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damp course

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damp course

[¦damp ‚kȯrs]
(civil engineering)
A layer of impervious material placed horizontally in a wall to keep out water.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

damp course, damp check, dampproof course

In masonry, an impervious horizontal layer of material (as tile, dense limestone, metal, etc.) to prevent the capillary entrance of moisture from the ground or a lower course, but used also below copings, above roof level in chimneys, and elsewhere to stop downward seepage.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive
Please remember it isn't either or, damp-proof course or plaster, it's both and don't try to save money by not doing the plasterwork.
Below the damp-proof course the bricks are constantly sucking up moisture from the ground.
Roofs, gutters, flashings, patios, gardens and in some instances damp-proof courses are all critical in determining the overall condition of our buildings.
Houses constructed post-Second World War should be adequately protected by damp-proof courses built into the main supporting walls as well as the short walls supporting the ground-floor joists.
If they are low, along the full length of the wall, it''s rising damp and you need your damp-proof course checked.
Often, after landscaping work, paving gets laid over the existing ground, raising it above the damp-proof course.
If they are low, along the full length of the wall, it''''s rising damp and you need your damp-proof course checked.
| Rising damp: This occurs, if there is a problem with the damp-proof course. This is a barrier built into the floors and walls to stop moisture rising through the house from the ground.
On a well-built wall there should be a damp-proof course built into the top of the brickwork, which will stop water draining down into the lower brickwork.
If your home doesn't have a damp-proof course, or it's defective, you'll need a specialist to install one, but it may be that the course is being prevented from doing its job.
If your home doesn't have a damp-proof course, or it's defective, you'll need a damp specialist to install one, but it may be that the course is being prevented from doing its job.
A surveyor has even told Mrs Weir and the city council that the entire floor and damp-proof course needs fixing.
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