Dampness Patterns in Halls of Residence in Lagos Metropolis: A case study of the University of Lagos

Abstract

Studies have established that comfort level, emotional balance, wellbeing and productivity are linked to the functionality of buildings. Functional buildings, however, require less energy for sustainability purposes. To achieve these advantages, there is a need to seek improvement in the existing stock of buildings or procure newer ones. Seeking improvement connotes reducing building defects/failures and improving occupant-comfort. Dampness plagues both new and old buildings and contributes more than 50% of building envelopes’ defects, discomfort, or failure. This study, therefore, examined dampness in halls of residence in selected tertiary institutions in Lagos metropolis, using the University of Lagos as a case study. The objectives were to evaluate the incidence and causes of dampness in the halls of residence in the institution. As a preliminary assessment of dampness evaluation in halls of residence, the institution used is the University of Lagos, as a case study. This is selected based on its location and proximity. The study population consists of undergraduate and postgraduate halls of residence while the sample frame is undergraduate male hostels. The four undergraduate male hostels are taken as the sample size, using the census as the sampling technique. From the four male halls of residence; eighty rooms and two maintenance staff per block were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Analyses were done using mean, percentage, and relative importance index. The results revealed the presence of the four types of dampness, with dampness from leaking pipes as the most prevalent. The dampness originated from a combination of a host of factors, with those emanating from the negligence of maintenance culture and lack of materials/workmanship consideration as the top two causes. The study concluded that symptoms of the four dampness types are in existence in the four sampled halls of residence and the factors causing dampness are many and allen compassing, but if the issue of maintenance and materials/workmanship are professionally handled, dampness will reduce, hence better comfort and building longevity can be guaranteed. The symptoms of buildings deterioration and defects can be minimised with ease of maintenance and through the use of professionals that are apt in the knowledge of materials and components inter-relationship. The study emphasised the significance of a healthy building and recommended that such should be procured with all hands-on deck and handled by the professionals in the built environment.