Quick answer: Before interior work starts in a new flat, check for hollow tiles (tap them — a dull, hollow sound means poor bonding), seepage (damp patches or white salt marks near bathrooms, kitchen and outer walls), and floor slope (pour water in bathrooms and balconies — it should run to the drain). Get the builder to fix these first. Once wardrobes and panelling go in, repairs cost far more.
Why this matters before interiors
A wardrobe built against a damp wall will swell, smell and peel within a year or two. Panelling hides seepage until it's serious. And once carpentry is installed, fixing a wall behind it means taking the carpentry out. This is one of the most common problems we see on Nagpur sites — and almost all of it is avoidable.
1. Hollow tiles
Tiles laid without enough adhesive leave air pockets underneath. They may look fine now but tend to crack or lift later.
- How to check: gently tap each tile with a coin, the back of a key or a small rubber mallet. A solid tile sounds sharp; a hollow one sounds dull.
- What to do: mark hollow tiles with masking tape and list them for the builder. One or two at the edges is common; whole patches are not.
2. Seepage and damp
- Where to look: walls shared with bathrooms, below the kitchen sink, ceilings under an upper-floor bathroom, and outer walls facing the rain.
- Signs: dark patches, bubbling paint, white powdery salt marks, or a musty smell.
- Best time to check: right after heavy rain. If you got possession in winter, ask your neighbours how their walls fared in the monsoon.
- What to do: get the source fixed (often bathroom waterproofing or plumbing joints), then let the wall dry fully before any panelling or wardrobes go in.
3. Floor slope and drainage
- How to check: pour a bucket of water in each bathroom and balcony. It should flow to the drain without pooling.
- Watch for: water collecting near the door, or flowing toward the room instead of the drain.
4. Other quick checks
- Switch on every electrical point and check the main board.
- Run every tap and flush; look for leaks below.
- Open and close every window and door; check for rain leakage at window frames.
- Check walls and floors for visible cracks.
Your rights as a new flat owner
Under RERA, builders are generally responsible for fixing structural and workmanship defects reported within five years of possession. Report issues in writing, with photos and dates. Check your own sale agreement for the exact terms.
How COZ helps
In the Discovery stage of every COZ Turnkey Solutions project, our team checks the site before design begins and flags issues for you to take up with the builder.
FAQ
How do I check for hollow tiles? Tap each tile lightly with a coin or rubber mallet. A dull, hollow sound means the tile isn't bonded properly underneath.
Should I fix seepage before starting interiors? Yes, always. Fix the source and let the wall dry fully before any carpentry or panelling is installed.
Is the builder responsible for seepage in a new flat? Generally yes — RERA makes builders responsible for defects reported within five years of possession. Report it in writing with photos.