Causes of Deterioration in

Building
Introduction
Causes of
Deterioration and
Defects
INTRODUCTION

Definition:-
Building Defect
A building defect can be defined as a
material, component or finish which
does not meet its accepted performance
criterion.
INTRODUCTION
Anybody who has owned property
recognized that buildings are
frequently subject to numerous forms
of building defect, regularly in the form
of dampness, wall cracks or even a
water penetration to the building.
INTRODUCTION

Even as the cause of the building defect

may be instantly noticeable in several
cases, in others the cause is not so
understandable.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Requirement
Technical knowledge and an
understanding of building construction
are necessary to accurately recognize
the causes of building defects and the
remedial measures essential to put the
defects right.
INTRODUCTION
Investigating Roots of the problem

Building defects can grounds range of

building problems.
 Determining the origin of the
deficiency will depend on which areas
have been overstated.
INTRODUCTION
Investigating Roots of the problem
Even as the cause of the building
imperfection may be straight away visible in
numerous cases.
Similarly, there may be an evident origin of
a defect, but this may not be the whole
story, and the root of the problem may in
fact lie elsewhere.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Investigating Roots of the problem
Even as the cause of the building
imperfection may be straight away visible in
numerous cases.
Similarly, there may be an evident origin of
a defect, but this may not be the whole
story, and the root of the problem may in
fact lie elsewhere.
INTRODUCTION
Investigating Roots of the problem

An exact identification of a building defect

necessitates knowledge and familiarity with
the design and construction of a building
combined with an understanding of
methods of scientific exploration.
INTRODUCTION
Investigating Roots of the problem

An accurate cause of a building defect and

the form of its appearance must be
understood prior to a sensible remedy can
be applied.
INTRODUCTION
Proper building maintenance should
be considered during:
Planning
Design
Construction, and
Maintenance stages
INTRODUCTION
During maintenance stage, effective
building maintenance requires:
The correct diagnosis of defect, and
implementation of the correct remedial
measures all based on sound technical
knowledge, otherwise waste of capital
resources have to be done again.
INTRODUCTION
Steps to be followed for investigation of defect

1. Problem Definition
2. Field Survey and Inspection
a) Visual Inspection, includes: Taken Photos
Looking for similar defect in the same area
b) Field Measurement, includes:
Written record about the sizes and
dimensions of the defect Samples of the
defected material and its adjacent area are
taken
 INTRODUCTION
3. Laboratory Testing of Field Samples
Requires Test for:
Strength Chemical and physical
properties of the field samples Other tests
relevant to the defect condition
INTRODUCTION
4. Examine the AS-Built Design Drawings
Obtain information relevant to the defect area
5. Analysis and Discussion
Compare the Lab. And field study results with the
Information obtained from the As-built drawings
then after that,
6. Conclusion can be withdrawn
 CAUSES OF DETERIORATION
AND DEFECTS
The primary source and causes of
deterioration and decay in structures and
buildings can be listed as follows:

Human
Chemical
Atmosphere
Structural
CAUSES OF DETERIORATION
AND DEFECTS

Moisture
Fire
Faulty Design
Faulty Construction
CAUSES OF DETERIORATION
AND DEFECTS

Faulty Materials
Faulty System
Faulty Systems
Cleaning
Vandalism
 Causes of
Deterioration
The primary source and causes of deterioration
and decay in structures and buildings can be
listed as follows:
1.Human
2.Chemical
3. Atmospheric
4.Structural
5. Moisture
6.Fire
7.Faulty Design
8. Faulty Construction
9. Faulty Materials
10. Faulty System
11. Faulty Systems
12. Cleaning
13. Vandalism
1- HUMAN
- Failure to clean and carry out routine
maintenance
- Ignorance of the causes of deterioration and
decay
- Poor planning for proper maintenance
- Failure to promote awareness of maintenance
needs by all who use the buildings.
- Adopting a negative attitude of waiting until
emergency measures are required.
2.CHEMICAL
- Interaction of certain cleaning agents with
materials and/or components causing
disintegration, softening or discoloration.
- Promoting Corrosion.
- Interaction of certain dissimilar materials in
close contact with one another in a corrosion
environment.
3.ATMOSPHERIC
- Reaction of the structure, external fabric,
finishes and claddings to the atmospheric
elements such as:
 Wind

 Rain

 Sun

 Frost and snow for cold weather

 Pollution in the atmosphere

- Reaction of the building to the penetration of

the above atmospheric elements.
4.STRUCTURAL
- Reaction of the structural elements to
settlement, moisture, shrinkage and thermal
movements.
- Reaction of the structural elements to the
change of loading patterns.
- Reaction to the corrosive elements in the
atmosphere
- Deterioration due to inadequate inspecting
and
maintenance
5.MOISTURE
- Penetration of the external fabric of claddings,
or through ground floor constructions giving
to dampness which may create a suitable
condition for fungi growth and attack.
- Excessive moisture in the internal atmosphere
which may lead to excessive condensation
and corrosion.
6. FIRE
- The heat and the combination of heat and
water can lead to the swelling, distortion,
spilling and cracking of nearby materials and
components.
- Need for replacement of materials directly
effected by the fire.
- Damage can be done by the fire fighters in
their efforts to control the fire
- Water used during the fire fighting can not
only damage but also set up deteriorating in
materials not directly involved.
7.FAULTY DESIGN
- Poor detailing at the design stage including:
 Absence of weather
 Insufficient allowance for expansion or
contraction
 Incorrectly placed damp – proof courses
 Poor jointing between different materials or
components
- Poor specification
- Lack of adequate consideration of future
maintenance problems
8.FAULTY CONSTRUCTION
- Lack of supervision during construction period
- Failure to understand or follow exactly the
specification and/or drawings
- Failure to replace defective work
- Failure of Designer/Architect/or Engineer
monitor works in progress
- Lack of skilled labor
- Over emphasis or need for quantity rather than
quality
9.FAULTY MATERIALS AND

10.FAULTY COMPONENTS
- Failure of client, builder, designer or architect
to reject sub-standard materials.
- In adequate inspection of materials by supplier
or receiver
- Inadequate storage facilities on site
- Inadequate/or inconsistent mixing of materials
on site
Similar condition to those given above
for faulty material can lead to
deterioration and decay of the fabric,
services or finishes of the structure of
building.
11.FAULTY SYSTEMS
- Inadequate knowledge on the part of the
designer or architect leading to an
unsatisfactory design, detail of system.
- Inability of the installer to follow the
specification and/or drawings
- Failure of owner to follow maintenance
instructions provided by manufacturer or
designer.
- Inability of the owner to operate the system as
instructed.
12.CLEANING
- Failure to carry out routing cleaning operations
- Use of incorrect cleaning materials and/or
techniques
- Inadequate supervision of cleaners to ensure
that cleaning is thorough
- Failure of owner to tenant to provide sufficient
space, enough time or the correct equipment
and materials for cleaning operations
- Failure to employ specialists for cleaning
special fittings and equipment.
13.VANDALISIM
- Lack of security
- Failure to promote awareness among occupants
of the consequences of vandalism
- Incorrect selection of materials and finishes in
circulation areas which are prone to
vandalism
- Failure to maintain or repair areas of damage
by vandals thus encouraging more vandalism.
• It is impossible to control all the above factors
during design, construction and occupations
stages of buildings.
• However, considering these factors and
minimizing their effect will definitely
reduce the amount and need for
maintenance.
4.1 Structure
4.2 Roofing
4.3 Building exterior
4.4 Building interior
4.5 Plumbing
4.6 Electrical
4.7 Grounds
4.8 Furniture and equipment
 1. Structures
Structure is the group of columns, beams, structural walls, floors
and roof structure and its stability.
Pay special attention to these aspects:
• Warping in columns, beams, structural walls, floors and roof
structure
• Rotting in wooden components
• Rusting of metal components
• Loosening of drive screws, wall plates and bolts in case of roof’s
structural support system
• Deflection of the chord in case of pre-engineered truss
Honeycomb and pinholes in concrete can be rectified and remedied as
follows:
• Remove all loose concrete and wash off any dust or dirt.
• Apply bonding agent to affected concrete surface.
• Welded wire mesh can be included to the patch mix concrete of
grout.
• Patch mix or grout should be consistent with strength of adjacent
concrete.
• Framework is to be put up where necessary.
• Protect the affected area from any disturbance during curing period.
 2. Roofing
Consists of shingles and sheet, roof vents, flashing, gutters and down-
spout pipes.
2.1. Shingles and Sheet
Is the outermost covering made of wood, metal, asphalt, slate or
asbestos, copper, tin, etc.
Defect and its possible causes:
• Tearing/ peeling off shingles or sheets by heavy winds
• Corrosion due to extreme atmosphere and moisture.
Remedial measures:
• Secure the parts properly
• The ridge cap should be properly fixed to the roof sheet.
 2.2. Roof vents
Is pipe above roof that discharges sewage, gasses, hot air, etc.
Defect:
• Rust, clog & breakage caused by atmosphere, chemicals & falling of debris & trees on it.
Remedial measures:
• Keep the protective hood in good repair and secure it tightly on vent pipes
• Clean the leaves and debris lodged against them
• If it is totally broken, replace with new one
2.3. Flashing
Is sheet metal, fill gaps around chimney, vent pipe & valleys of roof, used to seal out water.
Defect:
• May corrode, form pinhole, develop metal fatigue, and pull away from the adjoining
surface. The sealant used can dry out and crack. Any of these conditions can create a leak.
Remedial measures:
• Remove rusted old flashing and install a new piece.
• Tack the flashing carefully under the edges of the roof.
• Seal the pinholes and cracks with asphalt emulsion or chalking compound.
 2.4. Gutter and Down-spout pipe
Controls/ direct water running off the roof & made from wood, vinyl,
aluminum, galvanized steel, stainless steel, or copper.
Defect:
• Clogging, leakage through pinholes or rusted or broken sections
Remedial measures:
• The leaves, debris, or plants should be cleaned out regularly.
• Pay special attention to cleaning elbows and bends.
• A clogged down-spout should be snaked out.
• If it is totally broken, replace with new one
 3. Building Exterior
Walls, consists of bricks, concrete blocks, or any masonry when it is kept naked,
plaster and paint, metal frames, doors, window, railings and corridors. The biggest
threats of the exteriors are rain, wind, sun, etc.
3.1. Brick/Concrete Blocks or any Masonry walls
In exterior brick, concrete block, or any masonry walls, the basic concerns are
cracking and water intrusion causing numerous defects on walls.
A) Cracks:
Seen especially in brick, concrete blocks, or any masonry walls are structural
cracks. This type of crack forms in straight vertical or horizontal lines, or in
stepped diagonal lines. This crack width will often vary with the seasons.
Causes:
• Differential movement of foundations, moisture expansion or drying shrinkage.
Remedial measures:
• A specialist should be called to evaluation and recommend corresponding repair.
Figure 2: Wall Cracks- Poor detailing- Diagonal cracks- Expansion and Shrinkage
 B) Dampness:
It can erode the mortar, causing the mortar to disintegrate. The most common signs
are surface stains, lifted surface finishes, efflorescence and fretting and algae and
fungi growth.
Causes:
• Disrupted damp-proof course; leakage of water pipes, roofs, gutters and down-
spout
pipes; mildew of mould growing on walls; bushes and shrubs touching the
building.
Remedial measures:
•Dampness caused by deteriorated dpc can be repaired by local insertion of new
dpc followed by plastering with appropriate system.
• Remove/ clean the mildew of mould by high pressure water jetting
• Remove plant growing on the walls and bushes and shrubs touching the building
to drain off rainwater quickly from the wall.
For metal frames, doors, windows and railings, the protective paint coating should
be in good conditions. Wood doors, windows, railings and posts should be sanded
and painted. Door and window hinges should be oiled at least annually.
 3.2. Plaster
The common defects in plaster are crazing, map cracking, plastic shrinkage cracks, de-
bonding, grinning, expansion and popping.
A) Crazing and map cracking:
Is a network of fine cracking, usually in a hexagonal pattern. The only difference is that
map cracking is little deeper than crazing.
Causes:
• Over toweling of plaster, a plaster mix is of high cement content or the plaster is
allowed to dry quickly.
Remedial measures:
• These cracks can be covered using reasonable quality paint. If necessary, glass fiber
tissue can be applied during the painting operation.

Figure 3: Crazing- Spreading dry cement on concrete or wetting dry concrete

 B) Plastic shrinkage cracks:
The cracks noticed while the plaster is still plastic, they are often floated closed, only to
reappear some time later.
Causes:
• When an excessive amount of water is lost from the plaster in the first hour after
application.
Remedial measures:
• These cracks are normally stable and can be filled with proprietary filler and painted
over.

Figure 4:Plastic cracking- rapid loss of water or settlement of aggregates

 C) De-bonding:
Often noticed as a hollow sound when the surface is tapped.
Causes:
• Plaster exposed to air will shrink at a different rate from the in contact with wall. This
is especially true of excessively thick plaster layers.
• De-bonding is generally the result of inadequate preparation of the substrate
• weak backing structure, bonding to base & rendering undercoat
Remedial measures:
• Hack away the defective plaster right up to wall surface & to brush away loose mortar
• Cleaning dusty or oily walls thoroughly.
• Allowing the walls to reach the correct moisture content.
• Using a cement slurry coat before plastering.
• Using bonding liquids following the procedure recommended by the manufacturer.
Small areas of de-bonding aren’t significant, but larger areas should be removed and
replaced.
 D) Grinning:
In plastered wall the positions of the mortar joints are clearly visible through the plaster.
Causes:
• Caused by the difference in suction between the masonry units and the mortar.
• Raking out mortar joints .
While grinning may be unsightly, it is unlikely to lead to further cracking. The choice is
to live with it, or to remove and replace the plaster.
E) Expansion:
This includes swelling, softening, layer cracking and spalling of the plaster.
Causes:
• By the inclusion of proprietary gypsum-based products in the mix.
Remedial measures:
• Remove and replace the plaster.
 F) Popping:
Conical fragments that break out of the surface leaving holes which vary in size.
Causes:
• By the presence of contaminant (seeds, other organic material, or particles of dead
burnt lime particles) in the mix which, reacting with the moisture, expand and cause
cavities in the plaster.
Remedial measures:
• Hack away the defective plaster right up to wall surface and to brush away all loose
mortar, dirt and dust, the mortar joints must be raked clear and the edges of cut should
be square. The wall area should be sprayed with water to wash away dirt and dust, and
to reduce the amount of absorption. The edges of old plaster should be sealed by cement
slurry . Use wooden float instead of steel float to obtain plain smooth finishes.
 3.3. Paint
Each type of paint has its own life and deterioration earlier to the rated
life is a failure. Therefore, few common defects during application,
drying, and during service life are explained below in brief.

Defects Possible Causes Remedial Measures

Bleeding
Leaching out of the • Frequent brushing on • Allow drying before
existing paint film. OR the painting over with an
the resinous deposit of same spot appropriate “buffer” coat
the subsurface coming to • Use of incompatible
the paint. coats or thinner
 Defects
Running/ Sagging/
Curtaining
Flowing or dripping of paint
from upper vertical surface to
the lower part forming a tear-
like or wavy appearance.
Possible Causes
• Painting of excessively
thick film layer at one
time
• Application of gloss
paint on existing paints or
surface
without sanding
Remedial Measures
• Remove paint film,
sand, clean and re-paint
• Increase frequency of
painting thin film
• Sand and clean
receiving surface before
application
• Apply with appropriate
coat
 Defects Possible Causes Remedial Measures

Crawling
Slipping or inability to form a • Painting over • Remove paint film, sand, clean
film. surfaces that are not and re-paint
prepared, e.g. sand, • Sand and clean receiving
dirt and dust on the surface before application
surface • Apply with appropriate coat
 Defects Possible Causes Remedial Measures

Crating
Formation of small bowl-shaped • Painting over • Remove paint film,
depressions. surfaces that are not sand, clean and re-paint
prepared, e.g. sand, • Sand and clean
dirt and dust on the receiving surface before
surface application
• Use of contaminated • Apply with appropriate
tools and coat
water/solvents • Use clean tools and
water/solvents
 Defects Possible Causes Remedial Measures

Lifting
Attacking by successive • Use of incompatible • Remove paint film, sand, clean
coating on existing paint. coats, which cause and re-paint
shrinkage of paint • Observe over coating intervals
film or attacking of as recommended by
thinner on undercoat manufacturer
• Allow undercoating to dry
before application of successive
coating
• Sand and clean receiving
surface before application
• Apply with appropriate coat
as recommended by
manufacturer
 Defects Possible Causes Remedial Measures

Loss of Gloss
Reduction of luster on drying
caused by severe absorption of
undercoat.
• Application on rough • Remove paint film,
or unclean surfaces sand, clean and re-paint
• Inadequate or excessive • Increase frequency of
dilution painting in thin film
• Use of unsuitable • Paint adequate thickness
thinner of film
• Application of • Use appropriate thinner
excessively thin film • Avoid painting at high
• Result as blushing humidity
occur • Prepare receiving
• Drying occurs in the surface and apply
presence of excessive appropriate sealer
moisture and pollutant
 Defects Possible Remedial Measures
Causes
Efflorescence
Migration of alkaline from • Painting over • Remove efflorescence, unstable
cement based materials and insufficiently matters and loose paint film
crystallization on the surface cured plaster • Repaint on receiving surface with
as salts. moisture content not exceeding 6%
• Seal off with compatible alkali
resisting primer before painting
• Painting over • Patch cracks
substrate’s • Repaint on receiving surface with
hairline cracks moisture content not exceeding 6%
• Water • Arrest moisture source
seepage • Prepare and treat the surface
through roof, • Repaint on receiving surface with
toilets, moisture content not exceeding 6%
bathrooms, etc • Treat dampness
• Rise of • Repaint on receiving surface with
dampness from moisture content not exceeding 6%
ground
 Defects Possible Causes Remedial Measures

Yellowing
It is a natural fading of paint. • Use of paint with • Prepare surface and
certain ingredients, repaint with non
e.g. yellowing yellowing paints
epoxy and alkyd
resins, which are
easily affected by
light, heat or
environmental
contaminant
Chalking
The powdering of the surface paint due • Water seepage • Arrest moisture
to natural ageing of paint. The extent of through roof, source
chalking will depend on paint toilets, bathrooms, • Prepare and treat the
formulation and surface exposure to etc surface
weather. • Repaint on receiving
surface with moisture
content not exceeding
 4.Building Interior
Besides plaster and paint, the interior includes floors, panel and tile wall, ceilings, doors, windows, etc.
4.1. Floors
Causes:
Tile Floors:
•Most problems: cracked grout or crashed and broken tiles.
•Due to sub-base being damp or excessive water may have been used for cleaning purposes.
•Stains result from abuse of flooring or accidental spill of standing material.
•Cracks or breaks because something is dropped on it or.
Concrete & Terrazzo Floors:
•The common defects: curling up of floor, dusting, and sinking cracks, crazy cracking, pitting consists of small holes.
•Curling up of floor occurs at corners and is a diagonal crack.
•Sinking cracks occurs in ground floors due to settlement caused by plinth filling not been done properly.
•Crazy cracking occur in upper floors due to RCC slab undergoing deflection according to the loads.
•Dusting in floor is disintegration of top layer caused by traffic over it and inadequate curing.
•Pitting with small holes are results of aggregate becoming loose, dents caused by accidents, etc.
Timber Floors:
•Subjected to surface abuses and subsequently deteriorated and decayed.
•The main causes: pest attacks, lack of natural preservatives, corroded nails, moisture, etc.
Remedial measures:
• Tiles which get damaged have to be cut out by a sharp knife, the old adhesive
thoroughly scraped and new tiles placed with adhesive. Stains should be removed as
soon as possible.
• Dusty with a lot of crocodile cracking is not repairable and to be replaced.
• Repairs to pitting done by epoxy resins mixed with matching colors and cements. The
cavity is cleaned thoroughly and the resin mix is used a paste to fill. Traffic should not
be allowed till epoxy set properly.
• Cracking can be repaired by grout or by epoxy.
• Where large chunks are involved. The damaged area should be cut in a regular way
and re-concreted with a binder like epoxy applied at the junction of old and new work .
 4.2. Wall panel
The common defects: dents, gouges, dings, scratches and cracks.
Causes:
• Everyday wear and tear in a house
• Pulling out off popped nails
• Termite attack
Remedial measures:
• Using fine sandpaper, lightly sand to remove the finish from around the defected area.
• Use a putty stick fill the area, and wipe away putty on the surface with a clean cloth.
• Let it dry and then lightly sand the area.
• If the problems are too severe replace the panel.
 4.3. Wall Tile
The common defects in wall tiles are cracks, dents, breakage, etc.
Causes:
• Everyday wear and tear in a house
• Pressure or by being hit with heavy stuff accidently.
Remedial measures:
• If the defect is very light or less, seal it with sealant of putty of same color.
• For severe cracks & broken tiles, punch a hole through the center of the damaged tile.
• Remove all old adhesive and grout behind the tile.
• Use sandpaper to smooth rough spots; then dust off the area with brush and water.
• Spread mastic on the tile. Centre the tile and gently tap it with wood block.
• Allow 24 hour for the mastic to dry, and then fill the joints with grout.
 4.4. Ceiling
The common defects are dust streaks, holes, dampness, discoloration, etc. On occasion,
the ceilings may sag.
Causes:
• Panels loosening, or if it has plaster, the plaster coats may be pulling away from the
lath underneath.
• It may be structural, such as overloading of a ceiling joist of truss above.
• It could be water leak, which may causing deterioration.
Remedial measures:
• Find the roof leak. Catch the leak with bucket and mop up standing water with rags.
• Allow the damp spot in the ceiling to dry. Remove any flaking paint with putty knife
and seal the spot with sealer, and then repaint.
 4.5. Door
The common defects in doors are warping, loosening, binding, or sticking making them
difficult to open and close.
Causes:
• Movement or settlement of the building, causing the doorframe to be out of plumb.
• Variation in moisture content.
• Hinges not been sufficiently recessed.
• Stressing caused by racking or blocks put in hinge side rebate to hold door open.
• Doorframe exerting leverage on doorframe fixings.
Remedial measures:
• If the problems are not serious, the door can be removed and the sticking edges planed
down slightly to relieve the problem and as by tightening fixing screws.
• If the defects occurred are severe where the door is badly warped, rotten or broken,
replace with new one.
 4.6. Window
Defects:
• Rotting of wood frames from prolonged exposure to dampness and are delectable to
termites.
• Simple exposure to sun creates cracks over time.
• Wearing away of finishes by blowing dust.
Remedial measures:
• A yearly maintenance (filling cracks with putty and chalking the edges) will go a long
way towards protecting them.
• For aluminum windows, scrub with natural bristle brush and detergent solution.
 5.Plumbing
Most of the plumbing systems have five major parts: water supply, water storage,
fixtures, waste collection and septic system.
Plumbing problems normally become self-evident quickly: a drain clogs up, the faucet
drips, a broken pipe sprays water, toilet won’t flush, and so forth.
5.1. Toilet
The flush toilet is the most important item in the plumbing system. Toilets are subjected
to three common problems: wear, corrosion and clogging.
Clogging:
Toilets malfunction due to clogging &cleared with plunger or toilet auger, unless it is
deep inside. When drain is clogged, try breaking up clog by plunging with a plunger.
Running toilet:
Can be caused by a problems with float arm, float ball, tank stopper, or an inlet valve. A
running toilet can be the result of water leaking through a poorly-fitting or defective
flapper or tank ball. The simplest remedy for running toilet is to jiggle the flush handle.
This is often enough to free-up a flapper or float ball.
 5.2. Pipes and Pipe Fittings
Generally the problems are leaks caused by wear and corrosion. The plumbing leaks
often can be a bigger problem, if the pipes and fittings are under pressure. It so happens
and become quite late to repair and do maintenance because by the time you see or find
the real problem, the damage must have gone large. This is because most of the
plumbing is out of sight, behind the walls and under the floor, so typically you cannot
see the leaks when they occur until they manifest somewhere else.
 5.3. Sinks, Basin and Toilet Traps
Every plumbing fixture – sink, basin, bathtub, toilet and floor drain has a trap. Traps
seldom get clogged and when it happens place the plunger over the clogged drain and
run two or three inches of water into it. The plunger is pushed down into the drain to
create suction or a vacuum that will loosen or break the clog.
If the plunger does not work, try a plumber’s snake (auger). And still if that does not
work, remove the trap which may have gone old and corroded. In such case replace it
with a new one, prefer plastic trap because it won’t corrode.
 6. Electrical
An electrical system includes the incoming power lines, electric meter, service panel
(panel box), wiring, electrical boxes, receptacles (or outlets), switches, lights, and
equipment that put the power to work. Other electrical systems in a building include
cable television, audio systems, and wiring for communications.
It is obvious to experience a power failure. When happens, first determine whether the
problem in building system or in utility outage. If in utility outage, call utility company.
In building’s electrical power system, problems are caused by an overloaded circuit, a
short circuit, or loose wiring. If the circuit is overloaded, a circuit breaker should have
tripped or a fuse should have blown cutting off current in the circuit. Check the
electrical panel box that contains either fuses or circuit breakers. These are known as
over-current devices.
If the problem isn’t simple, turn off everything from the trouble circuit. Then reset the
breaker to replace the fuse. If the circuit blows immediately, there is probably a charred
wire in the circuit that will require replacement. Still if the lights or receptacles don’t
work, there is probably a loose wire somewhere. In such case, you will need to call an
electrician.
How to trace short circuit or overload
Following are the number of problems that occurs in electrical circuits:
• Faulty wiring within the house.
• Too many lamps or appliances on one circuit.
• Defective wall switches or receptacles (outlets).
• Defective circuits within appliances.
• Short circuits happens when a hot wire touches a neutral or ground wire, the extra
current flowing through the circuit causes the breaker to trip or fuse to blow.
 6. Furniture and Equipment
Outdoor furniture probably gets more wear and tear than indoor furniture, but it is often
easy to do maintenance and repair. Besides normal wear and tear, hot day air can cause
wooden furniture to shrink and come apart.
The four most common furniture problems are:
• Wooden shrinkage
• Warping
• Worn seating
• Scrapes and scratches
Some of the remedial measures provided for common defects are:
• Cover hairline scratches with a touchup stick iodine or shoe dye.
• Fill deeper scratches and gouges with wood putty. Cover with stick shellac. Finally
rub it down with a felt pad or extra fine steel wool.
• Replace with new one if cracks and seen in plastic furniture
 8. Ground
Grounds include paved footpath, driveway, parking lots, courtyard, playground. The
poor maintenance causes tripping hazards or water drainage towards the building.
Driveways and parking lots are typically built of asphalt, concrete or gravel. All require
some degree of maintenance. Gravel driveways often develop ruts, and if severe enough
regarding may be needed in adding more gravel. Concrete is a durable material, but it
may start to crack as the ground under the driveway shifts slightly. Asphalt driveways
may experience sinking, or the surface can crack due to settlement and water, but
asphalt can be patched.
Retaining walls deteriorate because of excessive pressure built-up behind them. Often
conditions can be improved by excavating a trench behind the retaining wall and filling
it with coarse gravel. Drain holes through the wall will then be able to relieve the water
pressure. Retaining walls sometimes suffer from the root pressure or from general
movement of top soil down the slope. Normally these conditions require rebuilding the
retaining wall.
Play grounds should be cleaned and remade, and grass cut in a regular basis. Leaves,
limbs or any other plant materials which may have accumulated should be raked from
the play grounds.
Thank You!
THANK YOU !
THANK YOU