Damp Proof course, Causes and Teatment (D.P.C)

What is Damp Proof Course

A damp proof course is one of the most important material for your property. This page will provide a deeper understanding of what is damp proof course, what are the causes of dampness in building and treatment with best material available.

In order to prevent the entry of damp or moisture in the building, the damp proof course (D.P.C) are provided at various levels of entry of damp into a building.

At present, practically all the buildings are given the treatment of damp proofing. Thus the provision of D.P.C. prevent the entry of moisture from walls, floors and basements of building.

Causes of Dampness in Building

Following are the various causes of dampness in buildings.

1.  Rising of moisture from the ground
2.  Rain travel from wall tops
3.  Rain beating against external walls
4.  poor drainage, imperfect sloop roof
5.  condensation, defective construction etc.

Material Used for Damp Proof Course

Now a day there are large varieties of material using by the construction worker in order to give best treatment for damp proof course. the material most commonly use for damp proofing are:

           Hot bitumen, mastic asphalt, bituminous or asphaltic felts, metal sheet, combination of sheet and felts, stones, bricks, mortar, cement concrete and plastic sheet.

 What to look in the D.P.C material 

The ideal damp proofing material should able to give best treatment and should have the following characteristics.

1.  It should be perfectly impervious.
2.  It should be strong and capable of resisting superimposed loads coming on it.
3.  It should be flexible, so that it can accommodate the structural movements without any fracture.
4.  It should remain steady in its position when once applied.
5.  It should not be costly.
6.  It should be durable.

Important Things Should Keep in the Mind While Providing D.P.C.

The following are the general principles one should keep in mind while providing the D.P.C.

The damp proof course may be horizontal or vertical. The horizontal damp proof course should be cover the full thickness of walls, excluding rendering.

The damp-proof course should be so laid that a continuous projection is provided. at junctions and corners of walls, the horizontal dam-proof course should be laid continuously

The mortar bed supporting damp-proof course should be even and levelled and should be free from projection so that the damp-proof course is not damaged.

The damp-proof course should not be kept exposed on the wall surface, otherwise it may get damaged during finishing work.

when a horizontal damp-proof course for floor, is continued to a vertical face, a cement concrete fillet is about 75 mm radius should be provided at all the junctions.

Why Damp-Proofing is Important

A good damp-proof course is any sort of long term solution to water/moisture breaching a building foundation and coming into a property 

The reason why a damp proof course is important is because any excess moisture entering a building can lead to more serious building problem such as timber decay or structural damage.