WATERPROOFING AND DAMP-PROFFING

ARCH. ALLEN R. BUENAVENTURA , MSCM

 WATERPROOFING

• THE ACT OR PROCESS OF MAKING SOMETHING WATERPROOF

• THE CONDITION OF BEING MADE WATERPROOF
• SOMETHING (SUCH AS A COATING) CAPABLE OF IMPARTING WATERPROOFNESS
 WATERPROOFING VS DAMP-PROOFING

◼ Often the terms Waterproofing and Damp-proofing are incorrectly interchanged.

According to ASTM definitions:
• Waterproofing is the treatment of a surface to prevent the passage of liquid water in the
presence of hydrostatic pressure.
• Damp-proofing is the treatment of a surface to retard the absorption of moisture in the
absence of hydrostatic pressure.

◼ Virtually all building envelopes, particularly below-grade areas and plaza decks, encounter
hydrostatic pressure from water during their lifetime.
 CONCRETE STRUCTURES WATER CAN PENETRATION

Honeycombs
Concrete Structure

Large voids Cracks Joints Capillary action Hydrostatic

sucks water into pressure forces
pores water into pores

Penetration through Openings Penetration through Concrete

 WATER INGRESS MECHANISMS

Ground level

Water table

Seepage through
joint or crack 50% RH, 20oC
Wetting & drying Permeation
Permeation

Wick action

Salts in drainage

Permeation
 Permeability
Refers to the amount of water migration through concrete when the water is under pressure,
and also to the ability of concrete to resist penetration of any substance, be it a liquid, gas, or
chloride ion.
Permeability of concrete is defined as the property that controls the rate of flow of fluids into a porous
solid. It largely depends on the size of pores, connectivity of pores, and how tortuous the path is for
the permeating fluid.
Factors Influencing Concrete Permeability
Water to Cement ratio
Water to cement ratio influences concrete permeability to a great extent. The higher the w/c ratio the greater
the concrete permeability.
Compaction of Concrete
When concrete is adequately compacted, air-voids and trapped bleed water in concrete are eliminated. As a result,
pores and more importantly interconnected pores are avoided and eventually concrete permeability is declined.
Curing of Concrete
Curing of concrete substantially influences the permeability of concrete. Sufficient curing allows proper cement hydration.
Other Factors
age of concrete, cement properties, aggregate, use of admixtures, and loss of mixing water. Permeability declines as the
concrete age increases because pores would be filled by hydration product.
 Wick action
is the transport of water through a concrete element from a face in contact with water to a
drying face as occurs in basements, tunnels, slabs on grade and hollow offshore structures.
INTRINSIC CRACKS
 WATER-PROOFING
 Building water-proofing is a process which is designed
to prevent water from penetrating a building.
 Usually extensive waterproofing measures are added to a
building at the time of construction, to provide moisture
control from the start
 Waterproofing may also be done after a building is built,
to address problems as they emerge or as part of a
building retrofit.
Water proofing is done in various parts of the building
which include-
1. Toilets
2.Bathrooms
3.Terrace
4. Roofs
5. Basement, swimming pools, underground ducts.
6. Under ground and overhead water tanks.

Water-proofing maintains the appearance of the building

 WHY WATER PROOF STRUCTURES?
Construction waterproofing
 In building construction, a structure needs waterproofing since concrete itself will not be watertight on its own
(but note concrete is easily waterproofed with additives).
 The conventional system of waterproofing involves 'membranes'. This relies on the application of one or more
layers of membrane (available in various materials: e.g., bitumen, silicate, PVC, EPDM etc.) that act as a barrier
between the water and the building structure, preventing the passage of water.
A safer foundation
 Exposure to weather conditions like heavy rain and sunlight could cause structural problems. If wooded decks
etc is not properly waterproofed, we can notice discoloration, water stain, rotting and fungigrowth.
 Walls not properly waterproofed will give in hydrostatic pressure creating cracks and leaks on walls and floors.

Healthier environment
•Humidity and moisture is what moulds and mildew want. Mould and mildew could cause
respiratory problems like asthma and also trigger allergic reactions. There is no way to
remove these fungi’s spores inside the house, the only thing that could remove such growth
would be to control moisture.
•Moulds do not only grow on walls or areas where there are moisture issues. It could grow
on anything like wood, carpet and even food. By reducing humidity, preventing
condensation and water seepage, mould and mildew growth could be decreased. Eliminate
insect growth
•There are various kinds of insects, water bugs, cockroaches, beetles, and critters that find
heaven in damp areas.
Wet basements are ideal for wood boring insects like termites to reproduce.
•These insects could cause damage not only to the foundation but also to important
things stored in the room.
 Interior
WHERE TO APPLY WATERPROOFING
applications

◼ Positive Side Waterproofing External

applications
◼ Negative Side Waterproofing
◼ Blind Side Waterproofing
◼ Interior Applications
◼ Exterior Applications

Positive / blind side

waterproofing

Negative side Positive side

waterproofing waterproofing

https://www.theconstructionstore.in/blog/what-is-waterproofing/
POSITIVE SIDE WATERPROOFING
◼ Positive side is same side of the structure as the source of the
water.
◼ Designed to stop water before it has a chance to enter the
structure and cause structural damage.
◼ Typically the most effective solution.
NEGATIVE SIDE WATERPROOFING

Waterproofing
◼Interior side opposite the water Membrane

pressure side of the structure

◼Most commonly used in
• Remedial work
• Elevator pits
• Tank liners
 BLIND SIDE WATERPROOFING

◼ Positive side applied prior to installing the structural walls or slabs.

◼ Typically inaccessible once the structure is complete.

◼ In many cases this is the only positive side waterproofing option.

 INTERIOR APPLICATIONS

Positive Side Waterproofing Negative Side Waterproofing

• Split Slabs • Elevator pits
• Bathrooms • Retrofit
• Laboratories
• Mechanical rooms
• Kitchens
• Fountains
• Planters

https://www.theconstructionstore.in/blog/what-is-waterproofing/
 EXTERIOR APPLICATIONS

Positive Side Waterproofing Blind Side Waterproofing

• Foundation walls • Soil retention systems
• Plaza decks • Party walls
• Tunnels • Cut and cover tunnels
• Parking decks • Under slab
• Balconies • Elevator pits
• Bridge decks • Underpinning
• Planters
• Roofing

https://www.theconstructionstore.in/blog/what-is-waterproofing/
 DAMPNESS

• Presence of hygroscopic or
gravitational moisture
• Reduce strength and lead to
unhygienic conditions
• Damp prevention is
therefore one of the
important factors for
building design.
 CAUSES OF DAMPNESS

• Moisture rising up the walls from ground

• Rain travel from wall tops
• Rain beating against external walls
• Poor drainage at the building site
• Defective construction
 EFFECTS OF DAMPNESS

• Breeding of mosquitoes
• Moisture cause unsighty patches, softening of
plaster
• May cause efflorescence; disintegration of
stones, bricks
• Cause rusting and corrosion of metal fittings
• Floor coverings are damaged
 PRECAUTIONS
• The following precautions should be taken to prevent the dampness in
buildings, before applying the various techniques and methods described later :

The site should be located on a high ground and well drained soil to safeguard
against foundation dampness. It should be ensured that the water level is at least
3m below the surface of ground or lowest point even in the wet season. For better
drainage the ground surface surrounding the building should also slope away.

All the exposed walls should be of sufficient thickness to safe guard against rain
penetration. If walls are of bricks they should be at least 30 cm thickness
Good quality cement mortars should be used to produce a definite pattern and
perfect bond in building units throughout the construction work. This is essential to
prevent the formation cavities and occurrence of differential settlement.

Cornices should be provided. Window sills, coping of plinth should be slopped on

top and throated on the undesirable to throw the rain water away from walls.
All the exposed surfaces should be covered with waterproofing cement plaster

Hollow walls are more reliable than solid walls in preventing dampness and
hence the cavity wall construction should be adopted wherever possible.