CAUSES OF DAMPNESS

Dampness may be caused by following:

(1) Ground water

(2) Rain water and

(3) Leakages from pipes.

(a) Dampness due to Ground Water: All buildings are founded on soils. For a long time Soil can holds water. Sometimes water level can rise and come in contact with foundation. Action moisture from ground rises into foundation, floor and even in wall due to capillary.

(b) Rain Water: due to various reasons may enter the building components.

(i) From wall top: If top of wall is not protected with impervious course like, water, concrete can enter the wall and for a long time keep it damp.

(ii) From face of external walls: by rain splashing of outer wall results into moisture entering the wall. Poor plaster coat is the major source of this type of dampness.

(iii) Improper fixing of down take pipes: A thin layer of water stagnates near the mouth of down take pipes if down take pipes from roof are not correctly fixed. This causes into entry of rain water into roof and wall.

(iv)Improper slopes to roof: many times, in flat roofs, this is the cause for the dampness of roofs. If slope is not given correctly, on the flat roof water ponds are formed, which results into entry of water into slab. Once water enters in the slab it remains for long time creating dampness.

(v) Defective construction: Imperfect wall joints, slopes to chejja, construction joints in roof etc. all cause dampness in buildings.

(c) Leakage from Pipes: pipes are taken over roof and along the wall from over head tanks.

Water is drained out from toilets, bathrooms and kitchen with different types of pipes. The pipes are joined to get required turns and length. Many times in building components water leaks through joints resulting into moisture.