What is Damp Proof Course (DPC)-2024

DPC Stand “Damp Proof Course” Let Us Discuss Briefly

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What Is DPC?

All Types Of Structures Exposed To The External Climatic Condition Are Prone To Water Ingress At Some Time In The Failure.

If The Seepage Of Water Inside The Building Through Walls And Foundations Is Not Prevented Or Left Un-Treated,

Then It May Lead To Severe Damage To The Building Structure And Can Endanger Its Stability.

Such Seepage Of Water From The Substructure Of The Building And Walls Should Be Completely Prevented By Constructing An Effective Damp-Proof Course. (DPC)

DPC In Building Within The Walls And Substructures And Capable Of Blocking All Types Of Water And Moisture Passages.

Damp Proofing Of Floors, Walls And Basement

DAMP PROOFING OF WALLS

All Types Of Damp-Proof-Course (DPC) Are Provided On The Top Of The Plinth Above The Ground Level.

Sometimes It Is Also Provided At The Intersection Of The Roof With Walls And Above Lintels Over Cavity Walls.

One Of The Simplest Types Of DPC Is The Polymer Sheet.

These Sheets Supplied In Rolls To Suit All Widths Of Brickwork.

The Polymer Sheets Always Laid Within The Course At Least 100 mm To 150 mm Above Ground Level Rolled Out On Top Of The Proceeding Course.

Once In Position, The Bricklaying Continues As Normal, Covering The DPC With A Bed Of Mortar And Then Laying The First Course Of Bricks Above DPC.

Sometimes Cement Concrete Is Used For DPC,

It Is Also Applied At Plinth Level.

40 mm To 50 mm Thick Layer Of Cement Concrete (1:2:4 mix) Acts As A Good Damp Proof Course Under Normal Conditions.

Whenever A Building Is Located In Damp And Humid Atmospheric Conditions Then Richer Mix Concrete Used.

Such Concretes Can Be Made Dense By Adding Extra Waterproofing Materials (Water Locks) As Ingredients During The Process Of Mixing.

DAMP PROOFING OF FLOORS

Dampness In Floors Is A Common Phenomenon, Usually Damp Rises Through Floor Slabs And Affects Walls And Timber Furniture In The Building.

Thus It Is Necessary To Install A Damp-Proof Membrane On Top Of A Concrete Slab To Protect The Moisture-Sensitive Floors.

Different Types Of Materials Used In Floors To Prevent Dampness.

Applications Of Various Types Of Membranes On Concrete Floors Are Often Carried Out, As Installation Is Easy And Effective.

Dampness Prevented By Providing A Damp Proof Course Between Cement Concrete Layer Of Bricks.

The Sequence Of Layers Should Be:-

Base Course
Sand Layer
DPC
Cement Concrete Layer And
Finish Course.

The Damp Proof Course Is Provided Below The Sand Layer.

DAMP PROOFING OF BASEMENTS

Basements Of Building Are Very Susceptible To Damp Owing To Their Location Below Ground Level Where Usually Moisture Is Maximum.

Whenever The Rainfall Occurs The Soil Becomes Saturated And The Water Level Starts Raising.

That Increases The Moisture Content Manifold And Leads To Penetration In The Foundation And Basement.

Basements Generally Used Storage Purposes Not For Living.

Thus If The Basement Becomes Damp It Can Affect The Strength And Durability Of The Entire Building.

The Methods Used To Make The Basement Waterproof Are As Follows:-

WATERPROOFING SLURRIES
STUDDED MEMBRANES
MULTIPLE METHODS

WATERPROOFING SLURRIES:-

This Method Of Waterproofing The Building Basement Carried Out By Making A Thin Layer Of Waterproof Cement On The Basement Floor, Walls, And Ceilings.

The Waterproofing Solutions Mixed With Water And Usually Applied By Spraying.

The Spraying Solution Makes A Bond With The Masonry Substrate And Sets To Form A Complete Waterproof Layer.

That Prevents Penetration Of Moisture In The Basement From The Surrounding Soil.

STUDDED MEMBRANES:-

Studded Membranes Are Most Suitable Damp Proofing Basement Materials For Old Buildings.

Where The Underlying Substrate Has Become Unstable And Not Capable To Prevent Moisture Penetration.

These Waterproofing Membranes Attached To The Basement Walls And Floors With Special Sealed Fixing Plugs.

The Membranes Are Effective In Preventing Basement Dampness If Installed Properly.

MULTIPLE METHODS:-

Multiple Methods Can Provided With The Best Solution To Make Basements Completely Waterproof.

Like By Providing A Coating Of Cementitious Waterproofing Slurry On The Basements Walls, Ceiling, And Floors.

Thank You For Visiting

Types Of Slab

Ketan Pattekar

Author & Editor Of This Blog.

Founder Of “KPSTRUCTURES”