Two Precautions to Take When Doing a DIY House-Building Project
If you're doing a DIY house-building project, here are some precautions to take.
Inspect the wall frames just before you install them
Prior to erecting the wall frames, you should inspect each stud. When doing this, you should be on the lookout for things like holes that might be a sign of a termite attack, as well as cracks. It's particularly crucial to do this if you bought the wall frame materials a few weeks or months ago and they've been in storage, as it's possible that they could have been damaged during this period.
Doing this check is important as if you erect the wall frames without inspecting them and they have been infested with termites or have been cracked due to some previous impact they were subjected to, your new home will quickly develop structural problems. If even one stud is weaker than the others due to being cracked, it won't be able to support the share of the roof's weight that it is supposed to.
This will put a strain on the surrounding studs and eventually lead to them bowing, which may then cause parts of the roof structure to shift, as well. By taking a few extra minutes to check each stud before putting up the wall frames, you can prevent this, as if you spot any damage, you can simply postpone the completion of the wall frame installation until you've replaced the broken stud.
Take care of your wall insulation materials and ensure they're dry before installation
You'll need to put wall insulation materials in the stud cavities in your wall frames. It's very important to take good care of these materials prior to fitting them and to ensure that they are completely dry before the installation.
For example, before the installation, you should ensure the insulation materials are not stored anywhere where rodents could access them, as these creatures often use these materials for making nests. As such, if they can access your insulation materials, they may leave droppings or urine on them, which could cause sanitation issues if you fit the materials without noticing this problem.
Likewise, you should ensure that the insulation is completely dry, as whilst the timber wall studs that the insulation will surround will be moisture-resistant, they will not be totally waterproof and could potentially rot if left in contact with damp insulation for a long period of time. Damp insulation can also develop mould. Because of this, you should try to store the materials in a dry, low-humidity setting and if you suspect that they've been exposed to dampness, you should use a dehumidifier to dry them out fully before fitting them.