DAMPNESS

The access and penetration of moisture content into building through its walls,
floor, roof etc. is called dampness in buildings.

REASONS FOR DAMPNESS.

1. Defective roof-leakage

2. Porous bricks used in construction

3. Bad materials used in construction

4. Vegetation – Growth of vegetation in the wall indicates presence of moisture

or water

5. holes left in the wall due to negligence

6. Mortar joints not laid properly

7. Earth banks – Construction of earthen bank by the side of a buildingx.

Splashing of rain off the ground on the wall above the damp proof course which
happens when the plinth height is low or there be ground nearby with higher
level.

8. Defective window sills allowing stagnation of water on it.

9. Sloping ground – This generally happens in hill areas, where buildings are
constructed on the slopes of the hills.

10. Dampness in hollow walls is caused due to deposit of mortar droppings

during construction and lack of ventilation.
11. Leaking pipes – Soil, waste water, rain water, or water supply pipes allowing
water to enter the walls.

12. Salt in the plaster – Presence of salt in the plaster or precisely in sand used
for plaster will render the wall damp.

EFFECTS OF DAMPNESS.

1. Unhygienic condition inside the building

2. Dry rot – The presence of moisture in timber causes the disease in the timber,
termed dry rot.

3. Disintegration – Continued presence of moisture in brick may cause

mechanical injury to the wall.

4. Furniture – They are damaged due to continuous damp environment.

5. Decoration of timber, bamboo, wall papering, etc. get damaged.

6. Warping and decay of timber.

7. Plaster getting soft and subsequently crumbling.

8. Corrosion of metal.

9. Damage to electrical installations and short circuiting.

10. Deterioration of floor covering.

11. Infestation of termite.

xiv. Blistering, flaking and bleaching of paint.

DAMP PROOF COURSE

It is continuous layer of impervious material applied to prevent moisture
transmission. A common example is polyethylene sheeting laid under a
concrete slab.

Types of DPC
There are two types of DPC

1. Flexible DPC: It is DPC when load doesn’t crack e.g. Polythene and
Bitumen.
2. Rigid DPC: It is DPC when loaded; it cracks e.g. Rich cement concrete
1:2:4.

METHODS.
1. Bitumen mastic: Bitumen mix with fine sand
2. Bitumen felt: It is available in the form of rolled sheets
3. Hard laid bitumen
4. Metal sheets

REMEDIES FOR DAMPNESS

1. Dampness due to leakage from the roof – Stop the roof leakage.

2. Vegetation – Removal of the vegetation

3. Holes– Detect the exact spot, open the space and fill the cavity with concrete.

4. Defective window sills – These are to be corrected.

5. Salt in plaster – This is due to using bad quality sand during construction. In
such case, there is no other alternative than to remove the plaster and apply new
rendering with salt free sand.

6. Leaking pipes – The location need be traced correctly. The location need be
opened carefully and the joint repaired with sand and cement mortar..

7. In cases of dampness due to use of porous bricks and bad materials, the
solution would be to demolish the portions and reconstruct those portions with
better bricks and materials..

8. Damp proof course – Damp proofing of a building is achieved by using

suitable damp proofing material which should satisfy the condition to be
impervious to the moisture.