Construction Practices Contributing to Rising Damp in Kumasi Metropolitan and Ejisu Municipal Assemblies in Ghana

Abstract

Buildings represent significant investment of developers and, as such, it is important to ensure value for the capital injected into the construction of buildings. Unfortunately, due to neglect of proper construction practices, buildings are facing defects, and one of such defects is rising damp. This study sought to identify some of the construction practices contributing to rising damp in buildings and their effects and suggest some remedial measures for controlling and treatment of rising damps. Snowball sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to gather data from a cross section of 78 building environment professionals in Kumasi and Ejisu who have experienced the effects of moisture rise. Relative Importance Index was used to rank the significance of the causes. The study revealed that failure to use damp-proof membrane or course, presence of groundwater, porosity of masonry, and concrete element sand flooding were the main causes of rising damp. Undersetting and saw slotting, making good plumbing leakages, using approved waterproof chemical injection, and application of admixtures were the main measures recommended to avert rising damp.