1. Do your research

The first item on any list should be research, this is not the time to trust your gut. There are many factors to consider. You need to consider some of these: area, proximity to highways, schools, shopping centres, your nearest Woolworths and fast food take-outs. In this day and age these are important factors to consider, you might have grand ideas of cooking in your new kitchen and having dinner parties; you might still have those, however there will be many nights you will just want to order in.

2. Everyone is going to give you advise, it’s okay not to listen to them

As soon as you announce that you’re looking to buy property, you can expect friends and family to come out of the woodwork with all their well-intentioned advice. Unless your friends or family are in the property business, there is a good chance there advise might not be sound advise. Speak to the experts and ask questions.

3. Use your nose, knock on walls, turn the taps

Check for the smell of mould or animal-related odours. Check the walls, including outside boundary walls, inside walls, cupboards etc. Does the toilet flush properly? Does the heating/air-conditioning work? Is the flue functioning above the fireplace? Is the water pressure okay? These are all important questions.

4. Work with experienced professionals

Hire an inspector to do a report, pay them if you have to. Confer with your lawyer on any issues you find, while we are on the subject, make sure you use a good property lawyer, there are different types of lawyers and just because you know a lawyer it does not mean they are the right one. Make sure you ask all your questions and get thorough answers.

5. Use your head, not your heart

Don’t be afraid to walk away from a bad deal. There will be other properties, maybe even better ones. Remember that this is a financial transaction and that your terms must be met. If something seems off, then walk away, don’t be pushed into a bad deal.

6. Negotiate as much as you can

You can use an agent to do the negotiating for you, but you can’t be sure how hard they will push for you. As a buyer, you should feel in control and as though you have nothing to lose through robust negotiation.

7. Don’t be pressured into a deal

Real estate agents are expert salespeople. They may get you to rush over to the perfect property and urge you to make an offer before someone else snatches it up. If you feel rushed at all, then back away. Time is on your side.

8. Consider what you can really afford

Determine your budget based on what you can afford to repay now, not the maximum you’re allowed to borrow. You need to be able to afford your bond, interest rates go up and you need to consider just how much buffer you can afford.

9. Gardens and yards are work

Almost everyone likes the idea of having a big garden, however if you’re not used to maintaining one, you might want to think about whether you can afford to pay for the servicing of the lawn or whether you want to spend your weekends maintaining the lawn or yard.

10. Check your interest rates

You need to do your research on the interest rates, working with your bank will be your first call, however once they give you an interest rate, start shopping around, use this to leverage the various banks to offer you a better interest rate. Once you get a green light from one bank the others will follow, don’t be pressured, read the fine print work with your agent and lawyer to understand what you are getting into.

11. Select an agent carefully

Prepare questions in advance before meeting with your new agent. Find out what kind of experience they have, how many buyers they are representing and if they can share any references. Here you can ask your family or friends who have bought houses whether they can recommend someone, however you should not feel obligated to use them.

12. The search can take longer than you think

Give yourself six months to a year, finding property is not a simple task, it takes time, don’t rush, you will be spending your Sundays looking at property, you will get frustrated and you will want to give up, but hang in there, you will find the right property for you, and you will love it once it’s yours.

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Article written by M.Ward and A.Pheiffer

Home gutters are long, narrow tubes used to reroute rain that falls on the roof of a home or building through a downpipe and out to the drainage system and away from the home. This keeps the near proximity ground around the house from becoming waterlogged and potentially being absorbed into the foundation where it will cause severe damage to the structure as well as surrounding structures.

Without gutters, rain runs down the roofline creating a waterfall effect. If the roof has a wide overhang, this may not be too much of a problem for the foundation, however entering and leaving the home without getting wet can be more difficult especially during heavy rains.

While gutter maintenance can be a nuisance, fixing damaged gutters is not difficult or expensive. Holes can be patched and plugged with roofing cement. Sagging or loose gutters can usually be hammered back into place. If gutters are badly damaged, a single section can be replaced. Home gutters are most commonly made from vinyl, steel, aluminum or copper.

Gutters start at around R5000 and are a worthwhile investment to your home and should be considered should you want to extend the life of your house.

The Components of a Gutter System

The Roof – It takes a well designed roof to drain all of the storm water into the gutters or roof drains.

The Gutter – The gutter (or roof drain in some flat roof) needs to be designed to capture all the roof drainage and direct the water into the downspouts.

The Downspouts – These are the pipes that carry the water from the gutters to the drain system.

The Drain System – This is the in-ground set of pipes the leads the water away from the structure and into a storm drain or on site system.

A world on climate change

Our weather is changing. The Highveld no longer experiences summer flash storms and dry arid days of old. Summers days and nights are now much higher humidity and can even be classified as subtropical.Humidity opens the pours of plastered wall allowing water to enter and flow through it, causing rapid plaster rot. Prolonged soaking rains also ensures that much more water seeps into the plaster pours, leeching away cement. Acid pollution also destroys the cement which is a strong alkali.

Once the cement is gone, your plaster turns to sand and is then hydrophilic (attracts water like sugar of salt).

Here’s an example

In around 2008, our summer became more humid and sub-tropical. From 15 December 2011 to 11 March 2012, there were only three days of cloudless days. Twenty years ago there would have been perhaps 60 days or more of no cloud cover.

Building standards

Building standards and the way we maintain houses has correspondingly changed. 30 years ago, even the cheapest houses installed gutters. Many of these old houses will still be standing in 100 years as a result of this and other good building practices. Today we build Mansions with less concern for good building practices and expose huge areas of wall to rain and without gutters and expect them to last. If not attended to, repair costs will soar and if unattended, will seriously effect structural integrity and value of our property.

Consider the following

• You all need to be pro-active
• SA Damp has upgraded standards and made many advancements to the way we apply
• products
• Our Damp Proofing plasters are the best in the industry and are the only fully waterproof plasters available in South Africa, surpassing SABS standards
• We install neat quality membranes to prevent the parapet tops from cracking and degrading
• We use high quality latex primer on all walls as extensive protection for extended life
• Preparation is key to all painting. Our preparation is the best in the industry and painting is merely the final aesthetic touch
• Our waterproofing is of the highest standard and we can provide most solutions at the
• highest quality.
• Point sprinklers away from walls so they remain dry
• Consider installing a perimeter drain around your house
• Finally consider installing gutters to prevent the water from pooling at the base of your house

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With housing prices increasing and the economic growth forecast to be at an all time low, now is the time invest in your home to capitalise on its value. We have searched the internet and consulted with real estate gurus to find the top 10 ways to increase the value of your home.

1. Ensure your walls are pristine. It goes without saying that if your house looks bad, with cracks, mould, bubbling paint, damaged boundary walls etc, will potentially lose value. Therefore having a weatherproof exterior wall coating, with a 10 year warranty, will reap rewards in adding value to the house than what you ended up paying for it. A buyer will want to know that the house will be standing the after you leave and 15 years down the line, presenting documentation to show what you have done to the property will add a lot of value and possibly ensure you get your asking price. Also use a contractor worth their guarantee and do your research.
2. Create Space Knock out a non-structural wall, or even remove that kitchen island. Anything that opens the space and creates a sense of flow and lets in light in the house will be more appealing to the buyers. For a minimal financial outlay, you’ll transform the feel of the house.
3. Landscape We are fortunate enough to live in the biggest man made forest in the world, please love their nature here in Johannesburg, many of the older properties in Johannesburg have large running gardens which are breath-taking and create a wonderful ambiance; however an unkept garden is an eye-sore. Ensure you remove dead trees, trim bushes, preen trees and clean walk way of weeds. This will greatly improve the appeal of the house.
4. Let the Light in We would recommend two critical areas when it comes to light in the house, one, natural light, where possible let the light in, this will significantly improve the feel of the house, a bright airy room with lots of sunlight looks aesthetically pleasing and inviting. No one wants to live in a cellar. The second is to invest in LED lighting, these bulbs save money as they use less electricity, they are worth the small investment as you can use this as pat of your sales pitch as a unique selling proposition.
5. Maintenance is Critical Before thinking about a expensive upgrade to the kitchen, address the basics. Insulate, repair plumbing leaks, replace rusty rain gutters, inspect the fireplace and the septic system, replace or repair leaky windows, install storm doors, weed the flower beds. These kinds of fixes go a long way toward value. People think they have to put in a lot of money to see a big difference and they really don’t. Investing in maintenance and repairs is not only money-wise; could also be crucial to a sale. The important aspect in the market, now more than ever, is that the your house be in pristine condition and that you price your house for the market.
6. Go Green Research published by The Appraisal Journal estimates that energy savings add twenty times the annual savings to the value of your property. Energy savers make your house more desirable. When renovating consider greening your home, because now, for the first time in five years, asking about the utilities. Today, more than ever in South Africa, we are in a situation when energy consumption is a critical concern and we need to consider options to add value through energy savings initiatives.
7. Make an Entrance An entry door can make a great statement, finding the right door will significantly improve the look and feel of your house. No one wants to walk into a house with a rickety old door swinging on broken hinges. Go to Builders Warehouse and look through their range of inexpensive doors and find one that suits your home, take a picture of the front of the house with your cellphone and take it with you and compare the front of the house with the door.
8. Floors Matter Many real estate professionals recommend spending money on floors. It does not need to be a costly exercise, what matters most is that it looks good. Small projects with a big impact include repairing broken tile, patching damaged floor boards, and removing wall-to-wall carpeting. In some cases, however, a new floor is needed. An ugly floor is an eye sore, and many buyers will walk away from a house due to the finishes. A tight economy means that buyers are looking for value for money, and an ugly or damaged floor us hard to hide.
9. Upgrade the Bathroom Many brokers will tell you, that the first improvement one should make is the kitchen, the second would be he bathroom, the bathroom upgrade will add value to your  home. It may not be economical to do a major renovation if you are trying to spend as little as possible before putting a house up for sale. But some upgrades are cheap, easy, and fast…especially in the bathroom. Replace frosted glass for clear glass, clean the grout, remove rust stains, paint, change doorknobs and cabinets, replace faucets, and install a dual-flush toilet.
10. Neutral Wall Colours Just because you like royal purple or blood red, does;t mean this will work for other, be sure to pint the house out with a neutral colour, so buyers can envision their own ideas, it will also give the buyers a black canvas to work off of.

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XYPEX Waterproofing @ 102 University Avenue Palo Alto, California, USA

https://www.xypex.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/english/general-construction-foundations-brochure.pdf?sfvrsn=e538607b_50

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Make sure that home improvement project gets done right the first time!

Good contractors will clean up after themselves each day, understand and be trained in how to handle any potentially hazardous materials and use the proper techniques for all waterproofing, damp proofing, painting and construction work.

Because anyone can claim to do all these things, and you might not know they lied until it’s too late, check their credentials, client list and references.

A contractor, who does substandard work, does not come back for any necessary repairs or leaves your home or yard a mess. We have had numerous people call us, after we have quoted them for a project and unfortunately they have gone with a cheaper contractor, only to find themselves unable to get the contractor to come back and fix the problem. We then step in to fix that which was not done properly and having to fix another contractors poor workmanship.

Many contractors do not have established systems in place that they or their employees must follow to make sure your job gets done right the first time.

As an premium waterproofing company SA Damp has established itself as a specialist, professional and reliable waterproofing contractor. We adhere to the highest standards set by our industry. Prior to employment, all of our staff must pass a stringent point based skill assessment before going out on jobs.

Additionally, we provide all our staff with extensive, continuing education to ensure they are expanding their capabilities. Ask anyone how long they’ve been doing repairs and how many jobs they’ve done. SA Damp has done over 7200 jobs over 20 years.

Another sign of competence is that a financially strong company with good workmanship will not ask for up-front payments on small jobs (typically one or two days). SA Damp will not ask for payment until the job is completed and you’re satisfied. On substantial remodelling projects, material and progress payments are typical.

Most contractors that go out of business fail in the first five years, so longevity is another indication of being a solid company. SA Damp has been in business for 20 years and we employ over 40 people who are well trained and skilled.

What this means to you is that we can offer quality work and consistent customer, plus, you will always be able to contact one of our directors or site managers should you have questions, comments or concerns about your project.

Questions to ask:

How long have you been in business?

Do you have complaints filed against you, how did you resolve them?

Are all your staff qualified?

What materials do you use? 

With over 20 years of Waterproofing and Damp Proofing experience and a impassive list of happy clients, you know you are in good company.

How to identify and treat a damp problem Article on Property24

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Waterproofing in construction

Main articles: Weatherisation and Basement waterproofing

In building construction, waterproofing is a fundamental aspect of creating a building envelope, which is a controlled environment. The roof covering materials, siding, foundations, and all of the various penetrations through these surfaces need to be water-resistant and sometimes waterproof. Roofing materials are generally designed to be water-resistant and shed water from a sloping roof, but in some conditions, such as ice damming and on flat roofs, the roofing must be waterproof. Many types of waterproof membrane systems are available, including felt paper or tar paper with asphalt or tar to make a built-up roof, other bituminous waterproofing, EPDM rubber, hypalon, polyvinyl chloride, liquid roofing, and more.

Walls are not subjected to standing water, and the water-resistant membranes used as housewraps are designed to be breathable to let moisture escape. Walls also have vapor barriers or air barriers. Damp proofing is another aspect of waterproofing. Masonry walls are built with a damp-proof course to prevent rising damp, and the concrete in foundations needs to be damp-proofed or waterproofed with a liquid coating, basement waterproofing membrane (even under the concrete slab floor where polyethylene sheeting is commonly used), or an additive to the concrete. A potential problem in earth sheltered houses is too much humidity, so waterproofing is critical in these houses.

The penetrations through a building envelope need to be built in a way such that water does not enter the building, such as using flashing and special fittings for pipes, vents, wires, etc. Some caulkings are durable, but many are not a reliable method of waterproofing.

Also, many types of geomembranes are available to control water, gases, or pollution.

Over the past two decades, the construction industry has had technological advances in waterproofing materials, including integral waterproofing systems as well as more advanced membrane materials. Integral systems such as hycrete work within the matrix of a concrete structure, giving the concrete itself a waterproof quality. There are two main types of integral waterproofing systems: the hydrophilic and the hydrophobic systems. A hydrophilic system typically uses a crystallization technology that replaces the water in the concrete with insoluble crystals. Various brands available in the market claim similar properties, but not all can react with a wide range of cement hydration by-products and thus require caution. Hydrophobic systems use fatty acids to block pores within the concrete, preventing water passage.

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by Jenny Griffin, South Africa