Problems associated with flat roofs as a major concern in the maintenance of government buildings: a case study of public buildings in Nakuru and Eldoret

Abstract

Building roofs have many shapes depending on the individual choice of the owner or the designer. Among the many roof shapes available is a flat shape, though not completely flat. To achieve the flat shape a designer has several different decking materials to choose from among which concrete slab and timber boarding have been commonly used. The deck provides a continuous support for the water-proof material to be laid on. Among the commonest waterproof materials used are bituminous roofing felt and mastic asphalt. However, wherever there are flat roofs water leakage problems abound almost consistently. This has been the case in many flat roofed public buildings. Among the troubled organizations has been the Ministry of Works, Housing and Physical Planning in the Rift Valley Province. The complaints have occurred despite frequent repairs to these roofs, both by departmental and contractor labour. The research . was focused on Nakuru and Eldoret towns in the Rift Valley Province to try and understand the flat roof maintenance phenomenon. Several approaches were taken in the study. Firstly, building maintenance records kept by several public institutions were heavily relied upon. Secondly, interviews were carried out with the maintenance staff and any other people connected with maintenance of buildings in the different organizations. Thirdly questionnaires were sent out to maintenance officials in other districts of the province. Finally, the flat roofed buildings were visited in the area of study so as to learn their maintenance condition and possibly any past remedial actions taken to rectify defects. ,The study has come up with several findings in connection with flat roof construction and flat roof maintenance. It has been shown by statistical tests that flat roofs are not all that expensive in comparison to pitched roofs. Further an attempt has been made to explain why flat roofs have caused so many leakage problems resulting in hue and cry over maintenance cost. Among the major findings is that the knowledge of flat roofs maintenance and construction is too general and not technical in the leas t. Knowledge was found to be minimal vis - a- vis materials, at times , specification for construction and repair and mainly maintenance of the whole roof covering element. As a result malpractices have abounded in maintenance and repair of defects in flat roofs. Another finding was in connection with the design of flat roofs. It has been shown that certain aspects of flat roof design have contributed to early failures of flat roofs in several instances. The significance of these findings lies in the fact that they play a major part in the maintenance and repair of flat roofs. Unless they are rectified the flat roofs are doomed. In concluding the research, Romp recommendations have been put forward mainly to help reduce expenditure on flat roof maintenance. It has been recolTJI11ended ~hat the knowledge of flat roofs should be increased in all districts. It has also been recommended that certain design details of flat roofs should be improved to meet the existing knowledge of roof maintenance. Without adopting' serious steps towards flat roofs they will continue to haunt the maintenance teams, and owners of the many flat roofs in existence