Rising Damp in Buildings: Causes, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies in Krofrom and Ampabame New Sites

Rising damp is one of the common problems in buildings which affects the durability of the buildings and the health of the people living in it. This study investigates the causes, effects and mitigation measures of rising damp in buildings within Krofrom and Ampabame new sites. Rising damp is particularly a problem in domestic structures where damp-proof courses (DPCs) or membranes are often absent due to poor construction management, and lack of information. An explorative research approach was adopted to collect data from 150 buildings through direct observation, questionnaires, interviews, and laboratory analysis of the soil samples. The results showed that 66.7% of the buildings were affected by rising dampness, which caused some typical defects including mold growth (58%), peeling paint (62%), efflorescence (45%), and wet patches (76%). Laboratory analysis indicated that the soil had relatively high levels of moisture with an average of 18.5% at shallow depths. The effect of rising damp included higher maintenance costs, deterioration of the structure, and health problems, with 65% of the tenants experiencing symptoms of respiratory diseases. The study revealed that conventional treatments such as paint, waterproofing, and drainage were effective for only the short term. The most effective solution was the installation of new damp-proof courses, which decreased the level of dampness by 85%, however, the main drawbacks were the high costs and technological complexities. Thus, there should be stricter rules regarding building, more available information and subsidies for materials that are resistant to moisture. Also, further studies should be made on the development of environmentally friendly and economic measures for moisture management. Treating rising damp needs the involvement of policy makers, builders, and the public to increase the durability of buildings and improve the quality of life of occupants.