DURABILITY OF SOME FLOOR FINISHES IN BUILDING PROJECTS

(A CASE STUDY OF FLOOR FINISHES WITHIN ENUGU METROPOLIS)

BY

EKWELEM OKECHUKWU
REG.NO 2006346001P

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

JUNE 2009
 DURABILITY OF SOME FLOOR FINISHES IN BUILDING PROJECTS
(A CASE STUDY OF FLOOR FINISHES WITHIN ENUGU METROPOLIS)

BY

EKWELEM OKECHUKWU
REG.NO 2006346001P

BEING A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF

MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc) DEGREE IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

DEPARTMENT: BUILDING

FACULTY: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

SCHOOL: NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE

JUNE 2009
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this thesis “DURABILITY OF SOME FLOOR FINISHES IN

BUILDING PROJECTS – (A CASE STUDY OF FLOOR FINISHES WITHIN
ENUGU METROPOLIS”) was carried out by EKWELEM, OKECHUKWU to meet
the requirements of the Department of Building, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, for
the Award of a Master of Science (M.Sc ) Degree in Construction Management.

e hereby certify that Ekwelem Okechukwu a post graduate student of the Department of
Building with registration No 2006346001P has satisfactorily completed the duly
approved semiar work for the award of Master of Science Degree in construction
management under the my supervision in accordance with laid rules and regulation of the
school of post graduate studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State.

Bldr . J.U Ezeokonkwo. Sign……………………………….

Supervisor Date

Builder Ezeokonkwo J.U

………………………. Sign……………………………….
Head of Department Date
Builder Obiegbu M.E

………………………. Sign……………………………….
Dean of Faculty Date
Professor Egolum C.C

………………………. Sign……………………………….
External Examiner Date
 DEDICATION

This project is dedicated to the Almighty God for his guidance and protection all through
this study and in honor to may late mother Mrs Edna Ekwelem who was solidly behind
me through my study and has been a source of encouragement but couldn’t live to see the
end of my project work, may her soul rest in perfect peace Amen.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDMENT

I wish to thank God for his blessings upon me, my entire family and for
making this study a success. My immense thanks and appreciation goes to
my supervisor Builder Eze Okonkwo for his tireless effort to see that this
seminar is a huge success.
I frankly seize this opportunity to express my immense gratitude to all my
lecturers in Building Department including Builder Okoli, The Head of
Department, Builder Micah E. Obiegbu and otheir support staff of the
department who has contributed in one way or the other in making this study
a successful venture.
I am much indebted to my dear wife Bar (Mrs) Chinwe Ekwelem for her
tireless support and encouragement, my ever loving and beautiful Daughter
Miss Chidinma, Treasure Okechukwu Ekwelem. Also my entire family for
their understanding and support
My particular thanks go to Mr Frank Ude my immediate boss for his support
and understanding all through this period, my thanks also goes to Mr
Enemuo Remond, Mr Ezikeal Nnadi for their backup.
Finally, to all staff of the Department and Faculty who contributed directly
or indirectly to the success of this study.

iv
 ABSTRACT

Floor finishes is a vital component in any building structure and lots of

defects happen to the floor finishes though many of them could be
traceable to the sub floor defect. The objective of the study is to clearly
identify the various types of floor finishing prevalent in Enugu Metropolis,
their strength and weakness, also to study the cause of failure in floor
finish and how to correct them. Finally the research will evaluate the
maintenance culture of occupants regarding their floor finishing within the
metropolis. The study commences with the review of some past relevant
literature with the intention of making use of the important facts.
Data were collected using the questionnaires and analysis of the collected
data also made line with the hypothesis and are processed by the use of
tables, focus was on the generation summary statistics such as
percentages. The result of the study showed that without a proper
maintenance culture on floor finishes, deterioration and failure in floor
finish will be a reoccurring decimal in our building structure. The study
revealed that most of the defects in floor finishes emanated from defects
in structural floors or the improper laying of beds or joint on which applied
floor finishes are laid and as a result of this, where defects occur relaying
of the finishes is the only answer to the problems but care must be taken
to avoid dis-stabilizing the stability of the structural floor and maintain even
level between newly laid finishes and old ones. The following
recommendations are made:
1. Before any material is used as floor finishes, it should be tested and
analyzed in order to determine and establish the compressive strength
and duration.
2. Emphasis should be laid on suitable materials /finishes than cheep
materials/finishes, so as to reduce failure in finishes.
3. Knowledge of finishes serviceability duration should be known.
4. A good maintenance culture should be maintained.
As this will go along way to enhance the life span of our various floor finishes.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

Cover page

Title page= ================================================ i

Certification =============================================== ii

Dedication ================================================ iii

Acknowledgment =========================================== iv

Abstract ================================================= v

Table of contents =========================================== vi

Chapter one

1.0 Introduction ========================================= 1

1.1 Background of the study ================================ 4

1.2 Aims and objective of the study =========================== 5

1.3 Statement of the study ================================== 5

1.4 Research questions =================================== 6

1.5 Research hypothesis =================================== 7

1.6 Scope and limitation of study ============================= 7

1.7 Definition of terms common in this study ===================== 7

Chapter two

2.1 Literature review ====================================== 9

2.2 Floors and their associated finishes ========================= 10

2.3 Concrete Finish =================================== 11

2.4 Terrazzo Finish =================================== 13

2.5 Granolithic Concreting ================================= 17

2.6 Thin Surface Finish =================================== 21

2.7 Jointless Floor finish ================================== 22

2.8 Linoleum =================================== 25

2.9 Cork Tiles and Carpets ======== ======================== 27

2.10 Appearance ========================================= 31

2.11 Slipperiness ========================================= 31

2.12 Warmth ============================================ 32

2.13 Quietness ============================================32

2.14 Resilience ========================================== 33

2.15 Resistance to abrasion ====================== =========== 33

2.16 Resistance to water and other liquids ====================== 33

2.17 Atmospheric moisture ================================ 34

2.18 Indentation ========================================= 34

2.19 Impact ============================================ 35

2.20 Resistance to sunlight ================================== 35

2.21 Resistance to moulds and fungi =========================== 35

2.22 Resistance to temperature and fire ========================= 36

Chapter three

3.1 Methodology design ================================== 37

3.2 Sample Size ======================================== 38

3.3 Method of collecting data =============================== 39

3.4 Primary data ======================================== 40

3.5 Secondary sources ==================================== 40

3.6 Questionnaire Design ================================= 40

3.7 Description of questionnaire ============================ 41

3.8 Technique for data organization/analysis ==================== 41

Chapter four

4.0 Data Presentation/analysis ============================== 42

Chapter five

5.0 Summary conclusion and recommendation ================== 52

5.1 Summary ========================================= 52

5.2 Conclusion ======================================== 53

5.3 Recommendation =================================== 53

Reference ============================================= 55

Appendix ============================================= 57

List of the table

Table 3.2.1 Percentage of returned questionnaires 39

Table 4.2.1 Stratification of responding professions 42

Table 4.2.2 Classification of building type 43

Table 4.2.3 Type of floor finishes in use by respondents 43

Table 4.2.4 Factors influencing choice of floor finish 44

Table 4.2.5 Years of occupancy of property 45

Table 4.2.6 Frequency of maintain ace work on floor finish 45

Table 4.2.7 Relationship between failures in finishes and maintain ace

Culture 46
Table 4.2.8 Can the failure in floor finishes be caused by functional
Failure in the structure 47

Table 4.2.9 Can the cost of maintaining floor finishes affect the
Maintenance culture of such a floor finishes 48
 CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Floor finishes are the final substance applied on the surface of floor
before the floor is put to use. Most floor systems of a building are not
exposed to the climatic element and their weathering effects, since a
floor system must support traffic however durability, resistance to wear
and easy of maintain are critical factors in the selection of a floor
system and its finish. The desired finishes and their visual properties
(materials, color, texture and pattern) help to determine the choice of
floor system which can mostly support these finishes

The choice of and preparation of specification for flooring systems to

protect substrates from chemical attach or provide hygienic finishes is
an exercise all too often couched in financial considerations.
Floor finishes except in a few special constructions do not contribute to
the strength of floor; they are therefore used for one or more of the
following reasons.

i. To provide an attractive appearance.

ii. To increase the comfort and safety to the user.
iii. To hide certain services like cable/pipes in the floor.
iv. Protect the structural floor from wear tear or corrosion.
Each of this primary function that is considered to be the most
important will depend on the proposed use.
Many materials that are used as finishes on floors, each one have
properties suited to a particular usage, durability and ease of cleaning
are essential in all. Case of specific services requirement may call for
special properties such as resistance to hard wear, comfort to users

1
and attractive appearance. At home good appearance and comfort will
be more important.
Any given floor finish must provide the desired balance of properties
and must be sufficiently durable. It will be expected to last for a period
commensurate with its initial cost, the cost of replacement and any
cost arising from disorganization associated with its replacement and
this implies that from all ramification of its need, a good value is
required.
A lot of factors affects the life of a floor finish, most important is the
ever-present abrasive action of traffic, the action of liquid in producing
dimensional changes, erosion and corrosion, the impact of falling
object and the dent caused by heavy loads. There is therefore a series
of secondary requirement that the finish must fulfill, which will depend
on the condition of services though they must be considered in relation
to those four mentioned above.
When selecting floor finish many factors deserve consideration but not
all the factors are of equal importance, furthermore, requirement vary
in different parts of the building, for instance, resistance to oil, grease,
moisture is relevant in a kitchen but not on a bedroom, and
appearance could be important in a lounge but is of little consequence
in a store.
The essential properties to be considered are:
a) Durability: The material must have a reasonable life to avoid
premature replacement with resultant textured, cost and
inconvenience.
b) Resistance to wear: This includes resistance to indentation
where the floor has to withstand heavy furniture, fittings or
equipment and resistance to abrasion in building subject to
heavy pedestrian traffic and moveable equipment.

2
c) Economy: Reasonable initial and maintenance cost, having
regards to the class of building and the particular building.
d) Resistance to oil, grease, and chemicals: This is particularly
important in domestic kitchen, laboratory and some factory.
e) Resistance to moisture: This is important in domestic
bathrooms, entrance passage and halls and in some industrial
buildings.
f) Ease of cleaning: This is of increasing important in many classes
of building as the labour intensive cleaning cost continue to rise
in a disproportionate rate.
g) Warmth: Some finishes are much warmer than other and this
may be an important consideration.
h) Non – Slip qualities: These are particularly important in
bathrooms and kitchen where floors may become damp.
i) Sound absorption: Libraries need floor finishes with high degree
of sound absorption.
j) Appearance: This is an important consideration in many rooms
of domestic building, although the current tendency to fully
carpet rooms may not justify the provision of more expansive but
attractive floor finishes such as wood blocks and strip flooring.
k) Resilience: Some flexibility or “given” is often desirable.

For industrial installations, despite the importance of floor

specifications for floor finishes generally reflect short-term budget
rather than long term stability, inviting early failure. Financial
considerations for floor finishes should be confined to comparing bids
for the ideal specifications complied with the end use in mind.
There are many specific considerations to be taken into account when
deriving a suitable specification for a given situation, not least the
following:
3
 1. The location of the structure to be protected, its method of
construction and condition if it is an existing substrate.
2. The composition, concentration and temperatures of all fluids or
solids which may be in contact with floor surface as a result of
the inherent processes, if these vary from area to area it should
be clearly stated and designated area clearly marked to allow
selection of materials appropriate to each area.
3. Loading characteristics of the substrate and their ability to
withstand additional superimposed loads from toppings, tiles,
brick or composite surfacing.
4. Details of pedestrian and wheeled traffic, including wheel
loadings and the nature of wheel contact surface.
5. Detail of isolated activities such as drum handling and storage
and the loading involved, and the areas to which they apply.
6. The type of floor drainage contemplated i.e. outlets or drainage
channels.
7. The nature, concentration and temperature of all cleaning agents
which will be used on the floor including any materials used for
cleaning equipment and pipe work since these are usually
discharged on the floor or preferable into channels.
Comprehensive information from the end user in these respect will
give the specifier the maximum information with which to derive an
appropriate specification for a durable finish.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Finishes generally do not contribute to the strength of the floors but it

adds beauty or co lour to the floor. There is wide variety of material for
floor finishes and each should be evaluated within the context of
4
 Enugu Metropolis in relation to the above mentioned requirement, so
that it can be suitable for any particular type of usage.
Enugu is the capital city of Enugu State, Nigeria. It has a population of
668,862 (2007 estimate). The people of Enugu belong largely to the
Igbo ethnic group, which is one of the three largest ethnic groups in
Nigeria. Enugu was originally the capital of the Eastern Region from
Nigeria’s independence in 1960. On May 27, 1967 Enugu was made
the capital of East Central State, while on May 30, 1967, it was
declared the first capital of the short-lived nation of the Republic of
Biafra. Enugu became a major center for the mining of the coal
discovered by Albert Ernest Kitson in the Udi plateau. The Nigerian
coal corporation has been based in Enugu since its creation in 1950.
In this study, the research will evaluate the floor finishes in building as
prevalent within the Enugu Metropolis (Residential, Industrial and
Office buildings). The research will also study the cause of failure in
finishes and means of handling the causes so as to improve on the
performance of different floor finishes.
The research will identify maintenance medium of floors in order for
the serviceability strength of these finish to be maximized.

1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to ascertain the durability of some floor

finishing in building projects within Enugu Metropolis.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. The various types of floor finishing prevalent in Enugu

Metropolis, their strength and weakness.

5
 2. To study the cause of failure in floor finish and how to correct
them.
3. To evaluate the maintenance culture of occupants regarding
their floor finishing within the metropolis.

1.3 STATEMENT OF THE STUDY

The decision to investigate the durability of some floor finishes in
building projects (A case study of floor finishing within Enugu
metropolis) stemmed from the fact that finishes are very critical aspect
of any building structure for it to be habitable, and there are greater
tendency to experience failure floor finishines have a wide range of
materials which will be evaluated in relation to serviceability
requirement.
With the afore stated in mind, the main problem here therefore is what
is the cause of failure in floor finish and how to correct them.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

1. What are the factors that affect the choice of a particular floor finish.

2. What are the common types of floor finish prevalent within Enugu
Metropolis

3. How frequent should maintenance work be carried out in the

various floor finish prevalent in the metropolis.

4. Can the failure in floor finishes be caused by functional failure in the

structure.

5. Can the cost of Maintaining floor finishes affects the maintenance

culture of such floor finishes.

6. Are there relationship between failure in floor finishes and

maintenance culture

6
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The following research hypothesis will enable the researcher make a

detailed study on the subject.
1a. there is no relationship between failure in floor finishing and
maintenance culture.
1b. there is relationship between failure in floor finishing and the
maintenance culture.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY

The work will be limited to the evaluation of finishes in building with

emphasis on floor finishing as prevalent within Enugu Metropolis
covering Residential, office and Industrial area within the metropolis.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS COMMON IN THIS STUDY

1. FINISHING: These are the final substance applied on the

surface of floor, wall or ceiling before the compartment is put to
use.
2. FLOOR: This is the surface of a room on which one
stands or walks.
3. FAILURE: This is the state of being inadequate or not
functioning as expected.
4. MAINTENANCE: The act of keeping something in good condition
by checking or repairing it regularly.

7
5. ACID Substance that contains hydrogen, which may
react with bases to form salt but burns off wood or other
materials the pour on.
6. ALKALIS: A corrosive substance like soda ammonia or
potash that eats off materials but react with acide to form salt.
7. APPLIED TOPPING: A type of finishing with cement aggregate
carried out after concrete surface of floor sets.
8. GRESE: A thick semi-solid substance used as lubricant,
it can be of animal fat.
9. INTEGRATED FINISH:Finishing laid within three hours; the base
was cast to minimize differential shrinkage base and finish.
10. OIL: Liquid which does not mix with water obtained
from animal and plant.
11. OPERATION: An ongoing and repetitive endeavor undertaken
to create a unique product or services.
12. RESILIENT: Tendency for materials to recover their original
shape when hard materials fall on them or heavy traffic passes
them.
13. SETTLEMENT: The tendency of a building to take up another
level after it has been completed such that all has been
completed such that all loads on it adjust its position on the
bearing ground.

8
 CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITRATURE REVIEW

Floor finishes has a wide range of materials which is evaluated in

relation to serviceability requirement and the materials must be
assessed on the basis of experience.
It is obvious that different floor finishes is meant for different purpose
or use, for instant there are finishes for domestic use and also finishes
for industrial use.
To most, floor is where we walk, sit or sleep on, though not untrue for
fair as BRE(1963) defines floor as horizontal element of the building
structure being essentially platform for the work or leisure of the
occupants.
Floor could be at ground level, suspended at ground level or first floor
level or upper floors. It can be constructed with timber, concrete, steel
and aluminum alloy. Concrete floors are common now due to
availability of materials for its construction and other functional
characteristics concrete members exhibit, concrete floors can be
reinforced or not but usually have layer which provide a level or
smoothness that takes finishes thereby improving its performance.
This layer has some cost effect like screeded concrete added for PVC
tiles and paint (finish), others like terrazzo, marble, granite and
ceramics tiles etc do not need screed rather bedding concrete, so
some cost is built-in there for such work.
Everett (1976) defines the screeding as flooring which is the upper
layer of concrete providing a finished surface to a floor, which later
provides a lower load bearing surface.

9
2.1 FLOORS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED FINISHES

A. FLOOR AND ASSOCIATED FINISHES BEFORE THE USE OF

CONCRETE

During the pre-colonial and colonial era, buildings where made mainly:
of local materials, ranging from timber, leaves, to mud i.e. red earth.
This era saw red earth being molded around reinforcing sticks forming
up-stands (walls) of height that can take a man. Other like the leaves
were tied together in mat form and erected to the shape of proposed
building. Due to the materials used in its construction, the floors were
usually earth which is cool, smooth and comfortable as platform for
leisure and work. The platforms were finished then with charcoal or
clay rubbed on floor with freshly leaves, Ojimelukwe (1999) said that
others have cowry shells or palm kernels being pressed into them as
finishes.
Excepting mud houses with mud floors, timber floors were common
among colonial houses and buildings along river banks or areas prone
to flooding, usually suspended ground floors or upper floors made of
timber were used i.e. Lord Lugard’s house in Lokoja-Kogi state which
was suspended at ground floor. Finishes there were of polished
wooden –block tiles (385 x 75) and other ranges interlocked to form
patterned finish i.e. Nigerian Railway Recreational club at Artizan
market Enugu.

B. FLOOR AND ITS ASSOCIATED FINISHES DURING ERA OF

CONCRETE FLOORS

During the era which is characterized by changes in technology and

development, in science many variety of cement were put to use
10
resulting to concrete topping to timber ground and upper floors, plain
or reinforced insitu or precast concrete floors. Concrete floors and
flooring are applied many finishing types depending on specification or
need of developer they include finishes, tiles and painting.

1. CEMENT: AGGREGATE FINISH (CONCRETE FINISH)

As the name implies, it is the finish achieved with mixture of cement-

fine aggregate on roughened concrete floor to get a smooth workable
finish. It could be integrated i.e. laid with concrete floor while wet or
applied topping cast insitu or precast then fixed, all with ordinary
aggregate or granolithic like the terrazzo.
Concrete finishes show high resistance to wear but cold to touch, hard
making it noisy to walk on and slippery when wet. Some dust (self or
integrated finish) while applied topping does not dust but slip, if
washed with detergent or polished either show high resistance to
chemical attacks while self finish has utilitarian or gray appearance,
applied topping takes to color of cement. The are maintained by
periodic washing and constant sweeping, giving it low maintenance
cost, though terrazzo needs warm water for its washing and
occasional rubbing with abrasive powder.
Plain concrete is a common and less highly floor finish, it is cheap but
functionally unsuitable for most purposes.
Composition:
Plain concrete is composed of Portland cement, sand or fine
aggregate and coarse aggregate. These are mixed with minimum
amount of water to give a suitable workability.
Method of Application:

11
Concrete floor finish is laid by trained masons who learnt their trade
either by some formal training or have undergone on-the –job
experience for a considerable number of years.
Concrete floor finish does not require a base. It is laid monolithically
with the base and is of the same constituent. Different mixes can be
designed to suit particular purpose, but for most purposes a mix of
1:3:6 of Portland cement: coarse aggregate is used. After laying and
leveling, the concrete surface is toweled smooth to form a finish.
The toweling is done after the leveled and compacted concrete has
set. This toweling is repeated at least three times, giving about two
hour’s interval. During the second toweling, all pores are closed and
any laitance formed removed and toweled back. The final toweling is
delayed until a considerable pressure is needed to make an
impression on the surface.
Because there may be insufficient time to trowel concrete surfaces
before it hardens, and also because large aggregates impeded
smoothing, concrete floors are normally finished by a second thickness
made with fine aggregate called screed. This is made with Portland
cement and sand or fine aggregate in the proportion of 1:3. the surface
of the base concrete must be thoroughly brushed to remove all dust
and loose particles and thoroughly wetted, otherwise the screed will
not adhere to the base concrete, and will break up.
Quality:
Plain concrete finish has a drab appearance. It lacks the essential
qualities for a floor surface, which should be smooth, hard-wearing,
stain-resistance, warm, non-slip, washable and unlikely to dust off in
use.
Area of use:
It is used in workshops, store sheds, garages and other areas of less
importance.
12
 Maintenance:
Plain concrete finish can be cleaned by neutral or mildly alkaline
detergent in water. The floor should then be rinsed and allowed to dry.
Soap should not be used as it will react with the lime in the concrete
forming a scum, which will cause the floor to resole more rapidly. Oil
and grease stain can be removed effectively with a degreasing, which
may be either water or solvent based.

TERRAZZO
Terrazzo is a quality floor finish which provides a hard wearing surface
in a wide range of colour combinations. It combines high standard of
appearance with cleanliness.
Composition:
Terrazzo consists of marble chippings and white or coloured cement
as the matrix.
Marble chippings are available in six grades:
Italian Code Nominal Sizes
1 2-5
5
1 4-6
6
2 5-9
3 9-19
4 12-20
5 22-25
The marble aggregate should be clean, angular-not elongated or flaky;
and free from dust. In order to obtain a good wearing surface, the larger
grades are usually used for flooring. No aggregate smaller than 3mm should
be used.
The mix proportion depends on the size and grade of chippings.
Grades 1/5 and 1/6 = 1 part cement: 21/2 parts chipping Grade 2 = 1 part

13
cement: 3 parts chipping. The proportion of cement to chipping is given by
volume.
There is a special machine for mixing terrazzo which prevents
segregation by the plates which lifts the terrazzo as well as rotation in the
machine.
This machine produces far greater result than can be achieved by hand.

Method of Application:

Terrazzo is laid by qualified masons who learnt their trade either by some
formal training or have undergone on-the-job training experience for a
considerable number of years.
Terrazzo can be laid either monolithically on a green concrete base or
separately on a concrete sub-base. The earlier method is not widely used
because of difficulties in protecting the finish from the following trades.
The concrete sub-base must be sound with a rough surface to form a
good key1. The floor should be divided into panels not exceeding 1 m2 with
metal, ebonite or plastic strips.
The usual thickness of terrazzo topping is 20mm. this being laid on
16mm layer of 1:3 cement: sand mortar screed over the base. The
movement joint should be taken through the screed and if ebonite or other
jointing strips are used, these should be fixed before the screed is laid. After
the terrazzo has been laid, the surface is lightly trowelled to obtain a flat
surface. Undue trowel ling will bring too much cement to the surface.
Terrazzo flooring must be damp cured using plastic sheets as curing
medium. Canvas, Hessian, and sawdust curing are very liable to stain
terrazzo and should not be used.
To obtain a polished surface, the first grinding with coarse
carborandum bricks or discs, using a carborandum machine, should be
carried out about four days after laying. A good source of water is supplied
14
to be used in this grinding. After grinding the whole area will be scrubbed
with water to remove the slurry caused by the grinding.
1. Roughening a surface to receive a coat of plastic material.
All pores and holes are then filled with a cement paste.
The second grinding after further five days is made with a finer grain
stone or disc; this may be sufficient to produce the required polish.
Precast terrazzo usually of thickness 40mm and reinforced with a
mesh of 6mm steel rods can be made in various sizes, faced on either or
both sides. This is normally called terrazzo tiles with common sizes of
100mm2.
Quality:
Terrazzo is a very attractive, decorative floor finish with a wide ranger
of colour combinations. The floor tends to be hard, noisy and cold; but has
extremely good wearing properties, and will withstand heavy foot traffic.
They are resistant to water and can stand up to any amount of it used for
cleaning the floor.
Terrazzo floors are however attacked by acids causing them to be
pitted.
Some harsh alkaline powder materials are also detrimental to terrazzo.
When a floor is mopped with a solution of such a material in water, the
solution penetrates the minute open cells of terrazzo. As the water
evaporates the residual powder re-crystallizes and expands, exacting
considerable pressure on the surrounding into a fine dust. Continual
treatment of this sort will cause the floor eventually to become pitted and
retain dirt, making cleaning difficult.
Terrazzo floor can be slippery when wet or where floor polish is
transferred to it from adjacent floorings for safety the finish should not be
smoother than fine girt carborandum or bauxite grit can be incorporated in,
or trowelled into, mixes. Non-slip inlays are often included in the front edges
of stair treads. If polish is ever used, it should be wax free.
15
Area of Use:
Terrazzo is often used in entrance halls to public buildings, food
shops, lavatories and in hospitals. T is especially theatres.
Maintenance:
Before opening to traffic, terrazzo should be scrubbed with an acid
resisting and alkali – free soap and allowed to stand overnight. The
following day the surface should be scrubbed vigorously with hot water and
rinsed. Subsequently, surfaces should be kept clean with soap and rinsed.
However, care should be taken when using soap as it is liable to result in a
slippery surface, particularly, if a build-up of soap residue is allowed to take
place.
Strong detergents should not be used and some disinfectants contain
phenols and cresols which stain terrazzo. surfaces could be roughened after
some years of use, especially for granites.

16
GRANOLITHIC CONCRETE TOPPING
Granolithic concrete topping is one of the concrete group of floor
finishes. Its ability to sustain considerable weights has made it the
most popular type of floor finish for industrial undertakings. It has a
drab appearance , therefore , its mainly for utilitarian purposes.
Composition:

17
ii. TILES (CERAMIC, MARBLE AND GRANITE TILES)

18
Granite tiles are made from igneous rock i.e. Cornish granite stone,
marble from metamorphic rock (limestone) and ceramic tiles
manufactured from refined sedimentary rock (clay).
The have good resistance to wear, tear and chemicals smooth
textured and appear in varieties of color due mainly to the fact that
they could be pigmented and maintained by warm water washing with
neutral sulphate free detergent. It is advisable to rinse thoroughly with
clean water as the detergent may eat-up the constituent element, their

19
iii. TILES (POLYVINYL CHLORIDE P.V.C)

This finishing type is manufactured from the polymerization of vinyl,

hardened with chlorine and other additives like asbestos fibers, fillers
and pigmented to give varieties of color.
The additives makes them also to be thermoplastic they can be
maintained by washing bi-weekly with mild soap while stains on them
are best removed with steel wool and cleaning powder. They show
moderate resistance to wear, alcohol attacks, water and alkalis might
be noisy but do not resist attacks of salt, acid, oil or grease but slip
while wet.

20
iv) THIN SURFACE FINISHES (PAINT)

This is a chemically manufactured but pigmented liquid or semi-liquid

which after being applied hardens to protect the floor either made of
concrete, timber, steel or aluminum alloy. They are also applied not for
finishing purpose alone but to floors requiring reflection, diffusion of
light color pattern and as aid to sound absorption property of floor.
They constitute three coats, primer, under coat and finishing coat
giving a low resistance to wear, and susceptible to chemical attacks,
moderately noisy but slip while wet, the best way to maintain it is by
sweeping and occasional ragging with neutral soap and not allowing
sand to be matched on it.

CARPETING

Soft finish manufactured from animal or synthetic wool and other

textile materials patterned or multi-colored during production to create
nice and catchy color and pattern. Feeling the texture could sometimes
determine its grade. Its essence is to warm the rooms but includes to
provide soft surfaces to platform, thereby improving their acceptability.
They have high resistance to wear, moderately resilient not noisy to
walk on and resists chemical attacks, its nature of fixing to floor makes
it possible to be removed any time need arise and may not slip. A wide
range of colors and design can be manipulated in the factory and
rolled into various sizes. Mechanical cleaning can be affected at place
it was fixed or removed to be affected elsewhere.

21
JOINTLESS FLOOR FINISHES
Joint less floor finishes are finishes laid on mastic form without joints. Under
this we have the asphalt group of floors.

Asphalt Floor Finishes:

The asphalt group of floor finishes includes mastic asphalt and pitch mastic.
These have similar characteristics and method of application; therefore, they
are treated together here.

Composition:
Mastic asphalt comprises natural rock asphalt or crushed limestone as
aggregate, an appropriate asphaltic cement as binder, and siliceous material
for acid resisting.
22
Pitch mastic consists of mineral aggregate like crushed limestone, a binder
made up of coal tar pitch, and siliceous material for acid resisting.

Method of Application:

Blocks of mastic asphalt are usually melted at site and aggregate added at a
carefully controlled temperature of 200 to 2000C, preferably in mechanically
agitated mixers, as near to the point of laying as possible to minimize
cooling before it is laid. Asphalt flooring is generally laid in one or two layers
and finished with a hand float to give a polished surface or a dressing of fine
sand to give a matt1 finish. An isolating membrane laid loose with lapped
joints is essential for mastic asphalt up to 20mm thick on bases or: timber,
concrete or screeds of open texture. A membrane is also required for any
thickness of mastic asphalt laid on timber and on bases which would cause
blowing or which would cause the mastic to cool too rapidly during laying
and where a polished surface is required.
Asphalt is laid in thick nesses of 16 to 38mm depending on the anticipated
traffic. Pitch mastic flooring ranges from 19 to 25mm thick… No traffic is
allowed on asphalt floor finish until it has cooled to normal room
temperature.

Colours Available

Asphalt floor finishes are generally obtained in dark colours. The principal
colours are red, brown and black. Occasionally green and gray colours are
obtainable in mastic asphalt, but are very costly.

Quality:
Asphalt flooring is dustless and impervious to moisture. It is slippery when
wet depending on surface finish. It is relatively quiet to tread and is fairly
23
warm. It is resistant to chipping and cracking but the extent depend on the
workmanship. Depression may occur is asphalt floors due to weight being
left in the same position over a long period, but specially designed asphalt
flooring is know to give long period of service under heavy conditions.

Area of Use:

Asphalt floor finishes are used in factories, diaries, breweries, battery rooms,
cold stores, ware houses, and for outdoor paving of all kinds. It is a good
underlay for super imposed floor finishes such as linoleum, rubber plastic in
sheet or tile form.

Maintenance:
Asphalt floors are maintained by cleaning with water and soap, and then
specially polished.

RESILIENT FLOOR FINISHES

Resilient floor finishes are the preformed group of floorings which are
resilient, pliable and comfortable to walk on. All are laid on a sub-floor.
Included under this heading are linoleum, cork tiles and carpets,
thermoplastic tiles, PVC (vinyl) asbestos tiles, flexible PVC, and rubber.
The floorings are laid by floor covering installers who have had some formal
training on the trade or have had on-the-job training for a considerable
number of years.
The first thing for a floor covering installer to do is to make sure the floor is
ready for him. He makes a visual inspection, fills cracks and slight
depressions, or evens up places where necessary before starting to
measure out the job and apply the specified material. He measures out the
layout carefully to minimize waste of materials. He checks the moisture
24
content of the floor, since he must be familiar with various adhesive
materials recommended for different types of floors.
Next he applies the appropriate adhesive and lays the floor, using a floor
roller over the finished job to ensure adherence.
Adhesives present sheets, curling up at the edges discourages creep and
generally improve performance and appearance of the floor finish. It is
important to note that no adhesive can act as a damp-proof membrane.
Adhesives of various types are used. For most purposes, synthetic latex
adhesives are used because they can withstand natural damp and alkaline
conditions.
After rolling, any surplus adhesive is removed from the surface as soon as
possible.
Note that the floor should not be washed until the adhesive is thoroughly dry.
All resilient materials are more flexible and easier to handle and bond to the
base when they are warm. They must also be clean, dust-free and dry.

Linoleum

Linoleum is a resilient, pliable, and decorative floor finish. It provides beauty

and tasteful art otherwise impossible to achieve in any other type of floor
finish.

Composition:
Linoleum is made from cork or wood flour, colouring materials, and optional
inorganic fillers, oxidized linseed oil, and resin pressed on jute canvas.
It is produced as plain and printed linoleum, and also as inlaid linoleum. In
laid linoleum embraces all types where the colours or effects are constant
throughout the thickness of the materials and the colouring materials include
marble granite markings. Plain linoleum has a single even colour extending

25
throughout the thickness from the backing material to the surface, while
printed linoleum have their designs stamped on the surface.

Method of application:

Practically any form of substructure is suitable for linoleum provided it is

permanently dry, level and even. Common bases are concrete floor, wood-
board, hardboard, clay and concrete tiles. Where wooden sub-floor is used,
adequate ventilation is provided.
Concrete floors form the ideal sub-base for bonded linoleum provided the
floor is permanently dry. Concrete floor in contact with ground water must
therefore incorporate an impervious membrane or a surfacing of mastic
asphalt.

Linoleum which is bonded to the sub-floor has a longer life span than
linoleum laid loose.
Linoleum can also be obtained in tile form of about 225 mm2 or 300 mm2. its
method of application is as described below for cork tiles.

Qualities:

Linoleum is a resilient, quiet, comfortable and decorative floor finish. It is not

slippery unless excessively waxed – when polished. It is resident to oil, fat,
and most spillages. Wears slowly and resistance to wear increases with
thickness. Hardened grades are resident to sharp points. Although it will
show indentation more than harder floor finishes when subjected to sudden
impact, but it has a quality of returning to its original state when the
impacting force is removed. It is seriously attacked by alkalis.
The resistance to burns is low, and although linoleum is non-inflammable, a
lighted cigarette dropped on to the floor will mark or even char the surface.
26
These marks can be removed with a nylon web pad or the finest grade of
metal fiber floor pad.
When correct grade of linoleum is properly laid and maintained, it will last for
many years. Instances are known where linoleum has given good service for
more than 50 years.
Area of Use:
Linoleum floor finish is used extensively in restaurants, shops, showrooms,
offices, schools, hospitals, houses, shops and hotels.
Maintenance:
Linoleum is easy to maintain. Damp mopping with mild soap or detergent
followed by application of a suitable polish.
No soda or caustic solution should be used. Mild spirits should be used very
sparingly to remove grease, tars, adhesives, and marks from rubber wheels.

Cork Tiles and Carpets

Cork is a resilient and pliable floor finish. It is the softest of all resilient floor
finishes.

Composition:

Granulated cork is compressed and baked at high temperature into blocks,

the natural resins in the grain binding the particles together, though
sometimes synthetic resins are added to improve wearing and other
qualities.
Tiles cut from this block are usually in thick nesses of 3mm to 14mm and tile
sizes are usually 300 mm 3.
Cork tiles are produced in three shades of brown; light, medium and dark.
They lend themselves to many decorative effects and are installed in
alternating shades to obtain attractive patterns.
27
Method of Application:

Cork is laid on many types of sub-floor provided it is level and dry. Common
bases are concrete floor, wood board, hardboard, clay and concrete tiles.
Where wooden sub-floor is used, adequate ventilation is provided. A dam
proof membrane is necessary where the base will be in contact with ground
water.
Cork carpets are obtained in sizes of 1.8m wide by 15m long and thick
nesses of 2.5 to 8mm. it is rather thicker than conventional linoleum. Cork
carpet is a resilient pliable, sheeted material with high insulating properties.
It contains high percentage of cork granos bonded together with linseed oil
and jute backing. The manner of laying cork carpet is similar to that
described for linoleum.

Qualities:

Cork is the softest of all resilient floor finishes, since about half of the volume
occupied by the cork is air. They are also warm and have excellent thermal
insulation properties.
Cork is similar to linoleum but has a softer, rougher texture. While wearing
properties are good, it is less durable than linoleum as the surface is rather
too soft for heavy traffic.
Cork is resistant to weak acids and water. The amount of water used for
cleaning, however, should be restricted because of the possibility of seeping
between the sheets of the cork and softening the adhesive.
Cork is damaged by alkaline detergents and therefore should be avoided.
Slip resistant properties are excellent, largely because of the rough surface.
For this reason, it is very suitable for use on inclined areas or slopes.

28
Cork has limited resistance to pressure. Indentations formed by the legs of
heavy furniture, for example, are likely to remain until they are removed by
sanding or other abrasive method.

Area of Use:

Cork tiles and carpets are usually recommended for a wide variety of
domestic and industrial use but the major uses are found in libraries,
nurseries, art galleries, offices, hospitals, schools, hotels, and shops. It is
also used in sports hall and gymnasia where many desirable properties can
be utilized to good effect. It is not generally found in areas subjected to
heavy industrial traffic and where excess soiling is very likely.

Maintenance:

Cleaned with a neutral detergent in the minimum amount of water. Any

stains that may remain can be removed with a little solvent based detergent
wax remover and a fine grade metal fiber or nylon web pad. A solvent
based wax should then be applied and buffed when dry. This should be
followed by regular buffing with a floor polishing and or scrubbing machine,
and just enough action to remove dirt should be employed.

Thermoplastic Tiles

These thin square units of floor covering are made from materials that
becomes soft and pliable when heated; it is rolled out into sheets 3mm or
5mm thick while hot and then cut up. The concrete sub floor must be level
and absolutely dry if the tiles are to adhere and not show any undulations in
the screed. They are fixed by fixing suitable adhesive on the floor and
29
scraping this with the edge of a serrated trowel to produce a ribbed bed. The
tiles are made from a mixture of synthetic resins, fluxes, asbestos, mineral
fillers and colouring pigments. Although they are comparatively cheap and
available in attractive colours and patterns, they are easily scratched and
indented and unsuitable for heavy wear. They are produced in tile form,
only, of 225mm square sizes.

Polyvinyl – Chloride (PVC)

There are two types of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) floor coverings; PVC (vinyl)
asbestos and flexible PVC. PVC (Vinyl) asbestos consists of a blend of
polyvinyl chloride polymer or copolymers, asbestos fiber, fillers and
pigments, to which are added suitable plasticizers and stabilizers. Flexible
PVC consists essentially of the same raw materials, but without asbestos
fiber and is often finished with a very smooth, glossy surface.
PVC tiles are produced in sizes of 225mm2 and 300 mm 2, and thickness
ranging from 1.6mm to 3.2mm. PVC (vinyl) asbestos is produced in tile form
only while flexible PVC can also be obtained in sheet form, of width ranging
from 900mm to 1800mm. The method of application is as that generally
described for resilient floor coverings.

Rubber

The basic material used in the manufacture of rubber for floors are natural or
synthetic rubber, or a mixture of both, together with other compounds. These
include mineral fillers such as China day, pigments which are insoluble in
water and which provide the colours, and additives such as anti-oxidants.
It is produced in either sheet or tile form. The tiles are cut from sheet
rubber or molded separately. They usually range from 225mm to 450mm
squares. The sheet rubber is generally made in widths ranging from 900mm
30
to 1800mm. the thick nesses for both sheet and tile form ranges from 3mm
to 13mm. the method of application is as that generally described for
resilient floor coverings.

2.2 FLOORS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED FINISHES

There is a wide variety of material for floor finishes as explained

above; each should be evaluated in relation to the under listed
requirement so that its suitability for any particular type of use may be
assessed. The quantitative evaluation is difficult and few laboratory
tests are available. The material must therefore be assessed largely
on the bases of experience. To achieve these two major use which are
distinguished.
1. Domestic use: Where only foot traffic is involved.
2. Industrial use: Where truck traffic is also a factor.
Floor finishes should provide attractive appearance, increase comfort
and safety to the user, hide certain services like wire in the floor and
protect the structural floor from wear and corrosion.

2.3 APPEARANCE

Any rating of the appearance of floor finish must be largely a matter of

industrial judgment and floor finish should present the desired
attractive appearance.

2.4 SLIPPRINESS

The measurement of the force applied to the floor surface by the feet
of users have shown that a coefficient of friction between foot wear
and floor finish greater than 0.4 will ensure freedom from slipperiness.
31
 Few materials fall below this value when they are new, but over time a
floor may become slippery through the polishing action of traffic, the
pressure of water or oil or the use of wax polish. It therefore follows
that floor finish should provide good and sufficient resistance to
slipperiness.

2.5 WARMTH

The term “warmth” is here used to refer to the subjective of users.

Though, floor finish has no great effect on the total heat loss from a
room, but is everyday knowledge that to a bare foot on a concrete
surface feels cold and on a carpet feels warm. What produces this
effect is the rate at which the skin losses heat to the surface and this
can be related to the thermal constant of the finish, thus a floor finish
should have a considerable amount of thermal constant on them.

2.6 QUIETNESS

Most floor finishes are not good sound absorbers except for carpets
which has a little of this value. Finishes other than high resistant
resilient materials such as sponge rubber and cork have little effect on
transmission of airborne or impact sound on a floor structure, it
therefore should be born in mind that most floor generate noise i.e.
terrazzo while some like carpet reduces sound (impact sound by falling
object or footsteps)

32
2.7 RESILENCE

This property is meant to include all other properties of a floor finish

that combine to give it a distinctive tread or feel.

2.8 RESISTANCE TO ABRASSION

Floor finishes should exhibit at least little resistance to abrasion and

this is its ability to resist scratching when in contact with coarse or
sharp object i.e. dent under the palm of foot or under the sole of shoe
and or even frictional movement between furniture and floor finishes.

2.9 RESISTANCE TO WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS

The effect of moisture causes more damage to floor finishes than any
other agency, even abrasion for this reason moisture effect are
considered separately, liquids other than water are usually met only in
particular industrial circumstances. Water may reach a floor finish or its
adhesive from the base slab below or from the atmosphere or the floor
may become wet when liquid is split or when the surface is washed.
Most floor finishes requires a damp proof course below, either
because they themselves are attached by moisture or because their
adhesive come loose from wet concrete. However some floor finishes
do not require damp proof course, hence, the surface should be kept
free of stacks of materials and the ventilation should be good this
precaution taken, most floor finish will resist attack due to presence of
water.
33
2.1.0 ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE

Floor finishes may be affected by atmospheric moisture notably wood

or finishes containing wood, such as linoleum, chipboard and hard
wood and also those based on magnetite. The expansion and
contraction of wood block with changes in atmospheric humidity is a
well known fact, magnesite based finish may in humid condition show
beads of moisture on the surface; however, there has been no cure to
the effect.
Thus where a floor is likely to become wet, as in kitchens and with
many industrial process it is obviously desirable to choose a material
not affected by water, and equal important are that is not fixed by
water sensitive adhesive or boding material. Other liquids liable to
damage a floor finish are the acid, alkalis, salt, oil and solvent used or
produced in many industries, with this, it is important that the floor
finish is not itself attached and also that it prevents access of any
aggressive liquid to the steel or concrete of the sub-floor.

2.1.1 INDENTATION

It may not matter that a floor finish indents under a load provided that it
recovers when the load is removed; materials vary greatly in their
recovery after loading. In a domestic building finish, a dent may be
objectible only if it mars appearance. And this depends largely on the
texture and pattern of the finish.
In an industrial floor, dent may affect traffic or they may collect
aggressive fluids and become center of erosion, various indentation
tests have been defined in the British standard for such materials as
asphalt, linoleum and thermoplastic tiles, but they relate to the quantity
34
 of the materials rather than to the performance characteristics in actual
use. Therefore in the light of this, when choosing a floor finish type, it
is very much advisable to chose a finish of a high quality.

2.1.2 IMPACT

It is of little account in domestic building, the effect of impact of falling

materials are of more important in industrial premises and may be very
severe, as in foundries and heavy engineering shops, where heavy
and often sharp loads are dropped.
The resistance of a floor finish to smattering by impact is affected by
the solidity of the bedding; solid bedding will always mitigate the worst
effect of impact.

2.1.3 RESISTANCE TO SUNLIGHT

Some materials change in color on prolonged exposure to light,

especially to direct sunlight. Wood and cork deach and some type of
plastics become yellow, even though the materials may be otherwise
un-effected.

2.1.4 RESISTANCE TO MOULDS AND FUNGI

Only timber and few other flooring materials containing cellulose are
liable to mould or fungi affect, such organism may also attract
reconstitute timber products such as clipboards, molder effect
linoleum, particularly.

35
2.1.5 RESISTANCE TO TEMPERATURE AND FIRE

The temperature to which a finish is subjected on building (domestic)

for example around the hearth below a copper or over floor heating,
are not usually very high.
Most materials will withstand them without any change other than
some softening.
However, in industry, much high temperature occur and this may
restrict the choice of finish, many floor finishes will be marked by lot
cinders for example, some will also allow flames to spread along them,
but non present any sever hazard when used as flooring, it is therefore
very important that floor finish should be the type that do not allow
spread of fire in a case it comes in contact with ignitable substance.
In all, floor finishes should have desired and balanced properties in a
considerable combined manner to suit its need in their domestic use,
hospital, Library, Industries e.t.c.

36
 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 METHODOLOGY DESIGN

Methodology can be explained as the philosophy and standard criteria

the researcher uses for interpreting data and reaching a conclusion

According to Fellow and Liu, (2003) as quoted in Udoutun, (2008)

whatever discoveries are made in research is dependent on the
pattern and technique employed, the location and subject materials
investigated, as well as the analysis carried out.

Morenikeji, (2006) also stated that that methodology reveals the

scientific nature of a research and that much weight should be placed
on it during the assessment of the study.
Enugu the oldest state capital in the south East is the base of the
study, it has been chosen by the researcher as the population area of
the study, data analysis involved the use of frequency table, the
efficiency of this supported by the fact that analyst usually desire to
know the percentage of total number of sample object that fall into a
given class. The data collected from the questionnaires is used in
testing the hypothesis. The finding of this study is the result from the
combination of the practical interviews and the result of the
hypotheses test.

37
3.2 SAMPLE SIZE

According to A. O. Windapo (2008) a sample is a part of the total

population with which the research project is concerned from which it
is necessary to obtain data. The context of research indicates the
populations of concern.

The objectives of sampling is to provide a practical means of enabling

the data collection and processing components of research to be
carried out whilst ensuring that the sample provides a good
representation of the population; i.e. ensuring that the sample is
representative.

Since the research study focuses its intention on the evaluation of floor
finishes in building within Enugu Metropolis and how serviceable they
are, the researcher has selected high sample over a population of
Building Professionals and Building occupants and industrial workers
whose response the hypotheses of the study is tested.
The functions of the building Professionals, Occupants of Building and
Industrial workers defer in relation to the category of the
organization/Building they work/occupy.
In view of this, the researcher has chosen three categories of these
organizations as shown in the table below. Also in order to weigh the
influence of position of Building Professionals, Occupants of building
and Industrial workers, the researcher therefore narrowed down his
investigations to three layouts within Enugu as to achieve more
efficiency the writer distributed a total of one hundred and fourty
questionnaires in the following sequence.

38
 Forty in Emene, Fourty in Ogui Urban including Uwani, Twenty in New
heaven and Thirty in Abakpa the subdivision is illustrated in the table
3.2.1 below.

EMENE OGUI URBAN NEW HEAVEN ABAKPA

Nos Nos Rate Nos Nos Rate Nos Nos Rate Nos Nos Rate
Dist Ret of Ret Dist Ret of Ret Dist Ret of Ret Dist Ret of Ret
Building 10 10 100 7 7 100 15 10 66.67 11 10 90.91
Professionals
Building 12 12 100 7 7 100 19 18 94.74 14 13 92.86
Occupants
Industrial 8 6 75 6 6 100 16 14 84.50 15 10 66.67
Workers
30 28 93.33 20 20 100 50 42 84 40 33 82.50

Source; AUTHORS FIELD SURVEY

359.83 X 100 = 89.96%

400 1
Over all percentage return = 89.96

3.3 METHODS OF COLLECTING DATA

The data collected was described as primary data due to the fact that
the data was expressly collected for the specific purpose of this study,
in which questionnaire was used. Surveys are used to gather data
from a relatively large number of respondents within a limited time
frame. It is thus concerned with a generalized result when data is
abstracted from a particular sample or population also secondary data.

39
3.4 PRIMARY DATA

The primary sources of data used in this study were based on first
class data collected from the sample of the population under study.
The data source includes.
1. Questionnaire.
2. Interviews with some respondents
A field survey (though the use of both structured and unstructured
questionnaire) generated from the selected samples within the study
population.

3.5 SECONDARY SOURCES

This is preliminary information on this various aspect of this study

under investigation which came mainly from secondary sources such
as.
i. Books
ii. Journals and magazines.
iii. Newspapers, workshops and seminar papers other
learning centers such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe Library,
Enugu state university Library were all very valuable
sources for the secondary data materials.

3.6 QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN

This involves a series of question specifically drawn up to be answered

by a group of people for the purpose of getting facts or information’s.
The questions contained in the questionnaire are designed and
directed towards obtaining enough information and facts as required
by researcher to fully exploit the topic of the study.
40
 The questionnaire is divided into two major parts or section A and B,
section A is the personal data of the respondents and to cross check
the validity of response from each respondent.
Section B picks on specific aspect of the project to highlight the
objectives of the study.

3.7 DESCRIPTION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRES

The questionnaire is divided into two major parts A and B, section “A”
is the personal data of the respondent to instill seriousness to the
respondents and to cross check the correctness of response from
each respondent. Section B is for the exclusive response of the
selected professional consultants drawn from construction consultants
and building occupants/industrial workers.

3.8 TECHNIQUES FOR DATA ORGANIZATION/ANALYSIS

The technique adopted was in response nature of generated data.

Two main types of data are quantitative which were processed by the
use of tables; here focus was on the generation summary statistics
such as percentages.

41
 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA PRESENTATION/ANALYSIS

In this chapter, an assemble of the data obtained from the respondents

of the questions of the questionnaire in this study is made and dealt
with in detail. Analysis of the collected data is also made in line with
the hypothesis

4.2.1 STRATIFICATION OF RESPONDING PROFESSION

Question one enquired into the professions of the respondents.

Table 4.2.1 Stratification of Responding Profession
Profession Frequency Percent
Architect 24 19.51
Quantity Surveyor 22 17.89
Engineer 26 21.14
Builder 23 18.70
Others 28 22.76
SOURCES: AUTHORS FILD SURVEY 2009

Table 4.2.1 shows the professions of the respondents. Out of the 123 people
that responded, 24 were architects representing 19.51% of the total sampled
population. 22 were quantity surveyors representing 17.89% of the total
sample population.26 were Engineers representing 21.14%., 23 were
Builders which represent 18.70% While another 28 which represents
22.76% were are other professionals and non professionals respectively.

42
4.2.2 CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDING TYPE OF RESPONDANS

Table 4.2.2 Building type

Designation Frequency Percentage

Block of flats 48 39.02

Duplex 15 12.19
Factory 18 14.63
Others 42 34.14
SOURCES: AUTHORS FILD SURVEY 2009
Table 4.2.2 shows the Building type of the respondents, 48 of the
respondents representing 39.02% of the total sample population stay in
block of flats, Fifteen (15) respondents representing 12.19% of the sample
population stay in duplexes, Eighteen (18) of the respondents representing
14.63% of the sample population are factory workers while another Fourty
Two (42) respondents representing 34.14% are people in one room
apartments.
Table 4.2.3 TYPE OF FLOOR FINISH IN USE
Designation Frequency Percentage
Cement and sand screed 48 39.02
Terrazzo 15 12.19
Ceramic Floor tile 18 14.63
Granolithic floor tiles 12 34.14
P.V.C Tiles 19 15.48
Precast concrete tiles 5 4.06
Linoleum 0 0.00
Wooden floor 2 1.62
Other floor finish 4 3.25

SOURCES: AUTHORS FILD SURVEY 2009

43
Table 4.2.3 shows the various floor type by the respondents, 48 of the
respondents representing 39.02% of the total sample population has cement
sand screed as their floor finish 15 of the respondent representing 12.19 %
have terrazzo as their floor finish, 18, representing 14.63% have ceramic
tiles as their floor finish 12 of the respondent representing 34.14 % has
granolithic tiles on their floor , 19 respondent representing 15.48% has
P.V.C tiles on their floor, 5 respondent representing 4.06% has precast
concrete tiles as their floor finish 2 respondent representing 1.62% has
wooden floor finish while 4 respondent representing 3.25% has other forms
of floor finish ranging from carpet, rug etc

Table 4.2.4 Reasons for the choice of particular floor finish

Fact. Inf. Choice Frequency Percentage
Most Convenient 16 13.00
Gives good aesthetic 8 6.50
Not difficult in fixing 32 26.02
Durability 25 20.33
Low cost of maintenance 42 34.15
SOURCES: AUTHORS FILD SURVEY 2009

The above table indicates that out of the 123 despondence, 16 that is
(13.00%) is influenced in their choice of floor finish by the fact that it’s most
convenient to them. In the next category, is 8 or 6.50% of the respondents
are influenced by the aesthetic of the finish. In the next level is 32 (26.02%)
whom are influenced by the fact that their floor finish is not difficult in fixing
the forth category is 25 of the respondents which is 20.33% whom are
influenced by the durability of their floor finish type while 42 or 34.15% are
influenced by the low cost of maintenance.

44
Table 4.2.5 Years of occupancy of property
Years in the industry Frequency Percentage
Under 5 years 8 6.50
5 - 10.years 16 13.00
10 - 15.years 32 26.02
15 - 20 years 42 34.15
Over 20 years 25 20.33
SOURCES: AUTHORS FILD SURVEY 2009

The above table indicates that out of the 123 professionals, architects,
builders, quantity surveyors engineers, other professionals and non
professionals.
8 that are (6.50%) have occupied or worked in their apartment for less than
5 years. In the next category, are 16 or 13.00% of the respondents have
lived/worked in their apartment for 5-10 years. In the next level is 32
(26.02%) have lived/worked in their apartment for 10-15 years the forth
category is 42 of the respondents which is 34.15% whom have lived/worked
in their apartment from 15-20 years while 25 or 20.33% have lived/worked in
their apartment for over 20 years.
Table 4.2.6 Frequency of maintenance work on your floor finish
Years in the industry Frequency Percentage
Always 10 8.13
Most times 11 8.94
Sometimes 33 26.82
Rarely 37 30.08
Never 32 26.01
SOURCES: AUTHORS FILD SURVEY 2009

The above table indicates that out of the 123 respondents, 10 that is (8.13%)
carry out maintenance work always, 11 or 8.94% of the respondents carry
45
out maintain ace work on their floor most times,33 (26.82%) carry out
maintain ace work on their floor sometimes the next 37 despondence
representing 30.08% really carry out maintenance work on their floor finish
the last category of respondents 32 in number representing 26.01% never
carried out maintain ace work on their floor finish since occupation

Question four wish to find out from the respondents if there is a relationship
between failures in floor finishes, and the maintenance culture.

Table 4.2.7 IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAILURES IN

FLOOR FINISHES A MAINTENANCE CULTURE

Response No of Respondent Percentage

Yes 105 85.37

No 18 14.63

Total 123 100

SOURCES: AUTHORS FILED SURVEY 2009

The table 4.2.7 shows a distribution of the response in relation to weather

there is a relationship between failure in floor finishes, and maintenance
culture? The distribution shows that 105 representing 85.37% of the
respondents agreed that the maintenance culture adopted in a building
affects the failure in floor finishes either positively or negatively. While 18
which represent 14.63% of the respondents objected and was of the opinion
that maintenance culture adopted has no effect of failure in floor finishes in
building.

46
Table 4.2.8 CAN THE FAILURES IN FLOOR FINISHES BE CAUSED
BY FUNCTIONAL FAILURE IN THE STRUCTURE

Response No of Respondent Percentage

Yes 123 100.00

No - -

Total 123 100

SOURCES: AUTHORS FILED SURVEY 2009

The table 4.2.8 above indicates that 100% of the respondent shows that
functional failure in the structure negatively affects the floor finish thereby
causing failure in floor finishes.

Shows a distribution of the response in relation to weather there is a

relationship between failure in floor finishes, and maintenance culture? The
distribution shows that 105 representing 85.37% of the respondents agreed
that the maintenance culture adopted in a building affects the failure in floor
finishes either positively or negatively. While 18 which represent 14.63% of
the respondents objected and was of the opinion that maintenance culture
adopted has no effect of failure in floor finishes in building.
There is a relationship between failures in floor finishes and the
maintenance culture

47
Table 4.2.9 CAN THE COST OF MAINTAINING FLOOR FINISHES
AFFECTS THE MAINTENACE CULTURE OF SUCH A FLOOR
FINISHES

Response No of Respondent Percentage

Yes 108 87.80

No 15 12.20
Total 123 100

SOURCES: AUTHORS FILED SURVEY 2009

From table 4.2.8 108 (87.80%) of the respondent agreed that the cost of
maintaining floor finishes affects the maintenance culture of such a floor
finishes. While 15 which is 12.20% response of the respondents was of the
opinion that the cost of maintenance does not affect the maintenance
culture.

TEST: to ascertain if there is any relationship between failure in floor finishes

and the maintenance culture.
HO1: There is no relationship between failures in floor finishes, and
maintenance culture.

48
H01: There is relationship between failure in floor finishes, and the
maintenance culture.

X 2 = ( 0 – E )2
E
X 2 = Value of Chi –square
O = Observed frequency
E = Expected frequency

Step 3: LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE = 5%

= 0.05

Step 4: DEGREE OF FREEDOM (D.F)

D.F = 2 – 1 = 1
Step 5: CRITICAL VALUE OF
X 2 = 3.78

FROM TABLE 4.2.7

IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAILURE IN FLOOR FINISHES
AN MAINTENANCE CULTURE

Response No of Respondent Percentage

Yes 105 85.37

No 18 14.63

Total 123 100

SOURCES: AUTHORS FILED SURVEY 2009

49
Expected frequency = Total Frequency
No. of option
= 123 = 10
2
Test statistic X 2 = (O – E )2
E
X 2 = (15 – 10)2 + (5 – 10)
10 10

X2 = 2.5 + 2.5
= 5.0

Since the X2 is greater than the critical value of X2, the alternative
hypothesis should be accepted while the null hypothesis is rejected.

Objective: The cause of failure in floor finish, how to correct

them.

In this research it was observed that floor finishes has greater tendency
to experience failure, if good maintenance culture is not induced. This
was discovered by the fact that some finishes, (tiles) are or can be used
for floor and also for walls. The same finishes were observed to have
more chance to failure when used for floor, than when used for walls with
the same degree of maintenance culture.
4m2 of ceramic tiles on the sitting room experiences more failure than
4m2 of the same tiles on the kitchen/toilet wall, it is because the floor
experiences more abrasion indentation, traffic etc and this factor
facilitates failure in finishes in the absent of good maintenance culture.
This present a fact that floor finishes needs more degree of maintenance
culture.

50
From the survey conducted it was observed that how maintenance is
done on finishes can increase or decrease the failure rate of floor
finishes. Also the design and strength of the finishes contribute to failure
in floor finishes.
It was discovered that floor finishes experience more failure as its cost of
material and installation decreases especially with the introduction of fake
and sub-standard materials in floor finishes.
For example, terrazzo and marble floors are very expensive, their
wearing and tearing of the floor would be reduced considerably when
compared to PVC or ceramic tiles. Also, it was discovered that the more
expensive floor finishes are, the cheaper to maintain than the cheap floor
finishes

51
 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 SUMMARY

Floor finishes are key component of any given building structure if such
structures are to be inhabited by human or used for human activity.

This study evaluated floor finishes in building a case study of Enugu

metropolis.

From the demographic data collated with the aid of the questionnaire,
majority of the respondents are either experienced professionals
tenants/property owners who whom have managed and observed changes
in their various floor types. Most of the respondents are experienced and
therefore data collected from them can be relied upon.

The study evaluated floor finishes in building with emphasis on Enugu

metropolis and came up with the following findings.
That lots of failures happen to floor finishes though many of them could be
trailed through the sub floor defects, which may include excessive cracking,
excessive deflection of suspended floor. Water leakage through suspended
concrete floor, distortion and cracking of solid ground floor slab, cracking
and lifting of solid ground floor slab, lots of strength and stiffness in
suspended timber floor, reduced design strength and lot more
Therefore building occupant should have a proper and well articulated
maintenance culture for their various floor finishes.

52
5.2 CONCLUSION

Having seen all the available floor finishes, the primary requirement of floor
finishes, the needs for floor finishes and the possible failures that may arise
either that has stayed long in use, applied in an unsuitable area as improper
laying of such floor finishes and some other problems, one could however
appreciate the need of making correct and appropriate choice of floor
finishes for his domestic or the industrial use. Also, if all the listed or
mentioned maintenance culture is adopted, any applied floor finishes could
even last longer than targeted life span.
It is also worth mentioning at this point that most of the defects in floor
finishes emanated from defects in structural floors which have been already
mentioned or the improper laying of beds or joint on which applied floor
finishes are laid and as a result of this, where defects occur relaying of the
finishes is the only answer to the problems but care must be taken to avoid
dis-stabilizing the stability of the structural floor and maintain even level
between newly laid finishes and old ones.

5.3 RECOMMENDATION

The ultimate objective of this study is to make recommendation based on

the findings and conclusions of the study.
We strongly believe that if they are strictly adopted into the construction
industry as it relates to the topic of study, it will go along way to enhance the
life span of our various floor finishes.
With the analysis given in chapter four, the following recommendation is
made:

53
1. Before any material is used as floor finishes, it should be tested and
analyzed in order to determine and establish the compressive
strength and duration.
2. Emphasis should be laid on suitable materials /finishes than cheep
materials/finishes, so as to reduce failure in finishes.
3. Knowledge of finishes serviceability duration should be known.
4. A good maintenance culture should be maintained.

54
 REFERENCES

ALAN EVERETT (1979) Finishes, Mitchell’s Building series, B.T.

Batsford Limited.

ARAZI BIN IDRUS (2007) Evaluating Construction Time Performance of

Building System Design at the (Early)
Conceptual Design Stage, Ph.D Thesis,
Selangor University of Industry (UNISEL)
Malaysia.

BARRY , ETAL (1971), Building maintenance Economic and

Management, Edited A.H Speeding, E & F.N
Spori Lockwod staples London

BRE (1963) Glossary of general building terms: flooring, BS

3589

EDWARDS, J.K.P (1972) Floors and their maintenance, Butterworth and

Company Limited, London

EVERETT, A (1979) finishes A mitchell’s building series BT Batsford

Ltd, London and New York.

FULLERTON R.L (1975) Building Construction in warm Climates, Oxford

University Press.

55
IDRUS, AB (2001) Development of procedure and tool for
evaluating and selecting concrete floor system
for concrete frame buildings. Ph.D thesis,
Imperial college of science, technology and
medicine London.

KELSLEY, W.ERIC,(1974) Building Construction, David and Charles

Limited, London.

K.W. Agarwal and L.N Komolafe (1983) Thermal Properties of

Building Materials, and their Application in
Design” Annual conference on materials testing
and research, Lagos

SEELEY H. IVOR (1978) Building Technology, Macmillan press Limited,

London.

STONE, P (1980) Building Design Evaluation Costs –in-use E

&FN Spon, London

56
 GRANITE TILES IN CONFERENCE ROOM OF AN
INDUSTRIAL AREA IN EMENE
TERRAZZO FLOOR
 GRANITE FLOOR TILES IN
OFFICES
P.V.C FLOOR TILES IN OFFICES
 Department of Building
School of Post Graduate Studies
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka
Anambra State

Dear Respondent,

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:

I am Postgraduate Students of Construction Management in Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Awka. I am conducting a research on the Durability of some Floor Finish in Building
Projects (A Case Study of Enugu Metropolis).
This research work is purely for academic research purpose and it is hoped that the
results of this research would provide very relevant data for building cost professionals
and other construction industry professionals, especially those working in client
organisations.

I therefore seek your kind assistance in providing relevant data and information as
requested in the questionnaire.

Please kindly fill the questionnaire as sincerely as possible and be rest assured that all
information collected would be treated as confidential.

Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.

Researcher

Ekwelem Okechukwu

Please kindly indicate if you are interested in the summary of the findings.

If yes kindly provide your email address………………………………………………………………

 SECTION A
PARTICULARS OF RESPONDENT
1. Profession of respondent
a. Architect ( )
b. Quantity Surveyor ( )
c. Engineer ( )
d. Builder ( )
e. Others (please specify)………………..……. ( )
2. Building type
a. Block of Flat ( )
b. Duplex ( )
c. Factory ( )
d. Others ( )
3. Years of occupancy of your present accommadation?
a. 1–5 ( )
b. 6 – 10 ( )
c. Above 10 years ( )
SECTION B

4. Which of the following floor finish do u currently have in place?

a. Cement sand Screed ( )
b. Terrazzo Finish ( )
c. Ceramic Floor tiles ( )
d. Granolithic floor finish ( )
e. P.V.C tiles ( )
f. Pre-cast concrete tiles ( )
g. Linolium ( )
h. Wooden floor finish ( )
i. Other floor finishes (please indicate)……………………………………
5. Please rate the reasons why you opted for that particular floor?
Low High
1 2 3 4 5
6.1. Most
convenient
6.2. Gives a
good aesthetic
6.3. Not
difficult in
fixing
6.4. Durability
6.5. Low cost
of
maintenance
2
6. How often do you carry out maintainance work on your floor finish?

a. Always ( )
b. Most times ( )
c. Sometimes ( )
d. Rarely ( )
e. Never ( )

7. Are there relationship between failure in floor finishes and maintenance culture?

a. Yes ( )
b. No ( )
8. Can the failure in floor finishes be caused by functional failure in the structure?

a. Yes ( )
b. No ( )
9. Can the cost of maintaining floor finishes affect the maintainance culture of such
a floor finish?

a. Yes ( )
b. No
( )
10. What can you say about the cost of floor finish in relation to the building cost
a. Very significant role ( )
b. significant ( )
c. Not significant ( )
d. No relationship whatsoever ( )

11. What can you say about its impact on design decisions
a. Very significant ( )
b. Significant ( )
c. Not significant ( )
e. No impact. ( )

12. What can you say about the effect of anticipated occupant on choice of floor
finish
a. Very important ( )
b. Important ( )
c. Not important ( )
d. No role whatsoever ( )

3
13. Factors considered in designing or choice of floor finishe (Please rate)

Low
High
1 2 3 4 5
Financial
strength.
Climate.
Location.
Project Type
Contract Type
Plants and
machinery.
Time constraints

14. Please kindly fill out the table below for floor finish type for projects carried out
/building occupied within the Enugu metropolis in the past five year.
S/N Location Date Type of floor Residential Building Industrial/Commercial
finish Building
1
2
3
4
5

15. In placing of the floor finish, is there a defined standard work process?
a. Yes ( )
b. No ( )

16. Is this standard work process strictly followed?

a. Always ( )
b. Not always ( )
d. Often ( )
d. Rarely ( )
e. Never ( )

4
17. Please kindly rate the factors that you think would most likely affect the level of
finish of the floor finish
Low High
18. .
1 2 3 4 5
Experience of the operator
Amount of time available
Amount of design data available
Project Type
Contract Type
Clarity of brief
Involvement of the project manager