Damp around new patio door - who's responsibility?

JMC369

Hello all, I did consider merging my question with one of the other damp threads but thought I may get more responses with a new thread.

I have a Victorian terrace, with the kitchen/diner in the back room.

I recently installed a patio door in this room out onto the quite damp rear yard, the yard has some steps up to a lawn sloping up away from the house.

There was an existing window in this spot, but the builder created the new hole for the door and a seperate window company supplied and installed it.

There is a concrete floor in this room and the DPM that the builder fitted is clearly visible, however there is visible damp on the room side of this DPM, the 6 inches or so directly above the DPM are dry.

I've been advised by a guy from a flooring co that the door has been installed far too low, and the damp is penetrating under the DPM. He pointed how directly below the door, (when viewed from outside) is nothing but expanding foam. The irony is that there was sufficient head room that has had to been boxed and filled that they could have fitted the door 4 inches higher.

My question is, apart from this being my problem, who should take responsibility for this?

Is it me for not instructing properly?

Is it the builder for not adding a row of bricks to increase the opening height?

Is it the window company for installing it too low?

Any advice would be greatfully received, many thanks.

Also any advice on whether or not this is a likely cause of the damp. I haven't explained very well but I can post pics if it would help anyone kind enough to help.

Tucker

It's not easy to get to grips with the situation. However, I would say the builder ought to have made the opening so it was safe from water penetration.

I can't see how the window firm can be blamed as they will fit a door to the opening size and are not going to do anything other than put a in a door to fill the hole.

Is it not possible to lower the outside level? It should always be 150mm below any dpc i.e two bricks. If it's not, it's too high and regardless of the door height you need to address that. Or, are you saying the opening has been made lower than the damp proof level?

dampdaveski

Hi JMC,
It's difficult to pass opinions without seeing the problem, but I agree with Tucker,
window firm will fit to the opening provided.
If you told the builder exactly where you wanted the opening making he can say he was following your instruction, however if you asked him to make an opening to get french doors in, then you may have redress on him.
pics would be good

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