In this article, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of inspecting a construction supply. To start, you’ll need to figure out what type of material it is. You will want to look for any defects on the outside or inside that could affect its usability. Finally, if everything checks out, you will need to inspect the product’s packaging for expiration date and manufacturing date before acquiring it to use in your next project!
What Type of Material is This?
If it’s a bag or box that contains several similar items, you might be dealing with a common construction supply. If you open the bag or box, inspect what is inside for any defects that may be visible to the naked eye. If the product inside is wrapped in plastic wrap or compressed into a sealed bag, simply pull out the item you want to use and examine it for defects on the outside.
If you are inspecting a single material item, check the manufacturer’s name printed on the product. You might be surprised to find that your search match is not even close to the actual name of the manufacturer. In this case, you will want to re-check the batch number and expiry date of any materials you want to purchase.
If it says that it’s made in China, Taiwan or Japan on the box, open up another box within a box. The first box likely contained the material. You don’t want to order a pile of boxes just to find that the item itself is faulty.
You’ll also want to examine your materials for any design flaws like overly thin or flimsy construction or lopsided construction. These types of flaws can lead to trouble with your project in the future. For example, if you build a wall and it is too thin to support the roof, you will need to rebuild your entire structure from scratch.
If you do find a design flaw, there’s no use in returning this batch of materials if the batch isn’t meant for your project. It is best to avoid that manufacturer and find another source for your supply. If the batch is meant for your project, ask about a return or replacement, and we will investigate on your behalf.
Inspect the Packaging for Expiration and Manufacturing Dates
The packaging that a product comes in can be the most important factor when inspecting your construction supply. If you order a batch of wood with an expiry date of 2035, it’s unlikely that your project will be finished in time. The same goes for a batch that is close to its manufacturing date. It may have already been through the quality control process once, but if you’re planning on using it within the next month or two, it probably won’t make the cut.
Most construction supply come with batch cards that have four to five numbers printed on them. The first two numbers generally express the manufacturing date in YYYY/MM/DD format. The next three or four numbers tell you the expiry date of the batch in YYYY/MM/DD format.
Before you purchase any construction supply, you will want to do some research. You can check the expiration dates of your product by plugging your batch card into an online generator or requesting a copy from the manufacturer’s website. Make sure you order your materials one month before their expiry date.
As for the manufacturing date, most manufacturers will have a standard in which they ship their products. For example, the manufacturer of our wood flooring uses 148 as its standard manufacturing date. If you are building a new home and want to purchase your materials online, make sure that the packaging has the right batch number printed on it.
If you find any packaging defects on the outside of your materials, discard it immediately. There is a chance that the product may have been damaged during shipping. If this is the case, contact your supplier to discuss a replacement or refund.
Inspect Materials for Defects That May Affect Their Usability
Once you have all of your materials ready to use, it’s time to inspect them for any defects that could affect their usability. Look at the material itself and examine every small detail for any imperfections or damages.
You want to look for any cracks, dry rot, or discolouration on the materials you have collected. This includes floors, walls, lumber, carpeting, and insulation. If you find these kinds of defects on any of your materials, do not use them for your installation.
Make sure that the entire batch of materials is usable by doing a thorough inspection of its packaging as well. The batch number printed on it will help confirm that it is the correct material for your project. Once you find the correct batch number, the rest should be easy. You want to use the materials that have a manufacturing date of 2014 for most projects.
You will definitely need a more detailed inspection and possibly an approval or inspection from your local building department before using any of these materials. Moreover, if you are selecting materials from an online supplier, they might not even have a standard building code that you can follow when building your home. That’s why we recommend you review your local building code and follow it for your project.