Not woodwork!

[mailee]

I wonder if any of you guys can help even though this is not a woodworking related topic? I intend in the near future to lay a new patio area at the back of my home when I have the time of course. My question is, around the perimiter of the house there is a bed of shingle around six inches wide before the paving starts. (Paving that I will be taking up to re-lay) can I pave right up to the house or must I leave this shingle area as it is below the damp course level? At the moment the paved area is not level and looks a mess so it needs a new one. :?

 

[trousers]

Mailee

How far below dpc is the existing shingle?
If you re - pave up to the wall, ideally you would have 150mm between the paving and the dpc (to prevent splash - up when it rains).
If it's sheltered from rain then you may get away with less. Obviously shingle is a good compromise cos it doesn't splash up as much as paving.
Don't be tempted to pave/shingle too close to the dpc (less than 75mm say) - I've seen too many damp internal walls where the ouside ground level is too high, even with a cavity wall. Trouble is usually a cavity full of rubbish (motar droppings) which are bridging the dpc, so high ground level outside forces damp across to inside above dpc.

Anway, when are you going to get a chance to do all this, what with the weather and all your woodwork production :lol:

 

[Michael7]

Would the shingle be acting as a soakaway? Just a thought.

 

[CNC Paul]

Would the shingle be acting as a soakaway? Just a thought.

Yes, it also helps to stop rainwater bouncing up onto the brickwork above the DPC.

 

[mailee]

No the shingle isnt acting as a soakaway as there are drains set into it which go into the sewer system. I have measured the DPM and it is 250mm above the present paving level, seems quite high to have a shingle surround? :? I would of course have to raise the drain heights to match the paving a matter of a couple of inches. As for time to do the job it will have to fit in with my other jobs of course as and when I can get around to it. :roll:

 

[xy mosian]

Is the shingle acting as filler, to save awkward cuts to the paving?

xy

 

[Tierney]

Hi,

Have a look at the following website, it has very comprehensive advice on all paving matters. I did some paving when I was younger and it is how I remembered doing it!

http://www.pavingexpert.com/

David

 

[xy mosian]

Thanks for the link David, I'm thinking of re-doing my patio next year. Very useful bookmark.

xy