DAMP

PREVENTION

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Contents
• Damp-proofing
• Causes of Dampness
• Effects of Dampness
• Requirements of an ideal material for damp
prevention
• Materials used for damp-proofing
• General Principles of damp-proofing
• Methods of damp-proofing
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 DAMP PREVENTION /
DAMP PROOFING

o Damp proofing is defined by the 

American Society for Testing and Materials
 (ASTM) as a material that resists the passage of
water with no hydro-static pressure .

o In order to prevent damp into a building damp -

proofing courses are provided .

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A metal damp proof course between
the stone foundation and brick wall
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Metal damp-proof layer

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Damp-proof course visible between
concrete foundation and brickwork
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 1. Rising of moisture from the

ground
• Usually the building materials used for the
foundations, absorb moisture by capillary
action .
• Thus dampness finds its way to the floors
through the substructure.

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 2. Action of rain
• If the faces of unprotected wall , exposed to
heavy rain become the source of entry of
dampness in a structure .
• Similarly leaking roof also permit seepage of
rain water into the structure.

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3. Exposed tops of walls

Dampness enter through exposed tops and

parapet walls hence it should be coated with
damp proof course.

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4. Condensation
• Condensation – The process of cooling of
warm humid air or water vapours .
• Due to condensation moisture is deposited
on the walls, floors & ceilings.
• Main cause of dampness in badly designed
kitchens.

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5. Miscellaneous causes of
dampness
• Defective junctions between roof slab & parapet
wall
• Defective roof covering of the pitched roofs
• Faulty eaves and valley gutters
• Improper rain water pipe connections
• Inadequate roof slope
• Moisture from wet ground below foundation
• Splashing rain water
• Unprotected tops of walls ,parapets & compound
walls ,etc. 14
Black mould on cold surfaces

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 Harmful Effects
• A Damp building gives rise to breeding of mosquitoes
and creates unhealthy conditions for those who
occupy it.
• The metals used in the construction of the building
are corroded .
• The unsightly patches are formed on the wall
surfaces and ceilings.
• The decay of timber takes place rapidly due to dry-
rot in a damp atmosphere.

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 Contd………
• The electrical fittings are deteriorated and it may
lead to leakage of electricity and consequent danger
of short circuiting.
• The materials used as floor coverings are seriously
damaged.
• It promotes and accelerates the growth of termites.
• It results in softening and crumbling of the plaster.
• The materials used for wall decoration are damaged
and it leads to difficult and costly repairs.
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 Contd………
• The continuous presence of moisture in the walls
may cause efflorescence which may result in
disintegration of stones ,bricks ,tiles ,etc. and the
wall is then reduced .
• The flooring get loosen due to reduction in the
adhesion when moisture enter through the floor.
• The dampness combined with warmth and darkness
breeds germs of dangerous disease .

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Requirements of an ideal material
for damp prevention
• Durable – should remain effective during the
useful life of the building
• Materials should remain steady
• Should not allow any movement in itself
• Perfectly impervious
• Capable of resisting the load coming on it
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 Contd………

• Should be flexible and capable of

accommodating the structural movements
without fracture .
• Dimensionally stable
• Reasonably cheap
• Capable of carrying out leak–proof jointing work
• Free from salts like sulphates ,chlorides &
nitrates .
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1. Hot Bitumen

• Flexible material
• It is placed on the bedding of concrete or
mortar .
• Applied at a minimum thickness of 3 mm.

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 Contd………
• Available in rolls as well as solid state.
• If roll : After laying its heated
• If solid : It’s heated and the molten
material is applied as damp-proof
course

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2. Mastic Asphalt

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 Contd………
• Semi-rigid material
• It forms an excellent impervious layer for
damp-proofing.
• It can withstand only very slight distortion .
• It is liable to squeeze out in very hot climates
or under very heavy pressure.
• Requires experienced men for applying it.

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3. Bituminous Felts
• Flexible material
• Easy to lay
• Available in rolls of
normal wall width .
• Should be carefully
unrolled , especially
in cold weather.
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How to lay ?

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Disadvantages

• Cannot accommodate slight movements.

• Offers little resistance to sliding &
squeeze out under ordinary pressure .

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A roof made of bituminous felt

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4. Metal Sheets

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Lead Sheets
• Flexible ,
• Thickness not greater than 200 N/m2 .
• Can be dressed to complex shapes without
fracture .
• High resistance to sliding action.
• Impervious to moisture
• Does not squeeze out under ordinary
pressure.
• Resist atmospheric corrosion .
• Corrodes in the presence of lime and cement .
Hence coated with bitumen .
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 Laying lead sheets

A roof made of
lead sheets

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Copper Sheets
• Flexible
• High tensile strength than lead
• Impervious to moisture
• Does not squeeze out under ordinary
pressure.
• High resistance to sliding action.
• Surface of copper coming in contact with
mortars are likely to be affected .
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Laying copper
sheets

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 Aluminium
• Used for damp-proofing
• Should be protected
with a layer of bitumen.
• Advantage : Can you mention some ?

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 Aluminium
• Used for damp-proofing
• Should be protected
with a layer of bitumen.
• Advantage :
high scrap value (residual materials can
be recycled) , longer life , strong , durable
, available in variety of colors ,etc.
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Contd………

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Combination of sheets and felts

• A lead foil is sandwiched between asphalt or

bituminous felt known as the lead core .
• Economical
• Durable
• Efficient.

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Fixing Damp-proof course

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 Stones
• The two courses of sound and dense stones
(e.g. granites, slates etc.. ) laid in cement
mortar with vertical break joints.
• The stones should extend for full width of
the wall.
• Sometimes the stones can be fixed, as in
case of roof surfaces, on the exposed face of
the wall etc..
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 Bricks
• The dense bricks, absorbing water less than
4.50% of their weight, can be used for
damp-proofing at the places where the
damp is not excessive.
• The joints are kept open.
• Widely used when a damp-proofing course
is to be inserted in an existing wall.

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Contd…

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 Mortar
• Used for the bedding layer

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 Contd ….
• For plastering work

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 Contd ….

• The mortar thus prepared is used to

plaster the surface.

• Alternatively some patented water-

proofing materials such as puldo, cido
etc.. may be added to the cement mortar.

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 Cement Concrete
• A cement concrete layer in the proportion
1:2:4 is provided at the plinth level to work as
a damp-proofing course.
• Depth of layer varies from 40 to 150mm.
• It stops the rise of water by capillary action
and it is found to be effective at place where
the damp is not excessive.

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 Plastic Sheets

• Made of black polythene

• Available in roll-length of 30m.
• Thickness about 0.5mm to 1mm with usual
width of wall .
• This treatment is relatively cheap but it is not
permanent .

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Methods of Damp-proofing
 Methods of Damp-proofing

There are various methods and hence the

proper method is selected based on :

• nature of surface
• situation of structure
• amount of dampness
 Contd…
1. If the level of the ground floor is in level with
the ground surface or just above it. The damp
proofing course is provided as shown in fig .1

The material should be flexible and it should be

stepped vertically through the wall to meet the
damp proofing course of the solid floor.
 Contd….

2. If two ground floors at different levels are

connected by an internal wall, the damp
proofing course may be provided as shown in
fig .2.
It should be noted that the damp proofing
course on the internal wall is in level with
lower floor level.
 Contd..
3. Air Drain is provided

* Air drain -- narrow hollow space which is

constructed parallel to the external wall.
* Width = ( 200mm to 300mm )
* The openings with grating are provided at
regular intervals for the passage of air.
 Contd..
* The wall forming the air drains rests on the foundation
concrete of the main wall and is carried about 150mm
above the ground level.

* The top of the air drain is covered either by an R.C.C.

slab or a stone and necessary arrangements are
provided for the inspection of the air drain.

* The vertical and horizontal damp proofing

courses are provided.
 Contd..
4. For basement - provided proper damp
proofing courses – usually asphalt tanking is
provided.
Points to remember :
• The layer of asphalt should be continuous.
• The vertical end of asphalt layer may end in a
horizontal damp proofing course, if necessary.
• The vertical damp proofing course should be
taken above ground level for a minimum
distance of 150mm.
 Contd..
• The sequence of construction should be: inner
wall, asphalt layer and protective wall. (The
reverse sequence may also be adopted but with
less success.)
• The thickness of horizontal asphalt layer at
basement floor level is 30mm and it is laid in
three coats.
• The thickness of vertical asphalt layer is 20mm
and it is laid three coats.
• adopted when the subsoil water table is not very
high
 Contd..
5. The rain water gutters, in case of pitched , may
be constructed in cement concrete and
standard rain water fittings may be used.
Further the gutters may be lined with
bituminous materials or burnt clay products.

6. The cement paints, when applied suitably, act

as effective vertical damp proofing courses.
 Contd..
7. For cheaply constructed buildings, the damp
proofing course may be provided in the form of
a layer of well burnt bricks which are dipped in
hot tar and pitch.

8. In case of sloping ground, the damp-proofing

course should be stepped such that it remains
at a minimum vertical distance of 150mm above
ground. The damp-proofing course may be of
any suitable flexible material such as
bituminous, felt etc..
 Contd..
9. The construction of cavity walls considerably prevents the
entry of damp inside the building. Suitable damp-proofing
courses may be provided on this walls.

10. The provision of coping on a wall prevents considerably the

entry of damp from the top surface of the wall.

11. The good workmanship and use of materials of better quality

face of the walls immensely help in preventing the entry of
damp inside the building.
 Contd..
12. For providing damp-proof course in an existing
wall, the following procedure is adopted:
(a) The level at which the damp-proof course is to be
provided is carefully decided after considering the
ground level and the floor level ,whichever is higher.

(b)A special saw made of steel blades is used to make a

cut at the corner of the wall.

(c) The loose bricks from the course just above the cut
are carefully removed.
 Contd..
(d)The damp-proof membrane usually bituminous felt, is
inserted immediately after the cut is made.
(e)The cycle of cutting the slot and inserting the damp-proof
membrane is repeated till the entire length of wall is
completed.
(f)The removed bricks are relaid and the surface is finished
with plaster or pointing.
 Contd..
• The above method of damp-proof course in
an existing wall proves to be speedy, easy and
economical.
• After the layer is laid, the height of exposed
wall between the damp-proof layer and floor
or ground layer should treated with suitable
paint.
 Previous year Questions
1. Discuss the methods of Damp Proofing of floors.
(6 marks) (2013)
2. Clearly describe the damp proofing methods and
materials used for
(a)Floors (b)Walls (c)Roofs
(12 marks) (2012)

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Thank

You