My patio project help - Height from dpc

[Adamchandler93]

Hi all. Am currently pulling up my front patio as it was a mess (knackered crazy paving) to replace with Indian flags. The problem is they were bedded thick straight onto clay and as I have started digging I have come across 2 mains drains which are the combined drains for the whole street so can't really alter, and gas 3 inch under the old patio! ( which northern gas are going to drop for free). My question is would I get away with having my finished patio height around 100mm from the threshold as opposed to the min.150. Bearing in mind the old patio was only around 130-140 from dpc height and I will have areas of gravel near the house. Will this be acceptable and not be brought up by surveyors etc? Cheers

[digerjones]

I would think it will be fine. Is it sloping away from the house.
The project I'm doing at the moment, drains very near the top, making patio high.
What I've done is dig round drains ,stone up . The just have the bedding layer on pipe and no stone. Not ideal but works fine.

[Tony McC]

....and have a look at the DPC Workarounds page for some possible suggestions.

[Adamchandler93]

Appreciate the help guys and have had a look at the dpc page very good advice. My only concern was running the wacka plate and damaging the old clay pipe system and then suddenly having the whole streets toilet in my front garden! So I'll chance it having the patio a bit higher. Any tips on a good stone sealant for Indian sandstone?

[digerjones]

If you read my reply, there's no need to run wacker over the pipes because there's no stone on them

[Adamchandler93]

I did read your reply. As I said I wasn't going to take the risk by accidentally knocking it with the wacka, pick, shovel wheelbarrow etc.