Minus temperatures bind the builders hands
When the construction winter begins, it determines the outside temperature. Minus temperatures are harmful to concrete, masonry and screeds that do not contain special additives. Usually, it takes two years for you to start downloading to your own from the date the land is purchased from the developer at the new site. Ownership is already available in a few weeks, and it may take a few months to a year for a developer to build utility networks.
The construction of a single-family house, once all the documents (permits and project verified in the building procedure) have been prepared, should not be shorter than six to seven months in the case of a classic brick building. This is the shortest time, according to experts, the builder needs to follow all construction technologies. Of course, if he is lucky, there will be no problems in financing or supplying materials and construction work, and weather is also a desire. For prefabricated houses the construction time is considerably shorter and with the exception of the facade, there is no frost.
Under the roof into the winter
The construction of a house is best left in the spring. Usually, work starts in March if the weather permits. Defrosted soil is a prerequisite for trouble-free work. In the autumn, however, the foundations can be made that should be covered with gravel and then the construction is waiting until the spring, when the weather is already allowing the construction work to be carried out. After winter, the gravel layer is filled to the required height and construction continues.
Another option is to start building a house in the autumn months, in September at the latest in October. At that time, however, the builder should keep in mind that by the time of the first frosts the house should be placed “under the roof”, which means at least completing the rough construction. However, it is preferable in this case to close the house with windows and doors. This makes it possible to work inside the building even during winter, which can already be tempered and continued with installation work, for example.
Freezing is decisive
When the construction winter begins, this is determined by the outside temperature. The limit value is five degrees Celsius, where it is still possible to carry out concrete work without special additives. Minus temperatures prevent so-called “wet” processes. Thus, any construction work for which water must be used. When freezing, it is not possible to concret, brick, trowel or cast (again if the material does not contain special additives). For example, concrete that has not been “matured” at temperatures higher than minus five degrees required for four weeks could then break down at plus temperatures. The necessary chemical processes (hydration of the concrete) that will ensure the resulting physical properties would not be completed. Since concrete generates technological heat during maturing, the air limit temperature is not zero for bases, for example, but minus five degrees Celsius. Unlike large prefabricated buildings, the use of various chemical additives to carry out wet processes is not widely used.
Installing can also be done in winter
The construction of prefabricated houses is not only faster than a classic brick house, but even frost in this case is not an obstacle. Dry construction technologies are used. Prefabricated house suppliers usually use wood or light steel profiles as a supporting structure. The sheathing is made of OSB board, gypsum board or gypsum board, inside the panels is used as thermal insulation mineral wool and the like.
The exterior walls are covered with polystyrene or various mineral wool and a colored façade which, if not at minus temperatures, can be applied 24 hours after the mesh construction company has applied a primer. Consequently, the construction of a prefab family house can take from seven weeks to three to four months at best. Depends on the type of house. However, notwithstanding some other advantages, not everyone prefers such a type of house.
Necessary supervision
The task of the construction supervisor, which every self-help building must have under the law, is not only to monitor compliance with the project, but also to follow the prescribed construction procedures. According to the Slovak Chamber of Civil Engineers, masonry or concreting at a time when the building is threatened by frost should not be allowed by such an expert. The construction supervisor is usually provided by the company during turnkey construction. A builder who ensures the construction of a family house himself can contact the authorized persons through the Slovak Chamber of Civil Engineers. The price for construction supervision is a matter of agreement.
According to the Building Act, the person carrying out the construction supervision has the following duties: monitors the manner and procedure of construction work to ensure safety and health at work, proper installation and operation of technical equipment on site, professional storage of construction products and materials, suitability for their use and professional storage of machinery and equipment, monitors the management of the construction log, is responsible for the compliance of spatial position with the building documentation, for compliance with general technical requirements for construction and co-responsible for compliance with the conditions of decisions issued for construction, especially zoning and building permits; found on the construction site; if defects cannot be remedied within the framework of the execution of construction supervision, they shall immediately notify them to the building authority.
Source: [24.09.2019; Turčianske noviny; INZERCIA; s. 22; Redakcia]