Trench around house to lower groundbelow DPC

[firapara]

Hi guys,

I was quoted a trench around the house to lower the ground level below DPC. They will dig out a trench and will feel it with shingles. Does the trench have to be connected to a drainage, or will it be just drying on its own? The guy said there will not be any drainage system and it will be just drying and it will be fine. I am a bit concerned and still believe that the water has to be drained, what if there are two weeks of rains, the trench will be filled with water and the walls will become even more damp.

Thanks!

 

[stuart45]

Is this just being done to lower the ground level, rather than a French drain because of high ground water levels?

 

[firapara]

Is this just being done to lower the ground level, rather than a French drain because of high ground water levels?

Hi, Yes, it is being done just to lower the ground level. No ground water level (I hope so so far.

 

[stuart45]

As it's only to lower the level below DPC it should be OK, but it's difficult to be sure without seeing the site. Hopefully the ground runs away from the house. If you wanted a French drain you would need somewhere to drain the water away to.

 

[mattice]

I think... if he digs the trench and then fills is back with shingles it will still retain water and have the same effect as higher ground, both in water retention (unless drained) and splash back. If the surface of the shingles is lower as a result of the trench then that should be OK. We dug a trench faced it with brick and left the air gap.. success.