Damp Proofing

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai

B.P.C.

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 1 / 26

Outline

1 Introduction
Causes of dampness
Effects of dampness

2 Methods of Damp Proofing

Methods
Membrane damp proofing

3 Other methods of damp proofing

Other methods

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 2 / 26

 Introduction Causes of dampness

Outline

1 Introduction
Causes of dampness
Effects of dampness

2 Methods of Damp Proofing

Methods
Membrane damp proofing

3 Other methods of damp proofing

Other methods

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 3 / 26

 Introduction Causes of dampness

Introduction

One of the basic requirement of a building is that it should remain dry

or free from water travelling through walls, roofs and floors
Dampness give rise to unhygienic conditions, reduction in strength of
structural componenets
Damp prevention important component of a building
Mostly by provision of damp proof courses (D.P.C)

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 4 / 26

 Introduction Causes of dampness

Causes of dampness
1 Moisture rising up the walls from ground: Substructure embedded in
soil which is porous with water; moisture may rise up in to the walls
and floors through capillary action; ground water table rise also result
in moisture entry through walls and floors

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 5 / 26

 Introduction Causes of dampness

Causes of dampness
1 Moisture rising up the walls from ground: Substructure embedded in
soil which is porous with water; moisture may rise up in to the walls
and floors through capillary action; ground water table rise also result
in moisture entry through walls and floors
2 Rain water from wall top: If wall tops are not properly protected from
rain penetration, rain water will enter the wall tops and travel down;
leaking roofs also permits entry of water

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 5 / 26

 Introduction Causes of dampness

Causes of dampness
1 Moisture rising up the walls from ground: Substructure embedded in
soil which is porous with water; moisture may rise up in to the walls
and floors through capillary action; ground water table rise also result
in moisture entry through walls and floors
2 Rain water from wall top: If wall tops are not properly protected from
rain penetration, rain water will enter the wall tops and travel down;
leaking roofs also permits entry of water
3 Rain beating against external walls: Heavy showers of rain and if the
walls are not properly treated, moisture will enter; will completely
deface the interior decoration of wall; if balconies and sunshades are
not with proper slope, water may enter to walls through their junction

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 5 / 26

 Introduction Causes of dampness

Causes of dampness
1 Moisture rising up the walls from ground: Substructure embedded in
soil which is porous with water; moisture may rise up in to the walls
and floors through capillary action; ground water table rise also result
in moisture entry through walls and floors
2 Rain water from wall top: If wall tops are not properly protected from
rain penetration, rain water will enter the wall tops and travel down;
leaking roofs also permits entry of water
3 Rain beating against external walls: Heavy showers of rain and if the
walls are not properly treated, moisture will enter; will completely
deface the interior decoration of wall; if balconies and sunshades are
not with proper slope, water may enter to walls through their junction
4 Condensation: condensation of atmospheric moisture on walls, floors
and ceilings

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 5 / 26

 Introduction Causes of dampness

Causes of dampness
1 Moisture rising up the walls from ground: Substructure embedded in
soil which is porous with water; moisture may rise up in to the walls
and floors through capillary action; ground water table rise also result
in moisture entry through walls and floors
2 Rain water from wall top: If wall tops are not properly protected from
rain penetration, rain water will enter the wall tops and travel down;
leaking roofs also permits entry of water
3 Rain beating against external walls: Heavy showers of rain and if the
walls are not properly treated, moisture will enter; will completely
deface the interior decoration of wall; if balconies and sunshades are
not with proper slope, water may enter to walls through their junction
4 Condensation: condensation of atmospheric moisture on walls, floors
and ceilings
5 Miscellaneous causes: poor drainage; imperfect orientation; imperfect
roof slope; defective construction
Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 5 / 26
 Introduction Effects of dampness

Outline

1 Introduction
Causes of dampness
Effects of dampness

2 Methods of Damp Proofing

Methods
Membrane damp proofing

3 Other methods of damp proofing

Other methods

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 6 / 26

 Introduction Effects of dampness

Effects of dampness

Breeding of mosquitos and unhealthy living conditions

Travel of moisture through walls and ceiling cause unsighty patches
Cause softening and crumbling of plaster
Wall decoration (painting) is damaged; difficult and expensive to
repair
Causes efflorescence resulting in disintegration of bricks, stones, tiles;
reduction in strength
Flooring gets loosened because of reduction in adhesion

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 7 / 26

 Introduction Effects of dampness

Effects of dampness, contd...

Timber fittings which come contact with damp walls or floors get
deteriorated
Electrical fittings get deteriorated; leakage of electricity and short
circuits
Dampness promotes and accelerates growth of termites
Lead to breeding of germs of various diseases
Corrosion of metal fittings attached to the walls, floors and ceilings

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 8 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Methods

Outline

1 Introduction
Causes of dampness
Effects of dampness

2 Methods of Damp Proofing

Methods
Membrane damp proofing

3 Other methods of damp proofing

Other methods

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 9 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Methods

Methods of damp proofing

Membrane damp proofing (Use of damp proof course)

Integral damp proofing
Surface treatment
Cavity wall construction
Guniting
Pressure grouting

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 10 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Outline

1 Introduction
Causes of dampness
Effects of dampness

2 Methods of Damp Proofing

Methods
Membrane damp proofing

3 Other methods of damp proofing

Other methods

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 11 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Membrane damp proofing

Intoduce water repellent membrane or damp proof course (D.P.C.)

between the source of dampness and part of building adjacent to it

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 12 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Membrane damp proofing

Intoduce water repellent membrane or damp proof course (D.P.C.)

between the source of dampness and part of building adjacent to it
D.P.C. may be provided either horizontally or vertically in floors, walls
etc.

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 12 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Membrane damp proofing

Intoduce water repellent membrane or damp proof course (D.P.C.)

between the source of dampness and part of building adjacent to it
D.P.C. may be provided either horizontally or vertically in floors, walls
etc.
General principles to follow while providing D.P.C.

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 12 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Membrane damp proofing

Intoduce water repellent membrane or damp proof course (D.P.C.)

between the source of dampness and part of building adjacent to it
D.P.C. may be provided either horizontally or vertically in floors, walls
etc.
General principles to follow while providing D.P.C.
1 D.P.C. should cover full thickness of walls

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 12 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Membrane damp proofing

Intoduce water repellent membrane or damp proof course (D.P.C.)

between the source of dampness and part of building adjacent to it
D.P.C. may be provided either horizontally or vertically in floors, walls
etc.
General principles to follow while providing D.P.C.
1 D.P.C. should cover full thickness of walls
2 The mortar bed supporting D.P.C. should be levelled and even and
should be free from projections so that D.P.C. is not damaged

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 12 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Membrane damp proofing

Intoduce water repellent membrane or damp proof course (D.P.C.)

between the source of dampness and part of building adjacent to it
D.P.C. may be provided either horizontally or vertically in floors, walls
etc.
General principles to follow while providing D.P.C.
1 D.P.C. should cover full thickness of walls
2 The mortar bed supporting D.P.C. should be levelled and even and
should be free from projections so that D.P.C. is not damaged
3 At junctions and corners of walls, horizontal D.P.C should be laid
continuous

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 12 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Membrane damp proofing

Intoduce water repellent membrane or damp proof course (D.P.C.)

between the source of dampness and part of building adjacent to it
D.P.C. may be provided either horizontally or vertically in floors, walls
etc.
General principles to follow while providing D.P.C.
1 D.P.C. should cover full thickness of walls
2 The mortar bed supporting D.P.C. should be levelled and even and
should be free from projections so that D.P.C. is not damaged
3 At junctions and corners of walls, horizontal D.P.C should be laid
continuous
4 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

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 12 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Membrane damp proofing

Intoduce water repellent membrane or damp proof course (D.P.C.)

between the source of dampness and part of building adjacent to it
D.P.C. may be provided either horizontally or vertically in floors, walls
etc.
General principles to follow while providing D.P.C.
1 D.P.C. should cover full thickness of walls
2 The mortar bed supporting D.P.C. should be levelled and even and
should be free from projections so that D.P.C. is not damaged
3 At junctions and corners of walls, horizontal D.P.C should be laid
continuous
4 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
5 Should not be kept exposed on wall surface

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 12 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used for D.P.C.

Characteristics of an ideal damp proofing material:

1 Should be perfectly impervious and should not permit any moisture
penetration or travel through it

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 13 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used for D.P.C.

Characteristics of an ideal damp proofing material:

1 Should be perfectly impervious and should not permit any moisture
penetration or travel through it
2 Should be durable; same life span as the building

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 13 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used for D.P.C.

Characteristics of an ideal damp proofing material:

1 Should be perfectly impervious and should not permit any moisture
penetration or travel through it
2 Should be durable; same life span as the building
3 Should be strong; capable of resisting super-imposed loads/pressures

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 13 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used for D.P.C.

Characteristics of an ideal damp proofing material:

1 Should be perfectly impervious and should not permit any moisture
penetration or travel through it
2 Should be durable; same life span as the building
3 Should be strong; capable of resisting super-imposed loads/pressures
4 Should be flexible; accommodate the structural movements without
any fracture

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 13 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used for D.P.C.

Characteristics of an ideal damp proofing material:

1 Should be perfectly impervious and should not permit any moisture
penetration or travel through it
2 Should be durable; same life span as the building
3 Should be strong; capable of resisting super-imposed loads/pressures
4 Should be flexible; accommodate the structural movements without
any fracture
5 Should not be costly

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 13 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used for D.P.C.

Characteristics of an ideal damp proofing material:

1 Should be perfectly impervious and should not permit any moisture
penetration or travel through it
2 Should be durable; same life span as the building
3 Should be strong; capable of resisting super-imposed loads/pressures
4 Should be flexible; accommodate the structural movements without
any fracture
5 Should not be costly
6 Leak proof jointing should be possible

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 13 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used for D.P.C.

Characteristics of an ideal damp proofing material:

1 Should be perfectly impervious and should not permit any moisture
penetration or travel through it
2 Should be durable; same life span as the building
3 Should be strong; capable of resisting super-imposed loads/pressures
4 Should be flexible; accommodate the structural movements without
any fracture
5 Should not be costly
6 Leak proof jointing should be possible
7 Should remain steady in position when once applied

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 13 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used
Hot bitumen
Highly flexible material; can be applied with a min. thickness of 3mm
Applied over concrete or mortar bed, while in hot condition

Mastic asphalt
Semi-rigid; quite durable and completely impervious
Obatined by heating asphalt with sand and mineral fillers
Can withstand only very slight distortion; liable to squeeze out in hot
climate under very high pressure

Bituminous or asphaltic felts

Flexible material available in rolls of various wall thicknesses; laid over
levelled flat layer of cement mortar; 10 cm overlaps provided at joints
Cannot withstand heavy loads; though slight movements can be
accommodated
Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 14 / 26
 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used contd...

Metal sheets
Sheets of lead, copper or aluminium; quite flexible
Lead - Completely impervious, good resistance to ordinary
atmospheric corrosion, do not squeeze under ordinary pressure
conditions, capable to take complex shapes without fracture
Thickness should be such that weight ≮ 20kg /m2
Lead may get corroded if in contact with lime or cement, so should be
protected by bitumen coating
Copper - Min. 3mm thick sheets, embedded in lime or cement mortar
High durability, high resistance to dampness and sliding, reasonable
resistance to ordinary pressure
Aluminium - Not as good as lead or copper sheets
Should be protected with a layer of bitumen

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 15 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used contd...

Combination of metal sheets and bituminous felts
Lead foil sandwiched between asphaltic or bituminous felts; known as
lead core
Easy laying, durability, efficiency, economy, resistance to cracking

Bricks and stones

Special bricks; laid in 2 or 4 courses in cement mortar; in locations
where damp is not excessive
Dense and sound stones (granite, slates etc.); laid in 2 courses in
cement mortar

Mortar
Cement mortar (1:3) used as bedding layer for housing other D.P.C.
materials
Workability increased by adding lime and dissolving soap in water
used for mixing
Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 16 / 26
 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

Materials used contd...

Cement concrete
Cement concrete (1 : 2 : 4 or 1 : 1 21 : 3); generally provided at plinth
level
Thickness - 4 cm to 15 cm; two coats of hot bitumen paint applied if
dampness is more
Effectively check rise of water due to capillary action

Plastic sheets
Made of black polythene, 0.5 to 1mm thick
Available in usual walling widths and roll lengths of 30m

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 17 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

D.P.C. treatment in buildings

Treatment to foundations against gravitational water:
Provide air drain (20 - 30cm wide) parallel to the external wall
Outer wall of drain kept above the ground to check the entry of
surface water; R.C.C. roof slab also provided
Openings with gratings at regular intervals for the passage of air
D.P.C. provided vertically and horizontally
Treatment to basements:
Horizontal D.P.C. in the form of 30 mm thick asphaltic layer in three
coats over the entire area of basement floor
Extending as vertical D.P.C. (20 mm thick) on the external faces of
basement walls; vertical D.P.C is taken atleast 15 cm above ground
level
1
A 1 brick thick outer protective wall
2
Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 18 / 26
 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

D.P.C. treatment in buildings

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 19 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

D.P.C. treatment in buildings

Treatement of floors and walls:

In the case of floors, if dampness is less 7.5 to 10 cm thick layer of
coarse sand is spread over the entire area under flooring
If water table is near ground surface, essential to provide D.P.C. over
the entire floor area
Membrane may be mastic asphalt or fibrous asphalt felt
A layer of flat bricks laid on a cushion of fine sand over D.P.C. to
protect it from damage during construction of floor slab
Before and after laying of bituminous felt, a primer coat (1.5kg /m2 )
and a finishing coat (1.5kg /m2 ) of hot bitumen is applied
For external walls horizontal D.P.C. should be provided atleast 15 cm
above the ground level

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 20 / 26

 Methods of Damp Proofing Membrane damp proofing

D.P.C. treatment in buildings

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 21 / 26

 Other methods of damp proofing Other methods

Outline

1 Introduction
Causes of dampness
Effects of dampness

2 Methods of Damp Proofing

Methods
Membrane damp proofing

3 Other methods of damp proofing

Other methods

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 22 / 26

 Other methods of damp proofing Other methods

Other methods of damp proofing

Integral damp proofing

Certain water proofing compounds are added to the concrete mix, so that
it become impermeable; three forms:
Mechanical action - fill the voids in concrete (chalk, talc, fullers earth)
Chemical action - chemically react with concrete to form water proof
(alkaline silicates, aluminium sulphate, calcium chloride)
Water repulsion - make concrete water repellent (soap, petroleum,
oils, fatty acid compounds)
Some commercially available compounds like Publo, Permo, Silka etc.

Cavity wall construction

Main wall shielded by an outer skin wall, leaving a cavity between the two

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 23 / 26

 Other methods of damp proofing Other methods

Other methods of damp proofing

Surface treatment
Consists of application of a layer of water repellent compounds on the
surfaces through which the moisture enters
Use of water repellent metallic soaps, very much effective against rain
penetration
Use of water proofing agents while pointing and plastering
Surface treatment is effective only if the moisture is superficial and
not under pressure

Guniting
Process of depositing rich cement mortar under pressure over exposed
surfaces or over pipes, cisterns etc. for resisting the water pressure
Cement mortar (1:3 mix) shot on the cleaned surface with a cement
gun at a pressure of 2 to 3 kg /cm2 , layer cured for 10 days
Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 24 / 26
 Other methods of damp proofing Other methods

Other methods of damp proofing

Pressure grouting
Force cement grout under pressure into cracks, fissures etc.
Thus the structural components and foundations liable to moisture
penetration are made water resistant
Effective in checking seepage of raised ground water through
foundations and sub-structure

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 25 / 26

 Other methods of damp proofing Other methods

Thank You !

Dr. Rakesh J Pillai (NIT Warangal) Damp Proofing B.P.C. 26 / 26