The prevailing weather condition in Akure in south-western Nigeria which is
characterized by high humidity and rainfall coupled with obvious global climatic
changes are impinging on the building fabrics. The effects of surface and ground
water on buildings in the area calls for a cursory look into finding means of militating
against its penetration which will consequently reduce the aesthetics and structural
value of the buildings. This paper is aimed at finding solution to the occurrence of
extensive capillarity in buildings in the area. A thorough survey was carried out
through the administration of well structured questionnaire on randomly selected
buildings in all the twelve zones of the city to determine the use or otherwise of
impervious materials and their implication(s) on the buildings in the area. Physical
measurement of capillarity in randomly selected buildings was also carried out. Most
of the buildings investigated suffer from various degree of water penetration due to
non application of impervious materials in virtually all the areas of the city. The use
of, the inevitability and advantages of impervious (coating) materials in the area are
not properly harnessed. The incontrovertible findings point the way forward in the
application and use of water resistant materials in the warm humid zone of Nigeria to
prevent dampness in buildings.