No-obligation quote  /  Valencia and province
+34 642 508 208|info@buildararat.com|ESEN
Build Ararat - Trabajos verticales en Valencia

Category: Guides

  • Mortero R4 en reparación de hormigón: cuándo tiene sentido

    R4 mortar for concrete repair: when it makes sense

    Quick answer. An R4 rating doesn't make a mortar the universal fix for every bit of spalling.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    Concrete can deteriorate through corrosion, carbonation, water or impact. The substrate must be studied to determine whether it's a non-structural repair or work that requires calculations and a project.

    What to check in the building

    Before applying a mortar, it's important to remove damaged material properly, treat reinforcement where needed, respect preparation, thickness and curing, and check compatibility with protective products.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    Ask for the technical data sheet and application specification. The product brand doesn't replace an assessment of the substrate or quality control during the work.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    Is R4 used on all balconies?

    No; the repair system is determined by the diagnosis and the function of the element.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Concrete repair on facades and balconies
    Repair of balconies and slab edges
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.

  • Mantenimiento preventivo de fachadas: revisión práctica

    Preventive facade maintenance: a practical check

    Quick answer. Checking joints, gutters and finishes in time reduces the chance of repeated damage.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    It's worth regularly looking out for new cracks, peeling paint, dried-out joints, overflowing gutters and corroded metal elements. Visual checks do not replace mandatory inspections.

    What to check in the building

    After heavy rain or work on the roof, it may be a good idea to check drains and junctions. Hard-to-reach areas should be checked by professionals with the right equipment.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    For a homeowners' association it works well to record the date, photo, location and priority of each issue and to get quotes for several compatible tasks at once to make the most of the access equipment.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    How often should it be checked?

    Depending on age, exposure, materials and applicable obligations.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Facade and building maintenance
    Visual facade inspection
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.

  • Reparación de bajantes en una comunidad: qué revisar

    Downpipe repair in a residential building: what to check

    Quick answer. A leaking downpipe can affect several flats and raise questions about who owns the installation.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    The location of the section, what it serves and the applicable deeds help determine responsibility, but the specific decision can't be settled by a general rule published on a blog.

    What to check in the building

    Before starting work, the affected section should be located, its material identified and access prepared. If there is old fibre cement, the possible presence of asbestos must be investigated and the applicable legal procedure followed.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    The community can compare a local repair with a wider replacement, considering age, accessibility, future leaks and restoration of finishes.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    Does the homeowners' association always pay?

    That shouldn't be assumed without reviewing the documents and getting legal advice if there is a dispute.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Downpipe repair in light wells and on facades
    Light well renovation
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.

  • Cómo comparar presupuestos de rehabilitación de fachadas

    How to compare facade renovation quotes

    Quick answer. Two quotes with different totals may be pricing different jobs.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    Comparing them means checking the area, crack repair, sections to be stripped, treatment of steel, mortar, primers, paint and access equipment. Permits, protection and waste also matter.

    What to check in the building

    Ask for a description of the exclusions and how unforeseen work will be approved. Find out who takes on technical supervision where required and what documented guarantees the contractor offers.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    A table of line items is usually more useful for a residents' meeting than just comparing the final price. Not all proposals include the same substrate preparation.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    Is the most expensive one the best?

    Not necessarily; what matters is the scope and verifiable technical competence.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Technical facade renovation
    Repair of render and coatings
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.

  • Cómo organizar la reparación de un patio de luces

    How to organise a light well repair

    Quick answer. An interior light well means coordinating the work, windows, washing lines, pipes and life with the neighbours.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    Before hiring, you need to establish whether the problem is paint, coating, cracks or downpipes, and identify the access areas and the right access equipment.

    What to check in the building

    A clear quote separates substrate repair, pipe repair, sealing, painting, protection and final cleaning. If hidden damage is expected, it should include a line item or an approval procedure.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    Letting residents know the working days and affected areas avoids problems. Before and after photos help with the handover of the work, as long as permission has been given.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    Is access to the flats needed?

    It depends on the geometry and is planned with the community.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Light well renovation
    Painting of interior light wells
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.

  • Goteras en el último piso: posibles entradas de agua

    Leaks on the top floor: possible water entry points

    Quick answer. When a leak appears on the top floor, the roof is an important suspect, but not the only one.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    Water can pass through a terrace joint, come in through a parapet, travel through layers of insulation or come from a pipe. The wet spot on the ceiling can be far from where the water gets in.

    What to check in the building

    Note any link with rain, wind, watering or water use. Check accessible gutters and drains without climbing into dangerous areas.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    A well-founded repair must identify the water's path and repair the affected building detail before restoring the paint inside.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    Can I wait if it only happens once?

    It's best to keep an eye on it and have it checked, especially if the stain comes back or affects installations.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Leak and water ingress repair
    Flat roof waterproofing
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.

  • Impermeabilizar una terraza sin levantar el suelo: límites

    Waterproofing a terrace without lifting the floor: the limits

    Quick answer. Systems applied over existing paving can work, but they're not an automatic solution for every terrace.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    First you need to know how well the tiles are bonded, the condition of the joints, the height available at doors, the falls, the drains and whether water is trapped under existing layers.

    What to check in the building

    If the substrate is unstable or the fall is insufficient, applying a membrane on top can shift the problem elsewhere or cause early failure. Vertical upstands deserve special attention.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    Compare alternatives using the data sheet, preparation, thickness and maintenance. Ask what happens at thresholds, drains and movement joints.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    Is it always cheaper without demolition?

    No, it depends on the diagnosis and the required service life.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Terrace waterproofing
    Leak and water ingress repair
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.

  • Humedad por fachada o por condensación: cómo distinguirla

    Damp from the facade or condensation: how to tell the difference

    Quick answer. An interior stain alone doesn't reveal whether the water comes from rain or from vapour inside the home.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    Condensation is usually linked to cold surfaces and indoor vapour; water ingress may coincide with rain and follow irregular paths. Orientation, ventilation and critical points provide clues.

    What to check in the building

    It's worth checking windows, joints and the condition of the wall, as well as indoor temperature and humidity. A single surface reading doesn't automatically identify the mechanism.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    The solution depends on the source: sealing joints if rain is getting in, improving ventilation or thermal bridges if it's condensation, or checking pipes if there's a leak.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    Does anti-damp paint solve it?

    Not on its own if there is an active cause.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Leak detection in buildings
    Facade waterproofing
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.

  • Cornisa con desprendimientos: seguridad y reparación

    Cornice with falling pieces: safety and repair

    Quick answer. The priority with a cornice that is losing pieces is to prevent injury to anyone walking below.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    Falling pieces can come from deteriorated mortar, corroded reinforcement, water ingress or poor fixings. A small fragment coming loose may mean there is more material that is no longer bonded.

    What to check in the building

    First, access below must be properly protected or restricted. Then the cornice is inspected and a decision is made on whether a technician is needed to define the structural or masonry repair.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    A full repair may require deep removal of damaged material, treatment of reinforcement, rebuilding the profile and protection against water. Painting the cornice without removing unstable elements is not enough.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    Is it urgent?

    When there is a danger of falling pieces, protecting the area must not be put off.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Repair of cornices and eaves
    Repair of falling facade render
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.

  • Grietas en la fachada: qué observar antes de reparar

    Cracks in the facade: what to look at before repairing

    Quick answer. The path and progression of a crack tell you more than how it looks in a single photo.

    What to understand before hiring someone

    A crack in the render, an open movement joint and a crack running through the masonry have different consequences. Recording the date, width, position relative to windows and changes with rain helps the assessment.

    What to check in the building

    Avoid filling a crack with sealant without knowing its cause. If there is deformation, progressive movement or structural doubt, ask a qualified technician for an assessment.

    Don't put yourself at risk of falling or handle unstable elements to take a photo: checks at height require proper equipment. If there is an immediate risk to people, protecting the area and calling the relevant services must come first.

    How to make an informed decision

    When a coating problem is confirmed, the repair focuses on cleaning, the right material and a compatible finish. If there is movement, it must be resolved or allowed for in the joint.

    It's useful to keep dated photos, previous reports and itemised quotes. These documents help compare diagnoses and identify which part is a temporary repair and which is a full job. Where there is structural damage, asbestos or other regulated conditions, an authorised professional, company and procedure are required.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing on the final price without checking that the line items are equivalent.
    • Mistaking a visible stain or crack for the whole cause.
    • Ordering cosmetic finishes before fixing active leaks.
    • Assuming that rope access, scaffolding or one product works for every job.

    Common questions

    Can a photo be used for diagnosis?

    It gives an indication, but it doesn't replace the necessary inspection.

    When do I need a professional inspection?

    When the problem comes back, affects safety, involves several homes or its source is unknown. The recommendations in a guide don't replace a check of the actual work.

    Related solutions and reading

    Facade crack repair
    Visual facade inspection
    See more guides

    Do you have a building with this problem?

    Do you have a building with this problem in Valencia?

    Request a quote
    Call +34 642 508 208

    Or write to us at info@buildararat.com

    This guide is for guidance only and does not replace an inspection of the property or reports by qualified technicians.