A quantitative model for efficient maintenance of plastered and painted façades

Building owners are faced with increasing maintenance costs incurred to rectify defects on different building elements and systems. With a significant proportion of maintenance costs spent on upkeep of building façades, there is a need for cost-effective approaches for façade maintenance. A quantitative model is developed for effective evaluation, optimization and management of costs of maintenance of plastered and painted façades. Visual surveys were used to collect information about defects on the external plaster and paint finish for public housing apartment blocks in Singapore. The data were used to develop 'defect index models' for each type of defect to predict its onset and propagation. The output from these models was incorporated into a life cycle cost model that can be used to predict and optimise the timing and magnitude of maintenance/repair costs incurred on plastered and painted façades during their intended lifetime.