Do-it-yourself repair in the old Khrushchev

When renovating apartments in Khrushchev, the main goal is to combat worn-out communications, expand a small space and save money. The latter is especially important for residents of Moscow Khrushchevs in connection with the adopted housing renovation program. Of course, I don’t want to invest in renovating an apartment in a house that is going to be demolished. But what if the resettlement schedule is unknown or the resettlement is not planned for the current or at least the next year, but only after five or even ten years? We found out from the pros.

In many series of Khrushchevs, the internal walls are not load-bearing, this makes it possible for redevelopment with the unification or expansion of the premises. So, the bathroom can be expanded at the expense of the corridor, and the kitchen can be partially combined with the next room, provided that it is installed in the resulting doorway, if a gas stove remains in the apartment and a gas water heater is present.

One of the characteristic features of the Khrushchevs is the heating pipes inside the interior walls. To form an opening, you will have to retreat from the outer wall enough so as not to destroy the heated part of the interior partition. Or, having dismantled the wall as much as possible, weld pipes to the riser and place a new wall-mounted radiator.

The level of the floor in different rooms of apartments in Khrushchev often differs and during repairs, its leveling becomes a mandatory step. Be careful when calculating the thickness of the screed - slabs are not designed for heavy weights. You should also take a differentiated approach to the reconstruction of the floor in rooms with a screed (kitchen and bathroom) and with a wooden floor on logs (usually in rooms).

For the same reason, use only lightweight materials such as drywall to erect new partitions.

Calculate the technical equipment of the apartment in accordance with the capacity allocated for the apartment. In Khrushchevs, it usually does not exceed 3 kW, which forces a thoughtful approach to the choice of a particular piece of equipment and a general set, giving preference to class A.

To minimize risks, change the aluminum wiring to copper and install a separate circuit breaker for each stressed line.

The thickness of the internal and even inter-apartment partitions in Khrushchev is so small that it becomes difficult to create hidden electrical wiring and install sockets and switches.

If replacing partitions is not part of your plans, open wiring can be a good solution, moreover, it fits into completely different interior styles - depending on the design of the switches and sockets chosen.

The thickness of the outer walls in those Khrushchev buildings, which are built of reinforced concrete panels, is only 30–40 cm, which provides insufficient thermal insulation. Insulation of the walls, which should not take place from the inside of the house, but from the outside, is a rather difficult job, if it is done within the framework of one apartment, in addition, it violates the appearance of the facade of the building.

When replacing radiators, add one or more sections to each room. But do not abuse this advice - a significant increase in the number of radiators or sections in an apartment can disrupt the thermal balance of the entire house.

After the renovation, the joy from the retained ceiling height is likely to be higher than the frustration from the visible joints of the slabs - therefore, plaster and paint the ceiling instead of “eating” priceless centimeters with the stretch profile.

In small areas, it is important to minimize the thickness of the finish layer so as not to “eat up” precious space.So, for example, by abandoning tiles in the bathroom in favor of paint, you can save 1–2 cm on each wall.

Do not use high skirting boards that visually shorten the height of the ceiling, or at least paint them in the color of the walls. And choose the ceiling cornices, which with their larger side go to the ceiling.

Another opportunity to compete for height is high interior doors that visually raise the ceiling. But being non-standard by the standards of manufacturers, they always entail a rise in the cost of the project. As a more affordable alternative, you can offer a false extension of the door upwards - for example, installing a transom or painting a part of the wall above the opening in the color of the door.

To make the 5.5 square meters of the kitchen functional, place wall cabinets up to the ceiling and use a wall with a window. When installing kitchen cabinets along it, the only limitation is the height of the window sill - it is lower than the standard work surface. The decision must be made individually - sometimes the level of cabinets above the window sill is acceptable, if there is an opportunity to wash the windows when they are not fully opened.

In other cases, a variable (lowered in this part) headset height is acceptable. Or a narrow dining table can be a continuation of the window sill, the required height of which just coincides with the window sill. A completely cardinal option, which is sometimes found in design projects, is a partial bookmark of the window opening from the bottom to the desired level of the countertop.

When organizing a U-shaped kitchen, remember that, according to ergonomic requirements, the passage between two rows of cabinets should be at least 120 cm. Sometimes, in order to comply with this parameter, the lower cabinets, which do not accommodate household appliances, require a non-standard, shallower depth.

When there was a shortage of urban housing stock in the country, the problem of a shortage of apartments was solved by the construction of "Khrushchev houses". These 4-storey and 5-storey buildings were remembered for their closeness, but this was the best solution for the resettlement of Stalin's communal apartments after the war.

In these houses, the architects obviously skimped on the area of ​​the kitchen, bathroom and hallway - the beginning of a narrow corridor. Original ideas for repairs in Khrushchev are an opportunity not only to modernize the old housing stock, but also to make it as comfortable as possible.

Small houses were built in the 60s and 80s by entire microdistricts and cities, up to the 90s. In the Brezhnev and perestroika times, projects of improved planning appeared. But the so-called Khrushchev buildings, designed for 50 years of operation, have remained the basis of urban development in the Russian Federation. They are actively removed only in the capital.

In the regions, the main method of improving housing conditions is a do-it-yourself overhaul of the Khrushchev. The degree of transformation depends on the "neglect" of the apartment and the financial capabilities of the owners of far from elite housing.

In those days, a number of similar projects were introduced into mass construction:

• Brick 4-storey houses on a reinforced concrete frame.
• Panel buildings made of reinforced concrete panels with a large number of load-bearing walls.

Modernization of old cramped apartments is done in different ways - from "cosmetic" to major repairs. Some projects are so successful that it is difficult to guess in a prestigious apartment with an insulated balcony and underfloor heating the former "Khrushcheba", as you can see on the photo in the network.

The degree of transformation varies:

• replacement of windows and a number of other measures to insulate the apartment;
• leveling and facing surfaces;
• renovation with redevelopment;
• partial dismantling of walls and partitions with the unification of the areas of adjacent rooms;
• rethinking the usable area through zoning and the addition of an insulated balcony;
• partial dismantling of walls and walls in the form of arches with the installation of glass partitions;
• transfer of interior doors and construction of additional passages so that there are no passage rooms;
• active use of visual methods of expanding the area;
• renovation of the bathroom and kitchen with modern cladding materials (preliminary dismantling of pipes, bathtubs, sinks, sinks and toilet bowls) with the installation of compact plumbing fixtures.

Even if nothing can be changed in a house without an elevator and a garbage chute, this can be more than compensated for by interior furnishings with a fashionable apartment design.

Attention: It will not be possible to remake the Khrushchev without significant expenses. With a minimum investment, you cannot do without dismantling old coatings, communications and plumbing, it is important to make a high-quality leveling of surfaces.

For redevelopment, you will need permission from the BTI and the city architectural supervision, so that the demolition of the walls does not threaten collapse.

If you make high-quality cladding with modern materials with your own hands, it will come out inexpensively and beautifully, as in the photo of the repair in Khrushchev.

Before choosing wallpaper, linoleum or paint, draw up an algorithm of actions. Competent renovation planning and a sensible choice of interior style will facilitate the workflow and help save energy and finances.

Tip: If the family has a modest budget, it is better to break down the transformation of the Khrushchev into stages, performing step by step, so as not to start an "eternal" repair. After completing one room, proceed to another so that the apartment does not look like a battlefield with barbarians for a decade.

First, make a revision, getting rid of old furniture, mezzanines, doors and everything that is morally outdated. Use the techniques of "modernizing" surfaces on sturdy, level surfaces.

Draw up a work plan for each room and separately for the types of work covering the entire apartment (insulation, replacement of pipes and plumbing, leveling the floor or ceiling).

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When buying finishing materials, do not forget about ideas for the visual expansion of space (mirrors, photo wallpaper with optical illusions and 3D effect, vertical and horizontal lines).

Use zoning techniques and space optimization with built-in furniture if it is not possible for everyone in the family to have a separate room. This somehow compensates for the lack of personal space and makes the time of cooking, relaxing or working on a PC more comfortable.

Choosing a design style, you can decorate rooms in different ways, but do not forget that adjacent rooms should not contrast, but complement.

The style should match the functionality of the room well if there is no single solution. For example, marine - for the bathroom, romanticism - in the bedroom, fusion - in the living room and hallway, and Provencal style - in the kitchen. They can be combined with a common color scheme - cold, warm or neutral, depending on the type of natural light (north, south).

When decorating the ceiling, walls and floor, do not forget about low ceilings, so multi-level structures will be inappropriate. It is better to choose simple finishes after leveling surfaces, such as self-leveling floors and liquid wallpaper for the ceiling.

If it is impossible to take permission to redevelop the Khrushchev, it is really possible to make an arched opening in the secondary wall with a grinder and strengthen it with a steel corner.

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If at some stage you need the help of specialists or specialized firms, do not ignore this opportunity. They will place your order quickly and professionally. You can save on dismantling and cleaning surfaces from old coatings.

When finishing, use finishing materials of the latest generation, abandoning traditional wallpaper, linoleum and whitewash, so that in a couple of years you will not have to "modernize" the design.

Today, it is difficult to do when renovating in techno, loft or high-tech style without innovative materials, lighting techniques and a combination of spectacular textures.

Attention: It is advisable to use ready-made space planning projects during the renovation of the kitchen in the Khrushchev or for the transformation of the entire living space. This was done by professionals who know all the secrets of the optimal layout of every square centimeter of space.

Small-sized one-room Khrushchev houses are difficult to radically expand, even if they give a more modern look like a studio apartment.

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At the same time, partitions are transformed between the living room and adjacent rooms - the kitchen and the hallway (corridor).

Renovation of a room in Khrushchev usually ends with the purchase of modern furniture, lighting fixtures and necessary accessories.

Curtains are one of the most affordable ways to complete a design.

When choosing the style of curtains, it is important to choose not just the drapery you like or multi-layered sewing, but to be guided by the style.

Japanese minimalism is suitable for the living room - with its free space, compact low furniture and flat screened curtains.

For the bedroom, two-layer curtains of an asymmetric cut are suitable, where the lower panel is solid translucent, the upper one is of an arbitrary shape.

Massive chandeliers with many bulbs are not for Khrushchevs with their limited space. It is better to use economical diodes and flat and hemispherical ceiling luminaires.

Spotlighting is a popular zoning technique. This is very handy when you can add lighting in different places with the push of a button at arm's length:

• in the kitchen above the cutting surface;
• table lamp, floor lamp or sconce at the computer desk;
• over the head of the bed in the bedroom;
• along the perimeter of the ceiling in the nursery from the diode tape;
• by the mirror in the hallway.

The look of the renovated Khrushchev building largely depends on the choice of furniture. It should be compact and versatile:

• a sofa bed with a convenient transformation mechanism in the living room or bedroom;
• bunk beds and furniture complexes on 2 levels in the nursery;
• transformers and folding planes of any format;
• extended window sill with tabletop function;
• a bar counter in the kitchen instead of a dining table or as a way to differentiate between the cooking block and the dining area in the living room (after the demolition of the partition);
• stackable chairs and stools;
• folding seats in the hallway and on the balcony;
• upholstered furniture with boxes and drawers under the seats;
• built-in wardrobes and narrow pencil cases in any empty corner;
• glass shelves and multi-level corners that create the illusion of no furniture;
• instead of closed cabinet furniture - lightweight double-sided shelving and whatnots, which are used in zoning as partitions.

When choosing textiles and wallpaper colors, keep in mind that a large pattern and black color "steals" space, it is better to refuse them.

Chromed metal and glossy surfaces enhance illumination.

The metamorphoses of the Khrushchevs require large investments, but with the right choice of design, the result will surpass all expectations.

Don't be upset if you don't have enough money to buy a new full-length apartment. A little effort, and a dilapidated two-room Khrushchev can turn into a cozy comfortable nest. Take an example from the protagonist of this article. He decided to turn his small apartment into a mansion and enthusiastically set to work.

Since there was not enough money for a full renovation, as is often the case, our craftsman decided to put the apartment in order in stages.

Let me tell you a secret right away: the process dragged on for three long years. But the result was worth it.
First of all, the master began to reconstruct the bathroom. By combining a microscopic bathroom and toilet, it got a pretty decent amount of space. The walls, of course, had to be leveled. And for this purpose, sheathing with moisture-resistant plasterboard turned out to be the most optimal.

He installed the washbasin on a sturdy metal frame.

There was also a place for a new water heater.

The hot water stand was successfully camouflaged with a bath podium.

The wife chose the color of the tiles, mirror and shelf. It turned out very stylish.

Plasterboard was also useful for repairs in living rooms.

The craftsman successfully used the metal profile for the manufacture of shelves and niches for a TV.

And again my wife worked as a designer. She approved the color scheme and thought over the interior details.

The laminate on the floor was laid without problems using OSB boards. The bedroom is ready!

Finally, the turn came to the corridor. And here the owner again used his favorite materials: drywall and profile. Yes, I had to lose a few centimeters of space. But, on the other hand, removing old plaster and installing new one is a rather difficult task for a non-professional builder.

For the floor, laminate was again used. This time in combination with ceramic tiles.

And the final chord! The walls are faced with artificial stone, the ceiling is decorated with a decorative wood-like beam, unusual lanterns are hung.

The most laborious was, of course, the renovation of the kitchen.

It had to be partially rescheduled. The master shortened the wall between the kitchen and the living room, giving the small room additional volume.

A small piece of Styrofoam came in handy to cover the unnecessary window to the bathroom.

Floor tiles look luxurious. And the wall is decorated with plaster boards covered with a lacquer-sink.

The wall separating the kitchen and living room is decorated with the same white brickwork.

The refrigerator is conveniently located in a niche. The kitchen is just beautiful!

What a fine fellow our fearless craftsman! He was not afraid of difficulties, put effort and ingenuity, used the artistic taste of his wife and, as a result, transformed the old apartment beyond recognition. I built a real palace with my own hands!

Good day to all! On the second wall I decided to attach 2 layers of drywall 9mm each, because according to technology it is more correct, and it is easier to raise it to the 4th floor. While waiting for the weekend, I decided to disassemble the old door frames. I want to make a single ceiling for 2 rooms, and only then assemble the frame for the door from profiles and the same drywall. And in this case, the wall will also be one for 2 rooms. When parsing, I used a pry bar and a chisel, it seems not so noisy, so I took it apart in the evenings after work

As it turned out, the jamb was simply pinned down by several wooden blocks in the wall. There was no isolation, of course.

I also had to cut out a strip of floor in front of the wall, about half a meter wide, so that there was access to the wall. The next evening I began to dismantle the joint between the hall and the corridor. The principle is the same, figured out without problems. But the Khrushchev would not have been a Khrushchev, if there was not another surprise waiting for us) Just behind the jamb there was a joint of panels, perhaps the builders thought that the joint would still be closed with a jamb and hammered into sealing the seam, or maybe the solution just ran out, I don't know, but the cracks are just tin.

the hand calmly goes deep into the length of the fingers. Also, after parsing the jamb, we heard neighbors from the side. Apparently this wooden plank somehow suppressed the sound, but now it is gone. It was not a booming sound that could be heard, but individual words. Every word was clearly heard! The next day, he froze all the holes, before that he removed the remnants of the solution, which was staggering

Taking into account the recent events, it was decided to extend the wall in the hallway by 10 cm in order to block the gap. It will turn out a step, but we will think of something with it later.

After waiting for the weekend, he again took the azure level for a day and began to install the wall. All in the same way as 1 wall. First, the guides on the floor, ceiling, then vibro-suspension after 60cm, then the profile

The wall turned out to be exactly 6m, 11 vertical profiles.There was also a panel joint between the room and the hall under the wallpaper, but it was in good condition, only in one place it crumbled a little and was immediately foamed.

Then I put the mineral wool there, it was not enough, I had to go to the store again for more.

and over drywall. Fastened without horizontal profiles, but since 2 layers decided to do without them. Although now I think that it was necessary to be faithful.

I also bought wires and corrugations. 2.5 for sockets and 1.5 for lighting. I want to make the lighting point in both rooms, I immediately brought the wires to the ceiling. I want to move the switches to this wall, plus the sockets under the switches for the company, already by modern standards (30cm from the floor). Above from the switches there are holes for the junction box.

In the comments they wrote that an air gap is needed between the old wall and the mineral wool. On YouTube and in articles, I have seen both options. But I have to admit that the wall works. Now we don't hear these neighbors from the word at all) TV and the creak of the floor of the neighbors from above can also be heard, I hope this method will work on the ceiling.

At the moment, the ceiling in the back room has been marked and logs for the floor have been purchased. While the repair got up because of the electrics. I myself am afraid of flattery in the dashboard, because there is little experience in this area, I do not want to leave my neighbors without light. Therefore, I entrust the conclusion from the corridor to the room box to a professional. I will chop up the sockets, chop off the old ones, and fix the ceiling.

I will write the next part as soon as the floor or ceiling is ready. That's all for today, thank you all!

At one time, apartments in Khrushchevs were a dream for every seven, because after a communal apartment in which several families lived, having your own apartment with separate rooms, a private kitchen and a bathroom (which was not on the street) was just happiness. Despite its small size, it was its own apartment. Time passes, and now Khrushchevs are considered, so to speak, not very prestigious housing, but, nevertheless, on the real estate market, apartments in Khrushchevs are quite a profitable option due to their low prices. Yes, despite the fact that apartments in Khrushchev have a lot of disadvantages, this is the most affordable option if you want to buy an apartment for yourself. If you are in doubt about buying it, then even from Khrushchev you can make an excellent apartment by making major repairs in it.

So, if you are ready for a major overhaul and you have the strength and money for this, then we begin to master the purchased apartment. The design features of the Khrushchevs were supposed to build an apartment for the maximum minimum parameters necessary for living in an apartment. For example, the size and interior of the bathroom presupposed the presence of a bathtub, washbasin and toilet, and this is how the width of this room turned out - plumbing fixtures standing as close to each other as possible, while the length was determined by the length of the bathroom. The area of ​​the main rooms went from the minimum required comfortable space per person. That is why Khrushchevs are so small - it was necessary to build quickly, a lot and economically. Did you know that Khrushchevs were built as temporary housing and, according to their design, assumed that later they would be demolished, and instead of them spacious housing would be built? But, there is nothing more permanent than temporary.

Based on this, it is clear that such minimum parameters are now not suitable for a comfortable stay, since for a comfortable stay it is necessary to fit all the necessary household appliances, furniture, etc. Therefore, after you have acquired an apartment in Khrushchev, you need to make a major overhaul.

It is necessary to start repairs in Khrushchev from calculations, that is, you must clearly know how much you have for repairs in order to keep in mind the scope of the repair. In Khrushchev, you can make both cosmetic repairs and major, it all depends, again, on how much you have at your disposal.

As a rule, many of us want to save on repairs, since almost all the money is spent on buying an apartment, so in order to visually refresh the apartment, you can make cosmetic repairs: replace the wallpaper, repair the floor, replace the windows with new plastic ones, and other repair work on little things. As a result, redecoration of a one-room apartment in Khrushchev will cost from 10,000 rubles, and repairs of a two-room apartment in Khrushchev from 15,000 rubles. The price, of course, directly depends on the amount of work and the cost of materials.

But still, by and large, the houses in Khrushchev are almost 50 years old and they physically require major repairs, not to mention the fact that their interior and design is morally outdated. Next, we will tell you how to make a major overhaul in a Khrushchev with your own hands.

Redevelopment

After you have assessed the general condition of the apartment, the first thing we have to decide is the issue with the walls. If you are satisfied with a small bathroom, in fact, we are there for only a few minutes a day, then, probably, few people like a scanty kitchen, where there is really nowhere to turn around. If you are full of energy and optimism in the renovation, then it makes sense to redevelop the apartment. There is nothing complicated in the procedure for redeveloping an apartment, the difficulty lies in how to rationally disperse the space of an apartment, which is already so small. To expand a room, you need to take it from some room, so to speak, which is very difficult. In this situation, you can both independently prove yourself as a designer and use the services of professionals.

If you nevertheless decide to rebuild the apartment, then decide what is more acceptable for you, for example, a spacious kitchen and a large bathroom with a jacuzzi at the expense of part of the hall area, and instead of two small bedrooms, one is spacious, or leave everything as it is. When the priorities are set, we proceed to redevelopment.

New walls

If you decide on redevelopment, then instead of the demolished partition walls, you need to build new ones. We recommend using either drywall or foam concrete as materials for new walls. Partition walls made of plasterboard are easy to install, it is very easy to lay wiring and other communications in them. The only drawback of drywall walls is that you cannot attach anything heavy to them. As for foam concrete, building a wall of foam blocks will not be a big problem. Lightweight structures can be placed on a wall made of foam blocks, and at the same time, it is quite easy to mount wiring in foam concrete. We do not recommend using brick, aerated concrete and other similar materials as materials for interior walls due to their high cost, complexity of installation and other significant disadvantages.

Wiring in Khrushchev

The next stage is to replace the wiring and lay a new one in the constructed walls. This must be done without fail, since for some, the wiring may not be in the wall at all, but outside, which is wrong and not aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the existing wiring probably has not changed since those ancient times and therefore it may not withstand the load of your equipment.

Plasterboard wall wiring is easy. To do this, we hide the cable in a corrugation and put it in the opening between the sheets of drywall. If your partition walls are made of foam concrete blocks, then you can make grooves for wiring using a hacksaw or a grinder, making longitudinal grooves, the core of which can be knocked out either with a hammer and chisel, or with a puncher.

Floor repair in Khrushchev

Regardless of the type of repair, be it major or cosmetic, be sure to replace the floor if it was built during the construction of the house. There is no need to talk about what bad wooden floor boards are, they just need to be dismantled, the floor should be leveled with a cement screed and then a new floor covering should be laid.

Start renovating an apartment in Khrushchev from the farthest room so as not to spread debris and dust to the renovated rooms. For example, the repair of a Khrushchev can be done in the following order: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, hall, hallway. Repair of any room should begin with leveling the ceiling and walls - this is the most important procedure, since the quality of the walls in Khrushchev is terrible. Wall repair in all rooms consists of the following steps: cleaning the walls and ceiling from the old coating, replacing the wiring, leveling the ceiling and walls, decorating, installing the floor covering.

Kitchen renovation in Khrushchev

If you did not re-plan the kitchen, then, when designing its interior, focus on the maximum ergonomics and rational distribution of the available minimum space.

As for specific solutions, we recommend making a window sill from a table top, that is, using it as a cutting table. Instead of a classic stove, it is better to install a separate, kitchen stove and small oven. By tradition, we install the sink in the corner, and mount the refrigerator in the closet so as not to take away the usable area. A gas water heater or a modern boiler can also be hidden in a cabinet. Try to use all the wall space for the cabinets to disperse all the necessary kitchen utensils into them.

Repair of a toilet in Khrushchev

Before repairing a bathroom in Khrushchev, completely replace all plumbing communications. It also makes sense to move the bathroom door to the hallway so that it comes off outward and not inward. To save space, instead of a bathroom, install a shower stall; you can install a washing machine in the resulting free space. We do not recommend getting rid of the washbasin, as you will later regret it, at least make it as compact as possible.

Renovation of a bedroom in Khrushchev

If you made a two-room from a three-room Khrushchev, then you can build an additional wall in the hall so that it is not a walk-through, and the free space taken away from the hall can be compensated by demolishing part of the wall onto the balcony, thus making the balcony a continuation of the hall, but for this it is necessary will repair the balcony.

Renovation of the hall in Khrushchev

We carry out the repair of the hall or living room in Khrushchev according to the above scheme. Alternatively, the hall can be made a living room by combining it with the kitchen into one room, part of the hall space can be given to the kitchen, and the other part to the living room. In a three-room apartment, such a decision will be very correct, since at the expense of the hall you will be able to expand the kitchen and the bathroom, using a walk-through corridor, part of the hall will be a living room, and you can leave two bedrooms, so to speak, for your personal space.

Apartments in "Khrushchevs" have a number of shortcomings, so the task of repair is not only to decorate the premises, but also to eliminate all the shortcomings of Soviet housing construction. Nevertheless, every home craftsman can cope with this work. And the recommendations and useful tips that you will receive in this article will help you with this.

The disadvantages of Khrushchev, which must be eliminated during the repair process, include the following important points:

• small walk-through rooms - this disadvantage can be eliminated by redevelopment and competent zoning of the space;
• creaking wooden floors - you can get rid of this drawback by laying new floors or pouring a screed;
• low level of heat saving - therefore, all such apartments need insulation.

The disadvantages of Khrushchevs include creaking wooden floors and small rooms.

In addition, when repairing Khrushchev houses, like any other apartment itself, it is necessary to align the walls and ceilings, as well as replace old communications.