Two steps you should take to ensure the results of your home renovation work lasts for years to come
If you want the end results of your home renovation work to last for many years to come, here are two steps you will need to take.
Check the condition of the roof trusses before the renovation work gets underway
Before your contractor initiates the renovation process, you should ask them to check the condition of the roof trusses.
The reason for this is as follows; if the roof trusses have been subjected to termites, moisture or forceful impact (such as a tree falling on the roof, for example) at any point in the past, they may not be in very good condition and, as a result of this, they may not be able to perform their primary function, which is to stabilise and support the heavy upper layers of the roof.
If this is the case in your home, the roofing materials that the trusses are supposed to be supporting may be bearing down on the rest of the building's framework, as well as its foundation.
If your contractor does not remove the damaged trusses and install new ones before carrying out the renovation work, you may find that the appearance and functionality of your newly-renovated home start to deteriorate quite quickly.
The reason for this is that the excess weight of the unsupported roofing materials may gradually cause both the foundation and the framework of the house to shift.
As this movement occurs, cracks may begin to form in the walls (which could spoil the look of any fresh plaster or paint you have added to them), the window frames may become misshapen and the floors directly above the foundation may crack.
As such, it is best to ensure that the roof trusses are in tip-top condition before you have your home renovated. Reach out to a place like Prefab Technology Pty Ltd to see if they have suggestions for roof truss materials that will last.
Make sure your home is completely free from damp
It is also sensible to ensure your home is free from damp before renovating it. The reason for this is that damp can inflict both cosmetic and structural damage on a property.
It can, for example, result in structural timber (such as the aforementioned roof trusses, as well as joists and beams) developing a moisture-induced erosive fungus that eats away at the wood and affects its ability to keep the house stable. This can then lead to all kinds of serious structural problems, including cracked walls.
The moisture that is generated by dampness in a house can also affect how well your new wallpaper adheres to the walls and may result in visible mould growing on both the ceilings and the walls.
Given this, it is important to be absolutely certain that your home does not have a damp problem before you begin the renovation process.