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Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 8:06 am
by eric99
I have a question about a patio base. A builder has been around to look at my patio and is going to give me a quote. He has said that I need a DPC membrane under the patio, the type that is used for indoors. He said that it can be used outdoors.

I have only seen terram which lets the water through. When I checked with my local builders merchants they said that it shouldn't really be used on an outdoor patio but if it is then holes should be put in it to let the water drain downwards. I phoned the builder and asked if he was going to put holes in the DPC and he said "no" there was no need.

Could someone please give me a little guidance on this.

Thanks Eric

BTW, great site, I've spent a while on here learning all sorts :)

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:06 am
by bodgeitandscarper
Thing is you already have your doubts so just get rid and find someone else.

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:18 am
by eric99
bodgeitandscarper wrote:Thing is you already have your doubts so just get rid and find someone else.
Thanks for your reply, I was wondering if he is right about the use dpc and maybe the builders merchant was wrong.

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 5:58 pm
by Carberry
DPC / DPM is damp proof, doesn't let water through. If it is going outdoors you want it to let water through or it could end up puddling and in the winter it will freeze which will ruin your patio.

Builder is an idiot, don't let him near any job indoors or out

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 7:11 pm
by local patios and driveway
Run a mile from that guy, he hasnt got a clue. Will probably lay it on mortar too.

Its terram, sub base (ideally mot) sharp and cement base then the slab.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 4:48 pm
by eric99
Thanks both for your replies.

He said he would use a sub-base of dust and recycled glass, compact it, lay the dpm and then use a semi dry mix of builders sand and cement over it and lay the slabs on top.

I can see from your posts that the terram goes under the sub base and not on the top.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 9:07 pm
by Pablo
Tell this fella thanks for his time but not to bother with a quote and get a few others round to price it using the spec as mentioned above and nothing else.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 9:37 pm
by local patios and driveway
Dust and recycled glass? Who is this guy? Name and shame incase any one else searches his name for a review

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 11:01 pm
by lutonlagerlout
haggis?
can you help this fellow welshman
LLL

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 11:40 am
by London Stone Paving
Dust and recycled glass ? Hahaha

That's almost as bad as cement dust sprinkled on soil :laugh:

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 12:03 pm
by rimexboy
is the recycled glass from the builders friday night session or what.... he must be out of his head... or a bodger!!!

Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 4:22 pm
by Dave_L
The old cowboy radar is going full-chat!!!!