How to Identify Prefabricated Panel Houses

You can identify prefabricated panel houses through the following methods:

Check the construction year: Generally, houses built before 1998 or those over 15 years old can be basically identified as prefabricated panel houses. This is because early construction techniques were relatively limited, and prefabricated panels were widely used due to their convenient construction and lower costs. In recent years, with advances in construction technology, most newly built houses adopt cast-in-place concrete structures to enhance the overall integrity and seismic resistance of the buildings.

Observe the floor slab structure: The floor slabs of prefabricated panels usually appear as regular blocks with noticeable gaps between the panels, which are traces left by the splicing construction of the prefabricated panels. In contrast, cast-in-place slabs are formed by pouring concrete on-site, resulting in a flat surface without splicing marks and greater overall integrity.

Examine ceiling cracks: If the cracks on the ceiling are arranged neatly, it is likely a prefabricated panel house. This is because when the prefabricated panels are spliced, there are gaps between the panels, and these gaps may develop cracks during the use of the house due to factors such as settlement and temperature changes.

Look at the locations for laying pipes: Inside the house, if you see columns or pre-reserved holes, these are usually features of a prefabricated panel house. This is because when the prefabricated panels are manufactured, holes for laying pipes are reserved according to the design requirements. Cast-in-place slabs, on the other hand, have holes reserved directly during on-site pouring or opened later, without leaving obvious traces of columns or holes.

Inspect the interior walls of the house: Observe the interior walls of the house. If there are no beams on the walls and no columns at the intersections of the walls, it indicates that the house may have a prefabricated panel structure. This is because the load-bearing of a prefabricated panel house mainly relies on the walls and the prefabricated panels themselves, while a cast-in-place slab house transfers the load through beams and columns, with beams usually above the walls and columns at the wall intersections.

Tap the floor slab to listen to the sound: Gently tap the floor slab with a hard object. If the sound is clear and has a long echo, it may be a prefabricated panel. This is because there are cavities inside the prefabricated panels, and the sound will echo during propagation. In contrast, the sound of a cast-in-place slab is dull because the concrete is solid, and there is a greater loss of sound energy during propagation.

Drill holes in the floor slab: If conditions permit, you can use an impact drill to make three holes in the floor slab at intervals of about 5 centimeters. If you hit a cavity when drilling, it indicates a prefabricated panel. This is because when manufacturing prefabricated panels, holes with a diameter of about 8 centimeters are usually made at intervals of about 3 centimeters.

Check the house design drawings: If you have the design drawings of the house, you can directly check the structure type of the floor slab to determine whether the house is a prefabricated panel house. This is the most direct and accurate method.