Hello everyone,
we are currently building, and I think most people know that this can be quite a stressful process. You sometimes have to overlook minor defects, but when it comes to the welds on our new railing, I’m not sure if these can still be considered small cosmetic flaws or if they are already major visual or even structural defects.
Here, of course, I deliberately chose one of the worse welds.
There are also paint damages that are so obvious that, in my opinion, any reputable tradesperson should have fixed them before final acceptance.
Friends with welding experience who have seen this say such work is unacceptable. Unfortunately, I’m not an expert myself, but this is the response I received from our construction supervisor via the contractor:
“The welds are flawless!
I don’t know what expertise the owner has to claim that the welds would not hold...
The two ‘paint damages’ probably occurred when lifting the 180 kg (400 lb) railing.
We will retouch these with a paint pen so they are no longer visible.
Corrosion protection is fully ensured anyway, because the entire railing beneath the paint layer is hot-dip galvanized.”
What do the welding experts here think about this? And do you know what options I have? Are there special expert inspectors to whom I should turn?
Thanks in advance!
we are currently building, and I think most people know that this can be quite a stressful process. You sometimes have to overlook minor defects, but when it comes to the welds on our new railing, I’m not sure if these can still be considered small cosmetic flaws or if they are already major visual or even structural defects.
Here, of course, I deliberately chose one of the worse welds.
There are also paint damages that are so obvious that, in my opinion, any reputable tradesperson should have fixed them before final acceptance.
Friends with welding experience who have seen this say such work is unacceptable. Unfortunately, I’m not an expert myself, but this is the response I received from our construction supervisor via the contractor:
“The welds are flawless!
I don’t know what expertise the owner has to claim that the welds would not hold...
The two ‘paint damages’ probably occurred when lifting the 180 kg (400 lb) railing.
We will retouch these with a paint pen so they are no longer visible.
Corrosion protection is fully ensured anyway, because the entire railing beneath the paint layer is hot-dip galvanized.”
What do the welding experts here think about this? And do you know what options I have? Are there special expert inspectors to whom I should turn?
Thanks in advance!
A
Alessandro23 Jul 2020 13:59Never ever!
Take a close look to the left and right where it all begins...
Additionally, the lower and upper "frays" fit exactly into each other.
I’m sure it feels sharp-edged when you run your hand over it.
Take a close look to the left and right where it all begins...
Additionally, the lower and upper "frays" fit exactly into each other.
I’m sure it feels sharp-edged when you run your hand over it.
Alessandro schrieb:
I am sure it is sharp-edged if you run your hand over it. Exactly. I have enlarged it for the skeptics:
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Alessandro schrieb:
I don’t know where you’re seeing paint chips here?!
In the second picture, I see a torn edge! That can’t be repaired. As a layperson with no knowledge of the manufacturing steps required for such a railing, could you explain what would be necessary to get a proper railing? Also, what problems should I expect if someone tries to touch it up with a paint pen? Will only the appearance suffer, or will the durability against weather damage also be affected?
From your explanation, it sounds like the damage didn’t occur during installation but was already there before the powder coating was applied.
A
Alessandro23 Jul 2020 16:02In my opinion, there’s no way to fix that anymore. Especially not with a touch-up pen. The photo alone should be enough to claim it as a defect with the manufacturer. They should be able to identify it just from the picture.
From my layman’s perspective, the damage shouldn’t affect the durability. It just looks ugly and could cause injuries.
I would insist that the element be replaced.
You can see from the dent on the far right that this damage must have occurred before the powder coating.
From my layman’s perspective, the damage shouldn’t affect the durability. It just looks ugly and could cause injuries.
I would insist that the element be replaced.
You can see from the dent on the far right that this damage must have occurred before the powder coating.
A
Alessandro23 Jul 2020 16:07By the way, you already have deep scratches in the coating on the handrail!
Typ12345 schrieb:
As a layperson with no knowledge of the steps required to manufacture such a railing, could you explain what is needed to get a proper railing?Maybe you should carefully read through the thread; everything has been explained (several times). Typ12345 schrieb:
To me, your explanation also sounds like the damage did not occur during installation, but already before the powder coating was applied.Definitely yes. You failed to have the weld seam cleaned up by grinding and polishing, and thereby allowed welding spatter that stuck to the material to be coated as well. Typ12345 schrieb:
Or which problems should I expect if he tries to touch it up with a paint pen? Will only the appearance suffer, or also the durability against weather damage?You can’t fix this by simply adding extra paint! I don’t understand you: you are the original poster and don’t have to misinterpret photos like other participants. You can get close to the actual object and tell the difference between material adhesion and an apparent scratch. This is actually the opposite and can at least be identified by touch if you confuse it visually. The material’s durability is compromised because the areas with welding spatter were not galvanized before coating. More than just an optical “touch-up” is not really possible now: I would carefully grind off the welding spatter burrs, and as an additional treatment, a paint pen would be acceptable. You won’t fix the entire cheap workaround damage now—except by a totally disproportionate and pointless full replacement (which would be your responsibility and no one else’s). The welder did a proper job (as the saying goes, you don’t get what you haven’t paid for), and the coating provider (not exactly friendly, but correctly) coated what was delivered to them. Typical cost-cutting consequences; next time you can be smarter.
Alessandro schrieb:
Actually, the photo should be enough to report this as a defect to the manufacturer. They should be able to recognize that from the photo alone.It’s easier to misinterpret in a photo, but the expert on site will not be fooled by that.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/