Consequences of delays in repairing installations—an analysis of risks and environmental costs

Regular renovations of water supply, sewer, and central heating systems in residential buildings are essential to maintaining their functionality. Delaying such work leads to system failures which, due to the concealed and underfloor routing of the systems, cause damage to building partitions and necessitate the restoration of building components. This results in a broader scope of work and a greater volume of waste. Various renovation strategies were analysed in buildings constructed using traditional methods, assessing the impact of delayed renovation schedules on the technical condition of the structures and the scope of necessary work. The aim of the study was to develop a method for planning system renovations that minimises construction waste, utilising the PRPSF ageing model. The analysis covered three maintenance strategy models: optimal repair intervention, delaying maintenance, and complete abandonment of maintenance activities. Results of the analysis of models for different scopes of maintenance confirm the necessity of conducting renovations on schedule, as delays increase the amount of waste and the risk of degradation, requiring the identification of hazards, risk assessment, and monitoring of corrective actions.