DPC breached by block paving contracters

Singhsta · 19 Feb 2011

-- Please help

Recently had my driveway block paved in Jan 14th.

This is what my house looked like before:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59699453@N02/5458744732

This is what it looks like now :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59699453@N02/5458740808/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59699453@N02/5458739516/in/photostream/

My concern is with the DPC, it is not 150mm above ground level at the front of the house more like an inch (if that). I asked the "Marshalls" block paver to ensure adequate ground was dug out and he assured me that he'd been doing this for 17years and theres nothing for me to worry about.

This is what he has done, dpc is below the air brick

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59699453@N02/5458724582
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59699453@N02/5458722540

What can I do, please advise??

I have spoken to him last week and he informed me that its above air brick icon_confused.gif and he'll pop over this week sometime to have a look. Still waiting for him to turn up.

** Do you notice any other breaches from the photos?

--I am feeling quote sick to the stomach at the moment.

Hugh Jaleak · 19 Feb 2011

No wonder he's confused. DPC is clearly visible above the air brick in at least one of the pictures.

Nige F · 19 Feb 2011

Singhsta said:
-- Please help

** Do you notice any other breaches from the photos?

--I am feeling quote sick to the stomach at the moment.

I notice the sky fitter broke half a brick out - like they do

RedHerring2 · 19 Feb 2011

Looking at the front door in the 'before' picture, the ground level looks to be about 100mm below the door threshold, and just level with the bottom of the air bricks.
Looking at the same view in the 'after' picture, the ground level looks to be about 100mm below the door threshold and about level with the bottom of the airbricks.

noseall · 19 Feb 2011

RedHerring2 said:
Looking at the front door in the 'before' picture, the ground level looks to be about 100mm below the door threshold, and just level with the bottom of the air bricks.
Looking at the same view in the 'after' picture, the ground level looks to be about 100mm below the door threshold and about level with the bottom of the airbricks.

...er...yeah Red, me too.

It seems that one of the images is showing evidence that a dpc may be missing in one of the walls in question.

r896neo · 19 Feb 2011

The dpc is above your air brick.

Singhsta · 20 Feb 2011

Thanks to everyone for your reply as I am deeply concerned as you may appreciate.

Due to the following article:

http://www.pavingexpert.com/dpc01.htm

Under heading "Identifying the damp proof course" it shows dpc meant to be below air brick.

Hugh Jaleak said:
No wonder he's confused. DPC is clearly visible above the air brick in at least one of the pictures.

Hi Hugh thank you for your comment and yes I am very confused

and concerned.

r896neo said:
The dpc is above your air brick.

Hi r896neo, can you please copy the link of the picture that you have seen the dpc onto this thread.

More advise and comments would be GREATLY appreciated,

themiddleagedun · 20 Feb 2011

I can't tell where your damp course is, but as others have said the paving
has been laid to the original ground-level.

So if your concerned now, should you not always been concerned?

noseall · 20 Feb 2011

themiddleagedun said:
So if your concerned now, should you not always been concerned?

Precisely.

150mm below dpc is a fail-safe and many properties up and down the country (mine included) have go much less than that, with no ill effects.

r896neo · 20 Feb 2011

Whilst you can not see the physical dpc you can with resonable confidence tell where it is by the very sudden change from damp bricks to dry bricks. This combined with the fact that original dpcs are rarely if ever below air bricks says to me its above.

Singhsta · 20 Feb 2011

r896neo said:
Whilst you can not see the physical dpc you can with resonable confidence tell where it is by the very sudden change from damp bricks to dry bricks. This combined with the fact that original dpcs are rarely if ever below air bricks says to me its above.

** Thanks to EVERYONE for your much needed advise and knowledge

themiddleagedun said:
I can't tell where your damp course is, but as others have said the paving
has been laid to the original ground-level.

So if your concerned now, should you not always been concerned?

On the website:

http://www.pavingexpert.com/dpc01.htm

Under the heading "Bending the rules"

It states : "It should be noted that breaches of the 150mm rule are the sort of thing that is noticed by Surveyors when valuing a property and it can lead to a reduced valuation or a requirement for remedial work to be undertaken. "

Thats my concern another concern.

As themiddleagedun has mentioned that the block paving has been layed to the original ground-level, then my surveyor who did my homebuyers report should have picked this up when I purchased the property originally 4 years ago.

Singhsta · 20 Feb 2011

noseall said:
It seems that one of the images is showing evidence that a dpc may be missing in one of the walls in question.

Hi noseall

Are you referring to the front of the house?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59699453@N02/5458722540

If so that is the wall that I am most concerned about.

alittlerespect · 20 Feb 2011

Hi

Regardless of where the dpc is located it is clearly evidenced by the damp staining pattern in photo 2540 that the dpc is being breached, and the extent is quite severe and it may be that you will getting damp problems inside the house below floor level which may be causing timber decay to the floor joists.

The solution to your problem would be to cut out the section of grey brick which immediately abuts the wall, and dig out right the way down to soil level and then backfill with either 'pea beach' or 'shingle' whichever material most appeals to you. Or if this sounds too severe, at least cut back the offending material by 100-150mm (4-6" in old money!) away from the building line and backfill as before.

Regards

Deluks · 20 Feb 2011

Dpc can be above airbrick, if this is a cavity wall with a periscope vent.

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DPC breached by block paving contracters

RedHerring2

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