Tag Switches and Sockets

When renovating your home, even if you choose a full-package service, there are certain renovation materials that you should purchase yourself. This is because decoration companies often seek profits from every building material, and more importantly, if low-quality materials are used improperly, the homeowner will inevitably face issues.

Additionally, some materials only reveal their problems after you move in. Therefore, this guide focuses on avoiding common pitfalls by summarizing 10 types of renovation materials that you should buy yourself to ensure quality and prevent unnecessary problems.

Many people might overlook silicone sealant, as it seems minor. However, experienced homeowners know it’s used in many areas: around washbasins, toilet bases, cabinets, baseboards, etc. For a 100-square-meter home, about 7-8 tubes are needed.

This isn’t a small amount! Beyond cost, its mold resistance and durability directly impact your living experience.

In practice, many workers bring silicone sealant without eco-certifications or mold resistance. These inferior products may not show issues initially, but over time, mold spots appear. Cleaning moldy sealant is tough, and redoing it adds extra costs, making it a hassle.

Electrical boxes, though not a major material, are crucial as they’re hidden in walls and used for decades. They must be high-quality to avoid issues. During electrical work, many points need new boxes, so it’s essential to check the material and brand if provided by the company.

Buying them yourself ensures better control over quality, and they’re affordable for a whole house.

Wall finishing relies heavily on putty powder, with paint being secondary. Poor-quality putty can peel, mold, or pose environmental risks. It’s best to buy it yourself or verify the brand provided has certifications like the China Environmental Label (Ten Ring) and is waterproof and mold-resistant.

Also, ensure workers mix putty with water only, not glue, as glue can release formaldehyde.

Have you experienced an angle valve breaking inside the wall during faucet installation? That’s due to poor quality! Angle valves are hidden fittings installed in walls, and if low-quality, problems emerge later.

So, always buy angle valves yourself rather than using the worker’s. A high-quality one, as shown, can last decades without issues.

For full-package renovations, waterproof coating is often handled by the company, but don’t take it lightly. Poor-quality coating can cause major troubles, like leaks.

Also, monitor the application: some workers rush, applying second coats before the first dries or skipping layers to save time. In bathrooms, the wet area should have a coating height of 1.8 meters; insufficient height leads to leaks.

Whether in bathrooms or balconies, floor drain quality is key. Features like rust resistance, anti-odor, and fast drainage affect daily life. Many company-specified drains don’t meet standards or perform poorly, so insist on high-quality ones or buy them yourself.

Especially in bathroom wet areas, choose anti-odor and rust-resistant brand products. Cheap drains cost around ten dollars but perform poorly; investing in good ones, like my 700-800 yuan set, ensures no problems.

Sound insulation cotton’s effectiveness is only known after neighbors move in. Check the thickness and performance of company-provided cotton; otherwise, wrapping pipes with inferior material is useless.

For better soundproofing, add damping sheets in bathrooms—damping sheets plus insulation cotton work best. In kitchens, insulation cotton alone suffices.

Before kitchen ceiling work, buy a range hood check valve. Without it or with a low-quality one, your home will smell neighbors’ cooking. The valve has a small flap that opens to vent smoke into the shared duct and closes to prevent backflow. It’s a must-have, so choose a high-quality product!

Most companies list switch and socket brands, so it’s generally safe. However, small firms may offer free, low-quality products as gifts, which pose safety hazards. Since these affect life safety, ensure quality by verifying brands or buying them yourself to avoid risks.

Latex paint prices vary widely, from tens to hundreds per bucket. Without attention, workers might use inferior or counterfeit products. Popular colors like Space Walk, Gray Blue, Brown Coral, and Milk Coffee have many versions with differing quality.

So, prioritize paint quality: opt for eco-friendly grades above E1, smooth texture, mold resistance, and strong coverage for a superior finish.