There are numerous factors that building contractors must keep in mind to guarantee high-quality construction of their buildings. Examples include quality of materials used, duration of construction, damp proofing the building, labour, availability of materials among others. However, one of the factors that can severely undermine the strength and stability of a building is the absorption of water or moisture in the foundation or walls of a building.

Luckily, there are a couple of building materials that are used to damp proof a building and avoid water logging issues within the walls and foundations of the building. They are specifically designed to prevent any passage of water into the building from external sources. These materials include damp proof and tanking membranes, building papers, lap sealer, and polyethylene films.

Pitch polymer sheet

A pitch polymer sheet is a polyethylene film that is a popular damp proof material used in most buildings due to its high performance in providing cavity trays and damp proofing capabilities. It applies to a wide range of both cavity and solid wall construction. It is a tough and long-lasting damp proofing material that has high resistance to compression, especially under heavy loads. Its ability to maintain its flexibility even at low temperatures makes it more applicable to construction works.

Building paper

Building paper is another popular material used in damp proofing buildings because of its array of building construction applications, which include flooring, roofing, and covering general work sites. In buildings, the building paper plays the role of a separation barrier, with the aim of reducing any moisture, dust or wind infiltration.

Damp proof membrane

The damp proof membrane is another polyethylene film material that is specifically used to prevent moisture absorption from the ground into the floor of the building. It is strategically placed underneath concrete floors according to the building and construction control guidelines. This material exists in different gauges and sizes, depending on its use in construction. Its high resistance to damage and high pressure makes it one of the most used floor damp proofing materials.

Tanking membrane

The tanking membrane is a bitumen waterproofing material that is used by many building contractors due to its self-adhesive and high-performance attributes. It is used in large building areas that require waterproofing such as the basement or a building's tanking system. This material is also chemically resistant, which allows it to protect the foundation from dilute alkalis, acids and destructive soils.