Regarded Step

[MikeBs]

Hi, new to this forum so hope someone can help.

I am having some block paving done in the garden. I would like a step outside the door, but have a problem that I am not sure can be solved.

I have a bifold door that is 8ft wide with two air bricks just below it that obviously can't be covered. The soldier bricks and blocks are two bricks below the DPM and will sit just below the level of the air bricks so all is OK there.

I was wondering if I had the step set away from the building then that would allow air to flow behind the step and into the vents. Is that OK and if so how far away from the house should the step be set? The sill of the door would allow about an inch without any problem. Is there a building reg that covers this scenario?

Hope someone can help.

 

[catlad]

A step need not restrict the air flow if you get a 3x2' stone flag and set it on bricks at either side and leave the front open for the air to get through.

 

[Beefpotnoodle]

Why not just put new air bricks in either side of the new step?

 

[gregers]

or remove air vents,install 2 pipes,build new steps and install 2 vents in the front of said step.

 

[MikeBs]

Thanks for the tips, but can I have the step set against the house and butted upto the wall but above the DPM, or will that cause damp problems in the future?

 

[Beefpotnoodle]

It'll bridge, if you wanted it butted up Id consider a dpc for the step! But maybe your original plan of a few centimeters gap would be easier

 

[r896neo]

As said just carry the air bricks through the step with some ducting/ pipe.

As for the dpc issue a step is an acceptable breach of the dpc.

Place a vertical dpc between the step and the house wall and build your step tight against that

 

[gregers]

or just paint that part of the wall with black jack.