Raised patios and dpc

mand4 · Post: # 29038Post **mand4** Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:24 pm

Hello, having just read Paulilops question regarding dpc and patios, has caused me to be concerned about a raised patio being built by my neighbour. His (in the trade...not) father, is in the process of constructing a raised patio, so far he's built a retainer wall, approx 2' high, which he has cemented to my extension wall. This has been back filled with soil, soil and more soil, but so has about 3' of my wall. I had reservations about it when I saw what had been done, because I know it's above my dpc. So after approaching him in my best neighbourly fashion, I pointed out that I wasn't happy as it would cause damp in my kitchen. He assured me that he used to be 'in the trade' and knew about these things and so would do something about it. His remedy was to stick pieces of dpc sheeting to the exterior of my kitchen wall,then replace the soil that he had scraped away. Is this a recommended solution or am I worrying over nothing. I just think that its easier to rectify now rather than later and would appreciate any swift advice as the job is currently 'in hand'.

Rich H · Post: # 29042Post **Rich H** Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:55 pm

This is a no-no. Your house will end up with damp - and lots and lots of it. It doesn't matter what they put against your wall, moisture will get in.

mand4 · Post: # 29046Post **mand4** Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:22 pm

Thanks for that, its what I thought. Having spoken to the wannabe,(who's experience 'in the trade' amounts to 5 years hod carrying) he still thinks its okay. But have told him I don't want it done that way, so he now plans to build a double wall, along side my extension wall, leaving a small gap of about 1/2 inch. Would this cause any problems regarding damp, as I can imagine it creating a water trap. Am still unsure, I would prefer him to leave enough clearance to at least provide room to maintain the wall should it need repointing in the future. I'm also under the impression that bricks, being porous, need to have good air circulation. Would appreciate any alternative ideas, as this guy seems to think pulling the wool over my eyes will stop me from seeing what he's doing.
Cheers!

mand4 · Post: # 29047Post **mand4** Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:48 pm

Thanks, thats what I thought. Have spoken with the wannabe, who still thinks what he's done is ok, but is now intending to build a second wall alongside my wall, leaving a 1/2 inch gap. Would this cause damp problems, as i can imagine it creating a water trap. Am still unsure, but would prefer to have enough room to maintain my wall should the need arise. Would appreciate any alternative ideas, as this guy thinks that pulling the wool over my eyes will stop me seeing what he's doing.
Cheers

Mikey_C · Post: # 29050Post **Mikey_C** Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:50 pm

Not in the trade myself but IMHO a 1/2" gap 3' deep is not acceptable, there is information on this site regarding "dry areas" which is what your neighbor needs to create, perhaps find the page and direct him there. Is your wall right on the boundary? I wander whether he needs a part wall agreement to be doing anything on your building wall. However, either way you need to get this man to stop either via a solictor, your insurance company or perhaps building regs.

Pablo · Post: # 29066Post **Pablo** Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:50 pm

Find exactly where your boundary is if your builder did it right then the outside of your gutter will be the boundary not the wall. This fella is a muppet a cavity wall is not strong enough to withstand the weight of 3ft of backfill it would probably have pushed the wall in over time even my dog would know that. I don't know what the recommended distance for a gap but I would want at least 12" but it may also be that it's their property and they can do what they want.

mand4 · Post: # 29069Post **mand4** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:54 am

Thanks everyone, really useful advice, its confirmed what I've been thinking. I know, legally that they cannot do anything to my wall, without my permission, but am not sure if its a case of, as Pablo says, 'its their property and they can do what they like''. I still think its wrong what they want to do, as in the long term, my property is going to suffer. In relation to the boundary, my wall is actually on the boundary, there is no guttering on that side. Without seeing it, it's difficult to explain, but the area which is affected is approx 2' high by 3' wide, this is the end of my extension, but the way this guy has built his retainer wall, my wall is,in effect, partially forming his '4th' wall, the remainder of which is made up by the garden fence. Once again, many thanks, am going to take this issue further, as I obviously cannot get my point across to this fella.

mand4 · Post: # 29072Post **mand4** Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:24 am

Have been looking for info on 'dry areas' as mentioned by Mikey_C but carn't find anything, any tips where its hiding please?

Post: # 29077Post **seanandruby** Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:37 am

If he is allowed to get away with it then i would think he will have to put in some cavity wall drainage and channel.

mand4 · Post: # 29078Post **mand4** Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:02 am

oh right, hows that done then, need to explain to rogerthebodger.
Thanks

Pablo · Post: # 29094Post **Pablo** Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:24 pm

Click on site map link above then find the link on that page for DPC's it's on the centre right. Sorry but I don't know how to do a direct link.

Mikey_C · Post: # 29101Post **Mikey_C** Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:00 pm

dpc's

link above about half way down the page but it's all relative

matt h · Post: # 29116Post **matt h** Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:42 pm

party wall agreement applies in this case, hewould have to build double skinned wall at appropriate distance from yours . seek adice from your local building controll:(

mand4 · Post: # 29124Post **mand4** Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:48 am

Thanks y'all, what a fantastic bunch o' folk u r.

Have just read about dpc from link and situation is becoming clearer by the minute. Have also spoken to building regs guy today, he said it sounds like the 'wannabe' is bridging the dpc, which he's not allowed to do, but as mentioned b4, its his garden and he can do as he likes in it, so it's a bit of a grey area, especially with my wall being on the boundary. But he also said that the 1/2 inch gap is not really enough as it could become a trap for debris etc. (again as previously mentioned by yourselves) so if any work done by neighbours, causes damp in my house, then they'll be liable for it and will have to pay. So,unfortunately, I now have the task of convincing 'guy-next-door' that he's wrong in what he's doing and hopefully try to come to some suitable solution to suit both parties. If not, am afraid I'll have to take legal action and me being female, like most, am like a 'dog with a bone'.

Once again many, many thanks to everyone, couldn't have gotten to this stage without your help, you've stopped me from going 'la la'.
Wish me luck (am gonna need it) and I'd like to give this site 11/10

CHEERS! :laugh:

Post: # 29125Post **seanandruby** Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:45 am

mand4 wrote:oh right, hows that done then, need to explain to rogerthebodger.
Thanks

as the outside will have soil up against it weep holes would have an adverse affect. So he will need to put a p trap in the new cavity and run it to a drain. this will stop build up of water. Maybe a 75ml one will do as you probably wont have the width. :;):