Have you observed in some of your homes or in some buildings, the ceilings & the sides of the walls will have a patchy wet appearance and the paint keeps peeling out of it? Well, the reason behind this is 'Wall dampening'. It is caused due to faulty construction, bad design of the building or the low-quality construction materials that are used.
This wall dampening not only creates unhygienic conditions to live but can also lead to the weakening of the building structure & timber decaying, thus making it unfit for us to habitat there.
What are the causes of Wall dampness?
- Uneven leveling of the roof-top.
- Rainwater penetration into the walls.
- Climatic conditions of the site location.
- Faulty construction due to the use of sub-standard construction materials.
What are the methods to prevent wall dampness?
Condensation on walls, also called wall dampening is one of the main things that need to be considered while constructing a house/ a building. Following are few ways which can be adapted to prevent wall dampening.
Cavity Wall Construction:
It refers to shielding the main wall of the building by an outer skin wall, leaving a cavity in between the two walls. The cavity stops the moisture from penetrating from the outer into the inner wall.
Guniting:
Guniting is one of the successive processes of repairing concrete work which has been damaged thus providing an impervious layer. The deposition of the impervious layer of rich cement mortar above the surface to be waterproofed is carried out by a machine called cement gun, thus defining the whole process has 'Guniting'.
Integral Damp Proofing:
The process of adding certain waterproofing agents to the concrete mix to make the concrete itself impermeable. Damp proofing will avoid the breaching of the water into the foundation of the building.
Membrane Damp Proofing:
Damp proof membrane is a moisture inhibiting foil that is 100% watertight. It acts as a layer of a water-repellant membrane between the source of dampness and the part of the structure adjacent to it.
Surface Treatment:
Surface treatment refers to filling up the pores of the surface subjected to dampness. It is also a way to get adequate resistance against environmental attack, including oxidation without spoiling the required mechanical properties of the substrate.
The problems of wall dampening is a serious concern in any home whether you are a tenant or home-owner as dampness makes a room feel cold and unhealthy. Thus it is recommended to follow the above steps to repair or as a remedy for wall dampness. We always suggest you to use high-quality construction materials for building your dream home.
