A building structure has a number of components that are divided into the substructure

and superstructure. These components include foundations, walls, structural frame work,
floors, staircases, roofs, finishes (e.g. floorings, walls cladding, e.t.c.), fittings (e.g. electrical
and gas, plumbing, sanitary, doors, windows e.t.c). Discuss the need for maintenance and
how it can be achieved for each of those components.

Foundation: Foundation is defined as a composite of soil, concrete, steel, wood, plastic, and
other materials that are designed to work together to provide a stable base that supports a
superstructure.

Need for maintenance: Helps to ensure that the foundation is able to carry the loads during its
design life by early detection and rectification of any defects.

How can maintenance be achieved? By carrying out exterior and interior survey, regular
maintenance:

Exterior Maintenance: Approximately every six months, the maintainer should make a
reconnaissance-type survey of the site and exterior of the structure for evidence of new or
reoccurring problems affecting the foundation performance. More photographs should be taken
or other documentation should be made of any new obvious or suspected distress or other new
anomalies that are observed.

Interior Maintenance: Approximately every six months, the maintainer should make a
reconnaissance-type survey of the interior of the structure for evidence of new or reoccurring
problems affecting the foundation performance. If any new phenomena have developed, do not
repair them without first having a forensic engineer or a forensic consultant investigate the cause
of the distress.

After the cause of the distresses has been identified, action is taken to rectify such distresses for
example, if the distress is due to over loading, underpinning can be carried out.

Walls: The most common types of wall construction in commercial and institutional buildings are
brick, wood, glass, cement or concrete block, reinforced or plain concrete, formed or flat steel panels,
aluminium or asbestos cement panels, and plastic panels, which can feature sandwich-type insulation.
Some walls are load bearing and support floors, other walls and roofs. Others are non-load bearing
and attached to structural steel, concrete or brick columns that support the upper walls, floors, and
roof.
Need for maintenance: Ensure functionality of the walls and protection of the internal components
of the buildings, aesthetic appearance, security and climate control.
How can maintenance be achieved? By cleaning glass, flat or formed steel and wood; painting
wood and steel; sandblasting block, brick or concrete; tuckpointing mortar joints in brick and block;
and repairing or replacing damaged glass, plastic, steel, or masonry sections. While masonry walls
can easily last 50 years or longer with little or no maintenance other than cleaning, technicians should
perform annual inspections on dry and sunny days, as well as on windy and rainy days. Different

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weather conditions will reveal different types of problems. The inspections provide information
managers can turn into planned maintenance work orders, grouped by the type of skill required.

Wall cladding: Wall cladding is the material or component of the wall assembly that forms the outer
surface of the wall and is the first line of protection from the exterior environment (sun, wind, rain
and temperature). It is also an important part of the appearance of a building.
Need for maintenance: Maintenance of the cladding is important to ensure intended performance
because it’s the first line of defence in a wall assembly and is critical for protection of the more
sensitive components of the wall assembly and the interior of the building. Proper maintenance of the
cladding will reduce the likelihood of water penetration and preserve the appearance of the building.
Wear and tear on cladding is expected since it is continually exposed to sun, rain, wind and
temperature changes. In addition, cladding is subject to damage due to accidents, vandalism and
excessive vegetation growth. The durability and expected lifetime of each type of cladding will vary
as will the ease and cost of maintenance. For example, masonry walls are very durable, but are
difficult and costly to replace. While vinyl siding can be more easily damaged, it can also be more
easily repaired and replaced.
Regardless of the type, cladding must be properly maintained to retain the general appearance and
performance functions of the building and to reduce the likelihood of premature failure that could
result in an expensive wall repair. Wall assemblies that utilize a face seal water penetration control
strategy require regular maintenance and repairs to the cladding. This single line of defence strategy
means that water that penetrates past the cladding can quickly lead to damage within the wall.
How can maintenance be achieved?
Cleaning of the wall cladding is important to maintain the aesthetics of a building. It also helps
expose any damage, such as cracks requiring review. Cleaning methods will vary for each type of
cladding; the cladding manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed for each case. Cleaning
should be performed carefully to avoid damaging sealant joints, masonry mortar joints (brick wall)
and cladding finishes. Removing organic debris will reduce moisture retention in any cladding joints.
In general, cleaning of cladding should be performed with non-pressurized water.
Annual reviews of the condition of the cladding should be performed by somebody knowledgeable
regarding building enclosure performance. A maintenance contractor or trade contractor may be
appropriate for this inspection. Recoating the cladding is particularly important for wood siding, but
is also necessary for fibre cement boards and stucco cladding.
Renewal or Replacement of the Cladding: Proper maintenance will prolong the life of the cladding
and reduce renewal costs over the long term. Eventually the cladding will need to be renewed either
because maintenance is no longer cost-effective, or because the performance or appearance of the
cladding is not acceptable.

Structural frame work: Frame work which supports any building structure. Commonly used is steel
because of its good compressive and tensile strength and good strength to weight ratio. Other
materials used include concrete and timber.
Need for maintenance: It is important because it helps to ensure that the structural framework is
able functioning perfectly by support all the other members of the building.
How can maintenance be achieved? Maintenance activities will vary depending on the type of
material the structural frame work is made up of but routine inspections must be carried out to check
for any damage or defects or distresses on the structural frame work and identify their causes. This
helps to ensure the problem cannot occur again through repair and regular maintenance and monitor
the affected areas after the issue appears to have been rectified. The causes of these defects must be
dealt with. E.g for timber- activities such as chemical treatment and painting are some of the
maintenance activities, for concrete- activities include crack sealing and many others

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Floors and floorings;
A floor is the walking surface of a room or vehicle. Floors vary from simple dirt in a cave to
many-layered surfaces using modern technology. Floors may be stone, wood, bamboo, metal, or
any other material that can hold a person's weight. Floor covering is a term to generically
describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface.
Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing
such a floor covering. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to
loose-laid materials. Materials commonly called flooring include wood flooring, laminated
wood, ceramic tile, stone, terrazzo, and various seamless chemical floor coatings.
Need for maintenance: Aesthetic appearance, functionality, comfort and health purposes
How can maintenance be achieved? By cleaning the floor through sweeping and mopping
(type of cleaning varies depending on the type of floor), replacement of any damaged floors and
floorings, sealing of cracks

Staircases: Stair cases also knows as Stairways, stairwells, flight of stairs, or

simply stairs are names for a construction designed to bridge a large vertical distance by dividing
it into smaller vertical distances, called steps. Stairs may be straight, round, or may consist of
two or more straight pieces connected at angles. A stair case may be made of wood, steel,
masonry or concrete.
Need for maintenance: It is aimed at ensuring safety, good aesthetic appearance and ensuring
that the staircase is fully functionally and operational condition.
How can maintenance be achieved? Maintenance of stair cases depends on the type of material
used. When carrying out maintenance of a stair case, routine inspections must be carried out and
a checklist developed, this should include items such as
 Powdery deposits may be a sign of beetle infestation in case of wood staircases.
 Creaking is often due to loose joints.
 Damaged spindles or balusters which can be dangerous
 Worn or damaged nosings on the front of treads could be a hazard.
 Cracks in stone or concrete stairs may indicate structural movement.
 Rusting for steel staircases and many others.
If any of these are discovered, the cause must be determined and a permanent solution obtained
hence carrying out preventive and corrective maintenance. Other Maintenance activities include
cleaning (this will vary depending on the type of material used) and replacement of any damaged
staircase

Roofs: A roof is the covering on the uppermost part of a building. A roof protects the building
and its contents from the effects of weather and the invasion of animals. Roofs require routine
inspections to ensure that they are in a fully functional condition.
Need for maintenance: Protection of other components of the structure, safety and security
purposes, aesthetic appearance.
How can maintenance be achieved? It is advisable to aim at preventive maintenance as far as
roofs are concerned to reduce the extent of deterioration. The best preventative maintenance that
one can perform is semi-annual inspections to identify and solve problems as they occur. Roofs
get more abuse from the elements than any other part of the building, and preventative
maintenance is a key element to saving money on your roof by providing a longer service life.

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Although some roof systems take less maintenance than others, all roof systems should be
checked periodically to be sure that they are free of debris and drains are clear.

Finishes: These cater for the final appearance of a structure; they include wall finishes also
referred to as wall cladding, floor finishes also referred to as floor coverings, ceiling finishes and
many others.
Need for maintenance: For Aesthetic appearance and comfort to the occupants of the structure
How can maintenance be achieved? This can be achieved by carrying out cleaning to maintain
the aesthetic appearance and replacement of damaged finishes

Fittings: include a number of things such as electrical and gas fittings, plumbing and sanitary
fittings, doors, windows and built-in or fixed items that furnish or equip a building. These
include: benches; cupboards; shelving; racks; seats; counters; notice boards; signs and name
plates; coat rails and hooks; mirrors; wall hatches; daises and stages
Need for maintenance: Fittings in structures serve a number of purposes and maintenance is
needed to ensure their functionality. It is also needed for safety and health purposes, security,
comfort and aesthetic appearance.
How can maintenance be achieved? Routine inspections to assess the conditions of the fittings,
replacement of damaged fittings, repair of some of the fittings such as unblocking pipes,
repairing leakages in the pipes, sealing of cracks e.t.c

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