Comments0 by in House Extensions
October 1, 2014
How to make sure your Home Extension is Weather Proof

There is nothing like being able to create a home extension on your property. It adds another dimension to the space, extends the living area in your home and adds to its aesthetics and ups the value of your property. No wonder then that a number of home-owners opt for these extensions which might serve as an informal seating area, a home office, an extra bedroom or just an entertainment space for the entire family.

You will have to keep in mind that weather conditions can play havoc with structures, no matter how well they have been built. For example, the weather in Sydney has been quite wet of recent weeks and as the weather warms up, you know that we are going to be getting those big afternoon thunderstorms. Regardless of where you live in Australian, its best to ensure that your home extension is well protected from inclement weather.

Areas of your home extension to check:

Here are a few pointers that will help you ensure your home extension is weather proof after it has been completed:

Make sure it is sealed it right:

Many home extensions have large windows and these can become the weak points of the structure in wet weather. It’s important to ensure that all the doors, windows and the roof are all properly sealed so that now water seeps into the interior areas when it’s raining.

Pay extra attention to the corners of the windows and check if there is any peeling paint. This could be an indication that some water is getting into the wooden structure. Check for any caulking or discolorations in the paint or if the door and window frames have swollen up.

Flashing has been used:

Flashings is the thin metal strip that is found around doors, thresholds, windows, roofs, and it is specially designed to prevent any water intrusion in the spaces where 2 different building-surfaces meet. This can be added as required and should (ideally) be added at the time of building the extension.

Replace or repair the roof tiles:

If it’s mostly a concrete roof, you might not have to worry too much as long as the construction has been done right. The water can run along the trusses before it actually comes through the ceiling so you will have to keep a check on it. If there are skylights in the ceiling, treat them the same way as you would treat the window edges and ensure that they are sealed.

Checking external walls:

If the external walls of your home extension have any cracks or holes in their joints, or even its foundation, seal them with a sealant. Ensure that they are painted with a good quality exterior paint. It is also important that you do not pile up any bedding material or soil against them.

Have a quick look over the plumbing:

If your new extension has any kind of plumbing on the outside, check it for leaks or “sweating” pipes or a faulty drain. Also, if there is a separate water heater, check that for signs of rust and have it attended to without delay. Change the sealant and ensure that all the expansion joints are as they should be.

Is there condensation?

If there is any condensation on the windows of if you notice any wet stains on the ceilings or walls & any musty smells, you should know that there is too much of humidity in your home extension. Check for spots where there isn’t enough air circulation, such as behind the curtains, in niches and under or behind furniture that is backed up against a wall and air the space well.

Air conditioning helps in removing excess moisture from the extension. Also, if you feel that the humidity level in that space is not right, check with your air-conditioning repair company and determine whether the HVAC system has been sized appropriately for the new area that is covered by the extension. They will also check if it is working properly and can fix it is there is a problem.

Protect your Home Extension

It’s not possible for us to control the weather and weather patterns are also becoming extremely difficult to forecast. But if you take into account all of these steps, it can go a long way in reducing the impact that bad weather is going to have on your home extension. Now in saying everything above; if the home builder that you are using is qualified and honest you should never experience any of these issues which is one of the big benefits of going with someone that does have that credibility and portfolio of work.

To speak with a residential home extension specialist in Western Sydney, about the opportunities that you have to add on additional space to your existing property, give Eastcoast Builders a call today. With well over 20 years of experience in performing a range of extensions for a variety of clients, we are able to help you and your family create the additional space that you need to live comfortably.

Thanks for reading,
Eastcoast Builders Penrith
0414 446 572

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