---
title: "Preventive maintenance is better than corrective"
subject: "Construction Management"
chapter: 9
key: "semester_8/construction_management:preventive-better-than-corrective"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/preventive-better-than-corrective
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Preventive maintenance is better than corrective

Construction Management · Chapter 9: Project Maintenance

- Asked in: 2069 Bhadra (old course), 8 marks; 2070 Magh, 4 marks; 2072 Asoj; 2065 Baisakh (old course) (asked 4 times)
- Video: [Mastering Preventive Maintenance: Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting an Effective Plan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAQkuNEHCZA) — Limble
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/preventive-better-than-corrective
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-9

## Question

"Preventive maintenance is better than corrective maintenance" / "Prevention is better than cure". Do you agree with this statement? Explain with suitable example.

## Short answer

Yes, preventive maintenance is better because it costs less, reduces breakdowns, improves safety, and extends asset life. For example, regularly waterproofing a roof prevents leaks and major structural damage, unlike corrective repair after failure.

## Answer

**Yes, I agree.** Preventive maintenance means inspecting, servicing and repairing parts at planned intervals before they fail. Corrective maintenance means repairing only after failure has occurred. In most cases the first is cheaper, safer and more reliable, which is the meaning of "prevention is better than cure".

#### Reasons
1. **Lower total cost:** small, planned jobs are cheaper than major repairs; a damaged part left to fail often damages other parts too.
2. **Fewer breakdowns and less downtime:** the facility stays in use; there is no sudden stoppage of work or services.
3. **Safety:** defects such as cracks, corrosion, or faulty wiring are found before they cause accidents.
4. **Longer service life** of structures and equipment.
5. **Planned work:** labour, materials and funds can be arranged in advance, and the work can be done at convenient times, not in a rush at higher cost.
6. **Better performance and appearance,** and higher property value.
7. **Predictable budget** compared with unexpected emergency expenditure.

#### Comparison
| Point | Preventive | Corrective |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Before failure | After failure |
| Cost | Low, regular | High, irregular |
| Disruption | Small | Large |
| Safety | High | Risk of accident |

#### Examples
- **Roof:** cleaning gutters and applying waterproofing every few years costs little; ignoring a small leak leads to rusted reinforcement, spalled concrete and a major rehabilitation.
- **Road:** crack sealing and fog sealing of a pavement cost a fraction of the cost of full-depth reconstruction when potholes and base failure appear.
- **Machine:** changing oil and filters of an excavator on schedule avoids engine failure and expensive downtime.

Corrective maintenance is still needed for sudden failures, but a good plan keeps these few.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What distinguishes preventive from corrective maintenance?
   A. Preventive is done at planned intervals before failure; corrective after failure
   B. Preventive is done after failure
   C. Corrective is always planned
   D. They differ only in cost of labour
   Answer: A. Preventive is before failure at planned intervals; corrective repairs only after failure. (Key point: Definitions)

2. Why is preventive maintenance cheaper overall?
   A. Materials are free
   B. Small planned jobs avoid major repairs and damage to other parts
   C. It avoids all inspections
   D. Labour is not needed
   Answer: B. A part left to fail often damages others, so planned small jobs cost less than major repair. (Key point: Lower total cost)

3. In the roof example, what happens if a small leak is ignored?
   A. Nothing; the roof self-heals
   B. Only paint peels
   C. Reinforcement rusts, concrete spalls and major rehabilitation is needed
   D. The roof is lighter
   Answer: C. Water reaches reinforcement causing rust and spalling, leading to major rehabilitation. (Key point: Roof example)

4. Does the answer say corrective maintenance is never needed?
   A. Yes, it is never needed
   B. No, it is still needed for sudden failures, though a good plan keeps these few
   C. Only for roads
   D. Only for machines
   Answer: B. Corrective work is still required for sudden failures; good planning keeps them few. (Key point: Balanced view)

## Related in Construction Management

- [Preventive, corrective and breakdown maintenance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Apreventive-vs-corrective-define) — Construction Management, chapter 9, asked 3×
- [Preventive maintenance in roads and buildings](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Apreventive-importance-roads-buildings) — Construction Management, chapter 9

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