--- title: "Importance of repair and maintenance" subject: "Construction Management" chapter: 9 key: "semester_8/construction_management:maintenance-importance-prolong-life" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/maintenance-importance-prolong-life site: BCT Engineering --- # Importance of repair and maintenance Construction Management · Chapter 9: Project Maintenance - Asked in: 2077 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2070 Bhadra, 3 marks (asked 2 times) - Video: [Building maintenance and services Module1- Factors affecting life expectancy of a building](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDW2Be3yXuA) — Najiya KK - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/maintenance-importance-prolong-life - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-9 ## Question How do you see the importance of repair and maintenance to prolong the useful life of a construction project? Explain. ## Short answer Repair and maintenance stop deterioration early by sealing cracks and leaks, extend service life well beyond design life, and are far cheaper than replacement. They keep structures safe, functional, protect investment, avoid service interruption, and save resources. Example: a well-maintained RCC bridge can last beyond 50 years, while a neglected one may fail in 25. ## Answer Repair and maintenance are essential for prolonging the useful life of a construction project, because from the day it is completed every structure is attacked by weather, moisture, loads, chemical action, pests and ageing. #### Importance 1. **Stops deterioration at an early stage:** sealing a crack or repairing a leak early prevents corrosion of steel, spalling and structural damage. 2. **Extends service life:** regular care can add many years to the design life, which delays reconstruction. 3. **Economy:** the cost of maintenance is small compared with replacement, so the project gives value for money. 4. **Keeps the structure safe** and functional, and protects users from accidents. 5. **Maintains capacity and performance:** for example, a regularly resurfaced road keeps its riding quality and load-carrying capacity. 6. **Protects the investment and value** of the asset. 7. **Avoids service interruption,** loss of income and high emergency costs. 8. **Saves the natural resources and energy** that new construction would use. Example: an RCC bridge whose drains are cleaned regularly, whose bearings are cleaned and greased, and whose cracks are sealed may give service well beyond 50 years; the same bridge, if neglected, may need replacement in 25 years. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Why repair a crack or leak early? A. It prevents corrosion of steel and spalling B. It increases the load C. It changes the design D. It is required for tender Answer: A. Early repair stops steel corrosion, spalling and structural damage. (Key point: Early deterioration) 2. How does maintenance cost compare with replacement? A. Larger B. Same C. Small, giving value for money D. Unrelated Answer: C. Maintenance cost is small compared with replacement. (Key point: Economy) 3. In the RCC bridge example, what is the effect of regular care? A. Service beyond 50 years versus replacement in about 25 years if neglected B. No difference C. Replacement at 10 years D. Immediate collapse Answer: A. A maintained bridge may last beyond 50 years; a neglected one may need replacing in 25. (Key point: Bridge example) ## Related in Construction Management - [Scope of CM and project life cycle phases](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Ascope-lifecycle-phases) — Construction Management, chapter 1, asked 4× - [Characteristics of a construction project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aconstruction-project-characteristics) — Construction Management, chapter 1 - [Types of maintenance and why needed](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amaintenance-types-importance) — Construction Management, chapter 9, asked 8× - [Objectives of maintenance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amaintenance-objectives) — Construction Management, chapter 9, asked 3× - [Planned maintenance, planning and scheduling](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aplanned-maintenance-scheduling) — Construction Management, chapter 9, asked 2× - [Preventive maintenance is better than corrective](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Apreventive-better-than-corrective) — Construction Management, chapter 9, asked 4× ## Related in other subjects - [Project development life cycle phases](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-development-life-cycle) — ICT Project Management, chapter 1 - [Project life cycles in detail](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-life-cycles) — ICT Project Management, chapter 4 - [Tyre construction, types and factors affecting life](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fautomotive_technology%3Atyre-construction-bias-radial-life) — Automotive Technology, chapter 8 - [Project life cycle phases and activities](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Alife-cycle-phases-activities) — Project Engineering, chapter 1, asked 5×