French drain / 1930s bungalow, concrete sub-floor, old damp issues

[JP_]

Ok, so today I removed the concrete path that ran alongside my house - it was level with airbricks, and covered some completely.

The airbricks have 3 courses below them before the concrete floor. Should I take soil down to this level?

My plan is to put weed barrier membrane down and cover with gravel. If I can get away with just having a trench by the wall and leaving the rest higher, that would be good.

This dried out after the photo - depth of trench I think I'll do ... :

Can see airbrick and floor here - damp line dried out after lowering the soil outside

How it was - top of air brick just visible.

How it is today - concrete removed, some hardcore then soil:

 

[JP_]

The drainpipe runs along the side of the house, so can only remove so much.

 

[JP_]

 

[JP_]

ended up going down about 4 courses. Scraped the wet clay mud off the bricks too.

 

[^woody^]

Calling all cats, calling all cats - everyone round to jonbeys garden.

 

[JohnD]

Good move, well done.

 

[JP_]

Calling all cats, calling all cats - everyone round to jonbeys garden.

Nah, next door's dog plus the busy road will put any cats off!

That's one advantage of living by a busy road, not many cats in the area. There aren't many other advantages actually .. it's nearer the bus stop!

 

[cwhaley]

I'd be very impressed if you don't get a 'surprise' underfoot one morning!

 

[JP_]

Nobody ever walks down there. Well, apart from me when I am cleaning windows or the gutter - so about once every few years!