The various effects caused due to dampness in buildings mainly results in poor functional performance, ugly appearance and structural weakness of the buildings.
1. A damp building creates unhealthy living and working conditions for the occupants
2. Presence of damp condition causes efflorescence on building surfaces which ultimately results in the disintegration of bricks stones, tiles etc and hence reduction of strength
3. It may result in softening and crumbling of plaster
4. It may cause bleaching and flaking of the paint which results in the formation of coloured patches on the wall surfaces and ceilings
5. It may result in the corrosion of metals used in the construction of buildings
6. The materials used as floor coverings such as tiles are damaged because they lose adhesion with the floor bases
7. Timber when in contact with damp condition, gets deteriorated due to the effect of warping, buckling and rolling of timber
8. All the electrical fittings gets deteriorated, causing leakage of electric current with the potential danger of a short circuit
9. Dampness promotes the growth of termites and hence creates unhygienic conditions in buildings.
10. Dampness when accompanied by the warmth and darkness,breeds the germs of tuberculosis, neuralgia, aute and chronis neumatism etc which some times result in fatal diseases.
Methods of Damp Prevention
The following are the precautions to be taken to prevent dampness in buildings, before applying the various techniques.
1. The site should be located on high ground and well drained soil to safe guard against foundation dampness
2. All the exposed walls should be of sufficient thickness to safeguard against rain protection (minimum 30cm)
3. Bricks of superior quality free from defects should be used
4. Good quality cement mortar (1:3) should be used to produce definite pattern and perfect bond in the building
5. Cornices and string courses should be provided to through rain water away from the walls
6. All the exposed surfaces like top of walls, compound walls etc should be covered with water proofing cement plaster
7. Cavity walls are more reliable than solid walls the dampness
Read More Causes of Dampness
