Hi all
We've recently had problems with a broken bend at the bottom of
the soil pipe. Some digging out (thankfully not me!) and insurance
discussions later, we're ready to engage someone for the day or so's
work of fitting everything back together properly, filling the ca. 1/2
cubic meter hole with pea gravel, and making good etc.

However ... whilst watching the process of lifting out the crazy
paving at the front of the house where this problem was, I saw what I
realised was the DPC ... *under* the level of the paving! (The guy who
used to own this place was a builder of sorts - every bit of work of
his I've seen was a bodge).

So the DPC seems to be be about 1 to 1/5 brick-depths below the
current level of the paving. We've never had damp problems here but
obviously it's not a good situation.

I pointed this out to the guy who did the insurance quote and they
have given me an 'extra' quote involving a length of ACO drainage
connecting to the current soakaway. Apart from the cost of this, I'm
not that keen. What are the panel's thoughts about alternatives to
this scheme?

Thanks
Jon N

jkn wrote:
Hi all
We've recently had problems with a broken bend at the bottom of
the soil pipe. Some digging out (thankfully not me!) and insurance
discussions later, we're ready to engage someone for the day or so's
work of fitting everything back together properly, filling the ca. 1/2
cubic meter hole with pea gravel, and making good etc.

However ... whilst watching the process of lifting out the crazy
paving at the front of the house where this problem was, I saw what I
realised was the DPC ... *under* the level of the paving! (The guy who
used to own this place was a builder of sorts - every bit of work of
his I've seen was a bodge).

So the DPC seems to be be about 1 to 1/5 brick-depths below the
current level of the paving. We've never had damp problems here but
obviously it's not a good situation.

I pointed this out to the guy who did the insurance quote and they
have given me an 'extra' quote involving a length of ACO drainage
connecting to the current soakaway. Apart from the cost of this, I'm
not that keen. What are the panel's thoughts about alternatives to
this scheme?

Thanks
Jon N

Finish the paving about 6" from the house, sloping away from it, and
make a trench down several inches below DPC - at least a brick and a
half - and if possible put a perf. pipe in running to somewhere lower,
or the soakaway, but in any case backfill with gravel. Essentially moat
the wall, but fill the most with shingle..and drain the moat!

You might also consider gluing a bit of DPC from just below the existing
DP to somewhat above ground level, or using some impermeable
tanking/render to reduce ingress of water into the outer leaf. To be
honest, if its a cavity wall, it will suck the damp up a couple of
inches only above ground, and then evaporate it outwards. That's
probably why there hasn't been an issue to date. However you risk frost
damage on the lower courses if its a north facing soaked bit of brick..

jkn wrote:
Hi all
We've recently had problems with a broken bend at the bottom of
the soil pipe. Some digging out (thankfully not me!) and insurance
discussions later, we're ready to engage someone for the day or so's
work of fitting everything back together properly, filling the ca. 1/2
cubic meter hole with pea gravel, and making good etc.

However ... whilst watching the process of lifting out the crazy
paving at the front of the house where this problem was, I saw what I
realised was the DPC ... *under* the level of the paving! (The guy who
used to own this place was a builder of sorts - every bit of work of
his I've seen was a bodge).

So the DPC seems to be be about 1 to 1/5 brick-depths below the
current level of the paving. We've never had damp problems here but
obviously it's not a good situation.

I pointed this out to the guy who did the insurance quote and they
have given me an 'extra' quote involving a length of ACO drainage
connecting to the current soakaway. Apart from the cost of this, I'm
not that keen. What are the panel's thoughts about alternatives to
this scheme?

Thanks
Jon N

IIRC the patio (or whatever) should be at least 75mm below DPC. Part of
the reason is the height to which rain will bounce/splash. The ACO will
not help that much with bounce.

A neighbour has recently done his drive (replacing block paving) and,
this time, has rasied the level where it adjoins his porch area. He has
fitted ACO as suggested. I didn't have the heart to suggest he was
wrong... But maybe others will think it acceptable?

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

On 24 Nov, 13:26, jkn wrote:
Hi all
* * We've recently had problems with a broken bend at the bottom of
the soil pipe. Some digging out (thankfully not me!) and insurance
discussions later, we're ready to engage someone for the day or so's
work of fitting everything back together properly, filling the ca. 1/2
cubic meter hole with pea gravel, and making good etc.

However ... whilst watching the process of lifting out the crazy
paving at the front of the house where this problem was, I saw what I
realised was the DPC ... *under* the level of the paving! (The guy who
used to own this place was a builder of sorts - every bit of work of
his I've seen was a bodge).

So the DPC seems to be be about 1 to 1/5 brick-depths below the
current level of the paving. We've never had damp problems here but
obviously it's not a good situation.

I pointed this out to the guy who did the insurance quote and they
have given me an 'extra' quote involving a length of ACO drainage
connecting to the current soakaway. Apart from the cost of this, I'm
not that keen. What are the panel's thoughts about alternatives to
this scheme?

* * Thanks
* * Jon N

Jon
Building regs require the depth to be 150 mm
You are largely stuffed but I suggests any of the following:

1, Get rid of the ground in its entirety by the house down to final
level (with paving) of 150 mm down .................v expensive but
best

2. as others have suggested get rid of the soil in a trench 6" away
from the house and leading away from it to a soak away or whatever. I
would personally dig down more than 6" (subject to an engineer
agreeing you were not risking heave or settlement in clay) and fill
the voide with pea shingle for 6" and cobbles for the top 6" (more
attractive???) and leave it at that


The more air you can get at the brick the better so I would not go
down the vertical dpc also suggested unless it was a proper commencial
tanking

Chris

jkn wrote:
Hi all
We've recently had problems with a broken bend at the bottom of
the soil pipe. Some digging out (thankfully not me!) and insurance
discussions later, we're ready to engage someone for the day or so's
work of fitting everything back together properly, filling the ca. 1/2
cubic meter hole with pea gravel, and making good etc.

However ... whilst watching the process of lifting out the crazy
paving at the front of the house where this problem was, I saw what I
realised was the DPC ... *under* the level of the paving! (The guy who
used to own this place was a builder of sorts - every bit of work of
his I've seen was a bodge).

So the DPC seems to be be about 1 to 1/5 brick-depths below the
current level of the paving. We've never had damp problems here but
obviously it's not a good situation.

I pointed this out to the guy who did the insurance quote and they
have given me an 'extra' quote involving a length of ACO drainage
connecting to the current soakaway. Apart from the cost of this, I'm
not that keen. What are the panel's thoughts about alternatives to
this scheme?

Thanks
Jon N

Are you sure it is the DPC?
Have you followed the course around and made sure it lines up with the
internal floor level?

I say this because some houses have two DPC's, the real one, at internal
floor level, and sometimes another one 3 or 4 courses below that - it must
have been the 'in thing' for a brief period.

If it is the genuine DPC, then unless you excavate the lot at the house end
and lower the drive by 150mm, anything else is going to be as you say, 'not
a good situation.'


--
Phil L
RSRL Tipster Of The Year 2008

On Nov 24, 10:20 pm, "Phil L" wrote:


Are you sure it is the DPC?
Have you followed the course around and made sure it lines up with the
internal floor level?

I say this because some houses have two DPC's, the real one, at internal
floor level, and sometimes another one 3 or 4 courses below that - it must
have been the 'in thing' for a brief period.

Good point, and it's prompted me to go and check. But it does look
like it's at the equivalent of floor height ;-(


If it is the genuine DPC, then unless you excavate the lot at the house end
and lower the drive by 150mm, anything else is going to be as you say, 'not
a good situation.'

Luckily it's not quite a drive - the front of the house faces up the
slope, and this is a smallish paved area between the house front and
the front lawn; maybe 4-5ft wide. I suspect this paved area is another
bodge by the past owner; I'm starting to be tempted to lift it all
out...

J^n


--
Phil L
RSRL Tipster Of The Year 2008