Damp proofing prevents moisture from entering a building. It is different from waterproofing, which resists liquid water under pressure. Damp proofing resists capillary action, the movement of water through porous materials like concrete and masonry. It is used on foundation walls, floors, and crawl spaces. It is a barrier, not a drain. In the kitchen, the equivalent is the backsplash. It protects the wall from splashes and steam. It is not waterproofing. It is damp proofing. It is the barrier that keeps the wall dry. It is the barrier that keeps the paint from peeling. It is the barrier that keeps the mold from growing. The backsplash is the damp proofing of the kitchen.

Damp proofing materials include bitumen coatings, plastic sheets, and cementitious coatings. A damp proof course, or DPC, is a layer of impervious material built into a wall to stop rising damp. It is usually placed near the base of the wall, above grade. A damp proof membrane, or DPM, is a sheet under a concrete slab to stop moisture from wicking up. In the kitchen, a backsplash can be tile, stone, glass, or metal. It is installed behind the counter. It is sealed at the edges. It is easy to clean. It is the barrier. It is the damp proofing. It is the protection. It is the kitchen's shield.

Damp proofing is not a substitute for drainage. If the ground around a foundation is saturated, hydrostatic pressure will push water through the wall. That is why foundations also need drain tiles, gravel, and grading that slopes away from the building. In the kitchen, the backsplash is not a substitute for a exhaust hood. Steam and grease must be vented. The backsplash protects the wall. The hood protects the air. Both are necessary. Both are part of the system. Both are damp proofing in their own way. The kitchen is a wet place. The wall must be protected. The damp proofing is the protection. The protection is the damp proofing. The kitchen is the building. The cook is the builder. The backsplash is the damp proofing. The damp proofing is the backsplash. The wall is dry. The cook is happy. The meal is good. The meal is the reward.