Damp proofing

[ace]

had the paving donein front of my house.. hardcore, cement base, mortar and paving stones but the level is now above the damp proofing of the house what can be done?.. is it too late?

Any info is greatly appriciated

[Tony McC]

Yes - it';s too late. The only "fix" is to rip it up and have it re-laid by someone who actually knows their head from their arsehole! :p

[ace]

Unfortunately that is uneconomical option, what other options do i have.... Its a 1930,s house with with slate dpc with concrete ontop and above that. The top of the paving is the width of the brick (50mm) above the concrete line on the house. I have seen the options on this great web site,(Dry Area.) The builder wants to silicon proof the brick behind the top paving slab removal and refit after but I'm not convinced, problem is we can't see the dpc level behind the concrete

confused, i am... i have even read that dpc's below ground level will be fine....

Any advice will appriciated

[stevenkelby]

I see loads of houses here in Adelaide with the DPC well below (200mm) the paving / concrete. Usually when there are a few layers put down over the decades.

BUT they are always on high ground and well protected by verandahs so don't get wet, though could still be subject to rising damp.

Local builders use the standard of surfacing to "below the DPC", but no set amount below, eg. 150mm as per this site.

My dad used to braze tungsten tips in to chain saw chain for a company to cut out salt damp, now I'm paranoid so I will pave up to 50mm below DPC on my house, no closer even though it's never going to get rained on.

In your wet country what I would do is cut a channel around the house, maybe 200mm wide, as deep as neccesary to get say 100mm below thw DPC, and make a dry area.