[thanixravindran]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Depending on the geography, consider the expense of having plinth beam/belt and pillars in between the walls, if required. That will be some additional expense. Just saying, as we recently built one where we had to get all those included.

Thanks for it, will check it out. Any idea about rates in your place as this is running square feet unlike regular construction. Sq feet rates. Or did you went with labor only with material arranged by you?

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by thanixravindran

Thanks for it, will check it out. Any idea about rates in your place as this is running square feet unlike regular construction. Sq feet rates. Or did you went with labor only with material arranged by you?

The wall brick work is in Sq Ft. It was a full contract along with the house.

Below was my expense. The 6'' wall is the brick work alone (Rs 120/Sqft). The remaining are the additional expenses. You may probably not need all those addl concrete work. I just made it as strong as possible for future safeguard.

And this is only for one side as I needed only on one side.

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[Prowler]

My saga of water proofing my terrace continues.
I have tried every method and still the my first floor leaks water like a sieve.

Tried replacing the roof tiles, coated water proof cement, water proof chemicals and finally called in Nippon Water proofing service.
Result: Zilch, Nada, Zero (fill whatever word suits here)

Now, I want to put 1 inch thick concrete (for want of a better word) on about 750 sq ft and make a slope on top of which I will lay ordinary ceramic tiles.
The one inch thick concrete is to offer a base layer of water proofing cement on top of small steel mesh for rigidity.

The idea is to make sure there is no stagnation of water and hence the slope.

How sound is my idea ? How much it should cost ? What are the best alternatives available ?

I would be eternally grateful for the answers.

[NomadSK]

Originally Posted by Prowler

My saga of water proofing my terrace continues.
I have tried every method and still the my first floor leaks water like a sieve.

Now, I want to put 1 inch thick concrete (for want of a better word) on about 750 sq ft and make a slope on top of which I will lay ordinary ceramic tiles.
The one inch thick concrete is to offer a base layer of water proofing cement on top of small steel mesh for rigidity.

What you have mentioned is similar to brick bat waterproofing, there are some disadvantages to this method, extra unwanted dead load, formation of cracks over a period of time. Having said that, if the workmanship is good, you will get good results for a long time, but it's a very old method.

Ever thought of bitumen membrane water proofing, I don't know the costing, but its a robust waterprooofing system to follow. You can read the section 7.2 of the attached IS code.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Prowler

My saga of water proofing my terrace continues.
I have tried every method and still the my first floor leaks water like a sieve.

Tried replacing the roof tiles, coated water proof cement, water proof chemicals and finally called in Nippon Water proofing service.
Result: Zilch, Nada, Zero (fill whatever word suits here)

..................

First of all find out where the leak originates from. It is not the roof slab for sure. Most probable areas are

. Water drain pipe. Had this problem at our house. The concealed drain pipe had a big gap - 50mm, as the lower pipe had subsided and the upper pipe had not.

. Edges between the slab and the wall.

. If there are electrical outlets on the terrace then their piping can leak. Had a strong water jet coming out of our electrical outlet during rains, till we got the whole piping changed and properly sealed.

Regarding sealing the terrace here is what we used to do when I worked for a builder

. Take all the roof tiles out.
. Scrape the surface clean.
. Use cement with water proofing compound to "paint" the terrace.
. Now use tar impregnated felt to cover the whole terrace and walls (upto 30cm height).
. Either use molten tar to cover the felt, or use an industrial heater to melt the tar, so that it seals all the joints.
. Roll the tar felt while still warm with a heavy roller to get rid of any air pocket.
. Now cover te tar felt with tiles and seal all the joints by pressure pumping sealant. The sealant should be elastic enough to take any shifting/movement of the tiles in future.
. Coat the tiles with another coat of waterproof cement.

[kushagra452]

Originally Posted by nirmaljusdoit

We have claimed successfully on input materials (steel, RMC, labor etc) during the construction of our office and workshop.

Hi Nirmal,

Thanks for sharing your experience. While searching online I am getting mixed views regarding claiming ITC for building material. As per the article below (from Cleartax), ITC is not available for the construction of immovable property.

I am wondering how did you go about claiming ITC for the same?

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

Ever thought of bitumen membrane water proofing, I don't know the costing, but its a robust waterprooofing system to follow.

Thanks NomadSK. Yes. It was suggested that I use Bitumen/tar for water proofing. It is going to be a tough task to find someone to do the work as the people I contacted balk at the idea.

Originally Posted by Aroy

. Now use tar impregnated felt to cover the whole terrace and walls (upto 30cm height).
. Either use molten tar to cover the felt, or use an industrial heater to melt the tar, so that it seals all the joints.
....
. Coat the tiles with another coat of waterproof cement.

Thanks Aroy. Yes. As I said above, the tar part is tough to implement.

[nirmaljusdoit]

Originally Posted by kushagra452

Hi Nirmal,

Thanks for sharing your experience. While searching online I am getting mixed views regarding claiming ITC for building material. As per the article below (from Cleartax), ITC is not available for the construction of immovable property.

I am wondering how did you go about claiming ITC for the same?

We had an invoice from the contractor who billed us and then we claimed the GST. We also purchased other items like steel,etc for which we claimed the GST. Our CA office did the same and we did not have any issues, please check with your CA !

[Thad E Ginathom]

Does anybody know about sunfilm for domestic properties? We only need about three small, sun-facing windows done.

Wife has become really heat-allergic. And April in Chennai is the wrongest time for that to happen!

[atulsian]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Now, I want to put 1 inch thick concrete (for want of a better word) on about 750 sq ft and make a slope on top of which I will lay ordinary ceramic tiles.
The one inch thick concrete is to offer a base layer of water proofing cement on top of small steel mesh for rigidity.

The idea is to make sure there is no stagnation of water and hence the slope.

How sound is my idea ? How much it should cost ? What are the best alternatives available ?

I would be eternally grateful for the answers.

Before you go ahead with the concrete work. Make sure you are filling the cracks with proper chemical ( Fixit urp mixed with cement ) and then;

1) For aggregate use chips instead of the stones. You can mix water proofing liquid and Reliance Recron fiber for prevention of cracks (12mm). I've used it in plaster (6mm) in my building and can vouch for it.

2) Instead of steel mesh, use glass fiber mesh. Steel mesh will be prone to corrosion in the future. Fiber mesh is more durable. I used this fiber mesh in my underground water tank along with drfixit water proofing liquid mixed with plaster.

3) Make sure to have a arch near the parapit wall so that the water flows continuously. I've used fiber mesh here as well on the arch for prevention of cracks.

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Does anybody know about sunfilm for domestic properties? We only need about three small, sun-facing windows done.

Wife has become really heat-allergic. And April in Chennai is the wrongest time for that to happen!

In my place, these jobs are done by the automotive stickering guys. For a few hundred bucks, they visit the homes with a roll of generic sunfilm and apply it within half an hour.

But if you want professional grade, branded films, the regular auto accessory shops might be a better choice.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Does anybody know about sunfilm for domestic properties? We only need about three small, sun-facing windows done.

Wife has become really heat-allergic. And April in Chennai is the wrongest time for that to happen!

Garware has dedicated sun films for domestic purpose. It's listed on their website. You can contact them.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

Ever thought of bitumen membrane water proofing, I don't know the costing, but its a robust waterprooofing system to follow. You can read the section 7.2 of the attached IS code.

I checked with a local supplier who says he will do the bitumen membrane on the terrace for about Rs.55000/- for 750 sq ft. But he says the membrane will disintegrate after 5 years, which means it is a recurrent expenditure.

I thought Bitumen/tar felt membrane are for life. Please advise.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by atulsian

Before you go ahead with the concrete work. Make sure you are filling the cracks with proper chemical ( Fixit urp mixed with cement ) and then;

1) For aggregate use chips instead of the stones. You can mix water proofing liquid and Reliance Recron fiber for prevention of cracks (12mm). I've used it in plaster (6mm) in my building and can vouch for it.

2) Instead of steel mesh, use glass fiber mesh. Steel mesh will be prone to corrosion in the future. Fiber mesh is more durable. I used this fiber mesh in my underground water tank along with drfixit water proofing liquid mixed with plaster.

Thanks Atulsian. I would prefer steel instead of glass fiber mesh as steel would give rigidity if people walk on the surface. Other things - Yes.

[NomadSK]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I checked with a local supplier who says he will do the bitumen membrane on the terrace for about Rs.55000/- for 750 sq ft. But he says the membrane will disintegrate after 5 years, which means it is a recurrent expenditure.

I thought Bitumen/tar felt membrane are for life. Please advise.

The primary key factor in waterproofing longevity is workmanship. Generally shoddy workmanship contributes to the waterproofing failures. Did you ask him why the membrane would disintegrate in 5 years. If not, then ask him how it will. I'm not sure, but at times contractors just take undue advantage of the customer being naive. If done correctly and to the standard it will last more than 15 years and even more. Ensure the lapping and waterproofing around the downtake pipe/edges is done correctly, those are the weakest points. Also make sure the waterproofing work is done when you have complete dry weather and substrate is moisture free.

We carry out waterproofing for very very critical Process Interface buildings (PIB's) with such membranes. At times external factors can play havoc with the waterproofing – from extreme high winds to birds pecking at membranes, or even mishaps during other maintenance works. To protect that we cover this membrane with PU insulation and gravel, this also protects the membrane from UV light, but that might add dead load and cost for you. And we test these building annually for any sort of leakages.

CPWD/Railways do in their contract with a defect liability clause of 5 years and hold some percentage of money as security deposit till this period is over. That means, if anything goes wrong during these years, he will have to repair it free of cost to you. But saying it will disintegrate and fall apart is simply baseless.

I would suggest look for a CPWD/PWD/Government approved/certified contractor, they know the job very well, but whether they do it as per the standard or not is a different question, you will have to ensure that.

For some of the specific nature of work such as anti-termite treatment, waterproofing work, kiln seasoned and chemically treated wooden shutters etc. contractors who associate specialized agencies /specialized firm executing the work give a specific guarantee that they are responsible for removal of any defects cropping up in these works executed by them during the guarantee period.