The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:56 pm**

After digging out a trench where my patio had been laid above the DPC in this thread here: DPC thread... everything has finally dried out!

Preferably I'd rather not dig the whole patio off to the level of the lowest point of the DPC as its only at this level for a couple of bricks along the return wall. For the main part I am at least 5 courses below the DPC already. I have had a good look at DPC guide on the main site and some kind of dry area arrangement seemed like the best plan but I still think it may be a bit of a lethal trap having a big hole like that in the corner.

Is there really no other option or am I going to have to cart getting on for a skip load of spoil through the house to a waiting skip and have a 1 in 4 bank up onto me grass?

I'm not trying to cut corners, just want some other views on how to proceed.

Posted: **Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:46 am**

A dry area will be ideal. Rather than leave a hole, why not put a few courses of bricks at the new edge of the patio to render it safe.

Posted: **Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:49 am**

Sorry, it's just occurred to me that you said the water falls that way. What will you do about that?

Posted: **Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:42 pm**

Thanks rich. So if I build a small retaining wall up to a few courses above patio level with a 200mm dry area between it and the house wall I should be safe? If I add a drain in that corner and run it off to the existing soak away presumably I should be safe? Can I add a metal grid of some kind over the dry area so that I could stand a couple of pots on there?

Posted: **Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:30 pm**

Sounds like it. Without seeing the whole thing it's hard to tell but might it be easier to re-lay the paving with the fall away from the building rather than go to all the trouble with drainage, soakaway connections, etc?

The Brew Cabin

Patio and dpc issues...