WALL DEFECTS

Defect 1 Thermal Expansion Cracks in Brick Walls

Investigation method Through visual investigation our team could be able to identify some diagonal and horizontal cracks along the back side brick wall. Normally those cracks could be identified by look for cracking at the corners of long walls. Causes of the defect The particular wall is exposed to sun and get heated highly. That caused diagonal and horizontal thermal cracks at several places along the wall. And also the particular wall is a continuous one and there was not created any thermal expansion joints. Since it is a continuous wall there should be some thermal joints to prevent causing thermal cracks on the wall. And also this incidence can be cause due to poor masonry practices, since there were some damages of the wall plaster near to particular cracks and the wall plaster also older than one decade. Consequences After causing that crack, the crack gets wider in cold weather and narrower in hot weather. That would cause some water seepage into the wall structure when there is heavy rain and even weakening the wall plaster causing collapse. And also there is a growing crack near to the window lintel and that would cause some damages to the window frame in the future.

Appropriate methods of repair/rectification Since this defect are caused due to poor masonry and there are more damages on plastering work of particular wall, the old plaster should be removed entirely and paste a new plaster with necessary expansion joints and those joints should be properly thermally insulated. And can be cover the wall with sun shades and can be apply some thermal insulation paints coats to get protected from drastic sun heat. Repairing cost Approximate wall size 200 ft2 Breaking old plaster cost per 1 ft.

12.00

Rs.

Re-plastering 5/8" thick to wall in Cement and sand 1:3 including Cement floating and providing expansion joints cost per 1 ft = 40.00 Rs. Total cost per 1ft Total cost for repair = = 52.00 Rs.

10,400.00 Rs.

Defect 2 Cracks on load bearing walls

Investigation method Through visual inspection could be able to see some wall cracks on internal walls and top of the wall there was a suspended concrete slab for placing the water tank on it. Causes of the defect The suspended concrete slab had been place on the walls without establishing necessary supports such as load bearing beams and columns. A 530 liter water tank had been placed on the suspended slab and whole weight of it had been bear by the short brick wall.

Consequences The suspended slab had been placed recently for temporary purposes. And the defect is slight and but it is developing. So that has to be taken necessary concern about it to prevent the crack development further. Appropriate methods of repair/rectification Since the suspended slab has been placed to provide temporary water supply, can be removed the slab and replace the water tank to a suitable place as a long term remedial action. If not have to be provided necessary supports such as load bearing beams and columns to transit load of the water tank safely to the foundation. Repairing cost To provide 20 ft load bearing beam and 2 number of 10 ft high load bearing columns Breaking wall area to place beam and columns cost per 1 ft =

100.00

Rs.

Construction of 6" X 6" Beams in Cement concrete 1:2:4(3/4") cost per 1 ft = 500.00 Construction of 6" X 6" columns in Cement concrete 1:2:4(3/4") cost per 1 ft = 350.00 Total cost per 1ft Total cost for repair = = 950.00 38,000.00

Rs.

Rs. Rs. Rs.

Defect 3 Discoloration and cracks of wall paint

Investigation method Through visual inspection could be able to identify some discolored wall patches and cracks of paint largely on the external walls. Causes of the defect The external walls were exposed to sea side largely got attacked by strong wind and sun rise. Due to that incidence the wall paint had been gotten discolored and cracked. And also there was not done a proper color wash recently. With the time some chemical components of the applied paint can be reacted with components in the air and resulting faded background. Consequences This is directly affect to the appearance of the house and also with the time that may cause some defects to wall plaster due to lack of proper weather shield insulation. Normally by paint insulation provides protection for the motor plaster. With the secession of paint coats there is threat of being dissolved the motor plaster with the water when there is a rain. Appropriate methods of repair/rectification As a rectification method the old paint coat should be scratched and applied weather shield paint.

Repairing cost Approximate wall area 100 ft2 Scratch old paint coat cost per 1 ft

35.00

Rs.

Preparing and apply one coat of Alkali resistant primer and two coats of emulsion paint to walls. cost per 1 ft = 25.00 Rs. Total cost per 1ft Total cost for repair = = 60.00 6,000.00 Rs. Rs.

Defect 4 Fungus and algae attack on walls

Investigation method By visually and smell inspection could be able to identify some fungus and algae growth on external walls. Causes of the defect There was a broken down pipe near to the back side of external wall. When there is a rain, water flowing on the roof directly fall on the wall. And there were some damp patches on the wall. Around those patches there was some fungus growth. Those damp patches could be caused due to leakage of internal water supply pipe lines.

Consequences This defect is directly affected to the aesthetic appearance of the house. And those funguses are light weight and can be easily spread by wind, those can be occurred some health problems too. And with the constant dampness of the wall can be caused some cracks and weaken the wall structure in the future. Appropriate methods of repair/rectification As a remedy should be repair those down pipes and water supply water line immediately. Repairing cost Approximate length of the down pipe 10 ft Provide 3 1/2" PVC rain water down pipes fixed to brick wall with wooden plugs buried in wall cost per 1 ft = 130.00 Total cost for repair = 1,300.00

Rs. Rs.

Approximate dampness of wall area 2 ft Break the wall and fix the pipe line cost per 1 ft Total cost for repair

= =

900.00 1,800.00

Rs. Rs.

Defect 5 Arising dampness

Investigation method Through visual inspection could be able to see some discolored patches along the external walls near to the balcony floor slab. Causes of the defect Due to broken downpipe whole rain water flows along the balcony and some remain on the balcony area and seep into the wall and arising dampness. Water remains on the balcony floor due to irregular levels on the floor slab. Consequences This also may cause some algae and fungus growth in the future and may cause discoloration too. Appropriate methods of repair/rectification First of all downpipe should be repaired and leveled the balcony area to well flow of water without remaining any. Repairing cost Approximate length of the down pipe 10 ft Provide 3 1/2" PVC rain water down pipes fixed to brick wall with wooden plugs buried in wall cost per 1 ft = 130.00 Total cost for repair = 1,300.00

Rs. Rs.