The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu Sep 16, 2010 2:48 pm**

I am currently in the process of purchasing a newly built house, but I am concerned by a DPC issue raised on the survey (as a potential issue in the future) and wanted advice from the experts on how big an issue this actually is and what are the best resolutions if required? The issue is that to pass the housing regulations in relation to DPC and Disabled Access, the paved driveway has breached the DPC along the entire front of the house. To stop this causing damp, a membrane has been installed between the driveway and the brick. Looking with the eye it appears that the driveway is flat or sloping towards the house (within the first 2 metres closest to the front of the property) and then further away from the property the driveway steeply sloping away to the pavement and road.

It has passed the necessary building regulations, but I still have concerns as to whether this could cause a big problem in the future.

Please can you let me know your thoughts and advice on the issue?

Thanks

Posted: **Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:14 pm**

If you are buying off the builder then it should form part of your snagging list. The disability access nonsense means that so many new builds have paving breaching the dpc and there is no way around it because thats the only way to comply. It may be possible to install a linear channel against the house to remove any water. Membrane against the brick doesn't work because the water just flows behind it unless it is higher than the paving and glued to the wall.

Posted: **Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:59 pm**

we do these flush thresholds all the time for the council
generally we have to put a cavity tray in from DPC up to 225mm on the inside block work ,then a 2nd dpc on the outside 225mm above the first
we also have to use a linear drain and code 4 lead flashing where the paving is up to the original DPC
its a lot of palaver but it makes life easier for people less fortunate than us
which cant be bad
LLL

The Brew Cabin

Paved driveway bridging the dpc - Request for dpc resolution / advice