Harmful Effects of Dampness

Dampness is the presence of hygroscopic or gravitational moisture. Dampness gives rise to unhygienic conditions apart from reduction in strength of structural components of the building.

Dampness causes the following harmful effects.

1. Dampness is responsible for breeding of mosquitoes and creates unhealthy living conditions.
2. Due to dampness, moisture travel through walls and ceilings and creates unsightly patches and affect the aesthetics of the building.
3. In case of lime plaster, moisture travel causes softening and crumbling of plaster.
4. Dampness in the wall cause efflorescence and sometime dampness is responsible for disintegration of bricks, stones, tiles etc.
5. The wall decoration (like painting) gets damaged due to dampness.
6. The flooring get loosened because of reduction in the adhesion when moisture enters through the floor.
7. Timber fittings (such as doors, windows, almirahs) when come in contact with damp walls or floors, gets deteriorated because of warping, buckling, dry rutting etc of timber.
8. Dampness in building can be very dangerous if any form of electrical fittings come in contact with it.
9. Floor coverings are damaged. Therefore no floor coverings should be used on damp floors.
10. Dampness promotes and accelerates growth of termites.
11. Dampness breeds germs of dangerous diseases such as tuberculosis, neuralgia, rheumatism etc.
12. Metal fitting get corroded and rusted due to dampness.

Reference

Building Construction by Dr. B.C. Punima