Walls around bungalow - Problem with wet brickwork

[lucadobe]

I'm not sure whether i'm using site correctly as i cannot find me post in the forum so here goes again!!! Our bungalow has the earth close up to the walls & on laying new joists we can see the brickwork under the DC is wet, however our next stage was to slab/gravel outside around the bungalow, should i lay say a bit of a footing close to the wall before laying either slabs/gravel to prevent rain seeping through mud & soaking under brickwork as we feel this has caused the problem over the years, we have recently moved in, cheers lucadobe

[Tony McC]

Damp brickwork below the dpc is normal: that's the purpose of the dpc, to keep the damp below.

If you;re worried that the sub-floor/solum is lower than external ground level, some form of dry area channel would be the best solution. See...

http://www.pavingexpert.com/dpc01.htm#dry1

[lucadobe]

Thanks for the help! Must admit wasn't keen on placing gravel between wall & slabs/flags as wanted to lay straight up to wall with a 12mm mortar joint like you described, but as i said several people had advised i needed to leave a gap from wall because you need to to allow water to 'drain'. Would you personally advise though that first i lay concrete or similar around walls coming out at a distance and then when set, bed the slabs onto this? I see by the diagram different options, be honest don't want to go down the road laying a gully, am a brickie so not a complete pratt but like to ask experts in their own field. cheers

[Tony McC]

Lay your slabs/flags right up to the wall, if necessary, but ensure they fall away from the brickwork.

What you;re describing is the godawful 'splash strip', a 200mm wide strip of gravel between hard paving and the masonry that is supposed to minimise splashback above dpc and to improve drainage, but, if the flags are laid correctly, there's no need for them.

[danensis]

It is also important to ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the sub-floor space. If necessary, fit additional air vents on two opposite sides to ensure a through flow of air.

[Tool]

you need to work out your levels and then dig out as mush as you can then install some air bricks for the sub floor ventilation.

if you are worried contact a damp and timber specialist.

[danensis]

That's a timber and damp specialist (normally a qualified surveyor - or in the case of one specialist firm, a dog) not a timber and damp chemical sales firm, who often advertise themselves as timber and damp specialists.

[Tool]

Well i am a fully trained remedial technician and i have over 8 years experience in dry rot, woodworm, damp and all other aspects of specialist building works.

The only way you can sort out this problem is if you contact a specialist firm, if i was you i would try Sovereign Chemicals Ltd.

http://www.sovchem.co.uk/

ask if there is a company they recomend in your area they are not a firm that is intrested in selling you there product they care also.

[danensis]

Q.E.D.