Self-performed home finishing work can sometimes cause additional problems for new homeowners, which can be avoided by following simple rules and tips. First of all, real estate developers recommend reading the housing purchase agreement and annexes and check which home decoration activities are permitted and which are not permitted.
Recently, real estate companies have been receiving inquiries about underfloor heating systems installed in apartments. There have been cases where the apartment is too hot and the system is more difficult to control. However, after inspections, it became clear that the proper operation of the heating system was affected by the finishing work of the house.
According to Roberts Grigalis, Head of the Project Management Department of the company “Eika”, the heating system of the apartment being handed over to the resident is fully ready for use – tested and balanced.
“The apartment’s underfloor heating system is controlled, in other words, the room temperature is regulated by thermostats installed on the walls. They are usually of two types – wired and wireless, i.e. some transmit the signal about the apartment’s temperature to the heating collector via wires, others via radio waves. Each thermostat installed on the wall of the room controls the heating circuit installed in the floor of that room – bedroom, kitchen, living room, etc.,” says R. Grigalis.
According to the expert, residents who have purchased an apartment with an underfloor heating system decide to change the layout of the premises – they demolish one partition and install another. “In the above cases, the heating system no longer works properly. Heating circuits installed in the floor, after changing the location of the partitions, end up in different rooms and it is no longer possible to properly regulate the temperature,” says the construction expert.
What cannot be changed in a home heating system?
Another mistake that settlers often make is removing thermostats from the walls during home decoration or renovation work. Later, they are either installed incorrectly or their location is mixed up. When the thermostat is disconnected from the wires, the valve for that heating circuit in the manifold cabinet closes and the room becomes unheated. In the summer, the settler will not notice this, but in the winter it can become a problem.
“I would advise new homeowners to have any work on dismantling or moving thermostats performed by a specialist with the necessary education and knowledge, but not by a painter who will putty and paint the walls. New homeowners must obtain more detailed information about the installed heating systems and the basic principles of their operation from the housing seller,” says the head of the project management department at Eika.
The expert points out that home buyers often decide to change radiator systems to underfloor heating systems or vice versa. This should not be done in any way. “The aforementioned systems are supplied with heating water (heat carrier) of different temperatures. If we install radiators in an apartment where an underfloor heating system is installed, they simply will not heat up or will heat up very little, and vice versa, if we want to install water underfloor heating in an apartment where radiators are installed, the floors will be hot,” emphasizes R. Grigalis.
It is advisable to combine plans and actions
Every homeowner, when signing a contract, undertakes to follow the Property Decoration Rules, which are also included in the contract. Unfortunately, new tenants often forget or disregard them.
The buyer is recommended to comply with the stipulated requirements regarding informing the seller about the changes being made, handing over the work to the persons controlling the builder, and other cooperation stipulated in the contract.
According to R. Grigalis, it is recommended that the settler notify the builder about the selected contractors and technical supervisor, and, once the finishing work is complete, about its completion.
“I would advise you to always coordinate your plans and actions with the builder. We will definitely provide the necessary information or send it to the responsible designers, contractors, or otherwise consult,” advises the head of the project management department at Eika.
He also advises new residents to provide as much information as possible to the finishing masters, i.e. descriptions of the equipment installed in the apartment, instructions, construction site rules, and other necessary documents for the proper finishing of the home.
Follow the warranty service rules
Specialists draw the attention of new owners to the fact that improperly completed home decoration may cost warranty service. In which cases the warranty is not provided, it is described in detail in the warranty service procedure rules. One of the criteria is if the owner did not follow or violated the provided product operation and maintenance instructions and as a result, quality defects appeared.
Warranty service may also not be provided if it is determined that the apartment’s water supply, sewage, heating pipelines or equipment were replaced at the initiative of the homeowner. In other words, if the regulated heating system does not work due to the completed home decoration work, the warranty is not provided in accordance with the established procedure.
“If the home buyer coordinates his actions and does not engage in prohibited activities, there should be no problems with the premises being recognized as suitable for use or with warranty service,” says R. Grigalis.