Assessing the causes of external wall paint defects on building in Kampala.

Abstract

The appearance of paint on buildings is of great value as it gives the first impression of the structure and creates value for the building. External wall paint defects affect the quality and value of the building, which increases maintenance costs. It requires proper planning to improve quality and avoid all unnecessary mistakes or omissions, and all will be achieved if facility managers and the painters are technical. Most buildings in Kampala are with paint defects, which reduce the buildings’ aesthetic impression, this is brought about by several factors, calling for the study. The study was to assess the causes of external wall paint defects on buildings in Kampala. The analysis was done based on a sample size of 66. These were facility managers, building owners, and painters. However, due to the time factor, only 76% of the study sample was reached, which included facility managers and painters in Kampala. Data were analyzed to obtain mean values, which were then presented in tabular format and ranked (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) for easy reading and interpretation, along with bar graphs and pie charts. The study found that blistering, efflorescence, cracking, and flaking were the highest defects on the buildings in the area, and the lowest defects were sagging and chalking. Findings on the leading causes of external wall paint defects were poor water control, poor surface preparation, damp walls, and poor quality of paint, among others. It was noted that most facility managers and painters have repainted at least three times in 5 years. Solutions and recommendations were suggested, such as using a waterproof, damp-proof membrane, using good quality paint, and training in the use of a waterproof, damp-proof membrane, the use of good quality paint, and the training of painters