Investigating the dampness defect in halls of residence in Makerere University

Abstract

Reports from the different halls of residence to the estates department have revealed an alarming need for maintenance of these facilities due to an increased rate in defects development among these including the defect of dampness in walls, ceilings and floors of these residential buildings. However, nothing much has been done in terms of preventative or corrective maintenance by the concerned parties to address the problem. The estates department of Makerere University has not documented or implemented any maintenance plans in reference to solving dampness in the different Halls of Residence. Damp is a strange phenomenon, surveyors will have witnessed a moisture rise in a wall and quite rightly in many ways proclaimed the wall to be subject to dampness. They are to all intents and purposes correct the course of action. The correct analysis of dampness in masonry walls of residential buildings produced the best method to overcome the sources and causes of the actual dampness problem in Makerere university halls of residence buildings generally. The research study sought to advance knowledge on the problem of dampness in masonry walls, floors and ceiling of residential hall buildings in Makerere. To help achieve the above, objectives were set; i. To determine the causes and extent of dampness in student’s halls of residence in building walls, floors and ceilings. ii. To asses effect of dampness on the structural integrity of students’ halls of residence. iii. To develop a maintenance plan to address dampness in halls of residence A qualitative and quantitative approach to data analysis was employed for the study. The data collected was edited, sorted, and coded. Statistical Package for Social Scientists, modified to Statistical Product and Service Solution, version 16 (SPSS Version 16) and Microsoft word and Excel were then used to analyze the data. Percentages and tables were used to analyze the results. The results from these analyses provided the basis for finding out the kind of dampness affecting residential hall buildings in Makerere University and a maintenance plan with measures to prevent further occurrence of dampness in the halls of residence.