Renovation of Prefabricated Slab Structure Houses

When renovating a prefabricated slab structure house, it is crucial to focus on the adaptability between structural characteristics and the renovation process, with core steps including substrate treatment, functional upgrades, structural safety assessment, and material selection.

1. Substrate Treatment: Addressing Surface Defects and Joint Issues

Although the surface of prefabricated slabs is generally flat, there may be tiny pores, mold release agent residues, or joint defects. Directly applying putty can lead to peeling or cracking. Treatment should be carried out in two steps:

1. Surface Cleaning and Polishing: Use sandpaper or a wire brush to polish uneven areas and remove dust from pores and cracks. Use clean water or a specialized cleaning agent to remove oil stains and mold release agent residues, ensuring the substrate is dry and clean.
2. Joint Filling: Joints between prefabricated slabs should be filled with specialized sealants such as polyurethane sealant to prevent putty cracking due to thermal expansion and contraction or vibration later on. If the joints are wide, fiber mesh can be embedded first to enhance crack resistance.

2. Functional Upgrades: Improving Sound Insulation and Seismic Performance

Prefabricated slab houses generally suffer from poor sound insulation and weak seismic resistance, which can be optimized through the following methods:

1. Sound Insulation Treatment: Install sound insulation panels (such as polyester fiber cotton panels) on walls or replace windows with double-glazed units to reduce noise transmission. The ceiling can be equipped with sound-absorbing cotton or a suspended ceiling structure to lower floor vibration noise.
2. Structural Reinforcement: If the house's seismic capacity is insufficient, a reinforcement plan should be formulated based on a professional inspection report. Common measures include grouting and repairing wall cracks, reinforcing load-bearing walls with steel plates, or pile driving for the foundation to enhance overall stability.

3. Structural Safety Assessment and Renovation Specifications

According to China's 2022 renovation policy for old buildings, prefabricated slab houses are primarily repaired and renovated, with only buildings meeting hazardous standards being demolished. Before renovation, a professional assessment is required to avoid damaging structural stability by randomly removing walls:

1. Non-Load-Bearing Wall Renovation: If light partition walls need to be removed, confirm they are non-load-bearing structures and use static cutting techniques to reduce vibration and avoid damaging the prefabricated slabs.
2. Load-Bearing Structure Reinforcement: If renovation involves load-bearing walls or floor slabs, measures such as carbon fiber cloth reinforcement and adding structural columns should be taken to ensure a clear load transfer path and meet seismic design requirements.

4. Material Selection: Adapting to Low Water Absorption Surfaces

The surface of prefabricated slabs has low water absorption, making ordinary putty prone to peeling. Materials with strong adhesion should be selected:

1. Putty and Interface Agents: Use water-resistant putty or apply an interface agent (such as a concrete-specific penetrating interface agent) first to enhance adhesion and prevent hollowing.
2. Coatings and Finishes: Preferably use elastic coatings that can cover tiny cracks. If tiling, use tile adhesive with a thin-set method to avoid the risk of detachment caused by thick application.

Summary: Renovating a prefabricated slab house should prioritize structural safety and achieve improved living quality through substrate treatment, functional upgrades, standardized renovation, and appropriate material selection. Before renovation, be sure to consult a professional institution to avoid safety hazards caused by improper operation.