Causes and Agents of Deterioration

Building demands many skills in planning, design and construction, and the selection and use of many materials and techniques. After the building is completed, it has to meet various requirements, withstand the rigours of the climate and, at the same time, it is expected to last for many years, preferably with minimal maintenance. It is not surprising that defects and failures occur frequently. Consideration must be given, therefore, at every stage of the building process, of ways of reducing the incidence of defects and prolong the durability of the building.