Damp corner with high outside path

[Alex H]

Hi, I think the source of a damp side of the house is a high pathway that runs alongside the house. It starts at floor level at one end but rises up circa 200mm above internal floor level.

This is the corner, it appears there was a concrete fillet between path and wall originally, there is also now a nice hole exactly where there is blown plaster, although it's not as wet as I expected.

Photo of corner, to the right is the high path, to the left it steps down to floor level.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jNure060WZBV6XxUHtbwDOSCrxyh4e93/view?usp=drivesdk

Inside

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DN3DJFv-mR2EVcadSa6KAagSsfnTnoqG/view?usp=drivesdk

Hole in path
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jD6zSV35zQLDbfSwwkU8XroPRaar6WW0/view?usp=drivesdk


Along path

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1daSVheiwwQvkELNsnvk3Qzli1_0XgvOa/view?usp=drivesdk

I'm thinking the best long term plan is to lower the path to floor level or below if possible, recreate the path and shape it to shed water away from the wall.

I appreciate anyone taking the time to respond. It's a bit of a project house so I'll be asking a lot of questions.
More photos if interested:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1khAqpHEQ1zA2wcThottIW8fE8XhcrPVR

 

[Doggit]

I suspect dropping the outside path below the height of the DPC is you're best solution. They've put cement fillets along the corner of the house, so I suspect they've tried to remedy the damp issues in the past. You could try filling in the holes and gaps temporarily, and then do the job as soon as the weather improves, but it's most likely to be the water sloshing up against the wall above the DPC that's the main issue.

 

[Mr Chibs]

I'd agree, lower the outside.
As a rough rule of thumb, you need to be two bricks under the air-vent on your pic.
Previous folk have tried to paint bitumen paint to stop the damp, all this does is hold it back a while, it's doesn't sort the problem.

You could try cutting a channel 200mm wide, along the back wall and removing the concrete and filling with pebbles, I did something similar, I also used dry rods (drill hole in mortar pop in a rod) and it makes for a damp resistant mortar... so far it's worked for me, around £20 per metre! but easy to install.

Looks like you are going to have some roofing to do
Good luck, nice view from Window, where is it?

C

 

[Alex H]

Thank you. I might struggle getting it that low without having to build a wall to retain the path on the opposite side. I'll excavate the path and see how I go. Not heard of dry rods, so I'll have a look at those.

All the impermeable paint etc is just stifling the block work.

Yes, sadly extension roof needs work and I've never done roof work before. Thankfully it's got a new main roof, guttering and windows. Inside it's clean but needs a total make over, I won't detail all that work or I'll start worrying again (it's got a nice bathroom, so that's one job down).

I haven't even asked about the porch and the rotten facia...yet another job... And the front patio retaining wall with no weep holes that's got some movement...

Lots of fun work to do here!

The view is amazing though, it's in Newlyn, Cornwall.

 

[Mr Chibs]

Think positive with the roofing, I did my own, (flat to vaulted pitched roof) after getting the run-a-round from the so called professionals, like you, still wedges to do!

 

[JohnD]

when you're digging out, trench beside the house and put in pebbles or cobbles so water can drain away. Large stones do not allow water to rise by capillarity. Filling in the trench with cobbles prevents it from caving in, or you from falling down it.

 

[Doggit]

Here are the details for the rods, or you can use the cream, and pump that in with a mastic gun. If you look on ebay for silicone damp proofing cream, then there are a lot of alternatives to use. If you go for the rods, make sure you wear gloves though; they start to dissolve with moisture, so can seep into your skin if not careful. You can get away with a 100mm channel, and stones (as long ass you get down to earth), or you can install a water channel instead, but depending on how deep you need to go to get past the DPC, you may need to put in some cement with water proofer in it for the base.

 

[Alex H]

So single size filter material. If I'm doing that I'll drop a permable pipe in too and outlet it at the front.

Cheers all, good to feel positive. I've turned one house round before and I'm not scared of hard graft. I have learnt hat good tools and the correct materials are a must.