1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Although it is tempting to imagine that all old building or estate were soundly and robustly built this is not necessarily true. Perhaps this study is looking into maintenance and management of housing estate, using Aladimma housing estate Owerri as a case study. In fact medieval structures may not have foundation in the sense that we would think of them whilst Georgian or Victorian buildings might have an outer face of stone tied back to susceptible to rust. There can also be a considerable difference in the quality and durability of the stone itself-granite is generally though to be a very hard wearing stone whilst some lime stones, for example clunch or chalk, are very soft and may be more prone to decay. Flint, no the other hand, is a very durable material but its rounded shape can make it difficult to blocks of masonry.
The issue of in appropriate repairs frequently crops up when dealing with historic buildings in some housing estate. One of the most common is the use of modern cement mortar to repair old walls. Whilst walls do need to be repainted from time to time to protect them from the weather, using a cement mortar is likely to increase the rate of decay and cause a great deal of damage. Such work is usually carried out with the best of intentions but is ultimately harmful to the building fabric. In such a case, it would have been specification for the reporting works and appoint a contractor familiar with traditional lime mortars. Other examples are the use of chemically injected damp proof courses or the application of proprietary water repellent solutions or modern emulsion paints to old walls.
Such products will often prevent the proper evaporation of moisture from the wall and can exacerbate any inherent problems of dampness. However, in most cases neglect is the main signs of premature building decay. The tell table signs of neglect include broken rain water goods, blocked air grilles and plants growing in gutters. All of these problems will encourage moisture to penetrate the fabric and prevent its evaporation. If the fabric becomes excessively damp this might lead to blistering paint and plaster, increased rates of decay in masonry and the possibility of timber decay and excessive fluctuations in temperature can also encourage the movement of soluble salt in masonry structures. Salt movement is characterized by blooms of white crystals on the surface of walls (efflorescence) and can cause considerable damage to plaster and paint work.
In extreme cases, problems caused by excess moisture might even lead to walls becoming unstable, a potential serious structure. Prolonged exposure to acid rain can start to dissolve some lime stones and will also corrode metal ties and fastenings. During rain can penetrate deep into solid walls where the painting is missing or decayed and condensation in a poorly veritilated building can lead to mould growth or encourage decay in timber work. Frost can also contribute to the breakdown of building material. If there is too much moisture in porous walling materials, this can freeze in winter. As the moisture freezes, it expands and can shatter the surface of old bricks and tiles. This process can have a dramatic effect if the cycle is repeated a number of time over the winter season. Storm damage and high winds may also play a part as they dislodge slates, tile and lead work.
The natural world can have a devastating effect on old buildings too. Tree roots can disrupt foundations and some climbing plants such as mature ivy, can be strong enough to force rain water goods away from the wall if allowed to grow behind them. Although it may look attractive, ivy can cause a great deal of walling and should not be encouraged. Even small plants can become a problem as their roots will tend to break down mortar and may even force joints open allowing water to penetrate into the fabric.
Though protected by law, some animal species, such as bats, can have a negative impact on fabric and fittings. Eradiance of bats roosting in the roof spaces may include scatterings of dropping and traces of urine on furniture and floors. Masonry bees may borrow a nest in soft mortar points whilst birds can cause problems when they choose ecclesiastical buildings as nesting sites. Twigs, debris and indeed dead birds are common causes of wood peckers preferring shingled spires to living trees.
Under the heading of the natural world we may also include the wood destroying fungi commonly known as sweet and dry rot. Dry rot (serpula lacrymans) is the most aggressive wood destroying fungus and thrives in unventilated voids. It often has a musty smell and can develop into grey or white cotton wool like sheets with ting orange spots. Wet rot is a generic term that refers to decay occurring in very damp conditions. An example is the cellar rot fungus (coniophora puteana), which may be identified by dark brown strands appearing on the surface of the timber. This fungus commonly causes exposed wood to soften and lose strength. Where there is rot we may also expect to find wood boring insects such as furniture belle (wood worm) and the larger death watch beetle at work as they are attracted to warm, damp, unventilated condition flight holes and bore dust are typical symptoms.
It should be remembered that these fungi and insects all have one things in common they generally only cause significant damage here dampness exists. If rot insects are present this indicates an underlying building problem. Conversely, because dry timber is less vulnerable to attack successfully arresting decay involves eliminating moisture and promoting drying.
1.2 Statement of Problems
The following have been identified at the course of carrying out this research work as the problems of building that affect the maintenance and management of Housing Estate. Lack of maintenance example of such are peeling of paints, peeling of paints usually occurs on building facades, walls, columns and other areas which are exposed to excessive rain and dampness.
Roof defects (Licking of roof), besides being one of the main structures in a building , the roof acts as a weather shied, giving protection to users or occupants from rain and sun. Therefore it is important not to neglect the roof but to threat any aging roof titles. Cracking of walls is not also to be neglected.
The use of inferior materials:these can lead to the collapse of a building on cause five out break in a building.
1.3 Aims of the Study
This research work seeks in identifying and examining the issue of maintenance and management of housing Estate.
Objectives of the Study
- To determine if peeling of paint affect the maintenance and management of housing estate.
- To elicit whether cracking of walls has an effect on the maintenance of housing estate.
- To know if insect or termite attacks has an effect on the value of property in housing estates.
- To determine whether defective plastered rendering reduces the value of property in Aladinma housing estate.
1.5 Scope of the Study
The scope of this research work largely centers on the maintenance and management of housing estate, using shell Aladinma housing estate as a case study.
1.6 Limitation of the Study
At the course of carrying out this research work, the researcher was faced with some constraints which perhaps posed as a major challenges to the successful completion of this work. Some of these challenges include financial constraints, time constraints as well as difficulty in gathering the necessary data for the work, but against all these odds the researchers is determined to successfully accomplish this wonderful academic exercise.
