Level Threshold patio

[23vc]

I always thought you were meant to have at least some kind of “channel” if you’re patioing up close to the dpc. But yeah I guess you’re right. The 150mm thing still gets specced all the time by BC for cavity walls so I guess they still enforce it?

 

[Leofric]

In and case, "150mm below DPC" is an anachronism to the time of solid walls. And it has no affect on cavity walls due to what is known as .... a cavity.

The Magic 8 Ball might say so but I don't think so , the cavity is to prevent moisture passing from the outer to inner leaf , the horizontal dpc is to stop damp rising up from the ground , as recommended by building control , NHBC and every architect as far as I know.

 

[Leofric]

Wherever you’re not meeting your 75/150/whatever ground level below dpc rule

There is no '75 whatever', it is 150mm.

 

[^woody^]

The Magic 8 Ball might say so but I don't think so , the cavity is to prevent moisture passing from the outer to inner leaf , the horizontal dpc is to stop damp rising up from the ground , as recommended by building control , NHBC and every architect as far as I know.

So if damp gets above the DPC on the outer leaf where does it go, and how does it affect the inner leaf?

Compare with damp running down the outer leaf and settling on top of the DPC on the outer leaf. What happens to that?

Magic 8 ball says "Without a doubt"

 

[23vc]

There is no '75 whatever', it is 150mm.

I know the BR figure is 150mm, we all know that, the conversion has progressed beyond that though, so quoting and correcting that part of my response doesn’t really help.

 

[Leofric]

So if damp gets above the DPC on the outer leaf where does it go, and how does it affect the inner leaf?

Compare with damp running down the outer leaf and settling on top of the DPC on the outer leaf. What happens to that?

Magic 8 ball says "Without a doubt"

Brickwork above dpc can get damp when it rains and dry out in drier conditions because it isn't in permanent contact with the ground. The horizontal dpc is a barrier to prevent rising damp going up any further . No offence to Magic 8 ball but I have never met a single architect, building surveyor, BCO, NHBC surveyor/inspector, construction manager, SE, builder or bricklayer who doubted the use of horizontal dpc's in walls , and I have dealt with quite a few of those sort of people, so I think I will stick with my theory on dpc's.

 

[pilsbury]

B0llox. Just leave a small gap, full with 20mm gravel and build up the patio sloping away from the house. Make sure the gravel is clear of soil and crap each year.

Caveats: monitor your adjoining walls for damp. Expect some comeback from surveys when you look to sell.

Solution: dig it back out.

 

[Leofric]

B0llox.

What does the b o l l o c k s refer to

 

[pilsbury]

That refers to “just go for it but be prepared for either no problems or a world of pain”

I’ve been posting prolifically this evening because I’ve had a skin full. Beware.

 

[Leofric]

I’ve been posting prolifically this evening because I’ve had a skin full.

 

[jimmbo]

Here’s a load of photos of my project so far, if anyone’s interested!

I dug out a channel between the house/garage and planned patio area and built a small restraining wall with breeze blocks to support the slabs.

The channel is graded towards the surface water drain down the side of the house. I mixed some concrete and sloped the base of the channel away from the house.

I then bedded a perforated land drain pipe in the bottom of the channel and connected it the the surface water drain pipe.

I proceeded to dig out for the patio so finished level would end up level with the DPC and creating a slope away from the house & garage.

Then I filled with hardcore and compacted to level with my dwarf wall (obviously still making sure my falls were correct) and started laying my 900x450 porcelain slabs, overhanging the breeze blocks but still leaving a gap to the brick walls.

 

[jimmbo]

I wrapped the the perf pipe in geo textile fabric with washed gravel and backfilled more gravel. I also fitted some DPM between the house/garage wall and the gravel.

Obviously it is not finished yet, but it’ll have to now go on hold till next year.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

I don’t know if the drain is an overkill or not, but after all the rain we’ve had in the last few weeks there’s no standing water anywhere.

 

[jimmbo]

I’ve also built a sleeper planter bench and added some lights