FT NEWS

In the past few years, weather and climate have become a hot topic of discussion – and worry. India has been lately grappling with extreme weather events, such as scorching heat, torrential rain, cloudbursts, floods during monsoon, dust pollution due to major construction work, and air pollution due to carbon emissions by vehicles and stubble burning. It is not only our health but our buildings, too, which are subjected to extreme weather challenges that can cause structural damage and further deteriorate our living conditions. Therefore, it is important to take adequate precautions to ensure proper maintenance of our buildings.

1. Protection from extreme heat

• Paint the exterior walls of the building in white or pale colours so that the surface of the building reflects heat and light, reducing heat gain within the building. Avoid dark colours because they absorb a lot of heat.
• Go for UV films on glass windows, as these films allow the penetration of light and prevent the entry of heat.
• Also, shade the windows with chhajjas (projections over windows for shade) or introduce awnings over the windows, to prevent heat absorption through the glass windows.
• Keep the roof cool so as to prevent heat gain in the upper floors of the building. This can be done by converting the roof into a highly reflective surface with the application of cool roof paint or the installation of white porcelain or ceramic tiles on the roof.
• Consider terrace gardens and vertical gardens on the building, like you see in the image. The transpiration in plants – the water evaporating from plants – reduces the adjacent air temperature around the building. They also screen the building from direct sunlight.
• Protect low-rise buildings from extreme heat by planting trees, such as the Indian coral tree (Erythrina variegate), Indian beech (Pongamia pinnata) and teak (Tectona grandis), along the boundary walls. They shed their leaves in autumn, letting in sunlight in winter, when it is welcome.

2. Protection from heavy rainfall

• Before the arrival of the monsoon, check the roof and walls of the building for any cracks or for missing roof tiles in pitched tiled roofs. Since the cracks may result in water seepage within the interiors, it is important to appoint a reliable contractor who can seal the cracks and give the walls and roof a smooth finish.
• Get the RWP (rain water pipes) checked for any blockages, as these pipes carry water from the roof to the gutter or the rainwater harvesting pit. These pipes should be free from leaves, debris or even plastic waste that might have collected over the year. Note that any blockage in the gutter may cause rainwater to overflow.
• Additionally, rainwater has the tendency to penetrate into the interiors of the building through the cracks between the door and window frames. It is important to waterproof the windows and external doors with weather strips or caulking to make them watertight. Also, waterproof the wooden windows with an exterior wood coating.
• Black mould or peeling paint on the interior or exterior walls of the building could indicate the presence of moisture and dampness within the walls. It is advisable to call an expert to help you to prevent and treat dampness in your home.
• The selection of the right exterior primer and paint plays an important role in protecting the exteriors of the building. Both the primer and paint should be water-repellent and water-resistant so that they do not allow seepage of water into the plaster or the brickwork.

3. Protection from dust and air pollution

• In a recent innovation, some reputed paint brands now also manufacture exterior paint products with dirt-guard technology. The composition of this type of paint does not allow dirt or other dust particles to penetrate the paint film of the building. The dust particles stay on the surface and get washed away with rain water during the monsoon, so the exterior walls have a fresher look for a longer period of time.
• Grow plants around the building to protect the indoors from air pollution. In this example, the building incorporates skygardens where the abundant vegetation produces oxygen and also helps in absorbing pollutants from the air. Some plants with air-purifying abilities include the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), English ivy (Hedera helix), Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) and peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii).