Construction Portal
Building defects and how to repair them, construction systems and new technologies, materials and regulations. Technical content written by people who work on site — for homeowners, buyers and professionals. Especially useful if you are buying or renovating a property in Portugal.
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Articles
Tiles are not waterproof. How to waterproof a bathroom under the tiles: systems, critical details, flood testing and the most common mistakes.
Do you need a building permit to renovate a home in Portugal? What is exempt, what is not, and the rules that always apply: condominium, noise,…
Light Steel Framing or a concrete frame with masonry? We compare weight, build time, thermal and acoustic comfort, fire, durability and myths — and when each…
Stains on the top-floor ceiling? Find out why water rarely gets in where the stain appears, how the diagnosis is made and which waterproofing systems give…
Balconies and columns with cracking concrete and rust? Understand carbonation and chlorides, how the diagnosis is made and how to repair to EN 1504 — without…
Black patches in corners and on the ceiling, wet windows in the morning? Understand the physics of condensation, thermal bridges and the ventilation and insulation solutions…
Shrinkage, thermal movement, settlement or corrosion? Learn to read a crack, monitor it and tell when it is cosmetic and when you need an engineer.
Damp patches at the base of walls, white salts and crumbling render? Learn to tell rising damp from condensation and leaks, how to confirm the diagnosis…