Dampness in a structure occurs when there is an excess of moisture trapped in the structure. It might not sound like a grave problem but if left untreated for a long period, it will not only severely damage the structure but also cause health issues.
To understand how to prevent dampness, one must know the causes and effects of dampness. Read along to get a thorough understanding of damp proofing a space.
What are the common causes of dampness?
- Excess rainfall is one of the common causes of dampness.
- If you have leaky roofs, then it won’t take long for the water to seep into the interior of your house and lead to damp walls.
- If your contractor used poor quality construction material to build your house, then there is a high chance that your structure will fall prey to dampness.
- If there is a clogged pipe in your terrace or water doesn’t get drained around your building and instead gets collected, then it can lead to dampness.
What are the effects of dampness?
- It goes without saying that if you ignore dampness, then it can lead to structural damage which will cost you a fortune to repair.
- It can lead to the disintegration of materials like stone, steel and bricks making your structure weak.
- The moisture from the outside will seep into the interior and damage your expensive furniture.
- It can also damage your electrical fittings and light fixtures.
- Moreover, it causes unhygienic conditions and makes your house a breeding ground for moulds, fungus, mosquitoes and termites.
What are some popular dampness remedies?
Once you understand the cause of the dampness, you can accordingly find a way to solve the issue. Here are some easy ways in which you can prevent dampness.
- Consider terrace waterproofing during the construction of your new house. Your terrace is perpetually exposed to harsh weather conditions, rain and climate change. Hence, it is one of the most susceptible areas to suffer from dampness. By terrace waterproofing, you will be able to increase the durability of your new house.
- If you notice that there is a leakage on the external walls of your house, then use a waterproofing product like a sealant and fix the holes on the external wall to ensure that the water doesn’t seep into the interior of your wall.
- For added protection, you can consider waterproofing the insides of your house and the bathroom as it is highly exposed to moisture.
What are the different dampness treatments?
- Damp proof course
In this damp proofing method, layers of membrane of water repellant material are installed between the source of dampness and the area surrounding it. The layers that are installed are made with materials like asphalt, plastic, polythene sheets, cement concrete and bituminous felts.
- Integral damp proofing
In this type of damp proofing, during the process of mixing concrete, water repelled compounds are mixed with the concrete or mortar mix. These compounds prevent moisture from seeping into the structure by acting as a firm barrier. Though the quantity of the compound depends on which material and brand you buy, typically one kg of the compound is added to one bag of cement to make it waterproof.
- Surface treatment
Surface treatment comprises filling up the holes of the surface that experiences dampness. Lime cement plaster, cement coating, paints, varnishes, bituminous solution are used in this method of dampness treatment.
Remember that waterproofing requires a lot of work and so if you haven’t done it on your own before, then we recommend that you hire professional help to waterproof your house properly.
Check out the Asian Paints website to browse through a wide range of waterproofing products that will help you create a damp-free home.
