Renovation of Prefabricated Slab Houses

Renovating a prefabricated slab house requires comprehensive consideration from structural assessment, reinforcement and renovation, to water and electricity adjustments, ensuring both safety and cost-effectiveness.

1. Comprehensive Understanding of the House Structure

Before renovation, a detailed inspection of the overall structure of the house is necessary, including the load-bearing capacity of internal walls, the layout of water and electricity lines, flooring materials, and the stability of doors and windows. It is particularly important to confirm whether the walls are load-bearing structures. If the load-bearing capacity is insufficient, stability can be maintained by adding column supports or reducing wall modifications. For example, the walls of old prefabricated slab houses may experience a decrease in load-bearing capacity due to long-term use, necessitating early planning for reinforcement solutions.

2. Professional Assessment and Reinforcement

Commission a qualified inspection agency to conduct a comprehensive 'physical examination' of the house, focusing on issues such as wall cracks, steel bar corrosion, and foundation settlement. Develop a reinforcement plan based on the assessment results:

• Wall cracks: Minor cracks can be repaired with grout injection, while severe cracks require steel plate reinforcement;
• Roof leaks: A new waterproof layer needs to be laid;
• Unstable foundation: Stability can be improved through piling or adding steel beams. If floor tiles are to be laid on the prefabricated slabs, for houses with a long service life, the prefabricated slabs must be reinforced. The traditional method is to add 'cross'-shaped reinforced concrete small beams under the prefabricated slabs or support them with steel beams to fit the bottom of the slabs, preventing structural damage due to increased loads.

3. Rational Renovation of Water and Electricity Lines

Determine the scope of renovation based on the rationality of the original water and electricity line designs:

• Electrical circuits: If they are not aged or damaged, the original lines can be retained;
• Water pipes: Old or cracked water pipes need to be replaced with new pipe materials, and a new waterproof layer needs to be constructed to prevent leakage. Water and electricity renovations should be carried out by professionals to avoid safety hazards caused by improper construction.

4. Budget Control and Selection of Quotation Methods

Prefer a detailed quotation method that clearly specifies each expense to avoid the trap of low-priced packages. Inspect existing furniture and appliances, replacing only those that are obviously damaged or have lost functionality, such as refurbishing sofas and repairing appliances for continued use. By saving on non-essential expenses, the overall renovation cost can be reduced.

5. Strict Prohibition on Arbitrary Structural Modifications

It is strictly prohibited to remove load-bearing walls or columns, as such actions will weaken the overall stability and seismic resistance of the house, increasing the risk of collapse. If space layout adjustments are needed, they can be achieved through non-load-bearing wall modifications or the addition of partitions.

6. On-Demand Renovation of Floors, Walls, Doors, and Windows

If the original floors, walls, and doors and windows are reasonably designed and not severely damaged, they can be retained to reduce construction complexity. For example, if the floor of a prefabricated slab house is flat and crack-free, there is no need to relay it; if the doors and windows have good sealing, only the hardware fittings can be replaced to enhance the user experience.