Patio up to damp proof course

[Steveyd742]

We have purchased a new property and the previous owners have laid a patio up to the house covering the first brick of the damp proof course, is this likely to cause any issues

 

[Mr Chibs]

Ideally ground level wants to be a minimum of two courses of brick below DPC.

Difficult to say if it will be a problem, how long has it been down?
If it’s a problem you could cut a trench so the paving doesn’t touch the wall, fill this with large pebbles.

 

[blup]

It's good practice to leave 150mm or two bricks depth below the dpc level. You could cut back the slabs and create a shingle bed. It may be not be a problem in practice if the slabs fall away from the wall. Your survey may have picked it up.

Blup

 

[Steveyd742]

Thanks for the reply, it has been down for approx a year, we have been here a couple of month but just noticed what looks like a bit of damp near the back door

 

[Mr Chibs]

Looking at your second pic again (near door) you can see a very wet bit ‘dark’ at ground level.

If you are now getting moisture on the inside, it’s time to take a butchers and rectify.

What’s under the slabs, apart from mortar?

 

[Mr Chibs]

Have a butchers at this for the idea

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/patio-join-to-house-and-damp.574557/#post-5010767

 

[Steveyd742]

Am not sure as was laid by previous owners, I've attached a picture where it's laid around the drain

 

[JohnD]

it's rather annoying that there are still numbskulls who do this stupid thing.

 

[foxhole]

Thanks for the reply, it has been down for approx a year, we have been here a couple of month but just noticed what looks like a bit of damp near the back door

May be penetrating damp due to slabs, but could also be poorly sealed door or even leak at roof level gutter etc.

 

[Steveyd742]

May be penetrating damp due to slabs, but could also be poorly sealed door or even leak at roof level gutter etc.

Thanks, just had a closer look to where the door seals and damp is occurring and they is a gap near the damp proof course, you think this is the cause of it? I have attached a picture

 

[foxhole]

Thanks, just had a closer look to where the door seals and damp is occurring and they is a gap near the damp proof course, you think this is the cause of it? I have attached a picture

Possible , but like too low to account for higher damp.

 

[Steveyd742]

Thanks for the all the advice, do you think channeling it out around the dpc and installing aco drainage channels is a good idea?

 

[Mr Chibs]

The acco drain will have to drain into something, so will require a bit of Revised drain work with regard to Pipes you’ve already got in the drain etc.

Easier to just cut a trench first, and see if this helps the problem. If not you can then fit the accos.

what’s it like near your back door when it hammers down with rain? Pooling water?

 

[Steveyd742]

Thanks will get a trench cut around the house and fill it with pebbles, I haven't noticed much pooling of water, first noticed the damp the other week when we had a week of constant rain