INTRODUCTION

DEFECTS IN BUILDING:
A building defect is define as the deterioration or flaw of a building features and
services that reduces the value of the building, to unsatisfactory quality levels
of requirement of the users and causes a dangerous condition to the building.

Building defect is one of the major components of building problems that

significantly needs immediate attention. Building defect occurs to either new
building or the old ones.

A building defect can arise due to many factors, such as poor workmanship or the
use of inferior materials. Building defects do not appear to have been minimized
despite recent advancements in building technology. Some common defects caused by
agents such as atmospheric pollution, poor workmanship or the use of inferior
materials, biological and climatic conditions are more frequent. Defect in building
not only contributes to the final cost of the product but also to the cost of
maintenance, which can be expensive. Defect in building can be caused by activities
such as compaction not done to specifications leading to ground subsidence and
eventual early deterioration of foundations. This may lead to the complete failure
of a structure. Conditions under which building construction takes place are often
far from ideal with the focus mainly being on speedy delivery. Defects resulting of
inaccurate construction can be avoided by ensuring that proper inspection
mechanisms are in place. The understanding of building defects and their causes is
essential for better performance of any building.

Broadly speaking about research on building defect found in Center for Leakage and
the Pharmaceutical Technology Hall in the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.
These two building has defects which fall into two categories which include
defects that affect the performance of structure and defects that affect the
appearance of structure.

The defects found in these building are as follows;

PEELING PAINT
If there is insufficient surface preparation being considered while painting, then
there are high chance that peeling paint will be one of your main problems. Apart
from prep, if there is extra thinner being added to the paint, then there’ll be a
case of peeling paint being observed in your building which is due to poor general
building maintenance. Over time, it is observed that the thinned-out paint will
become brittle and hence leading it to be less adaptable to high temperature and
humidity.

Remedial Measures:
The remedial measures are as follows:
• Scrap away any sort of loose paint that is attached to the wall.
• Smoothing out the walls with sandpaper before painting on them
• Priming the surface properly.
• Prevent moisture from building up in the walls of the building.

CRACKS ON WALL AND INSPECTION CHAMBER

Cracks in the walls are quite a common building defect seen in many buildings. The
most common causes of cracking of walls are due to either climate change or
reactive soils being used in the walls of the building.
Cracks in walls causes by fixture are commonly caused by human usage, Over-
tightening of fixtures, Poor installation and Thermal expansion/contraction.

Remedial Measure:
The following maintenance can be done to make sure there are no more cracks in the
walls:
 • Crack caused due to leakage; The source of the leakage should be
repaired or patched.
• Crack caused due to fixtures; Remove and re-install fixture, Replace
surrounding material (drywall, concrete, etc.)

ROOF LEAKAGE CAUSING DAMPNESS ON WALLS

Roof leakage leading to dampness on walls occurs when water enters the building
through the roof and seeps into the walls, causing damage and discoloration.

Causes:
• Damaged or missing roof shingles/tile.
• Cracked or deteriorated flashing
• Clogged or damaged gutters/downspouts
• Loose or corroded roof fasteners
• Poor roof design/installation
• Storm damage (hail, wind, debris)

Remedial measures:
• Fix roof leaks (patching, re-sealing)
• Replace damaged roofing materials
• Clean and clear gutters
• Inspect and repair wall damage
• Apply waterproof coatings (if necessary)

DETACHMENT/DEFECT IN ROOF GUTTER AND FASCIA BOARD

Detachment or sagging in roof gutters occurs when the gutter separates from the
roof or fascia board, or sags due to weight or structural issues.

Causes:
• Loose or corroded fasteners
• Weight of debris
• Improper installation
• Material degradation
• Fascia board rot or damage
• Gutters not sized for water flow

Remedial measures:
• Re-securing gutters with new fasteners
• Replacing damaged or rotten fascia boards
• Installing gutter supports or brackets
• Replacing entire gutter system (if necessary)

CORROSION OF METAL RAIL AND PLUMBING PIPES

Corrosion is the deterioration of metal surfaces due to water, chemical or
electrochemical reactions, causing damage to metal rails and plumbing pipes.

Causes:
• Moisture and humidity
• Exposure to saltwater or acidic environments
• Inadequate coating or protection
• Soil corrosion (for underground pipes)
• Galvanic corrosion
• Microbiological corrosion (bacteria)
• 
DEFECT IN FLOOR TILES
Ceramic Tiles Defects (Due to Backing)
Causes:
• Uneven installation
• Insufficient adhesive
 • Poor backing material
• Inadequate curing time

Remedial measures:
• Re-grouting
• Replacing damaged tiles
• Re-installation

PVC Tiles Defects (Due to Human Traffic)

Causes:
• Heavy foot traffic
• Poor maintenance
• Inadequate thickness

Remedial measures:
• Replacing and Re-installation damaged sections with a ceramic tiles
which can allow large amounts of foot traffic

DEFECT IN ELECTRICAL FITTINGS

Electrical fitting defects refer to any malfunction or flaw in electrical
components, posing safety risks and potentially causing electric shock, fire and
equipment damage.

Causes:
• Damaged or worn-out parts
• Inadequate maintenance
• Physical damage
• Moisture/Corrosion
• Aging/Obsolescence

Remedial measures:
• Replace damaged fittings
• Secure loose connections
• Inspect and test systems
• Upgrade electrical infrastructure
• Consult licensed electricians

CONCLUSIONS
Building defects pose significant risks to occupants safety, health, and financial
wellbeing These defects can arise from design flaws, poor construction, inadequate
materials, and lack of maintenance.

Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial for defect prevention and early
detection. Collaboration between architects, engineers, contractors, and owners is
essential for defect-free construction.

Adhering to building codes, standards, and regulations ensures structural integrity

and safety.

By acknowledging the risks and consequences of building defects, we can work

towards creating safer, more durable, and defect-free structures.