HOW DOES A DAMP PROOF COURSE IMPROVE A BUILDINGS RESISTANCE TO DAMP AND MOISTURE?
Render Most buildings consist of materials that are porous to some extent and thus have the ability to absorb moisture. When a wall is built in direct contact with the ground, the soil (which has a high moisture content), will allow water to soak up into the wall, causing the appearance of damp. The water moves up the wall mainly in the mortar through the capillary, then evaporates at the surface of the wall and into the atmosphere. With the drying action of the air on the upper part of the wall, the water continues to move up the wall, to act as a wick. The height to which this dampness occurs is determined by a number of contributing factors, although it rarely exceeds 1 metre above ground level.
