ProoiIy

DAMP-PROOFING
18.1 should be
be dry. Dampness
requirements of a building is that it
materials. Dampness
in
building
may ocou

One of the major use of poor quality of not only

afecy
construction, bad design and for the occubante
due to faulty
also creats unhealthy
conditions
the life the building adversely, but
of

DAMPNESS
18.2 CAUSES OF
causes of dampness in building
Following are various
ground water level is high, it is likely to rise tna
1. Rising of Moisture from Grounds:(If
materials uset:
Normally, building
vicinity of the foundation of the structure and effect it.;
pass it inside the buildings.
foundations, absorb water by capillary action and
entry d
Rain Travels from Top Walls:(Top of parapet walls if not properly plugged against
2. way through them also.)
rain water, dampness may find its
WallsHeavy rain showers may beat against the external
fxx
3. Rain Beating Against external
of walls and if the walls are not properly treated, moisture will enter the walls, causing
dampees

in the interior.)If balconies and chaja projections do not have proper outward slope, wat
accumulate onthese and could ultimately enter the walls through their junction. This most
travel would completely deface decoration of the wall.
A. Condensation Due to Atmospheric Pressure: (Whenever the warm air in the atmospree moistu
cooled, it gives rise to the process of condensation On account of the condensation, the
is deposit on the whole area of walls, floors and ceilings)However, this sow of dampi
/ prevalent only in certain places in India, where very cold climate exist.
w
5. Inadequate Slope to Flat Roofs:(If rain
slope of the roof is not adequate to drain offbuilding:
effectively, storage of water may take place at the roof and water may seep into the bu

278
 Damp Proofing andTermite Treatment 279

miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Sources or CauSes: Moisture may also enter due the following
K to

causes.
(i) Poor drainage at the building site. may remain damp.
orientation: Walls getting less sunlight and heavy showerS
(i) Imperfect case of flat roofs.
Imperfect roof slope: Specially in the roofs, defective throating
etc.
(i) Imperfect wall jointings, joints in
(iv) Defective construction:
water from defective rain water pipes.
(v) Absorption of

effects
l8.3 EFFECTS OF DAMPNESS mentioned below. Allthese
buildings, are weaknesses ofthe
buildings.

indirect defects, caused due to dampness

in
appearance and structural
Ihe various
nainly ugly conditions.
result
in Door functional performance, nhealthy living 1
maV
 (i) SIte, Cellaneous
Imperfect orientation: Walls getting
(ii) less sunlight
Imperfect roof slope: Specially and heavy showers
(iti) in
in the
the cáse of flat may remain
(iv) Defective construction: Imperfect wall jointings,
roofs. damp.
water
(V) Absorption of from defective rain water joints in roofs, defective
pipes. throating etc.

EFFECTS OF DAMPNESS
B3
caused ddue to dampness buildings, are
defects, caused
various indirect
The in mentioned below. Allthese effects
result in poor-functional performance, ugly appearance and structural
manly weaknesses ofthe buildings.
. Dampness
gives rise to breeding of mosquitoes and create unhealthy living conditions
Dresence of damp conditions creates efflorescence or building surfaces, which ultimately may
cacnlt in the disintegration of bricks, stones, tiles etc. and hence in the reduction
of strength.
.z Moisture travel may cause softening and crumbling of plaster, specially lime plaster.
The wall decoration is damaged, which is very difficult and costly to repair.
A

s tmay cause bleaching and flaking of the paint which results in the formation of coloured
4
patches on the wall surfaces and ceilings.

.6. It mayresult in rusting and corrosion of metals used in the

The materials used as floor coverings, such
the floor bases.
construction of buildings.
as tiles, are damped because they lose adhesion with

contact with amp

8. Timber fittings such as doors, windows,
almirahs, wardrobes etc., concing in
dry-totting etc. of timber.
etc., get deteriorated because of wraping, buckling, consequent
walls, dampfloors to leakage of electricity and
and deteriorated, giving rise
2. Electrical fittings get damaged
buildings.
danger of short circuiting.
and hence creates unhygienic conitions in
Dampness promotes the growth of
the temites germs of tuberculosis,
warmth, and darkness, breeds the
11. Dampness, when: accompaied by the etc., which sometimes, result in fatal diseases.
chronic rehumatism,
agla, acute and
PREVENTION
OF DAMP
18.41TECHNIQUES AND METHODS follows:
dampness are as
Th defects of
 daig
promotes the growth of
ge of clectricity and consequent
DampnesS
the termites and hence creates unhygienic
Dampness, when accompanied by tlhe conditions buildings.
I1. warmth and darkness, in
neuralgia, acute and chronic rehumatism, ctc., brecds the germs of
tuberculosis,
which sometimes,
result in fatal diseases.
TTECHNIQUES AND METHODS
18.4 OF DAMP PREVENTION
generally adopted
methods to prevent
The the defects of dampness are as follows:
i)
Membrane Damp-Proofing or Damp-Proofing Courses (D.P.C.).
Integral Damp--Proofing Treatments.
i) Waterproof or Damp-Proof Surface Treatments.
Guniting Shot Concrete/Shotcrete.
i) Cavity Walls Construction or Hollow Walls.
'a) sasGse
Cementation or Pressure Grouting.
Let discuss these methods in detail.
1.
Membrane Damp-Proofing or Damp-Proofing Courses (DPC)
tThese are the membranes (layers)
of water repellent materials, such as bituminous felts, mastic asphalt,
nlastic sheets, cement concrete, motar, metal sheets, states stones, etc.which interposed in the building
suctures at all locations wherever water entry is anticipated or suspected) These damp-proof courses of
 HHEHH

Wall 25 mm potenl stone

'or file fiooring 75 mm lime or
cement concrete
Floor level
90 mm brick flat
Plinth
Atleast
height Damp proof course (DPC)
15 cm
Fillet 75 mm rammed earth
Foundation and voids filled-in with
wall T. weak cement concretet
Fig. 18.1 D.PC. above ground level for new buildings.
ES The D.P.C. should cover the full thickness of the walls excluding rendering, in order to act as an
effective barrier to moisture under all conditions.
i) The mortar lied upon which the D.P.C. is laid should be level, even and free from any projections.
(iii) The D.P.C. course should be placed in correct relation with other D.P.C. courses, so as to
provide a complete and continuous carrier to the passage of moisture from below, top or sides.
Therefore, the junctions and corners, formed by walls, or walls and floors, should be laid
continuous.
(iv)- Where a vertical D.P.C. is to be laid continuous with a horizontal
D.P.C. (i.e., forming angle
projection), a fillet 75 mm in radius should be provided. The D.P.C.
should not be expOsed on
the wall surface, otherwise it is likely to be damaged by carpenters,
tile layers, etc.
v2. Integral Damp-Proofing
(This consists of adding certain water proofing compounds of materials to
the concrete mix, so that it
becomes impermeable. The water proofing compounds may be in three forms:)
Compounds made fromn chalk, talc, fullers earth, which may fill the voids of
concrete under the
mechanical action principle.
(h) Compounds like alkaline silicates, aluminium sulphate, calcium chlorides,
chemically with concrete to produce water proof etchich
concrete.eeraa
(ii) Compounds, like soap, petroleum, oils, fatty acid compounds such as stearates of c
ammonia etc. work on water repulsion principle, When these are mixed
concrete becomes water repellent.
(iv) Commercially available compounds like Publo, Permo, Silka etc.
 Ull
provide a complete corners, foffi
junctions and
Therefore, the with a
horizontal D.P.C. (i.e., forring
continuous an
continuous. to be laid The' D.P.C. should not
a vertical
D.P.C. is
be provided. be exposed
(iv) Where mmin radius should by carpenters, tile layers, etc.
projection), a fillet 75 it is likely to
be damaged
otherwise
the wall surface,
Damp-Proofing of materials to the Concrete mix, so that
vÍ. Integral of adding certain water proofing compounds forms:)
(This consists water proofing compounds may be in three
becomes impermeable. The may 11
the voids of concrete undert
made from chalk, talc, fullers earth, which
Compounds
mechanical action principle. chlorides, etc. which
alkaline silicates, aluminium sulphate, calcium
h) Compounds like concrete.
chemically with concrete to produce water proof
as stearates of calcium. soi
(ii1) Compounds, like soap, petroleum, oils, fatty acid compounds such
ammonia etc. work on water repulsion principle. When these
are mixed with concrete.
concrete becomes water repellent.
(iv) Commercially available compounds like Publo, Permo, Silka etc.
3. Surface Treatment
(The moisture finds its way through the pores of materials used in finishing In order to check the er
of he moisture in the pores, they must be filled
upSurface treatments consists in filling up the pore
 Damp Proofing and Termite Treatment. 281

subjected to dampness.The use of water repellent metallic soaps

suurfaces
the such as calcium and
aluminium oleates and stearates is much effective in
protecting the building against the ravages of heavy
Bituminous solution, cement coating, transparent
coatings, paints and varnishes fall under this
category! ln. addition to other surface treatments given
The walls plastered with cement,
to walls,the one commonly used is lime cement
plaster. lime and sand mixed in proportions of 1 :
serve the purpose of preventing dampness in wall due to
1:6is found to
rain effectively.ds
st ak
Ihis method comprises in forming an impervious layer
of rich cement mortar In this method, first a
ivhne cement and water is forced by cement gun on
of

the surface to be treated and later

A cement
mortar is applied with the help 1:3 or 1:
of compressed air under pressure.)
5. Cavity Walls Construction/Hollow Walls
(A cavity wall of twO parallel
walls or leaves or skins of másonry separated by a
cavity. Cavity walls consists ontinuous air space or
of three parts, namely.)
C The outer wall or leaf (10 cm thick) which-is exteriör part
of the wall,
4ii) The cavity or air space of 5 cm to 8 cm,
ii) The inner wall or leaf (min. 10 cm in thickness) which is the
interior part of the wall.
Two leaves, forming a cavity in between, may
be of equal thickness or the thickness of the inner
leaf may be increased to
take the greater proportion of the imposed loads transmitted
The provision of continuous by floor and roof.
cavity in the wall efficiently prevents the transmission or
dampness from outer wall or percolation of
leaf to the inner wall or leaf. Under climatic conditions
dry and/or hot-humid), of India (i.e., hot
this cavity type of construction is most desirable as it offers many
Such as better
living and comfort conditions, construction economy advantages
against dampness. The cavity
and preservation of the building
walls constrüction offers the following advantages over
construction. solid wall
(1) As there is no contact between outer and
inner walls of cavity wall except at the wall ties, which
are of impervious
material, so the possibility of the, moisture penetration is
reduced to minimum.
{) Asair in the cavity is
non-conductor of heat, so prevents
it the transmission of heat through the
walls and maintains
better consistency of temperature inside the buildings.
Deen established that In this regard, it has
cavity wall provides an improvement of 25%% in heat insulation over.
the
ssOlid walls of the same cross-section less the cavity thickness. "Therefore,
Construction is best suited for tropical country this cavity wall
(ü) The cavity walls like India.
(iv) Th
also offer good insulation against sound.
The cavity
tends to reduce the nuisance of efflorescence.
(v) This
type of construction also offers many
hygienic conditions other benefits such as economy, better comfort and
in buildings.
vementation or Pressure
(This
consists Grouting
Structural of forcing Cement
grout, under pressure, into cracks, voids, fissures etc. present in the
foundationscomponents of the
which are
buildings, or in the groundThus, the structural components and the
resistant,
This
liable to moisture penetration are consolidated and are thus made water-penetration-
nethodisquite
nd sub-structure effectivein checking the seepage of raised ground water through foundatiohs
of a building.
 material should not be costly.
aterial shouldbe flexiblc, so
that it can accommodate the structural movements without
icture.
he materials should be such that leak-proof jointing is possible. a

18.6 MATERIAL USED FOR DAMP-PROOFING(DIP.C)

(There arevarious materials which arce used as damp-proof coursesdepending upon the location e
anddegree of damp-proofing desired. However, while selectíng a particular ,econ
damp-proofing mate
thefollowing requirements of an ideal damp-proofing material should be kept in view,
k
The material for D.P.C. should be impervious and
during the useful life of building.
urable, i.e., the material should be effer
2. The material should be capable of resistíng both dead loads and super-imposed
loads wither
being disintegrated.
3. The material should remain steady in its posítíon, without any movements, so
overlaying D.P.C. do not develop any cracks. that the wallk
4. For D.P.C. above ground level with wall thickness upto 40 cm, any
materials listed below for
D.P.C. can be used.
5. For D.P.C. to be laíd over larger areas, such as floors, roofs; etc. and thicker walls; a DP.C.
materialwhich provídes lesser number of joints should
be used, such as mastic asphalt, bitumen
s6 sheeting, etc.
6. The material, for parapet walls and other situations, where differential thermal movements are
expected due to exposure, only flexible materials, like mastic asphalt. bítuminous felt, metal
sheets, etc, should be used,
7. In water retaiíning structures or situatíons, a jointless D,P.C. should be provided to take care of
the rísk of leakage.
8. In cavity or hollow walls, the cavity over the door or windows openings should be bridged by
flexible materíals, like bitumen sheet, strips of lead; copper, etc.
The materials generally used for D,P.C. are listed below.
teit ti td Materials Used

Materlals Materials Materials

 Damp Proofing, and Termite Treatment

A Flexible Materials
metals sheets of load,
Hotbitumen; bituminous felts; bituminous sheet; plastic sheet (polythene sheet);
copper, etc. 2iesk"ebo
e
B. Semi-Rigid Materialsi
Mastic asphalt or combination of materials or layers. ee
k

cRigid Materialsàgevsh i0istbsist

etc. in courses; cement
concrete layers; mortar layer, etc.
Use of I-class, bricks,
stones, slates,
given below:
materials used as D.P.C. is
A
A brief description of some of the
SELECTION OF FLOORING MATERIAL
Following are the factors that affect the choice of a flooring
material :
Initial cost: Selection of flooring material mainly depends on cost of
the material. Floor coverings of marble etc. are very costly and may be
Ised only for residential buildings.
Appearance: Covering should give pleasing appearance, i.e. it should
produce a desired color effect and architectural beauty. Floorings of
terrazzo, mosaic, tile and marble give good appearance.
Cleanliness: The flooring should be capable of being cleaned easily, and
it should be non-absorbent. It should have eflective resistance against
absorption of oil, grease etc.
Durability: The flooring should have sufficient resistance to wear,
temperature changes, disintegration with time and decay, so that long life
is obtained. From this point of view, flooring of marble, terrazzo, tiles,
concrete, mosaic etc. are considered to be ofbest type.