Evidence of damp under damp proof course

Horizon81

Had a house viewing yesterday and the house has a nice layer of damp proof course about 2 bricks up on the external wall. Very good. However, on the side of the house, for the full length, underneath the damp course layers were white chalky deposits which looked to me like damp. Obviously the layer of DPC is doing its job as the damp hadn't risen any further, but should it be damp under this line? I know that the whole point of DPC is to prevent rising damp, but I thought that it was there 'just in case' rather than permanently fighting against the rising damp. Haven't noticed it on any other houses I've viewed. Any advice welcome!

Doozergirl

Of course it's fine to be damp under the DPC. All houses will be to some degree. With chalky deposits - salt - I'd think it was relatively new brickwork with the salts seeping out. The DPC is doing a job but if the ground around it is particularly wet then you could consider putting in a french drain (essentially a small trench filled with gravel) to aid drainage and act as a mini soak- away. Have a look to see if the guttering is sound in that area.

maninthestreet

Bricks are porous, they soak up water - including ground water via capillary action. This will happen continuously, hence the need for a DPC course near ground level. Damp below the DPC is therefore expected and considered normal.

Horizon81

Thanks for the replies. The house is about 30 years old so not new bricks. Doozergirl, I know what you mean about the chalky deposits you see right the way up the house on new builds but that doesn't seem the case here. Was just worried that if the bricks at the base of the house were constantly damp that it wouldn't help the structural integrity.