Raising path, closer to dpc.

Phil4432

Hello all, I'm in the process of getting a builder to repair the garden path, which runs directly adjacent to the wall of the house.
I'm going to cover the old concrete one, with a new concrete covering and create a gradient so that the rainwater is draining to the center of the path, and away to the drains. 

The gradient would be about a few degrees.  Only potential issue I see, is that the edge of the path would be raised so that it is about 11cm away from the dpc.  I understand that building regs state that there must be a gap of 150mm from path to dpc.  However, as there would be a gradient there would be no chance of rainwater sitting there.  And certainly a vast improvement to the current situation, of rainwater sitting right next to the wall.

If anyone could comment, that would be much appreciated.  If the path would be too close from the dpc, I could build a channel instead though that would be more expensive.  Don't want to have it flagged by a surveyor, or have my home insurance affected in any way, should there be any damp related issues in future.  Thank you. 

grumbler

I think  150mm is 'good practice', not a strict requirement,  but why rising, not replacing?

Mistral001

A small weed or any small piece of wind-blown debris will bridge the 11mm, but apart from that ,it looks strange and frankly amateurish.  Also, it will probably be picked up by a surveyor if the house is sold.  I am surprised that the builder would agree to do what you are suggesting.  

stuart45

Not just about sitting water, it's for rain bounce as well.

Phil4432

What would be the best way to get advice on building regs?  Planning department in the council?  Get a surveyor round?
Thank you.

stuart45

Not the planning, they don't deal with Building regs. Building control at the Council should help. It is 150mm below DPC normally.
On modern houses the ground level can be at DPC to allow for wheelchair access, but then a tray is used.

daivid

As Stuart has already said the gap is to allow for bounce back of rain water. Rain will bounce about as high off concrete as anything else so a good gap should be maintained. On a more absorbent surface you may get away with less, though 150mm roughly equates to two courses of bricks which to me looks neat and makes it easy to check. Could you leave a gap to the house wall? Filled with gravel to no less than 150mm below the DPC perhaps.

daivid

Mistral001 said:

A small weed or any small piece of wind-blown debris will bridge the 11mm, but apart from that ,it looks strange and frankly amateurish.  Also, it will probably be picked up by a surveyor if the house is sold.  I am surprised that the builder would agree to do what you are suggesting.  

110mm, the OP used cm to describe the gap he would have then mm to describe the guidance. Untrained eyes would probably not spot anything amiss with a gap of 110mm but I see no reason not to make sure it is the full150mm.  One would hope a surveyor would point out when the DPC is potentially compromised by an insufficient gap, though when I bought my house there was no mention of this: the soil level had been built up to DPC level (and in places slightly above) by the very keen gardeners who had lived there previously. 

Phil4432 said:

What would be the best way to get advice on building regs?  Planning department in the council?  Get a surveyor round?
Thank you.

Building regulations can be viewed online but are not the most straightforward read. Your local council building control department may well give free short consultations though I can't see how you would go far wrong provided you maintain a 150mm gap and employ a competent builder. There is no need to get any sign off for a path around your house (if you live in a conservation area or your home is listed then the situation may be different).