Impact of building defects on structural functionality of residential building in Talba Housing Estate in Minna Metropolis, Niger State.

Abstract

The study determined the impact of building defects on structural functionality of residential buildings in Talba Housing Estate in Minna, Niger State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and was carried out in Minna, Niger State. The targeted population for this study was 456 respondents comprising of 362 housing occupants, 68 builders, and 26 civil engineers involved in residential building construction in Minna, Niger state. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 368 respondents; comprising of 294 housing occupants of Talba Estate, 52 builders, and 22 Civil Engineers. A structured questionnaire titled "Structural Functionality Building Defect Questionnaire (SFBDQ)” was used to cover data for the study. The instrument was subjected to face and content validation by three experts; One from Department of Industrial and Technology Education, Federal University of Technology Minna, One from Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal University of Technology Minna, and One from Department of Building Technology, Federal University of Technology Minna. Its reliability was analyzed using Cronbach Alpha formula and an overall index of 0.81 was obtained. The data was computed using mean and standard deviations to answer the research questions while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Statistical Package for Service Solution (SPSS) version 26 was used for the computation of the result. The findings of the study revealed that the structural defects in Talba Housing Estate in Minna, Niger State include: leaking underneath pipes, cracks in walls, roof leaks, concrete spalling, uneven floors and bowing walls among others with the grand mean (𝝌 = 3.28). The study also revealed that the non-structural defects in Talba Housing Estate in Minna, Niger State include; damaged gutters, clogged drains, cracked floor tiles, jammed doors, peeling paints, water stains on ceilings, broken light fixtures and plumbing fixture leaks, among others with the grand mean (𝝌 = 3.3). Based on the findings, it was recommended that the management of Talba Housing Estate in Minna should develop a detailed rectification plan outlining specific actions to correct the structural defects on residential buildings in the estate. The study also recommended that the management of Talba Housing Estate in Minna should make provision for maintenance or works department within the estate where case of non-structural defects can be reported by building occupants and necessary repairs can be made among others.