John Kelly wrote:
Phil L wrote:
John Kelly wrote:
My extension was built and I'm about to start laying topsoil and
grass and generally finishing off. I'm a little unsure of how high
I can go with the topsoil. Obviously I can't go above the damp
proof course and that's too high up anyway but I'd like to go about
2 bricks below it as that's what it is around the rest of the
house. However there are gaps between some of the bricks that low
down - it's about 5 bricks between gaps. Can I go up past this
level or are the gaps there to let air in?

150mm down from DPC is the maximum you can go to with your soil/turf
(or about 2 bricks with joints)
The holes are weep holes and are there to allow moisture to drain
out of the cavity....you can go up to the weep holes but I wouldn't
cover them if I were you - the amount of moisture they will deal
with in a year would probably not even fill a bucket, but if left
standing in the base of the cavity, it will cause lots of other
problems, especially when it freezes.

That changes things then. I'm not a fan of it but if I were to put
gravel down between the grass and the wall would that be alright? That
might give enough drainage.

Yes, but make sure it's large enough not to compact down into a solid or
semi solid mass, 18mm pea gravel would probably be best, B&Q do some that is
cheap as chips but looks OK when washed, sort of a purpleish colour....white
limestone would also do but beware that it looks hideous when leaves and
debris start making it go brown in patches.