Cracks or fractures can have a significant impact on the structural integrity of a building or other type of structure. This may occur due to various reasons, such as natural disasters like earthquakes or human-made causes like poor construction practices and inadequate maintenance.
When left unaddressed, cracks can lead to further damage and compromise the safety of the structure. For instance, water can seep through the cracks and cause corrosion of metal components or weaken concrete. In addition, fissures can affect the load-bearing capacity of a structure and increase the risk of collapse.
A facility manager at Afolabi Adedeji and Associates (AA&A), Engr. Afolabi Adedeji believes that, even in a well-constructed building with excellent plastering and rendering by skilled craftsmen, one may still encounter cracks.
“Anything cracking is a concern, especially, for someone who is moving into a building and has not even worked with builders or engineers before. Cracks may not be a cause for serious concern unless they are structural cracks. Superficial cracks or hairline cracks are narrow and shallow, primarily affecting the aesthetic appearance.
“Structural cracks, on the other hand, are wide and deep, penetrating the wall, floor, or roof. This poses a serious threat to the building’s integrity, as it may lead to collapse if left unattended. So, structural cracks demand immediate attention, and remediation measures should be taken without delay to prevent any potential catastrophic events from occurring.” he said.
Adedeji explained that before one can carry out any repair on a structure, one may have to investigate to know the root cause of the cracks. Where an experienced builder or engineer has had a look at it and thinks it is a superficial crack, you can assess the cost on a case-by-case basis. There are polyfillers and even more modern material to seal in the crack, and you paint it over. If it’s just a parlour, for instance, and you have a hairline crack, you can just buy a polyfiller and paint, and by the time you spend between N3000 and N4,000, you are done.
“But if it is a structural crack, you need to invite an engineer to do an investigation, and if the investigation shows that some corrective work has to be done to remove the root cause, in some cases, to carry out an investigation, one may spend more than N25,000. If it’s a high-rise building, it will cost you as much as N5 million to correct it. If it’s a multi-story building, it may cost you more than N5 million.
“All in all, a good construction practice to minimise cracks in a structure is better, whether it is superficial or structural. To correct major cracks in a structure, one can spend more than N5 million. This is just an indication to let you know that prevention is better than cure.
Adedeji advised that skilled workers should continue to receive training, especially, those in the construction industry and on worksites. Emphasis should be placed on the significance of quality workmanship and expert finishing.
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