate defects in building construction projects, making the world a slightly safer place.
Don’t forget that drainage is as important as the foundations and the building, contacting a California leak detection expert and removing water from the site dramatically reduces the risk of subsidence.