The demolition of the old buildings as well as the new buildings offered for sale with ‘earthquake resistant’ advertisements in the earthquake disaster brought along the question, “Is the building I live in really safe?” The experts of ODE Yalıtım compiled the issues to be considered when buying a new house or changing house.

The destruction of not only old buildings but also buildings that were built 1-2 years ago and even offered for sale with ‘earthquake resistant’ advertisements in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş and causing great damage in 11 provinces caused concern about building safety. So much so that questions such as the width of the balcony and which facade the house faces were replaced by the questions “Has the core analysis been taken, can it be reinforced with carbon fiber?” The experts of ODE Yalıtım gave information about the issues to be considered when buying a new house or changing a house, especially earthquake resistance.

7 questions and answers to be asked to measure the safety and quality of the building:

Should I have a core analysis?

Core analysis by taking a cylindrical concrete sample from the load-bearing structures of the building is an effective method to measure the class and durability of concrete, but it is not sufficient on its own. Because in a building, many criteria such as ground survey, static calculations and workmanship come into play as well as the strength of the concrete. For this reason, when checking the soundness of your building, definitely get support from a specialist company and consider all components, not just concrete.

Does the building have waterproofing? If yes, in which parts of the building does it have waterproofing?

You can learn the answer to this question from the construction company or contractor. Be sure to inquire whether there is waterproofing, especially on the foundation. Because the basic waterproofing is the steel vest of the structure. Oppose statements such as “There is no water in this region” because the water that emerges as a result of ground movements such as rain water or earthquake also causes corrosion in the structure. Corrosion reduces the strength of the structure and shortens its life.

On the other hand, when waterproofing, which affects the construction cost by 1% during the construction phase of the building, is applied later, this cost can increase up to three times. Moreover, even if it is decided to apply waterproofing later, the vital basic waterproofing cannot be done, only wall, floor and roof insulation can be applied. In addition, according to Article 51 of the Type Zoning Regulation, which entered into force on July 3, 2017, it is obligatory to make heat and water insulation against external effects in all basement floors based on soil.

Is it possible to understand whether there is waterproofing without asking the company or the contractor?

It is not possible to understand this for sure, but if you smell damp when you go down to the basement or parking lot, if you see water flow or corrosion on the iron on the carrier parts, if there are stains such as bacteria, mold, fungus on the inner surface of the exterior wall of the building, your building may not have waterproofing or the application has not been done correctly. In this case, consult a specialist.

How is the right waterproofing, which products should be preferred?

Proof membranes, which are preferred in terms of both speed and practicality in foundation waterproofing today, are waterproofing membranes that are applied before the concrete and fully adhered to the concrete poured directly on it. Similarly, sliding-based waterproofing products are materials that can be used in curtains and wet areas, starting from the foundation. Although it is possible to find solutions with water injection products in structures such as foundations, parking lots, and galleries with water leakage, these products are quite high in cost. Therefore, waterproofing is one of the most important issues to be solved during the design phase of the building.

If you have the chance to identify the materials/brands used in the construction stages of your building, you can get answers to all your questions and technical support from the manufacturers.

What is the energy class in the energy identity document of the building?

Energy performance classification is made for buildings from A to G. Class A is used to indicate the most efficient level, while class G is used to indicate the least efficient level. The document showing this classification in buildings is called Energy Performance Certificate or EKB for short. If you are going to buy an apartment in a new or under construction building, make sure that the building is designed and built to be at the lowest C class. Newly constructed or under construction buildings with a level lower than C class cannot obtain a occupancy permit by law. However, as energy efficiency increases, your home’s heating and cooling costs will also decrease.

What other areas of the building have insulation?

Installation insulation on the outer walls of boilers and pipes used for heating, especially in basements and common areas, is one of the most effective methods to prevent heat loss. Again, whether there is a heat-controlled coating on the windows and the application of double glazing also increases the quality of the insulation.

Is it important to have a basement in the building in terms of durability?

According to the building zoning regulations, a basement is mandatory in buildings with more than four floors. Because basement floors are generally made of curtain walls due to static structures. Curtain concretes also carry energy and load during an earthquake, minimizing the damage. On the other hand, buildings with an entrance floor made in accordance with static calculations can also be preferred. When purchasing apartments, make sure that the ceiling heights of the shop floor and the upper floors are not too different from each other in such structures. For example, if a store with a height of 6 meters at the entrance, a mezzanine with a height of 3 meters above it, and flats with a height of 3.3 meters are built, different column sizes create a soft floor irregularity that will increase the displacement risk of the building. For this reason, column sizes that change as you go up to the upper floors are a negative indicator of building safety.

About ODE Insulation:

ODE, which started its business life with contracting activities in 1985, decided to advance in the insulation sector by turning to one of the areas that Turkey needs most in 1988. ODE became an importer in 1990 and a manufacturer in 1996; It produces in 2 main categories, namely Construction and Technical Insulation. Today, ODE is among the biggest manufacturers of the insulation sector with its 6 modern production facilities, more than 4 thousand product types and expert personnel. Continuing its activities with the vision of becoming a global brand, ODE Yalıtım’s products are preferred in more than 75 countries in 6 continents.