The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Maintenance `as important as building construction'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 29, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Maintenance `as important as building construction'

Staff Reporter

Painting, repairs should not be ignored

CHENNAI: Proper maintenance plays a role equal to scientific practices while constructing a building, structural engineering expert T. Senthilnayagam said here on Tuesday.

Routine application of paint and carrying out repairs should not be ignored, he reminded builders at a meeting organised by the Metro Flat Promoters Association.

Most buildings develop cracks and problems of waterlogging because of "improper investigation of soil."

"Soil is clayey in areas such as Anna Nagar, Taramani and Velachery," said Mr. Senthilnayagam. He recalled how the floor of the Tamil Nadu Text Book Society office in Taramani sank up to 60 cm from the pavement level because soil conditions were not taken into consideration while constructing the building. "The entire floor had to be scooped out and reworked."

Builders in Chennai also have to take into account the city's proximity to the sea to avoid corrosion.

Unchecked growth of water-sucking plants such as juliflora, poor quality of bricks, use of salty water and wrong placement of reinforcement were some of the reasons that could lead to cracks in the foundation, he said.

"Builders are now taking fire safety precautions after the Kumbakonam fire tragedy."

He reiterated the importance of providing training to construction workers as well as proposed a variety of methods to repair damages.

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