CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS:DEFINITION

Construction defects usually include any deficiency in the performing or furnishing of the design, planning, supervision,inspection,
construction or observation of construction to any new home or building.

REASONSFORDEFECTSIN CONSTRUCTION

Design Deficiencies Material Deficiencies Construction Deficiencies Subsurface Deficiencies

• Problems are typically encountered
Common manufacturer • A typical example is • A lack of a solid foundation may
with roof systems, which due to their
problems with building materials water infiltration result in cracked foundations or
design complexity, pitched or flat, are
can include through some portion of floor slabs and other damage to
prone to leaks.
• A majority of roofing problems area • deteriorating flashing, the building structure, the building.
• waterproofing membranes, which may create an • If subsurface conditions are not
direct result of the improper
specification of building materials, • asphalt roofing shingles, environment for the properly compacted and
which can result in water • particle board, growth of mold. prepared for adequate drainage,
• inferior drywall • Other problems include it is likely the property will
penetration, intrusion or other
• other wall products used in cracks in foundations or experience problems such as
problems,
wet and/or damp areas,such walls, dry rotting of improperly settling to the
• The inadequacy of structural
as bathrooms and laundry wood, electrical and ground (subsidence), the
members, which can result in cracks
rooms. mechanical problems, structure moving or shifting,
and deterioration of roofing
plumbing leaks, or pest flooding and in many cases
components and materials.
infestation. more severe problems such as
landslides.

ROOFING
PROBLEMS
 PROBLEM-1 DIAGONAL PROBLEM-2 HORIZONTAL C
CRACKSIN BRICK WALLS CRACKSIN BRICKMORTARJOINTS R
A
WIDE ATBOTTOM & NARROWATTHETOP C
CAUSES CAUSES K
 Weakening of mortar due to S
1. Differential settlement of sulphate attack. these cracks
foundation due to normally occur after 2-3yrs of W
expansion of clayey soil by construction as the reaction is slow.
absorption of moisture.
I
T
This may happen when the rain water finds entry in soil or if a tree is H
cut suddenly in the vicinity of structure so that the soil which was REMEDIES/PRECAUTIONS
I
earlier dehydrated by the tree again absorbs moisture andswells.
1. Sulphate contents of the bricks should bechecked
N
before allowing their use.
REMEDIES/PRECAUTIONS T
2. Brick walls should not be allowed to be damp because
1. In clayey soil, foundation should be taken as 3. Sulphate attack happens only in presence of moisture. H
much as deep so as to minimize the effect of 4. The correct remedy is to reconstruct the affectedareas E
moisture
Entry as much as possible. S
1. Adequate plinth protection and drainage
T
arrangement should be made around the
building to minimize water entry in the R
foundation. U
2. If from any site intended for new construction, C
some vegetation is removed, don’t commence T
construction activity immediately specially if soil U
is clay. allow the soil to absorb moisture , swells R
& stabilize
E

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 PROBLEM-3 C
PROBLEM-4
RANDOM CRACKIN FLOORING R
CRACKSIN LOADBEARING MASONRY WALLBELOWR.C.C .
A
SLAB
C
CAUSES CAUSES K
• Flooring has been cast continuously • Due to absence of slip joint betweenRCC S
without making panels. slab and wall which doesn’t allow RCC
• Cracks occur due to development of slab to move freely over wall leads to
cracking in the wall.
W
tensile stresses on account of shrinkage
and thermal contraction of concrete & • Sometimes the movements of the slab may also causecracking I
occur mostly in the first dryspell. in the wall. T
• Sometimes the movement of the slab may also causecracking H
in masonry at lintel and window sill level because here the I
PRECAUTIONS masonry is weak. N
• These cracks are observed mainly on top most storey of the
• Cast flooring in panels do adequate curing in the intialperiod of bldg, because roof is more exposed to temperaturevariation.
hardening of concrete. T
REMEDIES H
E
• Before casting RCCslab
over bricks wall, smooth S
bearing plaster should T
be done over brick walls R
coupled with white U
wash/bitumen coating C
over it.
T
• It allows slab to move
freely over wall
U
R
E

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 C
PROBLEM-5 VERTICAL CRACKSATJUNCTION OFR.C.C. PROBLEM-6 DIAGONAL
R
COLUMN AND MASONRY CRACKSIN WALLOVERR.C.C.LINTELS.
A
CAUSES C
CAUSES K
Due to drying shrinkage of lintelsand S
•Differential movement between R.C.C. sudden deflection of lintels after
column and masonry due to thermal removal of shuttering. W
expansion/contraction shrinkage. I
•Differential settlement of R.C.C.column T
because of its different foundation.
H
I
REMEDIES
N
•A groove in plaster should be made at
the junction of R.C.C. column and brick REMEDIES T
wall so that crack remains hidden in the H
groove and doesn’t look unsightly. •Use precast lintels as far as possible for small openings. E
•Alternatively, chicken wire mesh should •Construct brick wall over lintel after it has undergone
be provided in plaster at the junctionof considerable shrinkage.
S
R.C.C. column and brickwalls. •Construct brick wall over lintel after
T
shuttering below it is removed sothat
it doesn't undergo sudden deflection
R
with the construction of brick wall U
over it. C
T
U
R
E

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 C
PROBLEM-7 VERTICAL AND HORIZONTALCRACKIN PANEL PROBLEM-8 HORIZONTAL CRACKSBETWEEN
R
WALLIN R.C.CFRAMED STRUCTURE BRICKPARAPETWALLAND ROOFSLAB
A
C
K
CAUSES CAUSES
S
Panels wall too lightly built to the R.C.C. differential thermal expansion
beams so that the beams are not free to and contraction and W
deflect ,load is transmitted the wall and differential drying shrinkage of I
vertical and horizontal cracks are R.C.C. slab &brick wall. T
Due to thermal expansion and arching of slab ,it is not H
produced in the depending upon the direct in which wall is more slender
free to expand .this situation mainly occurs in case of I
(i.e height and length
non projecting slab. N
REMEDIES
REMEDIES T
•Make parapet wall a little inside
•Some gap should be left between top of panelwall H
of the edge of slab so that crack
and soffit beam /slab so that beam can deflect E
wont be visible.
freely.
•This gap can be fill by weak mortar .
•Providing a groove in plaster at the junction ofparapet S
•If lateral support is required to be given to wall beam then some special
wall and slab so that crack forms in the groove and T
lateral connections can be made in such a way free deflection of beam is
doesn’t look unsightly R
not hindered in vertical direction.
•put chicken wire mesh in the plaster at the junction of U
parapet wall and slab .
C
•Provide adequate
T
insulation cover over roof
slab so that its thermal U
movements are R
minimized. E

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 C
PROBLEM-9 VERTICAL CRACKBELOWOPENING IN LINE PROBLEM - 10 VERTICALCRACKSIN THE R
WITH WINDOWJAMBS SIDE WALLSATTHE CORNERSOFALONG A
CAUSES BUILDING. C
K
CAUSES
S
These cracks are caused due to vertical shear
cause by differential strain in lightly loaded 1) The cracks are due to thermal
masonry below the opening and heavily expansion sometimes aggravated W
loaded portion of wall having noopening by moisture of long brick walland I
would be noticed in hot weather. T
REMEDIES 2) There will be more chances of such H
cracks occurring in building I
•Too much difference in stress in different constructed in cold weather.
walls or parts of a wallshould be avoided. N
•Portions of wall acting as pillars and having
too much concentric loads should be replaced T
by RCC pillars if possible . H
PROBLEM -11 E
CRACKINGDUE TOARCHINGAND UPHEAVING OFAFLOOR.
S
CAUSES
1) Due to sulphate action in base T
concrete. R
2) Due to expansion of clayeysoil REMEDIES U
below by absorbing moisture. 1)As far as possible long stretches of walls should be C
intercepted by cross walls and expansion joint should be T
REMEDIES given at suitable intervals. U
1) TAKEALLMEASURESTOPREVENTCONTACTOFSULPHATESWITH 2)Bricks should be allowed to undergo initial moisture R
CEMENTORUSESULPHATERESISTENTCEMENT. expansion before use. E

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 PROBLEM- 1 DAMPNESS IN THECEILING
BELOWROOFSLAB/TERRACES/BALCONIES.
3. Roof area around and below the water tank should beproperly
CAUSES cleaned and no vegetation should be allowed to grow due to
1. Roof slopes not proper. water stagnates at some dampness. D
points. 4. Overflow pipe provided in the O.H.T. at roof should becarried A
2. Rain water pipe choked. So water collects up to the nearest rainwaterpipe.. M
around that location and gradually seepsbelow 5. Roof topping concrete should P
in the roof. not be cast continuously but N
3. Overhead tank not water proofed so water seeps fromit rather laid in panels and the E
through its pillars tothe roof slab. grooves between panels should S
4. Area around overhead water tank at roof not properly cleaned. be filled with a sealant or
S
so some vegetation starts growing due to dampness and makes polymer mixed cement.
its way through the roofing from where water also seeps.
5. Water proofing of roof not properly carried up to the pillars of PROBLEM-2 SEEPAGE IN THECEILING BELOWROOF D
overhead water tank because of which water can seep through SLABIN THE CORNERSALONGJUNCTION OFWALL E
this junction of pillars to the roof slabs. ANDSLAB. F
6. Water proofing treatment done over roof not carried up to E
1.Since the parapet load is low, the roof slab bends
specified height over parapet wall. C
to lift at its corners due to deflection causingcrack..
REMEDIES 2. Since the parapet load is low, slab is also able to T
1. Correct the roof slopes move due to thermal contractions/expansion & S
wherever required by putting shrinkage.
screed concrete and put Remedies
adequate number of rain water 1) By making brick or concrete cornice at the bottom of parapet
pipes. wall and making drip mould in it.
2. Water proofing should be done 2) By extending roof slab itself by 2” to 3” beyond the loadbearing
inside the overhead water tank wall and making a drip mould at the bottom.
on roof. 3) By taking precautions that minimum water drips through roof
and parapet wall to the outsidewall.

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 PROBLEM- 3 PROBLEM- 4
SEEPAGE IN THE WALLS OF TOILETABOVETOILETFLOORLEVEL ROOF/TERRACECONCRETESLABPOROUSIN GENERAL
CAUSES AND LOTOFFINE HAIR LINE CRACKSBECAUSEOF
Leakage in water supply lines which WHICH WATER SEEPS
are concealed in the walls. D
CAUSES A
REMEDIES Concrete not cast properly and mixing
1) Make a chase in the wall along the route of water M
and compacting not done uniformaly and
lines in the toilet/bathroom and expose these linesproperly. P
at the location+ of dampness . then examine them for
REMEDY N
leakage. E
Apply water profing coating overthe
2. In extreme cases some pipe piece can also be found cracked rusted concrete slab. S
(specially when pipes have become quite old) which should be S
replaced. PROBLEM-5 WATER ENTERING THROUGH DOORSAND
2. As a preventive measures, during the time WINDOWS OFTHE BUILDING AND CAUSING D
of new construction , all the water lines DAMPNESSINSIDETHE BUILDING E
must be pressure tested before concealing CAUSES
them and before accepting the work. this F
will save much of future maintenance E
problem. 1. Chajjas not provided over doors and C
windows T
REMEDIES
1. Provide chajjas over doors and windows
2. Stilts not provided at the bottom of door S
2. Gaps between doors/windows frame and jambs should be properly on the outside
sealed through sealant. 3. Floor not sloping away from external door
3. Rubber gasket/beading should be provided on edge of door/ window 4. There is gap between door /window frames and jambs
shutters if you want a perfect leak proof door/window. 5. Glazed windows are opened inside the room instead of
4. Glazed windows should always open outside and not inside the room. outside

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 PROBLEM-1 PROBLEM– 2
CRACKSTO BRICKWORK DEFECTIVEFLASHINGS
CAUSES 1. Flashings to the base ofthe cavity have
1. This is the lack of tying in been installed.
of brickwork.
P
2. Wall has been 2. These flashings are designed to collect any
constructed and not tied water entry to the O
into the adjoining 3. Building and discharge it to theoutside O
brickwork 4. In this case the end of the flashinghas not R
3. Case a half brick has been cut and abuts the joining wall been turned up at the
4. There is no form of tying in of the brickwork, nor fixing
5. Ends and would allow any water trapped within the cavityto
REMEDY 6. Form a water leakage W
By construction of the two brick walls atthe
REMEDY O
same time with the brickwork being R
interlocked The flashing in this case should have been turned up at the ends K
to prevent the leaks at the door sill. M
PROBLEM- 3 SPALLINGOF A
CONCRETE(CONCRETECANCER) N
CAUSES REMEDY S
• The problem occurs because the •The new mesh which has been fitted is also bolted H
steel reinforcing has insufficient and fixed to the affected concrete slab above to I
“cover” which allows either provide adequate fixing. P
Spalling of concrete is commonly called moisture or salt laden air to
concrete cancer . This occurs when the steel affect the steel reinforcing. •This confirms the mesh is only fitted
reinforcing rods within the concrete are to provide some bonding agent for
affected by moisture, or a salt environment, the later rendering tothe underside of
which causes the steel to rust which then the slab.
expands and pushes off the surface

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 1. CONCRETECREEP 2. CARBONATION

It is the property of concrete by which it continues to deform with time •Carbonation occurs in concrete because the calcium bearing
under sustained stress. the total deformation of concreteelement can phases present are attacked by carbon dioxide of the airand D
be divided into two parts: converted to calciumcarbonate. E
•Carbonation may be recognized in the
F
1. An initial, instantaneous deformation at an application of load. field by the presence of a dis colour zonein E
2. A time dependent deformation due to creep. the surface of the concrete. the colour may C
vary from light gray and difficult to T
recognize to strong orange and easy to S
recognize. carbonation can be visualized by
using phenolphthalein.
I
REMEDY N
1. Use the minimum water content necessary for workability;do
REMEDY
not permit over wet consistencies. C
2. Place the concrete uniformly, and take account of early O
1. Design the structure with a mind to the degree of restraint during
settlement in theforms, around reinforcement , on slopes, N
drying or cooling of theconcrete.
and elsewhere.
2. Pre stress wherever feasible. C
R
3. SHRINKAGE
E
The moisture loss results in concrete REMEDY T
shortening of length. The shortening 1. Provide competent inspection, and back it up. E
of length of a member or contraction 2. Use materials known to have a good service record with
of the concrete per unit length due to regard to cracking, irrespective of shrinkage or other tests on
drying when concrete sets in known as single contribution causes.
shrinkage. 3. Use the minimum cement content consistent with design
this is an irreversible process. requirements.

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 4. CORROSION OFTHEREINFORCEMENT INSUFFICIENT STEELREINFORCEMENT

•Corrosion of steel bars is due to oxygen andmoisture. Due to the insufficient amount ofsteel
•Any common steel will corrode slowly when exposed to the air with present in the concrete element it will D
no protection. not perform to the design and if over- E
•when ordinary steel is used to in concrete, it automatically protected stressed, suffer from carbonation or F
from corrosion by means of: other damages and will not have E
sufficient factor of safety.
C
T
POOR FIXING OF BETWEENSTRUCTURALELEMENTS S

•lack of stitch bars between precast units in I

in-situ joints. N
1. cover of concrete and alkalinity of concrete. •continuity re bars not passing through all
2. steel in corroding expands and can double its volume. connecting hoops.
C
3. layers and lumps can flake off. O
4. as most reinforcement is embedded in concrete, this expansion
•connecting hoops and tie-rods bent over where they did not line up N
can push off the surrounding concrete.
•ties and pre-cast panels not pulled out to make in-situconnections withC
in-situ elements.
REMEDY FLOWCHARTSUMMARIZING THEDEFECTSDUE
R
TO CHANGEINSIZE. E
•Cure the concrete moist or sealed, beginning very early. MOISTURE OR T
•Avoid extremes of temperature. THERMAL EXPANSION
E
•Protect the concrete in service from moisture and temperature MOVEMENT IN MATERIALS
changes wherever feasible, as by backfilling, shading, or coating. CHANGE IN SIZE OF MATERIALS
CRACKS

REMEDY
EXPANSION JOINTS

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