Patio level with DPC, options to avoid damp issues...

[_Craig]

Hi,

This is my first post on the site so please be gentle!

I purchased my first house 4 years ago now, and since purchasing the house it has become clear I have inherited a damp problem in the living room (rear of house, patio on opposite side of external wall). The previous occupants have had a patio installed (I am guessing a very bad DIY job), which is butted right up to the external wall level with the DPC and also slopes back to the house which I believe may be the culprit.

After reading through the forum, I know this is not acceptable to normal regulations etc so my plan was to remove, lower & re-lay the patio however, in doing this, I have noticed that the DPC is only 75mm (one brick course) above the concrete foundations (assumed?). The foundations also protrude out from the brick by 100mm which wouldn't allow me to lower the patio in that area, to which I was hoping to have the patio right up against the wall or a drainage channel fitted. I have attached a picture to show you better.

I am really after any advice / opinions on what I can do, obviously my first priority is to ensure the damp is avoided but also to avoid any unsightly gaps between the house and the patio.

Thanks,

Craig

 

[^woody^]

You should not be getting damp across a cavity wall due to ground levels - even if the ground was as high as the roof.

Your problem may well be a blocked cavity - which would be causing damp whatever you do with the patio.

Are you sure that it is related to dampness coming directly aross the wall, and not anything else?

A better photo of the general layout at the back of the house and internallay of the dampness would help with diagnosis

 

[_Craig]

Thanks for the reply ^woody^, I will get some better pictures shortly.

I am not 100% sure it is related. After researching on the forum, I was just conscious that the patio could have been the culprit as the water was pooling & running always towards the external wall with any rainfall.

Is checking a blocked cavity a specialist job? Unfortunately the house also has had cavity insulation at some point.

Thanks,

Craig