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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:31 pm
by Steady
Have recently installed a PIC driveway.The whole installation has been condemned by an "Expert".Apparently it does not meet "Building Reg Doc "H".ie:Surface gradients should direct water draining from a paved area away from buildings, a reverse gradient should be created for at least 500mm.
On this basis the expert has condemned the entire installation(bloke has sued me for 15k).
The issue is the entire area 180m slopes towards the house. Gradient approx.1 in 10. We installed a linear drainage channel across entire frontage but "expert" says we should have used permeable paving and it should have fallen away from house for first 500mm. HELP ???
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:08 pm
by lutonlagerlout
sounds like a right berk
how can PIC be permeable?
if the linear channels discharge to a suitable outfall i.e. a soakaway and the pic is no higher than 150mm below DPC I cannot see what the problem is
there are people here more qualified than me to answer this but if the installation looks good, what is his problem?
and what credentials does the expert have
tony Mcc our guv is a proper "expert"
would be interested to hear his views
cheers LLL
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 6:51 am
by Dave_L
Sounds like the "expert" has just got out of college/university or zummat................
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:51 pm
by DNgroundworks
Ive only done a couple of driveways where there has been a reverse fall, and i did actually have the linear drains 500mm (ish) away from the house, purely because the footings where in the way of the P-trap and pipe work.
Permeable pic eh? lol
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:56 pm
by Steady
Having today consulted building control, the experts conclusion is wrong.A reverse gradient is not needed.He has misinterpreted the regulations. This could cost me £15000.What to do?
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:08 pm
by lutonlagerlout
send the invoice for full payment with immediate effect
if not small claims court for most of it
LLL
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 6:35 am
by msh paving
15k is to much for small claims court,, you will have to do it it in 5k sections MSH 
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:55 am
by GB_Groundworks
Have you been paid?
If not keep calm and go the legal route, get your own expert be it the gaffer from here or a structural engineer etc to write a report. Then you've got something official to fight back with.
Just make sure it is upto scratch, you've done all your prep right and your contraction joints, crack control fillets etc?
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 5:44 pm
by stephen gibson
In a drainage/groundworks dispute I would suggest a Court would expect you to obtain the advice of an independent civil engineering consultant, not a structural engineering consultant. Structural guys are qualified to advise on buildings not externals.
I don't know the full details, but I wouldn't gamble a penny on your success! The rules changed....