BY:

ABHISEK PANDA
CHAPTER 9: DAMP PROOFING

9.1 INTRODUCTION:

Dampness is defined as the presence of hygroscopic and gravitational water in the structural elements.
It endangers the structural safety as well as gives rise to the unhygienic conditions along with that it
supports the pathogenic and fungal colonies. Basically moistures travelling through the walls, roofs
and floors are stuck there and gives rise to dampness. Therefore damp prevention is very much
essential and it should be done through provision of damp proof course or through proper structural
design.

9.2 CAUSES OF DAMPNESS:

There are many causes of dampness. They are described one by one as below. There might be some
other factors too but the causes discussed below are major causes of dampness.

9.2.1 Moisture Rising Up The Wall From The Ground:

All structures are found on the soil and sub structures are constructed in to it. If the soil is pervious
then moisture constantly travels through it and in case of impervious soil, due to rain water or frost,
there may be accumulation of water at the base of the structure due to poor drainage. Due to capillary
action as studied in the fluid mechanics, this moisture tends to rise up into the walls and floors. As we
know that normal concrete is highly porous, the ground water table if get rose and stays in that
condition for a long time, it possesses threat of dampness to the foundations and even the concrete
structures.
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ABHISEK PANDA
9.2.2 Rain Beating Against External Walls:

During a heavy shower of rain in the rainy season, rain drops beat against the external faces of walls
and if the walls are not properly plastered or treated with water proof agents, then moisture will enter
into the wall, causing dampness. If balcony and chazza protections do not have outward slope or
when the protection falls sort in protecting the complete wall, water will accumulate on these and at
the base of the wall and ultimately enter into the joints causing dampness. This moisture will
completely deface the interior decoration and patches will come in side.

9.2.3 Rain Water Travel From Wall Tops:

In case of improperly protected/treated wall tops, rain water will enter the wall and travel down.
Leaking roofs also permit the same which causes serious threat to the stability as well as load carrying
capacity of the structures. Also due to dampness, the swelling of walls and bond between mortar is
reduced.

9.2.4 Condensation:
Condensation is the process of accumulation of atmospheric water in the joints of walls, floors etc.
Due to this condensation of atmospheric moisture, dampness occurs, mostly in the wall joints. This
dampness may occur on the walls, ceilings and floors etc. which come in contact with atmospheric
moisture directly. This type of dampness occurs due to variation of temperature in atmosphere.

9.2.5 Miscellaneous Other Causes:

i. Poor drainage at the building sight, from which the leaking water continuously and
persistently keeps the foundation base damp.
ii. Reduced air flow is another cause of dampness as water does not get evaporated.
iii. Low temperature also causes dampness due to no evaporation of water but in winter season,
as there is very lesser humidity, hence despite of low temperature, water get evaporated. But
where the humidity is at normal level, and temperature is low, dampness occurs.
iv. Imperfect orientation of buildings is another cause of the dampness where the dampness
occurs only due to less or zero illumination of the building through sun light. The darkness
BY:
ABHISEK PANDA
existing due to absence of sun light makes the rooms swampy in all most all the seasons and
the humidity of the building is genuinely higher than other such buildings.
v. Imperfect roof slope also causes dampness and its mainly seen in case of flat roofs.
vi. Imperfect joints in walls and roofs and defective throating etc. like defective constructions
causes dampness. Also due to improper compaction of the concrete during construction, it not
only gives rise to weak structures, but also there is always a chance of water penetration due
to the voids present in the structures.
vii. Defective cavity wall construction.
viii. Defective rain water pipe as well as basin pipe of kitchens causes water leakage or
absorption and thats why causes dampness. This type of dampness is the common type of
dampness in residential as well as public buildings.
ix. Less use or absence of damp proof course in the buildings causes dampness. Its the major
cause of dampness related problems in the old masonry buildings and forts.
x. Underground seepage is also a cause of dampness in the structures present near water
reservoirs or at bank of rivers. Also presence of any water reservoir like ponds and wells etc.
cause dampness to the buildings.
xi. High humidity is also another cause of dampness. Its seen by the researchers that the areas
nearer to the irrigating canals or water bodies are prone to dampness more than that of farther
areas. This may be due to the reason of humidity.
BY:
ABHISEK PANDA
9.3 EFFECTS OF DAMPNESS:

The following effects are commonly observed due to dampness.

1. It is the cause of pathogenic bacteria as well as fungal colony and gives rise to the breeding of the
mosquitoes causing unhealthy living conditions.
2. Unsightly patches are found due to travel of water through walls and ceilings causing defacing of
the walls through destruction of the designs and plastering. Also it causes softening and
crumbling of plaster especially lime plaster in the old buildings.
3. The spalling of concrete as well as lost decoration is a costly affair to recover. Also spalling off of
the concrete from the roof ceiling endangers the safety of users.
4. Continuous presence of moisture may cause efflorescence resulting in disintegration of bricks,
stones, tiles etc., and consequent reduction in strength. This may result in eccentric loading due to
load imbalancing during load transfer which may cause tension cracks in the structure.
5. Due to reduction in the adhesive force due to presence of water caused by dampness, the flooring
gets loosened up.
6. Timber fittings like doors and windows etc. get deteriorated due to wrapping, dry-rotting and
buckling due to the dampness. Also the joints get tightened up and may result in misplacement of
the elements due to swelling, bulging etc.
7. Electrical fitting due to deterioration, possesses a threat of leakage of electricity consequently
causing the danger of short circuit.
8. Floor coverings get damaged.
9. It promotes growth of termites and pathogenic bacteria causing diseases like tuberculosis,
rheumatism etc.
10. Moisture causing rusting and corrosion of metal fittings attached to the walls, floors and ceilings.
Also due to corrosion of steel rods, the R.C.C structures get weaken and may fail before designed
life period.

9.4 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MATERIALS USED FOR DAMP PROOFING:

1. The materials should be perfectly impervious not allowing any moisture penetration
throughout its estimated life period.
2. The materials should be hard and strong enough, capable of resisting the super imposed load
without any defects or failure.
3. Damp proofing material must be durable and should have the same life span as that of the
structure as it may not be replaced efficiently and easily and replacement is a costly affair too.
4. Materials should confirm to flexibility criteria in order to accommodate the structural
movements of the super structure without getting fractured.
5. The materials should not be costly so that it can be affordable by common people.
6. The materials should be such that the leak-proof and water tight joint is possible. Also the
material if water repellant is absolutely perfect for damp proof material.
7. The material should not allow any movement in itself and keep itself static with respect to
super structure movement so that it does not get misplaced.
8. The material should not be adhesive to water but should have adhesive character to concrete
and brick.
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ABHISEK PANDA
9. It should not get settled down (consolidate) in due course of time in order to avoid differential
settlement of the load bearing elements.
10. The damp proofing material should have adequate frictional resistance to not allow the super
structure to slide over it.

9.5 MATERIALS USED FOR DAMP PROOFING:

9.5.1 HOT BITUMEN:

This is the most commonly used damp proofing material which is a flexible material and can be applied
with a minimum thickness of 3 mm. Its placed on the bedding of concrete or mortar in hot condition and
allowed to cool after which construction is resumed over it.

9.5.2 MASTIC ASPHALT:

This is a semi rigid material which is completely impervious and quite durable. Its a mixture obtained by
heating asphalt with sand and mineral fillers. In very hot climate and high pressure it may squeeze and
vice versa may also occur. It can allow only a very fewer distortion due to super structure movement. It
should however be laid carefully by experienced persons.

9.5.3 ASPHALTIC OR BITUMINOUS FELTS:

This is another type of flexible material which is available in rolls of various wall thicknesses. An overlap
of 10 cm is commonly provided at joints and full width overlap is provided at angles, junctions and
crossings etc. for damp proofing. The laps should be sealed with bitumen. It cannot with stand heavy load
though it can resist a little movement on it. Light buildings of high sensitivity use this as damp proofing
material.

9.5.4 METAL SHEETS:

Metal sheeting is commonly used in damp proofing and is found to be closer to an ideal damp proof
material. Sheets of lead, copper, aluminum are mainly used for these purposes. Lead sheets are quite
flexible and thickness should be such that weight should not be less than 0.20 kN/m2. Lead sheets can
resist atmospheric moisture corrosion, completely impervious, capable of taking complex shape, resistant
to sliding action and can with stand high stress. It does not squeeze under ordinary pressure. The only
problem is corrosion which may corrode when it comes in contact with lime or cement; so a layer of
bitumen coating is provided over it as protecting layer. Copper sheet should be minimum 3 mm thick and
aluminum sheets are also provided in this purpose with a bitumen coating over it. Though aluminum sheet
is not as good as copper or lead sheets, but due to economy, this is a better choice for long buildings like
go downs, ware houses etc.

9.5.5 CEMENT CONCRETE:

Concrete with rich cement content generally acts as water proof agent. Concrete of 1:2:4 mix(M15) or
1:1.5:3 mix (M20) is generally provided at the plinth level as damp proof course. The thickness may vary
from 4 to 15 cm. The layer breaks the capillary rise of the water and hence reduces the danger of
damping. This is most commonly used damp proof course. In case of swampy areas extra 2 coat of hot
bitumen is applied on it.
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ABHISEK PANDA
9.5.6 PLASTIC SHEETS:

This is a new damp proofing material made up of black polythene. In usual walling width, its thickness
ranges from 0.5 to 1 mm and length is 30 m. Other type of damp proofing plastic sheets is also being
introduced with advent of technology. One such type is suggested by C.B.R.I, Roorkee to be used in
practice.

9.5.7 CEMENT MORTAR:

In type of damp proof course, 1:3 cement mortar is used as a supporting element for other damp proof
course. Also with this mortar 75 gm of soft soap per liter of water may be added to make it as damp proof
material

9.5.8 BRICKS AND STONES:

Special bricks of water absorption capacity lesser than 4.5% and stones like granite, slates etc. which are
dense and sound may be used as damp proofing agent with cement mortar. The stones should be of at
least two layered thick while the brick lining should be at least of four layered thick. They should extend
to full length of wall without any breakage or discontinuity.

9.6 METHOD OF DAMP PROOFING:

Following methods of damp proofing is generally used in practice. Besides, some special damp proofing
is done at some places and in some important buildings which are not discussed here. Only commonly
used damp proofing methods are discussed.
BY:
ABHISEK PANDA
1. Use of damp proofing course (D.P.C)
2. Integral damp proofing
3. Surface treatment
4. Cavity wall construction
5. Guniting
6. Pressure Grouting

9.6.1 USE OF D.P.C:

D.P.C which is other wise called as damp proof course is a water repellant membrane or damp
proofing course between the source of dampness and the part of building adjacent to it. The
mechanism covers a wide range of materials which may consist of flexible materials like bitumen,
mastic asphalt, bituminous felts, plastic or polythene sheets, cement concrete etc. D.P.C course may
be provided either horizontally or vertically in floors and walls etc. or in both direction as per
requirement. Some principles are kept in mind while providing the D.P.C. course. They are as
follows:

i. The D.P.C course should cover the full thickness of the walls though it excludes rendering
coat.
ii. The mortar bed on which damp proof course is laid should be leveled and even with out any
projections so as not to damage the D.P.C provided.
iii. A continuous projection is provided with the laying of D.P.C, besides the damp proof course
should have continuation in the junctions and corners of walls horizontally and if vertical
D.P.C is provided, it should have same nature too.
iv. When a horizontal D.P.C is continued to a vertical face, a cement concrete fillet of 7.5 cm
radius should be provided at the junction.
v. D.P.C should not be kept exposed to prevent it from getting damaged during finishing work.

9.6.2 INTEGRAL DAMP PROOFING:

This consists of integrating certain water proofing compound or water repellant compound to the
concrete mix, so that the concrete it self becomes water resistive. These water proofing compounds
may be in 3 forms:

i. Compounds of void filling material made from chalks, talc, fullers, earth etc. which fills the
voids of concrete under the mechanical action principle making it highly impermeable to
water due to presence of lesser voids.
ii. Compounds like alkaline silicate, aluminium sulphate, calcium chlorides etc. react with
concrete to produce water proof concrete. Also compounds like soap, petroleum, oils, fatty
acids like stearates of calcium, sodium, ammonia etc. work on water repulsion principle. So
when these are mixed with concrete, the concrete becomes water repellant. However all these
materials after addition should be able to resist the super imposed load as well as should
maintain the bond between the concrete materials.
iii. Commercial publo, permo, silka etc are available as water repellant materials.

9.6.3 SURFACE TREATMENT:

BY:
ABHISEK PANDA
In this method, application of water repellant layer by using some special compounds on the
surface of floors through which water enters in the form of moisture is done to protect it from
getting damped. Various water proofing agents are used in practice out of which calcium and
aluminum olets or stearates which are called metallic soaps are much effective against rain water
penetration. Pointing and plastering of exposed surfaces must be done carefully, using water
proofing agents like sodium and potassium silicates and aluminum and zinc sulphate and barium
hydroxide and manganese sulphate etc. This treatment gets effective against the moisture and
normal water but not against water under pressure.

9.6.4 CAVITY WALL CONSTRUCTION:

This is effective method of not only damp prevention but also sound insulation and temperature
protection. The main wall of the building is shielded by an outer skin wall and there exists a
cavity left in between them. Cavity wall is highly essential in swampy areas and notably there is
no reduction of load carrying capacity due to cavity.

9.6.5 GUNITING:

This is a special type of surface treatment in which dampness caused by water under pressure is
checked effectively. In this process, deposition of the impervious layer under pressure is done
which is rich in cement and the ratio of cement and sand is 1:3. The mortar is sprayed upon the
wall using cement gun with a pressure of 200 to 300 kN/m2. The nozzle of the gun is kept at a
distance of 75 to 90 cm from the wall surface. After getting the impervious layer, the surface
should be cured at least for 10 days. This is done particularly over pipes and cisterns and outer
walls.

9.6.6 PRESSURE GROUTING:

In this process, forcing of cement mortar into the cracks and voids under pressure which are
present in the structural components of the building is done. The defects may be in structure or
inside the ground i.e. near foundation. Thus the structural components and the foundations which
are liable to the water penetration and moisture penetration are thus made water resistant. This
method is quite effective in checking the seepage of water of the ground through the foundations
and the sub structures of the buildings. This is also an effective method in counteracting
differential settlement and in shrinking and expansive soil where there occurs shrinkage in
summer.

9.7 DAMP PROOF COURSE (BUILDING TREATMENT):

There are various treatments to the buildings with damp proof course for prevention of dampness is done.
They are enlisted as below.

9.7.1 DAMP PROOF COURSE IN FOUNDATION & PLINTH:

There are basically four such damp proofing treatment with the help of damp proof course is there. This is
described as follows.

9.7.1.1 Damp Proofing against Gravitational Water / Air drain damp proofing:
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ABHISEK PANDA
Percolating water from adjacent ground is the gravitational water causing threat to foundation as far as
damp proofing is concerned. In order check the gravitational water, air drains are provided at the side of
outer walls to check this effect. The drain is kept above the natural ground level and is covered to prevent
the entry of out side water or rain water in to it. Grated air holes are provided at regular intervals for air
ventilation. Along with this, usual course of damp proof course, generally concrete of 1:1.5:3 (M20) is also
provided at the plinth level. The width is kept 20 to 30 cm.
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ABHISEK PANDA
9.7.1.2 Foundation Drain Combined With D.P.C Layer:

Foundation constructed on the poorly draining soil gets damped due to accumulation of water beneath the
basement. Therefore, the trenches are dug all round the foundation of structure up to same depth as that of
foundation and filled up with gravel or coke. They ultimately collect the water and this is drained out
through a drain. Also porous foundation drains can be provided directly. Besides the drainage system, a
D.P.C layer (concrete in general) at plinth level is provided and is extended vertically to some extent too.

In some cases of direct drainage through perforated draining pipes, a slope is maintained so that the water
is drained to a nearby ditch and pumped out from there.
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ABHISEK PANDA

9.7.1.3 Asphalt Tanking:

This is very simple to understand. The asphalt layer is provided horizontally and vertically at the
foundation to a height of more than plinth level from footing level all round the foundation. This takes the
shape of a tank and hence named so. At all corners, the asphalt layer is little bit extended beyond the
center line and concrete fillet is provided at corners. This basement treatment is effective for low base
water table.
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ABHISEK PANDA

9.7.1.4 R.C.C Mat and Wall Slab:

Where the under ground water pressure is quite higher and the water table depth is closest to the top soil,
a very high water pressure is encountered and drainage system with continuous pumping may prove
uneconomical. Also high water pressure may create structural difficulties for the foundation. Hence a full
raft/mat of R.C.C is provided accompanied with three layers of bituminous felts for further damp
proofing. The raft not only provides the damp proof course but also acts effectively as structural element
for resisting high structural bending and also effectively counteracts the settlement particularly
differential settlement. The load bearing brick wall is also replaced by R.C.C wall in this case.
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ABHISEK PANDA

This is very similar to asphalt tanking; only difference is that the wall and the floors are of reinforced
concrete. Hence no figure is sited here.

9.7.2 DAMP PROOF COURSE FOR FLOORS:

Floors are provided with the damp proof course for resistance against dampness. When the ground water
table is near to the top soil or is likely to come to the top soil, then its essential for providing full damp
proof course for the floors. In this case, sheet of asphaltic felts are provided over the hot bituminous layer.
Over these felts a brick layer is provided to protect it from getting damaged from the floor construction.
The bitumen coat is applied both at top and bottom of asphalt sheets having weight of 15 N/m2. For areas
less prone to ground water table rise, will be provided with lean concrete of 1:3:6 (M 10) or 1:4:8 (M5)
through out. Alternatively the sub soil may be rammed well and then a thick layer of 7.5 cm to 10 cm of
coarse sand is spread over the area below flooring.
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ABHISEK PANDA

9.7.3 DAMP PROOF COURSE FOR WALLS:

When the dampness is a major factor for external walls, the wall is protected with damp proof course laid
on the external wall face. Its generally done with water cement slurry plaster. Further this is protected
with a protective layer of half brick thick wall. The damp proof course should be provided at least 0.5 ft
(15 cm) above the floor level on the wall face. The horizontal D.P.C should cover entire length of wall
along with the wall base. For floors at different heights, the damp proof layer should be in a zic-zac
manner to cut off the capillary action of water
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ABHISEK PANDA

9.7.4 DAMP PROOF COURSE FOR ROOF:

For roofs, terracing is done and a damp proof course of rich cement concrete is provided. Also asphalt is
provided as the damp proof material on the roof surface. The damp proof course should cover entire roof
area and the rain water pipes should be fixed for drainage of water from roof. Adequate slope should be
maintained on the roof to avoid the accumulation of rain water on the roof. Also the roof top may be
sloped stiffly restricting access to roof. This pattern is commonly adopted by cold climate countries to
avoid accumulation of snow on the roof top. The above discussed damp proofing techniques are common
and no need of placing a figure therefore.