ASSIGNMENT 2

DEFECTS
AND
REMEDIES
IN
BUILDING

SUBMITTED TO- SUBMITTED BY-

AR.TARIQ-UL-ISLAM AMMAR
ASHUTOSH GUPTA
DEVENDRA KUMAR
JYOTI SRIVASTAVA
MOHD.KASHIF ALI

B.ARCH 4 TH YR ‘A’
2018-19
DEFECTS DUE TO DAMPNESS
Dampness in building is one of the important aspects to consider during building design. Because if neglected, it will affect the
building structure adversely and will create unhygienic condition for the persons living in that building.
Dampness in a building may occur due to bad design, faulty construction and use of poor quality of materials. It can result in the
growth of moulds and fungi, damage to the interior and exterior decor, wood rot, and ultimately damage to the structure of the
building.
TYPES
There are four types of dampness generally found in homes:
• Rising damp or "salt damp" in brick walls and masonry
• Horizontal penetrating dampness.
• Condensation dampness
• Poor drainage

PRIMARY CAUSES OF DAMPNESS IN BUILDING

Penetration of water into the building components (such as walls, floors, roof or basement etc.) is the primary cause of dampness.
The three primary causes of dampness in building are
 Poor quality of construction material
 Bad design
 Faulty construction or bad workmanship

1. POOR QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL

Most of the construction materials such as concrete, brick or plaster possess interconnected void within them. When these
materials come in contact with water, water finds a path to penetrate into these voids. Again this water when aided by capillary
action; moves in different direction causing dampness.

2. BAD DESIGN
At the time of designing a building, it is very important to consider what can be the source of water that can penetrate through
building and accordingly the designer must mention where to provide what kind of damp proof course.

3. FAULTY CONSTRUCTION OR BAD WORKMANSHIP

Suppose a designer has specified that the thickness of damp-proof-course must be 15 mm. but due to lack of adequate
supervision, the thickness of completed damp proof course become 10 mm. then this will not serve the purpose for which it is
constructed and consequently it will lead to dampness in building.
SOURCES OF DAMPNESS
When water comes in contact with building components such as walls, roofs, floor etc. these components acts as a medium to help
water to migrate into the building.
The 5 major sources of dampness are as follow.
 Due to capillary action, the water present in ground soil may rise above the ground level through the walls. If ground water
table is nearer to the building foundation then also it can also become a source of dampness.
 Condensation of atmospheric moisture can also be a source of dampness. Because this form of water gets deposited on
different components and gradually find their way to penetrate into the building causing dampness.
 Rain water falling on external walls, parapets also causes dampness.
 Rain water can also penetrate through the roofs if the roof is of bad quality. Inadequate roof slopes or defective junction
between roof slab and parapet wall may cause dampness.
 Presence of gutter near the building will store the rain water and subsequently this water will create dampness in the
external walls.
 Wet areas of buildings (such as kitchens, bath rooms) having substandard plumbing fitting can also be a source of
dampness.

DEFECTS CAUSED BY DAMPNESS

The common defects caused by dampness in building are as follow.
 Dampness causes efflorescence of bricks, tiles of stones.
 It makes the plaster weak.
 It may cause bleaching and flaking of paint due to formation of colored patches.
 It causes corrosion of metals.
 It promotes growth of termites.
 Cracks in floors , ceiling, walls,
 Deterioration of finishing works
 Decrease in structural strength
 A damp building creates unhealthy living and working conditions for the occupants.
 All electrical fittings get deteriorated causing leakage of electric current with the danger of short circuit.
OCCURRENCE
 Dampness in basement.
 Dampness due to rain.
 Dampness due to leaking points.
 Dampness in walls colorless water repellants,
 Dampness on underside of flat roofs.
 Dampness under shallow pitched sloping roof
 Dampness internally below parapet in flat roof building
 Dampness internally below parapet in sloped roof
 It may result in the warping, buckling and rotting of timber

DAMPNESS IN EARTH WALLING

As the moisture level increases at the base, the load bearing capacity of the wall is reduced at the very position where the loading is
greatest.
This can cause the wall to consolidate and spread, and the render at the base to crack and spall.
Failure to attend to the problem is likely to result in the wall eventually collapsing.

Effects of Dampness in Wall:

There are many injurious effects which are a direct result of dampness in walls of buildings:
 Unhygienic condition inside the building – inviting various diseases to the inmates.
 Decay – The action of moisture on the different portions of the structure induce decay and disintegration of materials like
bricks, stone, steel, timber, etc. as continuous presence of moisture in the portions causes growth of moss, fungus and
corrosion.
 Dry rot – The presence of moisture in timber causes the disease in the timber, termed dry rot. Dry rot is effective due to
presence of a virulent type of fungus allied to mushroom type.
 Disintegration – Continued presence of moisture in brick may cause mechanical injury to the wall. If there are cracks in the
wall or porosity which may retain water; in freezing temperature, the water will freeze, increase in volume and cause
severe damage.
 Efflorescence – It is produced by the entrance of moisture in the brickwork which usually contains various soluble salts.
These salts are dissolved by the water and issuing from the pores of the bricks, they crystallize and cause disintegration
of bricks.
 Furniture – They are damaged due to continuous damp environment.
 Decoration of timber, bamboo, wall papering, etc. get damaged.
 Warping and decay of timber.
 Plaster getting soft and subsequently crumbling.
 Corrosion of metal.
 Damage to electrical installations and short circuiting.
 Deterioration of floor covering.
 Infestation of termite.
 Blistering, flaking and bleaching of paint.
Remedies for External Walls:
 Applying water proofing solutions.
 Coating with boiled linseed oil or commercially available linseed oil may be boiled and applied hot with brush after
cleaning the surface.
 Applying cement wash as.
 Sylvester’s Process – Applying alternate coats of soap and alum solutions to the walls where they will sink into the pores
just below the surface. The first coat to be applied after cleaning the surface. Subsequent coats to be applied after the
previous coat have dried up.
 Painting paraffin – Paraffin oil may be painted over the affected surface after cleaning.
 Applying bituminous paint. Application of bitumen or bituminous paint on walls internal or external though may be
effective, will render the wall surface look unpleasant.
ROOFING SHEETS
A.C.Sheets G.I.Sheets Polycarbonates.
• Defects
Cracks and holes.
Causes:
Due to weathering effect cracks and holes can form.
Remedies
Proper water proofing and anti-termite treatment should be provided.
• Defects:
Rusting of bolts and washers.
Causes:
Leakage of water from the rusted bolts and washers. Due to uneven tiles may break.
Remedies
Proper seasoned wood to avoid warping Roofing sheets A.C.Sheets G.I.Sheets Polycarbonates.
• Causes:
Blockage of gutter is due to water logging and down take pipes.
Remedies
To avoid rusting, gutter should be painted.

LEAKAGE
Cause
• Leakage of water from the rusted bolts and washers.
• Water logging due to blockage of gutter and down take pipes.
Remedies
In order to avoid leakage of water through valley in tiles, lead flashing should be done.

BAD SMELL
Cause
Water logging due to Blockage of gutter and down Take pipes.
Remedies
In order to avoid bad smell, then avoid leakage of water through valley of the roof.

DAMPNESS DUE TO SERVICE PIPE

Remedies
• Instead of penetrating the pipes into the floors, ducts should be provided.
• This will prevent the contact of pipes with the floor and wall preventing damage.
• Proper slope should be provided in pipes.
• Minimum bends or offsets.
• Bends should be of larger radius.
• Proper and clear outlets for water on terrace.
• Concealing pipes under ceilings are avoided as far as possible.
• Joints should be tightly fixed.
• Good quality pipes must be used.
Effects
• It deteriorates the reinforcement bars in the slabs.
• It may damage the floor covering.
DAMPNESS PREVENTION METHODS:
The following are the precautions to be taken to prevent dampness in buildings, before applying the various techniques.
 The site should be located on high ground and well-drained soil to safe guard against foundation dampness
 All the exposed walls should be of sufficient thickness to safeguard against rain protection (minimum 30 cm)
 Bricks of superior quality free from defects should be used
 Good quality cement mortar (1:3) should be used to produce definite pattern and perfect bond in the building
 Cornices and string courses should be provided to repel rain water away from the walls
 All the exposed surfaces like top of walls, compound walls etc. should be covered with water proofing cement plaster
 Cavity walls are more reliable than solid walls in preventing the dampness

TECHNIQUES:
 Use of damp proof courses
 Water proof or damp proof treatments
 Integral damp proofing treatment
 Cavity walls or hallow walls
 Guniting or shot concrete or shot Crete
 Pressure grouting or cementation

1. USE OF DAMP-PROOF COURSES (D.P.C.)

These are layers or membranes of water repellent materials such as bituminous felts, mastic asphalt, plastic sheets,
cement concrete, mortar, metal sheets, stones etc. which are interposed in the building structure at all locations wherever
water entry is anticipated or suspected. The best location or position of D.P.C. in the case of building without basement
lies at plinth level or structures without any plinth level, it should be laid at least 15cm above ground level. The damp proof
course is provided horizontally and vertically in floors, walls etc.

DPC above ground level

2. WATER PROOF SURFACE TREATMENTS:

The surface treatment consists in filing up the pores of the material exposed to moisture by providing a thin film of water
repellent material over the surface (internal / external). External treatment is effective in preventing dampness.
Many surface treatments, like pointing, plastering, painting, distempering etc. are given to the exposed surfaces and also
to the internal surface. The most commonly used treatment to protect the walls against dampness is lime cement plaster
(1:6) (1-cement, 6-lime) mix proportion. Generally employed as water proofing agent in surface treatments are sodium or
potassium silicate. Aluminum or zinc sulphate, Barium Hydroxide and magnesium sulphate in alternate applications. Soft
soap and alum also in alternate applications, unie and unseed oil; coal tar, bitumen, waxes and fats; resins and gums
Waxes and fats are not suitable in tropics as they melt with rise in temperatures

3. INTEGRAL DAMP-PROOFING TREATMENTS:

The integral treatment consists of adding certain compounds to the concrete or mortar during the process of mixing, which
when used in construction acts as barriers to moisture penetration under different principles.
  Compounds like chalk, talc, fallers earth etc. have mechanical action principle (i.e.,) they fill the pores present in the
concrete or mortar and make them dense and water proof
 Compounds like denser and water proof sulphates, calcium chlorides etc. work on chemical action principle (i.e.) they
react chemically and fill the pores to act as water-resistant
 The compounds like soaps, petroleum, oils fatty acids compounds such as sodium ammonium etc. work on the repulsion
principle i.e., they are used as admixture in concrete to react with it and become water repellent

4. CAVITY WALLS OR HALLOW WALLS:

A cavity wall consists of two parallel walls or leaves or skins of masonry separated by a continuous air space or cavity.
The provision of continuous cavity in the wall per effectively prevent the transmission or percolation of dampness from
outer walls or leaf to inner wall or leaf. The following are the advantages of cavity wall.
 As there is no contact between outer and inner walls of cavity wall, possibility of moisture penetration is reduced to a
minimum.
 A cavity wall prevents the transmission of heat through wall.
 A cavity wall offer good insulation against sound.
 The cavity wall tends to reduce the nuisance of efflorescence.
 The cavity wall also provides benefits such as economy, better comfort and hygienic conditions in buildings

5. GUNITING: (OR SHOTCRETE):

The technique of guniting consists in forming an imperious layer of rich cement mortar (1:3) or fine aggregate mix for water
proofing over the exposed concrete surface or over the pipes, cisterns etc. for resisting the water pressure. By this technique, an
impervious layer of high compressive strength (600 to 700 kg/cm2) is obtained and hence this is also very useful for reconditioning
or repairing old concrete works.

6. PRESSURE GROUTING OR (CEMENTATION).

The mixture of cement, sand and water under pressure into the cracks, voids or fissures present in the structural component or the
ground. In general, the foundations are given this treatment to avoid the moisture penetration. This technique also used for
repairing structures, consolidating ground to improve bearing capacity, forming water cut-offs to prevent seepage etc.

CAVITY WALL CONSTRUCTION TO PREVENT DAMPNESS