Opportunity and danger are two sides of the same coin. Home improvement projects provide an opportunity for happiness in your home and increase its value. Such projects; However, offer the risk of personal injury, property damage, and unexpected costs if the worker has a construction problem. Here are some steps you need to take to increase your chances and reduce the risk of home improvement projects. This article addresses common construction defects in outdoor projects including gas pipes and electrical fencing. Related articles cover some construction defects.
1. Do your homework. People are researching large-scale purchases; but they are spending thousands of dollars on home improvement with little or no research on preventing construction defects or hiring a suitable contractor. Information that can help homeowners is available from many sources. The books describe basic building concepts and building code in plain language. Manufacturer installation instructions for many products are available online. This does not mean that you need to be an expert builder before you start on a home improvement project. You can and should; However, be educational so you can identify common construction defects. Being able to identify construction defects puts the contractor on notice that you are an experienced customer.
2. Only use licensed contractors and experience. Verify the status of the contract and / or any complaints made against the contractor. Complaints against a contract are not always a kill-contract, but they are a red flag that needs further investigation. Get directions to contractors and contact them Use at least one reference to a project completed more than one year ago to help you provide feedback on a contract & # 39;
3. Get a building permit, if needed. A building permit is usually required to install new electrical circuits, water pipes, or gas pipes or if any alterations or changes have been made to any system. Permission is usually required when adding or making alterations to a building. A permit is an inexpensive place to get a job by the right person. It can reduce your potential debt if a problem arises. The contractor must obtain approval. If the contractor is reluctant to get approval, this is a red flag. The contractor may not be allowed to do the work, or may have other problems that you may want to know about.
4. See standard construction defects. Here are some examples of common construction defects in exterior housing improvement projects.
Failure to bury gas pipes and electrical wires to depth required. Digging around hidden gas pipes and electrical fence can be destructive and can cause gas leaks and electrical disturbances. Place most gas pipes at least 12 inches below the level of the finished dirt. Set the electrical wires at least 12 inches if the wires are secure. Bury the barbed wire on the metal rule at least an inch. Bury most electrical cables at least eighteen inches.
Failure to place electrical circuit breaker (GFCI) circuit breaker when required. This is an electrical accident. Place all outdoor restraints and accessories available in the garage in a GFCI protected circuit.
Failure to properly install and secure electrical wires. This is an electrical accident that is burnt when the wires are loose or damaged. Place highly open and accessible electrical wires in an approved area. Place the electrical connection and the electrical wires into the connected electrical box. External or buried electrical wires must be approved for use.
Failure to prevent gas pipes from corrosion. Damaged gas pipes may leak. Protect gas pipes from contamination when in contact with soil and when in contact with soil and concrete. Gray paint on gas pipes around gas meters and pipes to cover the defenses.
Failure to properly install flexible gas equipment. This is a gas leak hazard. Adjustable connectors are yellow (one common color) flexible tubes that you see between a solid gas pipe and a water heater. These connections are designed to connect a solid gas pipe to a single gas. You will need to remove the connector at least two centimeters from the center connector. Fixed and compressed connector is the pressure to connect gas to the pipe and device. The joint should not bend with less than 1 ½ inch radius. A strong radial bend can weaken the joint and reduce gas flow.
Use the opportunity to decorate and improve your home; but be aware of the potential risks of these projects and equip them to avoid these risks.
