What is DPC – Damp Proof Course? || DPC Material and Detailed Information

DPC or Damp Proof Course is an important element of a building or structure that restrict vertical movement of moisture from the basement level to upper part of wall through capillary action.

Detailed information about DPC along with its properties and detailed information is discussed below.

What is DPC?

DPC stand for Damp Proof Course. DPC is applied in the base level to protect the structure from the ill effects of moisture and dampness.

To protect walls at different levels DPC is installed at base of all levels. In a building, DPC treatment is given on each floor, before starting brickwork and laying bricks.

Thus damp proof course helps in preventing water and moisture to damage the walls and interior of home.

DPC Full Form in Different Fields

Let us know fullform of DPC in different fields and its meaning.

DPC Full Form in Civil Engineering

In civil engineering, “DPC” stands for “Damp Proof Course.” A Damp Proof Course is a layer or barrier typically made of materials like bitumen, plastic sheets, or special mortar, which is used to prevent moisture or dampness from rising through walls or floors.

DPC Full Form in Government Services

In the context of government services, “DPC” can stand for “Departmental Promotion Committee.” A Departmental Promotion Committee is a committee formed within government departments or organizations responsible for evaluating and recommending eligible employees for promotions to higher positions within the department.

DPC Full Form in Education

DPC can also stand for a “Diploma in Primary Education,” which is an educational program designed to train individuals to become primary school teachers.

DPC Full Form in Construction

In the context of construction, “DPC” typically stands for “Damp Proof Course.” A Damp Proof Course is a construction technique used to prevent moisture or dampness from rising through walls, floors, or other building components.

DPC Full Form in Promotion

In the context of promotion within organizations or employment, “DPC” can stand for “Departmental Promotion Committee.” A Departmental Promotion Committee is a committee or board typically formed within an organization or government department responsible for evaluating and recommending eligible employees for promotions to higher positions within their respective departments or agencies.

DPC Full Form in Medical

In the medical field, “DPC” can stand for “Direct Primary Care.” Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model in which patients pay a subscription fee directly to their primary care physician or healthcare provider. This subscription fee covers a range of primary care services, such as office visits, preventive care, and basic medical treatments.

DPC Full Form in Railway

1. Diesel Power Car: In some railway systems, especially those with diesel locomotives, “DPC” can refer to a “Diesel Power Car.” A Diesel Power Car is a self-propelled rail vehicle that contains a diesel engine to generate power for propulsion.
2. Driving Power Car: In the context of high-speed and modern train systems, “DPC” can stand for “Driving Power Car.” A Driving Power Car is typically found at one end of a train and contains the necessary equipment, including the locomotive’s power source, for controlling and propelling the train.

DPC Full Form in Law

In the context of law, “DPC” can stand for “Death Penalty Cases.” This term is used to refer to legal cases or proceedings that involve the consideration of the death penalty as a potential punishment for a serious crime, such as murder.

DPC Full Form in Electricity Bill

In the context of an electricity bill, “DPC” typically stands for “Demand Power Charges.” Demand Power Charges are fees that are applied to a customer’s electricity bill based on their peak electricity usage during a specific billing period.

Causes of Dampness

There are many reasons why dampness in a building can occur. Before beginning with the treatment of dampness and DPC material, let us understand the causes of dampness.

Various causes of dampness are as follows:

• Poor workmanship is one of the main factors of dampness in buildings. Unskilled labour is a prime factor of dampness.
• Vertical movement of groundwater to the wall through capillary action in brick wall.
• Rainwater seeping through outer or external walls
• Structural inappropriateness and faulty construction is also a cause of dampness.
• Inappropriate material selection can also lead to dampness in structure. Poor material selection nowadays accounts for the major reason of dampness.

If proper care and precaution is not taken then dampness can become a nightmare in new building. Thus take note of the above factors and read the precautionary methods of damp proofing course to save your valuable time in redoing work.

Effects of Dampness

Dampness can cause a harmful and severe adverse impact on the structure or building. Some of the effects of dampness in buildings are discussed below:

• Dampness can cause internal and external plaster to peel off and crumble leading to damaged walls.
• One of the main problems of dampness is damaged painting and patches on walls and ceilings. Dampness can lead to flaking and bleaching of paints.
• Dampness can corrode the steel reinforcement and metals used in construction.
• Wooden Furniture like cupboards and beds when in contact with dampness will damage and rot the furniture of your home.
• Dampness can cause short circuits and damage to electrical fittings.
• Termites grow in damp areas caused by dampness thus timber products are in danger of termite attacks.
• Dampness can cause the disintegration of tiles damaged plaster and bricks which can even lead to reduced strength of building.
• Growth of moulds on walls which can cause respiratory allergies.
• Other common problems arising due to dampness are salts, staining, mildew and tide marks.
• Poor performance of insulation is also caused due to dampness or DPC failure.

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Damp Proofing Course Methods

The prime use for a Damp proof course is to stop the ingress of moisture and water up to the walls. There are various methods to do a damp proofing course in a building some of the methods are mentioned below:

• Bituminous membrane damp proofing.
• Integral damp proofing.
• Polyurethane DPC
• Surface treatment.
• Cavity wall construction.
• Guniting.
• Pressure grouting.

Damp Proofing Course Types

Depending on the function and use of damp proofing course, DPC can be listed into three types, which are as follows:

• DPC
• DPM
• Integral Damp Proofing

Let us look in detail at each type of DPC and have brief information about each one. All these types of DPC function to prevent the upward movement of water through capillary action in brickwork or concrete.

1. DPC (Damp Proofing Course)

Damp Proofing Course is a layer of waterproofing compound or material applied to stop the ingress of water into the structure. DPC is a layer that intersects the water movement up to the masonry wall as it is usually laid below walls.

2. DPM (Damp Proofing Membrane)

DPM or Damp Proofing Membrane is a membrane of material like Polythene plastic sheet laid onto the probable path of water movement to stop its transmission into the walls.

3. IDP (Integral Damp Proofing)

When waterproofing additives are added directly into to concrete mix to increase its water resistance and make the concrete itself water impermeable then it is termed Integral Damp Proofing.

Difference Between DPC and DPM

As mentioned above DPC is a layer designed to prevent the water from rising into the structure by capillary action by a phenomenon called rising dampness whereas DPM or damp proofing membrane is membrane-like material applied to restrict the movement of moisture.

DPC is a layer of concrete mixture while Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) is a polyethylene sheet underneath the concrete.

Principle For Damp Proof Course

Damp proofing course is important for making the wall damp-proof. But DPC should be done according to the general principle established for damp proof course.

The general principle of the damp proofing course is mentioned below:

• Damp proof course should be continuous and no irregularity or break in layers should be seen.
• DPC can be laid in any direction either horizontally or vertically.
• When damp proofing course is laid horizontally then the thickness of DPC should cover the entire thickness of the wall.
• If damp proofing course is exposed to the external wall surface it can get damaged while doing finishing work.
• Where the horizontal layer of the DPC is continued to the vertical face of the wall then a cement concrete fillet of 75mm radius should be provided at the junction.
• DPC should be continuous, especially at the junction and corners of walls. Otherwise, dampness can get entry from there.
• The supporting mortar bed for damp proof course should be even and leveled and should be free from projection of any sort. This will help DPC to remain intact and safe.

Materials Used for Damp Proof Course

Any material that can inhibit the transmission of water into the structure can be used as DPC material. There are various DPC materials available in the market. Based on the physical and rigidity of the material it can be divided into three types.

Flexible DPC Material

• Hot bitumen
• Plastic sheets
• Bituminous or Asphaltic felts
• Sheets of Leads

Semi-Rigid Material

• Mastic asphalt
• Metal sheets

Rigid Material

• Combination of sheets and felts
• Stones
• Bricks
• Mortar

Properties of DPC Materials

For a material to be used for the Damp Proofing Course it should have following properties:

• DPC material should be impervious.
• Damp proofing material should be dimensionally stable.
• Damp Proof Materials should not contain salt like sulphate nitrate and chloride.
• The material should not be costly and easily available.
• DPC material should be strong enough to bear dead load and live load of a structure or a building.
• Materials used for damp proofing course should be durable.
• It should be flexible so that it can accommodate the structural movements without any fracture.

DPC Thickness

Damp Proofing Course is provided at the base of brickwork to stop water or moisture to seep into walls through capillary action. Normally DPC is provided at the ground level of any structure on which DPC is to be applied.

In building, DPC is usually provided at a height of 400mm maximum upto the level of flooring or top of the plinth.

The thickness of DPC is generally 1.5 inches to 2 inches (40mm – 50mm) if cement mortar is used as DPC mixed with water-resistant admixture and two coats of thin bitumen.

Factors affecting Material Selection of DPC

Damp proof course material should be used according to the application and need. Different materials are suitable for different use. Some of the commonly use DPC material used are shown below:

• A cement concrete ratio of 1:2:4 that is M15 grade of concrete should b used for damp proofing above ground level.
• In humid and damp climatic conditions, higher grades of concrete or rich mix of concrete must be used.
• For better results in DPC water-resistant materials like impermo, waterlock, pudlo can be mixed.
• Flexible materials like bitumen felts, plastic sheets, and mastic asphalt should be used for flooring and roofing.
• DPC material should bond well with the surface.
• In cavity walls, flexible materials like lead strips, and bitumen strips are desired.

Frequently Asked Question