Updated on:

CE-205 Civil Engineering Construction & Graphics 25.03.2024

Dampness in Buildings
“causes & remedies”

Instructor: Dr. Muhammad Tahir

engrmtahir09@uet.edu.pk

engrmtahir09@gmail.com

+92-3468455996

Engineering Studio

Civil Engineering Department,

University of Engineering & Technology
(UET), Lahore, Narowal Campus 1
Contents
1. Terminologies
2. Introduction to Dampness
3. Causes of Dampness
4. Effects of Dampness
5. Remedial measures

2
Terminologies

Peeling off

This term is related to plaster/paints and it means

that the plaster or paint surface loses in small pieces,
called scales.

Blistering
This term is related to Paints and it means the
swelling of painted surface
Terminologies

DPC
Damp proof course (DPC) is a continuous layer of
impervious material between source of dampness
and building component

Efflorescence

It is a crystalline or powdery deposit of salts

often visible on the surface of concrete,
brick, or natural stone surfaces. It occurs when
water leaves behind salt deposits on the masonry
surface.
Terminologies

Dry rot
Dry rot, also known as brown rot, is wood decay
caused by fungi.
Asphalt and Bitumen
Asphalt is a composite of aggregates, sand, and
bitumen; where bitumen acts as a liquid binding
material that holds asphalt together.
To make things simple, we can relatively say asphalt is
Concrete (mixture) while bitumen is cement (binder) for
pavements
What is Dampness?

Structural dampness is the presence of unwanted moisture in the building,

either the result of intrusion from outside (through walls, roof, or floor) or
condensation from within the structure..

Dangerous for
• Inmates
• Building
 Causes of Dampness

1. Rain penetration

2. Level of site

3. Permeability of the Soil

4. Climatic conditions

5. Defective Orientation

6. Entrapped moisture in the building

7. Defective construction material

8. Defective construction

9. Moisture originates in the building.

Causes of Dampness

Rain penetration

Rain shower of long duration causes the

water to enters through joints, cracks and
porous bricks or stones.

Roofs, chimneys, parapets and other

exposed parts of buildings are most
susceptible to rain penetration
Causes of Dampness

Level of site
Buildings in low laying areas are effected by the depositing surface water and
underground water.
Causes of Dampness
Permeability of the soil
Soil permeability is the rate at which water and air move from upper to lower
soil layers.
Fine grained soils like clay have less permeability; hence, retain water and cause
dampness.
Course grained soils like Sand or gravel provides good permeability
conditions; water is drained out and dampness is reduced
Causes of Dampness

Climatic conditions

In cold climatic condition the condensation

of atmospheric moisture causes dampness.

Condensation of atmospheric moisture can

be identified by the drops of moisture
present on the walls, ceiling, and floors etc.
Causes of Dampness
Defective Orientation
If building is exposed to direct rain showers and less sun rays then it cause
dampness.
Improper ventilation (lack of cross-ventilation)
Causes of Dampness

Entrapped moisture in the building

Over soaked bricks and use of salty or alkaline water results in dampness of
building
Causes of Dampness

Defective construction material

Use of porous bricks, soft stones, alkaline water etc. cause dampness of building
Causes of Dampness

Defective construction
• Moisture can enter in the building through defective joints of parapet, copping
and masonry joints
Causes of Dampness

Defective construction
• Moisture can enter in the building through defective joints of parapet, copping
and masonry joints
• Defective damp proof course (DPC)
• Absence of vertical DPC
Causes of Dampness

Moisture originates in the building

It is due to the leakage through water supply or sanitary system of building.

Effects of Dampness

1.Building become esthetically poor.

2.It cause dry rot to the wooden members provided in the building.
3.It cause corrosion of metals used in building.
4.Plaster/paint peels off.
5.Paint blistered and bleached and the surface disfigured.
6.Holes and pits are formed in topping of floors.
7.Efflorescence occurs and bricks disintegrate and turn in to powder.
8.Un hygienic conditions in building.
Remedial Measures

1. By Damp Proofing Courses (DPC)

2. By surface treatment

3. By water proofing construction

4. By special devices/techniques
Remedial Measures

1. Damp Proofing Courses (DPC)

Damp proof course (DPC) is a continuous layer of

impervious material between source of dampness and
building component

DPC breaks the path of water penetration into the

building super structure
Remedial Measures
Materials used for DPC
Flexible Materials
Flexible materials can be characterized by the ability to bend or compress easily
without cracking under normal conditions.
o Bitumen Mastic (Mastic Asphalt)
o Bitumen felt
o Hot Bitumen
o Metal Sheets
Rigid Materials
Materials that cannot resist transverse stresses and crack under transverse loading.
o Rich Concrete
o Mortar
o Stone Slabs
Remedial Measures
Flexible Materials
Bitumen Mastic (Mastic Asphalt)
Hot Bitumen or Asphalt + Sand
Applied in hot state in 1” to 2” (2 cm to 5 cm)
Bitumen felt
6 mm thick bitumen sheet available in roll form
Hot Bitumen
It is sprayed at @ 1.75 kg/m2
Metal Sheets
Lead, copper, Aluminum sheets can be used Lead can
react chemically with cement so should
be laid in lime mortar.
Minimum thickness of copper sheets should be 3 mm
Remedial Measures
Rigid Materials
Rich Concrete
1” to 2-1/2” thick layer of P.C.C (1:2:4) painted
with hot bitumen is applied Mortar
Rich cement mortar CS (1:3) is laid in ¾” thickness (2
cm) as vertical DPC. Painted with bitumen
Bricks
Over burnt bricks are used in two layers in CS (1:3)
mortar
Stone Slabs
Two layers of stone slabs in lime cement and sand
mortar (1:1:6) is provided in areas where stone is
easily available.
 Remedial Measures
Qualities of a good Damp proofing Material
 Impervious

 Durable (long lasting under environmental conditions)

 Non dis-integratable

 Stable under the loading (should not crack)

 Level finish

 Full coverage of wall thickness

 Availability

 Economical
 Remedial Measures
Important places for Damp proofing course
 At Plinth Level (in walls ) (external & Internal)
 Parapet walls
 Window sill
 Basements and Under ground Floors
 Remedial Measures
Important places for Damp proofing course
 At Plinth Level (in walls ) (external & Internal)
 Parapet walls
 Window sill
 Basements and Under ground Floors
 Remedial Measures
Important places for Damp proofing course
 At Plinth Level (in walls ) (external & Internal)
 Parapet walls
 Window sill
 Basements and Under ground Floors
 Remedial Measures
Important places for Damp proofing course
 At Plinth Level (in walls ) (external & Internal)
 Parapet walls
 Window sill
 Basements and Under ground Floors
 Remedial Measures
2. Surface treatment method
 It consists of filling or blinding the pores of exposed material (outer surfaces of
building) by painting/plastering a water repellent material i.e. sodium or potassium
silicate, aluminum or zinc sulphate, bitumen, and resins etc.
 Application of waterproof claddings
 Surface treatment is beneficial when moisture is superficial.
 Remedial Measures
3. Water proofing construction
 Making structure waterproof so that it remains relatively unaffected by water.

 The roof covering materials, siding, foundations, and all the various penetrations
through these surfaces must be water- resistant and sometimes waterproof.
 waterproof membrane systems available include felt paper, bituminous
waterproofing, polyvinyl chloride, and more
Remedial Measures
4. Special devices and techniques
 Remedial Measures
Practical advice for reducing moisture in house
 Fix roof and plumbing leaks right away

 Check for standing water (e.g., basement )

 Make sure rain drains away from house (& irrigation)

 wet clothes dry outside

 Ensure adequate ventilation (from outside) and circulation (inside). Use fans that
vent air to the outside when bathing, showering, and cooking

 After flooding, remove any wet or damp material right away and start drying (with
fans). Pull up carpets.
 Assignment

 Visit a building in your surroundings with damp walls/roof.

 Identify the potential causes of dampness based on your inspection.
 Suggest the remedial measures and step by step process to cure the dampness.

Report
 Make a power point presentation of up to 10 slides, identifying the
location of dampness, level of damage, source of dampness, and remedial
measures to be taken to cure it.