Contractor Zone

Foundation

Your foundation supports the entire home.

• Ensure it's built on firm soil with min. depth of 1.2m
• Mark the foundation's location and trench size exactly as per the engineer's plan.
• Use the centre-line of the longest outer wall as the primary reference line.
• Excavate trenches accurately, maintaining correct level, slope, and shape.
• Support deep or loose excavations with proper shoring to prevent side collapse.

Anti-termite treatment

Termites can damage wooden parts and weaken your structure.

• Treatment should ideally begin before construction starts.
• The treatment creates a continuous chemical barrier against sub-terrain termites.
• The soil treatment must be applied up to the plinth level around the foundation.
• Ensure that chemicals used do not contaminate domestic water sources.

Reinforcement bars

Reinforcement gives concrete flexibility and strength to resist stress.

• Always use high-quality TMT bars like JSW Neosteel.
• Correct placement is vital; wrongly positioned bars are ineffective and cause failure.
• When joining bars, ensure an adequate lap length is maintained.
• Laps must be staggered across the structure for better performance.
• Prevent bar congestion and verify that all bars have sufficient concrete cover.

Concrete mixing

Good concrete equals a strong structure.

• Avoid manual mixing for better consistency; use mechanical mixers.
• Mix for a minimum of two minutes for uniformity.
• Control water quantity carefully to maintain mix quality.
• Add admixtures to water before combining with other materials.
• Use plasticizers correctly: mortar plasticizer for mortar, concrete plasticizer for concrete.

Compaction

Compaction removes trapped air, reducing voids in concrete.

• Fewer voids make concrete stronger and more watertight.
• Use proper tools like wooden floats and reinforcing bars for manual compaction.
• Well-compacted concrete resists cracks and durability issues.
• Ensure thorough compaction immediately after placing concrete.

Aggregates

Poor-quality aggregates result in inferior concrete and affect the durability of the structure.

• Use hard, strong, chemically inert aggregates free of silt and clay.
• Cubical, rough-textured aggregates produce better strength.
• Avoid flaky or elongated aggregates as they weaken concrete.
• Poor-quality aggregates lower durability and setting quality.
• Aggregates must be clean to avoid compromising concrete integrity.

Masonry and brick work

Your home cannot be considered safe unless its walls are strong.

• Lay bricks or blocks on a full bed of mortar.
• Ensure all joints are completely filled and packed with mortar.
• Stagger vertical joints to improve wall stability.
• Cure the brickwork thoroughly to achieve the required strength.

Centering and formwork

These temporary supports hold the shape while the concrete sets.

• Props must be strong, stable and properly braced to bear weight.
• Gaps between centering sheets must be sealed.
• Sealing prevents slurry leakage and weak, honeycombed concrete.

Cement storage

Cement rapidly loses strength when exposed to moisture, making proper storage vital.

• Store cement within waterproof sheds or purpose-built buildings.
• For temporary storage, stack bags on a raised, dry platform.
• Cover temporary stacks with protective tarpaulins or polythene sheets.

Plastering

Clean surfaces thoroughly for good plaster adhesion.

• Rake block or brick joints properly before plastering.
• Use lean plaster mixes to prevent cracks during drying.
• Apply plaster in two coats, allowing curing time between.
• Avoid overly rich mixes that cause visible cracking.

Curing

Keeping concrete and plaster moist is essential while they harden.

• Curing is done for a specific duration immediately following placement.
• It replenishes any moisture loss from the concrete.
• It helps maintain the optimal temperature for cement hydration.
• Proper curing supports the concrete's full design strength.

Waterproofing

Water damage can weaken your structure and ruin interiors.

Key areas to waterproof:

• Basement: Use external waterproofing materials like bitumen or Kota stone.
• Terrace: Seal properly before flooring to prevent leakage.
• Bathrooms and kitchens: Apply waterproofing in sunken areas below floor level.

Always consult a qualified engineer for the best waterproofing method.