Drainage/guttering cemented-over

Tiiia

ThisIsWeird said:

Tiiia said:

Hey, so - yes the gravel did work, but perhaps in later months it got slightly waterlogged and the concern arose from water resting against the brick. I've texted my brother waiting for a response to some of your comments - we do have a street drain just outside which is where I assume all flows off to. 

From memory, the DPC is X dimensions below the gutter, i can't remember the exact measurements, 1.5-something seems to ring a bell, though i will need to clarify - and yes, the new concreting has covered it over. That drainpipe you see is from the bathroom/ kitchen, so that drain does indeed work.

He's given a guarantee that he's done that a lot to houses and it's for the best esp for old brickwork, so it seems like he has exp'ce in such older houses.

I will bear the comments in mind esp about being charged and whatnot - you've alleviated some of my suspicions/worries, so thanks !

Given the position of the DPC, it would appear that the block path was originally laid too high, and the solution to it encroaching on the DPC - to try and keep it the required 150mm below it - was the French drain. This appears to have largely worked, but it isn't unusual for such drains to require occasional cleaning out as they will build up with dust, dirt and silt being washed off the path. Once this builds up an unhealthy layer along the drain bottom, it won't function properly. And, the drain also needs somewhere to drain away to - only a small amount will seep directly into the ground.
So, you seemingly had a functioning Fdrain, and it also appears to have either been able to empty via a proper drain, or had close access to one. Without fully removing and lowering that whole path by a good ~150mm or so, you seemingly did have the best solution already there. No longer; it is now as tho' the path were laid fully across, and at above DPC height, which is very very wrong.
You can try a google on topics like "can I cover over my DPC", or "how to build a French drain" or "height of path beside our house" to get some further info, so you are not just relying on one source. Please let us know what you find.
The quality of the cement work is a separate, tho' connected, issue. At a glance, I'd be concerned about the competence of that fellow. Would you like to see my 'cementing' of the exact same situation, carried out - as a layman - a couple of weeks ago? Your guy's work is simply dreadful - no other word. It is hard to understand why it is so bad - it just demonstrates a complete lack of care, or ability, or both.
I really hope that his lack of care went as far as him not even removing the gravel first, because that will at least make it easier for him to remove the concrete 'crust'. But the affected path bricks will remain looking hellish. If they cannot be cleaned up or replaced, perhaps a solution could be to paint both path outer rows a contrasting colour, say charcoal?
Do you know any general builders, one who could pop in to or from a job to have a look? I think, once you explain where the now-hidden DPC lies, you'll get an opinion in 5 seconds.
Does your mum have Legal Protection in her house insurance?

Hi, I was afraid of that, it being a shoddy job. No I don't believe she has legal protection as it stands - though, yes, we had a functioning Fdrain it seems (or seemed!). He's back next week as he's being doing odd jobs around the house, so I will ask what his rationale was (99% sure he will say he was concerned about the waterlogged drain.

You have been most helpful, and I will bear the research pointers as mentioned above when I look online! Tysm

Tiiia

ThisIsWeird said:

Tiiia said:

 That drainpipe you see is from the bathroom/ kitchen, so that drain does indeed work.

The 'drainpipe' ("gutter downpipe") I was referring to is the black-painted grey pipe, and that is a rainwater downpipe, surely? In which case, your house has been set up to allow the roof gutter rainfall to discharge vis the shown drain (rightly or wrongly!)

So, the contents of the French Drain could also empty via that drain - and good chance it already is (was...)

So there is NO excuse - that French Drain was the best solution under the circumstances, and the gravel level inside it could have been reduced by a couple of inches to make it slightly more effective at reducing splashback. If water was settling in the drain, then that specific issue should have been addressed, and I suspect it would not have been difficult.

This is a bad move on a number of levels, and very poorly executed to boot.

Please 'surf' - I don't think you appreciate just how bad and wrong this job is. His 'guarantee' is meaningless.

I was afraid of that, it being a shoddy job. He's back next week as he's being doing odd jobs around the house, so I will again ask about the waterlogged drain/gravel) and also about removing the concrete, but i fear I may be stuck between a rock and a hard place 🤔 and yes, sorry, its a rainwater pipe.

You have been most helpful, and I will bear it all in mind when I speak with him !

ComicGeek

You might want to rethink what jobs he's doing around the house, might be expensive undoing more bodged jobs. More of a dangerous handyman than anything else.

If that's the finish he gets on external concrete imagine what harm he could do with interior plastering!

ThisIsWeird

ComicGeek said:

You might want to rethink what jobs he's doing around the house, might be expensive undoing more bodged jobs. More of a dangerous handyman than anything else.

If that's the finish he gets on external concrete imagine what harm he could do with interior plastering!

I think the guy is essentially a landscape gardener, and the OP's family is otherwise happy with their work.

Tiiia, another thing I'd recommend trying to do is to ask for an opinion from a proper builder. Really worth setting the groundwork for this in case it escalates, and the gardener just shrugs and says "Now't wrong with it - let me know if you get damp!" 

Ask the builder "Is this ok?" and "How much for you to put it right?"

As well as having an expert opinion to back you up, you can use the quote to put the frighteners on the gardener - it will be many £undreds if the builder has to do it.

And - it might seem unpleasant - have your phone recording during your chat with the gardener (you can do this surreptitiously). Ideally, have another family member there too - they can be a witness and do the quiet recording.

Tiiia

ThisIsWeird said:

ComicGeek said:

You might want to rethink what jobs he's doing around the house, might be expensive undoing more bodged jobs. More of a dangerous handyman than anything else.

If that's the finish he gets on external concrete imagine what harm he could do with interior plastering!

I think the guy is essentially a landscape gardener, and the OP's family is otherwise happy with their work.

Tiiia, another thing I'd recommend trying to do is to ask for an opinion from a proper builder. Really worth setting the groundwork for this in case it escalates, and the gardener just shrugs and says "Now't wrong with it - let me know if you get damp!" 

Ask the builder "Is this ok?" and "How much for you to put it right?"

As well as having an expert opinion to back you up, you can use the quote to put the frighteners on the gardener - it will be many £undreds if the builder has to do it.

And - it might seem unpleasant - have your phone recording during your chat with the gardener (you can do this surreptitiously). Ideally, have another family member there too - they can be a witness and do the quiet recording.

Good plan! Will do, and will need to ask for an opinion from a proper builder. Thanks 😊 

twopenny

I'm sure as a quick fix it would do. Problem is getting it out and doing it properly.

Damp bricks can be dealt with in other ways once clean, re mortared and dry.

In fact a few boards propped between wall and slabs would have done the trick. Not pretty but neither is what's there now.

Has anyone asked, (probably), does the concrete keep the bricks dry and no damp?