Contribution of Condensation to Dampness on External Surfaces of Walls : A Case Study of Borno and Yobe States in North Eastern Nigeria

Series of efforts were made from various quotas over the decades to curtail dampness on external surfaces of walls and yet the menace has continued unabated, particularly in Nigeria. This is because ‘underground moisture’ from rain and other sources of water is erroneously believed to be the only cause of the menace. This study provides a lasting solution to the problem by acknowledging ‘persistent condensation’ as another cause of dampness on external surfaces of walls. It investigates where the problem lies in the context of ‘persistent condensation’: Is it with the type of coating used on external surfaces of walls or with construction professionals? Structured questionnaires were used in sourcing field data and Chi-Square was the statistical tool utilised in analysis. Results in the study indicate that, the use of tex-cote coating and tiles can alleviate dampness on external surfaces of walls. Further analysis however, has exonerated construction professionals from possessing insufficient knowledge on the general causes of dampness in buildings, but it failed to spare them from possessing sufficient knowledge on the mechanism of ‘persistent condensation’. Recommendations include among others, the general use of tex-cote coating and tiles on surfaces prone to condensation and keeping construction professionals abreast on the sources and causes of condensation on external surfaces of walls by organizing periodic workshops and seminars.