Damp bricks - Damp bricks

[Neilpet]

I have recently had the drive of my house block paved. The first course of bricks above ground, which is the second course below the damp course, is damp. Now half of this course of bricks was below the ground level previously and this damp only extends to the line to where they were underground. By this area is a downpipe that goes directly into the ground. What worries me is could this downpipe be leaking underground and causing this damp or could this damp be because the bricks were previously underground? These aren't engineering bricks, which I would expect.

[Tony McC]

Again, without seeing the site, it's almost impossible to comment, Even a photo would be a help.

[Mick Leek]

Hi maybe i can answer that one.

I have recently dug footings for a new extension and the bricks are the same.

The cause for this is because you have what is called a cavity fill below ground to the patio or exposed level. This means that the cavity is filled with a weak mix of concrete and also will contain all the Snots (fallen motor) from the brick laying.

This fills the cavity creating no air space. The bricks become saturated throught to the inner wall.

The bricks should eventually dry out.

Nothing to worry about unless it is a leaking down pipe. But i would expect damp up to the DPC then because the ground would be saturated

[Neilpet]

Thanks for your replies. I would have thought or hoped that if the downpipe was leaking then there would be some movement or "drop" of the block paving. This hasn't happened. It seems odd that the damp is exactly in line with where the old ground level was, half way up a brick. I hope it does dry out eventually as it looks crap!