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Dampproofing 180501095641
Dampproofing 180501095641
• Presence of hygroscopic or
gravitational moisture
• Reduce strength and lead to
unhygienic conditions
• Damp prevention is
therefore one of the
important factors for
building design.
Causes of dampness
• Breeding of mosquitoes
• Moisture cause unsighty patches, softening of
plaster
• May cause efflorescence; disintegration of
stones, bricks
• Cause rusting and corrosion of metal fittings
• Floor coverings are damaged
Precautions
(I) The site should be located on a high ground and well drained
soil to safeguard against foundation dampness. It should be
ensured that the water level is at least 3m below the surface
of ground or lowest point even in the wet season. For better
drainage the ground surface surrounding the building should
also slope away.
(VII) Hollow walls are more reliable than solid walls in preventing
dampness and hence the cavity wall construction should be
adopted wherever possible.
Methods of damp proofing
1. Use of damp proofing courses or membranes-
• These are the layers or membranes of water repellent material
such as bituminous felts, mastic asphalts, plastic sheets,
cement concrete, mortar, metal sheets
• Mastic asphalt:
– Mastic-asphalt is semi-rigid material
which is quite durable and completely
impervious. It is obtained by heating
asphalt with sand and mineral fillers.
However, it should be laid very carefully by
experienced persons.
• Bituminous felts:
– This is a very flexible material which is available in rolls
of various wall thickness. It is laid on a leveled flat layer
of CM. An overlap of 10 cm is provided at joints and full
width overlap is provided at angles, junctions and
crossings.
• Metal sheets:
– sheets of lead, copper, aluminium can be used as DPC.
Lead sheets are quite flexible and thickness should be
such that its weight is not less than 20 kg/m2. They are
laid similar as bituminous felts.
– Copper sheets are of 3 mm thick and embedded in lime or
cement mortar. It has high durability, resistance to
dampness, sliding, etc.
– Aluminium sheets are used with protective layer of
bitumen and not as good as other two.
• Combination of sheets and bituminous felts:
– Lead foil sandwiched between asphaltic or bituminous
felts can effectively used as DPC and combination is
known as lead core.
• Bricks:
– Special bricks, having water absorption not less than 4.5
% of their weight may be used as DPC in locations
where dampness is not excessive.
• Stones:
– Dense and sound stones, such as granite, trap, slates,
etc. are laid in CM in two courses to form effective DPC
• Mortar:
– CM (1:3) is used as bedding layer for housing other DPC
materials.
• Cement concrete:
– Cement concrete 1:2:4 or 1:1.5:3 is generally provided
at plinth level to work as DPC. The thickness may vary
from 4 to 15 cm. Such a layer can effectively check the
water rise due to capillary action.
• Plastic sheets:
– This is relatively new type of DPC material, made up
from black polythene, 0.5 to 1 mm thick in usual walling
width and roll length of 30 m. The treatment is cheaper
but not permanent.
DPC Treatment in Buildings:
• Treatment to foundations against gravitational
water:
– Foundation may receive water percolating from
adjacent ground, and this moisture may rise in the wall.
– This can be checked by providing air drain parallel to
the external wall.
– The width of air drain may be about 20 to 30 cm. The
outer wall of the drain is kept above the ground to check
the entry of surface water.
– A RCC roof slab is provided. Openings with gratings are
provided at regular interval, for passage of air.
Treatment to basements: