Renovating your home should be fun because it gives you new walls, smooth tiles, and the sense of starting over. But a lot of Malaysian homeowners are shocked when cracks show up on walls or ceilings soon after they move in. Some people think this is just “the usual settling,” while others are worried that the building will fall apart. The truth is somewhere in the middle, and knowing what caused the problem is the key to avoiding costly problems in the future. This is also why a lot of homeowners hire post construction cleaning services before their final inspection. A clean surface makes it easier to find hidden problems.
How Post Construction Cleaning Services Help Find Issues
A thorough clean does more than just make your home look nice. Hairline fractures or uneven surfaces are often covered up by dust, plaster, and paint coatings. When they are removed properly, the quality of the work is clearly visible. Contractors are legally required to address certain issues during the faulty responsibility term, which is typically 18 to 24 months in Malaysia. A knowledgeable cleaning crew reaches under cabinets, scrapes window tracks, and cleans nooks and crannies that might conceal cracks, chipping, or water stains. You can write them down and report them ahead of time if you notice them early.
Why Cracks Happen After a Renovation
Cracks don’t always mean that your contractor did a bad job, but you should know what causes them. One of the most common reasons is that plaster and concrete shrink as they dry. If the cement mix had too much water in it or was left to cure in direct heat, the surface can shrink unevenly, which can cause thin, web-like cracks.
Another thing is the movement of the soil. The soil in Malaysia is often rich in clay, which expands when it rains and shrinks when it doesn’t. This stretching and shrinking can put stress on foundations, which can cause cracks that go up the wall in a vertical or diagonal direction.
Another problem is bad waterproofing. Water that gets into the roof, balconies, or bathroom walls can slowly weaken the plaster and make damp spots that will eventually flake or crack. Even window frames that aren’t properly sealed can let in rainwater and cause tiny cracks over time.
Changes in temperature also matter. When it gets hot, concrete expands, and when it cools, it shrinks. Without the right expansion joints, walls can crack at weak spots like corners or around door frames.
How to Examine over Your Home the Right Way
After the dust has settled, take the time to look over each room carefully. Check the corners where the walls meet the ceilings, the area around the window sills, and the bottom of the skirting boards. Take pictures of and keep an eye on any gap that looks like it is getting bigger over time. To find hollow sounds, gently press on the tiles. This could mean that they aren’t sticking well, which could cause cracks later.
When to Ask a Professional for Help
Not every crack is safe. Most of the time, thin, straight hairline cracks in plaster are just for looks. But if the cracks are wider, especially if they run diagonally or appear out of nowhere, they could mean that the building is under stress. If you see beams or columns with gaps, or if the floors feel uneven, you should call a structural engineer right away. They can figure out if they need to reinforce or fix something before the damage gets worse.
A Clean Slate Is the First Step to Peace of Mind
You should never ignore cracks, even though they are a typical sign of a settling structure. Failure to fix them could worsen the situation by allowing moisture to enter and causing the reinforcing bars to rust. Having a comprehensive inspection and professional post construction cleaning services gives Malaysian homeowners the best chance to identify problems early, hold contractors accountable, and maintain the value of their property.
After remodeling, you should have a safe, appealing space rather than a list of questions. More than just cleaning, getting rid of the last bit of construction debris is the first step to ensuring your dream home is stable for many years to come.
