By - Kokebe Yifru -Adama University Department of Civil Engineering & Arc- 2010/2011

4. DAMP-PROOFING
4.1 Introduction
` One Of the Basic REQUIREMENT of a building is that it
Should Remain Dry or Free from Moisture traveling
through Walls, Roofs or Floors.
` Dampness is the presence of hygroscopic or gravitational
moisture.
` Dampness gives rise to unhygienic or conditions,
apart from reduction in strength of structural
components of the building.
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4.1 Introduction cont..

` Damp prevention is therefore one of the important items of
building design.

` Every building should be damp proof provision of damp

proof courses prevent the entry of moisture in the building.
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4.2 Cause of Dampness
1.Moisture rising up the walls from ground
` If the soil is pervious, moisture constantly travels through it.
Even in the case if impervious soils, lot of soil moisture may
be present. This moisture may rise up into the wall and the
floor through capillary action.
2. Rain beating against external walls
` Heavy showers of rain may beat against the external faces of
walls and if the walls are not properly treated. Moisture will
enter the wall, causing dampness in the interior.
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4.2 Cause of Dampness cont…

3. Rain travel from wall tops
` If the wall tops are not properly protected from rain
penetration, rain will enter the wall and will travel down.
Leaking roofs will also permit water to enter.
4. Condensation
` Due to condensation of atmospheric moisture, water is
deposited on the walls, floors and ceilings. This moisture
may cause dampness.
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4.2 Cause of Dampness cont…
5. Miscellaneous causes
` Moisture may also enter due to the following causes;
5.1 Poor drainage at the building site.
5.2 Imperfect orientation; walls getting less sunlight and heavy
showers may remain damp.
5.3 Imperfect roof step ;Specially in the case of flat roofs.
5.4 Defective construction; imperfect wall jointing, Joints in
roofs, defective throating etc,
5. 5 Absorption of water from defective rain water pipes.
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4.3 Effects of Dampness
The following are the ill effects of dampness;
` Dampness gives rise to breeding of mosquitoes and
create unhealthy living conditions.
` Travel of moisture through walls and ceiling may cause
unsightly patches.
` Moisture travel may cause softening and crumbling of
plaster, specially lime plaster.
` The wall decoration (i.e. painting etc.) is damaged, which
is very difficult and costly to repair.
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4.3 Effects of Dampness cont…
` Presence of moisture in the walls may cause
efflorescence resulting in disintegration of bricks,
stones, tiles, etc, and consequent reduction in
strength.
` The flooring gets loosened because of reduction in
the adhesion when moisture enters through the
floor.
` Timber fittings, such as doors, windows, etc,
coming in contact with damp walls, damp floors
etc.., deteriorated.
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4.3 Effects of Dampness cont…
` Electrical fittings get deteriorated, giving rise to
leakage of electricity and consequent danger of
short circuiting.
` Floor coverings can be damaged. On damp floors,
one can not use floor coverings.
` Dampness promotes and accelerates growth of
termites.
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4.3 Effects of Dampness cont…
` Dampness along with warm and darkness breeds
germs of dangerous diseases such as tuberculosis,
neuralgia, rheumatism etc. occupants may even be
asthmatic.

` Moisture causes rusting and corrosion of metal

fillings attached to walls, floors and ceilings.
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4.4 Methods of Damp- proofing
The following methods are adopted to make a building damp
proof;
1. Use of damp proofing course (D.P.C) ;
membrane damp proofing.
2. Integral damp proofing.
3. Surface treatment.
4. Cavity wall construction.
5. Guniting.
6. Pressure grouting.
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4.4 Methods of Damp- proofing cont…
1. Membrane damp proofing ;Use of D.P.C

` This consists of introducing a water repellent

membrane or damp proof course (D.P.C) between the
cause of dampness and the part of building adjacent to
it.
` Damp proofing course may consist felts, plastic or
plating sheets, metal sheets, cement concrete etc. damp
proofing course may be provided either horizontally or
vertically in floors, walls etc.
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4.4 Methods of Damp- proofing cont…
2. Integral damp proofing
` This consists of adding certain water proofing compounds
of materials to the concrete mix, so that it becomes
impermeable.
3. Surface treatment
` The surface treatment consists of application of layer of
water repellent substances or compounds on these surfaces
through which moisture enters. surface treatment is
effective only when the moisture is superficial and is not
under pressure.
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4.4 Methods of Damp- proofing cont…
4. Cavity wall construction
` This is an effective method of damp prevention, in which the
main wall of a building is shielded by an outer skin wall,
leaving a cavity between the two.
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4.5 Damp -proofing Materials
An ideal damp proofing material should have the following
characteristics;
` The material should be perfectly impervious and it
should not permit any moisture penetration or travel
through it.
` The material should be durable, and should have the
same life as that of the building.
` The material should be strong, capable of resisting
super imposed loads. Pressure on it.
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4.5 Damp -proofing Materials cont..
` The material should not be costly.
` The material should be flexible, so that it can
accommodate the structural movements without any
fracture.
` The material should be such that leak-proof jointing is
possible.
` The material should remain steady in its position when
once applied it should not allow any movement in itself.
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4.5 Damp -proofing Materials cont..
` Hot bitumen
` Mastic asphalt felts
` Bituminous or asphaltic felts
` Metal sheets
` Combination of sheets and bituminous felts
` Bricks
` Stones
` Mortar
` Cement concrete, and ..
` plastic sheets
Thank You!!