Block paving edging against gravel trench

[Neil1357]

We have found a few damp patches on our external wall this winter and think the drive being built too high is causing this. I have taken up the soldier course of pavers next to the house and dug a trench to take a look. I can see that the drive was only a couple of cm below the DPC, and have also uncovered a couple of fully covered airbricks, so definitely too high.

My plan is to continue to excavate the trench and then backfill with gravel to a level below the DPC to stop the drive from bridging the DPC. The driveway will have cars on so I will this will need to be relatively strong. I would also like the edge itself to be higher than the trench so it is visible and someone doesn't accidentally twist an ankle walking into it!

Looking online I can see a few different options but am unsure which to go with. Perhaps I need some kind of kerb unit which is deeper than the trench so would finish above the level of the trench itself? Keen for as simple a solution as possible as I have no experience in laying driveways, working with concrete etc.

While doing this I have also found a big gap in the brickwork which was previously below ground and causing another damp patch. This is picture 3.

Guess I have 2 questions overall:

1. How do I make sure the block paving doesn't slip back into the trench?
2. What's the best fix for the hole I found in picture 3? I am thinking the brick will need knocking out and a new brick laying in it's place?

Thanks- any help is much appreciated

 

[cdbe]

Concrete edgings laid on and haunched with concrete. Use a bit of concrete to fill that hole. Pointing looks rough.

 

[Odds]

French drain along the side of the house - and move the pipe away from the vent. Unblock the airbrick.

 

[Neil1357]

Concrete edgings laid on and haunched with concrete. Use a bit of concrete to fill that hole. Pointing looks rough.

Cheers cdbe.

If I use concrete edgings would you recommend I lay a concrete base in the bottom of the 200mm wide trench I have already dug and sit these in it (taking care to leave some soil for water to drain to). Or would I be best taking out another row of pavers and laying the concrete edging at a similar height to the existing drive with the haunching behind it?.

 

[cdbe]

150mm wide drain will be fine, obviously the haunching will reduce the width at the bottom but there won't be much water to drain away.