What are the types of DPC Materials?

by Sella Smith Digital Marketer

The damp proof course the most popular way to protect the property from rising damp. Let’s discuss the types of materials used for DPC.

Rising damp is a very common problem that can damage the internal structure of the property. It mainly occurs capillary action of excess moisture. Installing the damp proof course or DPC is the most popular way to protect the property from rising damp. According to the rising damp specialists in Sydney, two types of materials are used for damp proof course or DPC. They include flexible materials and rigid materials. Let’s discuss these materials in brief.

Flexible materials

Flexible materials never crack or deform their shapes at the loading condition. Some common flexible materials are Bitumen Mastic, Bitumen Felts, Hot laid Bitumen, Metal Sheets, etc.

Bitumen Mastic or Mastic Asphalt: This material consists of bitumen or asphalt. It is finely mixed with sand to make an impervious mass. Due to this reason, Bitumen Mastic has spread to a depth of 5cm approx. Bitumen Mastic offers a better impervious layer.

Bitumen felts or sheets: Bitumen felts generally contains 6 mm thick bitumen sheet. It is manufactured in rolls and the width of these sheets are equal to the brick walls.

Hot laid Bitumen: Hot laid Bitumen is another common DPC material that is extensively used on cement concrete or mortar bedding.

Metal sheets: Metal sheets of aluminum, lead and copper is mainly used for preventing dampness. These sheets are quite expensive and they are generally coated with asphalt. The sheet thickness is not less than 3 mm.

Rigid materials

Rigid materials are the opposite to flexible materials. This means they never resist cracks and transverse stresses at severe loading conditions. Common rigid materials for DPC include rich concrete, mortar, bricks, and stones

Rich concrete: A thick layer of rich concrete (1.2cm to 4cm approx) is painted with multiple coats of bitumen. Rich concrete is generally used as horizontal DPC and it prevents excess moisture penetration.

Mortar: Mortar is mainly used as vertical DPC. The sand morter and Rich Cement (2 cm thick) are properly applied on the external walls. The surface is also painted with 2 hot bitumen coats.

Bricks: The brick is a common and popular DPC material. This is cheap and widely available. Bricks are generally laid in sand mortar and rich cement.

Stones: Last but not the least, 2 layers of slates or stone slabs are laid in sand mortar, cement, and lime. They make probably the best DPC. They have a number of advantages.

These materials are widely used in construction works in several areas like Paddington, Mosman, Inner West, and Eastern Suburbs. Flexible and rigid materials can create excellent DPCs. They make an impervious layer to protect the property from structural dampness.