Damp course needed for brick pillar in garden?

[FiscoKing]

Hello,

I'm about to build some brick pillars (6 courses high) in my garden to put plant pots on. Nothing fancy. 6 Levels of brick topped with a stone \ concrete slab.

My question is; do I need damp course above the dirt level?

I don't see any damp course on my existing garden dwarf walls, and they seem to have lasted 25+ years (some bricks have been replaced though after crumbling because of frost).

Also, how thick should the foundations be for such a small structure? Cement or concrete foundations?

Bricks are reclaimed second hand.

Thanks.

 

[Nige F]

no damp course - concrete pad maybe a spit deep

 

[hammerswinger]

Depending on how frost proof the bricks you intend to use are, a damp course could be advisable.

If the bricks are commons with little resistance to frost you may find that the bottom bricks won't last long before the start to crumble.

You could use some slate as a damp course, or you could use a couple of courses of engineering quality bricks at the bottom but this will probably spoil the look of the pillars unless you choose a brick to compliment your reclaimed bricks.


Cheers.

 

[^woody^]

Damp courses are for buildings being lived in, not gardens

If you insert a physical barrier like a DPC, then you risk the joint breaking and the pier sliding on top

Just select suitable frost resistant bricks, and make sure your pier capp as a good overhang to let rain drip away from the brickwork

 

[hammerswinger]

Damp courses are for buildings being lived in, not gardens

If you insert a physical barrier like a DPC, then you risk the joint breaking and the pier sliding on top

Just select suitable frost resistant bricks, and make sure your pier capp as a good overhang to let rain drip away from the brickwork

Hi,
my suggestion of using slate as a DPC was assuming that the reclaimed bricks being used were more than likely not frost resistant so the slate would stop the bottom bricks becoming saturated.

I appreciate your point that a DPC could potentially be a weak point, but mortar sticks to slate doesn't it, I know it just sits on plastic DPC's.


Cheers.

 

[FiscoKing]

Thanks for the responses.

I'll find some slate and try that.

Regards.

 

[Nige F]

Well there was no DPC in the garden wall @ a hotel I worked on - there were 4 walls @ least 150 yards long x 10 feet high x 18 inch brickwork - stood for about 200 years then blew over - plenty of bricks there to recycle

 

[hammerswinger]

It may have made 300 years if it had a DPC