DAMP PROOFING AND WATER PROOFING
Athira. P. R
101116007
Third year B-Arch
DAMP PROOFING
Damp proofing is a process that involves using a mixture (traditionally tar or unmodified asphalt)
as a coating on the exterior side of a structure and has one main purpose: stopping the transfer-
ence or wicking of ground moisture through concrete. Typically the damp proofing coating cured
thickness is less than 10 millimetres thick. It is a basic, acceptable form of treatment in many situa-
tions. Damp proofing is not intended to keep all water and moisture out, but rather its goal is to
retard moisture infiltration by blocking the capillaries of concrete, which slows water penetration.
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
In order to damp proof your homes, the same as damp proofing in South Africa, the
following process takes place
1. The old plaster is striped and holes are drilled at the base at each level of your homes.
2. Then a chemical filled injection is inserted in to the holes and the chemical is injected
to allow complete absorption.
3. The holes are then filled with plaster so as to make sure that the chemical stays in the
walls only.
4. Another plaster is then applied to the walls and allowed to dry
5. Once dry the walls can be repainted back to their original colour
• A damp-proof course (DPC) is a barrier through the structure designed to prevent moisture
rising by capillary action such as through a phenomenon known as rising damp. Rising damp
is the effect of water rising from the ground into property. The damp proof course may be
horizontal or vertical. A DPC layer is usually laid below all masonry walls, regardless if the wall
is a load bearing wall or a partition wall.
• A damp-proof membrane (DPM) is a membrane material applied to prevent moisture trans-
mission. A common example is polyethylene sheeting laid under a concrete slab to prevent
the concrete from gaining moisture through capillary action. A DPM may be used for the
DPC.
• Integral damp proofing in concrete involves adding materials to the concrete mix to make
the concrete itself impermeable.
• Surface coating with thin water proof materials for resistance to non-pressurized moisture
such as rain water or a coating of cement sprayed on such as shotcrete which can resist water
under pressure.
• Cavity wall construction, such as rain screen construction, is where the interior walls are
separated from the exterior walls by a cavity.
MATERIALS USED
Materials widely used for damp proofing include:
• Flexible materials like butyl rubber, hot bitumen, plastic sheets, bituminous felts, sheets
of lead, copper, etc.
• Semi-rigid materials like mastic asphalt
• Rigid materials like impervious bricks, stones, slates, cement mortar or cement concrete
painted with bitumen, etc.
• Stones
• Mortar with waterproofing compounds
• Coarse sand layers under floors
• Continuous plastic sheets under floors
PROPERTIES
A DPC is a durable, impermeable material such as slate, felt paper, metal, plastic or special engi-
neered bricks bedded into the mortar between two courses of bricks or blocks. It can often be
seen as a thin line in the mortar near ground level. To create a continuous barrier, pieces of DPC or
DPM may be sealed together. In addition, the DPC may be sealed to the DPM around the outside
edges of the ground floor, completely sealing the inside of the building from the damp ground
around it.
In a masonry cavity wall, there is usually a DPC in both the outer and inner wall. In the outer wall it
is normally 150 millimetres (5.9 in) to 200 millimetres (7.9 in) above ground level (the height of 2-3
brick courses). This allows rain to form puddles and splash up off the ground, without saturating
the wall above DPC level. The wall below the DPC may become saturated in rainy weather. The
DPC in the inner wall is usually below floor level, (under a suspended timber floor structure), or,
with a solid concrete floor, it is usually found immediately above the floor slab so that it can be
linked to the DPM under the floor slab. This enables installation of skirting boards above floor level
without fear of puncturing it. Alternatively, instead of fitting separate inner and outer DPCs, it is
common in commercial house building to use a onepiece length of rigid plastic, (albeit an angled
section), which fits neatly across the cavity and slots into both walls (a cavity tray). This method
requires the need for weep vents to enable rainwater ingress to drain from the cavities otherwise
rising dampness could occur from above the DPC
ADVANTAGES
The following are some of the benefits of damp proofing your homes:
Damp proofing your home is a sure fire way of keeping it in top working order. By using the DPC
system, you can ensure that your homes stay in superior condition.
Damp proofing can also help you get rid of excess mildew and bacteria. These are definite trig-
gers for people suffering from asthma or bronchitis. Damp proofing ensures that your family
stays safe and healthy always.
The chemical damp proofing injections, the same as damp proofing in South Africa will not only
prevent moisture from seeping in to the walls but will also help in getting rid of the residual
moisture.
The paint and plaster will remain in superior condition.
DIS-ADVANTAGES
Drawbacks of damp proofing include an inability to seal larger cracks, large bug holes, holes
left by form ties, surface protrusions and potential damage caused by coarse or careless back-
filling due to the limited thickness applied and the brittle nature of the product. With proper
surface drainage, correctly installed foundation drains at the footing, and the absence of
hydrostatic pressure that would drive water infiltration, damp proofing can supply adequate,
long-lasting protection.
Some DPC materials may contain asbestos fibres. This was more commonly found in the older,
grey sealants as well as flexible tar boards. Other possibly hazardous materials include the use
of lead sheets as a DPC material.
WATER PROOFING
Waterproofing concrete, on the other hand, is designed to stop water infiltration through a con-
crete structure. Waterproofing materials have the ability to bridge cracks that develop over time
due to their elastic, flexible nature and the thickness of the applied coating. Waterproofing
materials also are designed to withstand hydrostatic pressure and are often in excess of 40 milli-
metres.
Waterproofing must be able to do three things. First, it must stop water vapour, the gaseous
form of water that can be released by the surrounding soil and can move through concrete.
Second, waterproofing membranes must be able to stop water under hydrostatic pressure.
Third and most important is that waterproofing must be able to span a crack in the treated con-
crete.
Waterproofing is essential in areas where there is significant rain and high water tables. As water
enters the ground, it collects around the foundation. The higher the water rises up the founda-
tion, the greater the hydrostatic pressure exerted against the concrete surface. This is especially
true in areas with clay soils, as clay will absorb and hold more water than granular soil. This
hydrostatic pressure forces water through porous concrete. So the sub-grade depth of the con-
crete structure, the degree of inherent hydrostatic pressure in the area and the use of the interi-
or space are important criteria to consider when determining whether damp proofing or water-
proofing is appropriate.
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
1. The surface of the roof slab should be cleaned and washed with water before laying the first
course
2. A fresh slurry is prepared by mixing cement with 1-2% super seal powder (acrylic based acrylin-
tryl chemical)
3. The slurry is first mixed dry and then water is added until it reaches a uniform consistency
4. This freshly prepared slurry is spread on the cleaned roof surface to create a smooth thin layer
5. Cement sand mortar is prepared by adding 1-2% super seal powder in a 1:5 cement sand dry
mix (1 part cement, 5 part sand)
6. Water is added to obtain a plastic mortar
7. This cement mortar is spread on top of the thin slurry layer to obtain a 20mm thick cement
mortar layer
8. Brick bats are inserted in the 20mm cement mortar layer to create a 100-150 mm brick bat later
layer
9. The cement sand mortar is then used for grouting the previously laid brick bat layer. All voids
and joints are filled. Ensure a smooth slope surface over the brick bat layer
10. Freshly prepared plastic cement sand mortar is further spread on the grouted brick bat layer
11. The grouted surface is allowed to cure for 2-3 days to avoid surface cracks.
12. Another cement sand mortar is prepared (1 part cement, 5 part sand) with 1-2% super seal
powder. Water is added until the mixture is consistent.
13. 20mm thick layer of this mortar is spread over the brick bat mortar layer
14. A trowel is used for finishing. Square markings can be made by string or trowel. This is to
prevent surface cracking due to expansion or contraction in response to temperature change. 15.
Curing is continued for 2 weeks
TYPES OF WATER PROOFING
Water-proofing Membranes
A water-proof membrane is a thin layer of water
tight material that is laid over the surface. Stag-
nated water is likely to seep into the structural
slab overtime. In flat roofed terrace, the mem-
brane is laid over a filler material that is sloped
to ensure that water is drained away by drain-
age pipes
Sheet Based Membranes
Sheet based membranes come in the form of rolls. These are unrolled and laid on the firm surface.
One of the most common sheet based membrane is the bituminous waterproofing membrane
Liquid Applied Waterproofing Membranes
These are the kind of membranes that come in
the form of liquid that can be sprayed or
brushed onto the surface. By spraying, the liquid
forms a monolithic membrane, with no laps,
welds or seams
Water stops
Concrete joints are most liable to seepage. Water stops are elements of a concrete structure that
prevent the passage of water through concrete joints. They are designed as fluid tight diaphragm
embedded in or running along the joints.
Polyurethane Waterproofing Treatment
Polyurethane is made up of two components,
base and reactor. Polyol acts as the base, while
isocyanide is the reactor component. The com-
bination of both these in a specific design ratio
creates a liquid coating for waterproofing appli-
cations. Polyurethane is a rather popular choice
due to its ease of installation.
MATERIALS USED
Materials cited for use in waterproofing applications include: 1.
Rubberized asphalt coatings (hot and cold applied)
2. Clay-based products (bentonite)
3. Crystallization products
4. Rubber-based coatings
5. Urethane coatings
6. Butyl rubber sheeting
ADVANTAGES
1. Safeguards the structural integrity of the building
2. Prevents mould, mildew and decay
3. Prevents metals from rusting and wooden furniture from decay
4. Prevents seepages from the ceiling and walls
5. Prevents dampness inside the building
6. Property value increases
DIS-ADVANTAGES
The best inconvenience to home waterproofing frameworks is cost as the work charges for estab-
lishment are commonly costly. Minor inside waterproofing repairs may cost just a couple of hun-
dred dollars — for concrete repair or fillers — however outside waterproofing systems cost a few
thousand dollars because of the requirement for particular exhuming gear to reach and repair the
establishment footings.
