Patio upgrade

moneysaver1978

We are not a big fan of the paving stones (some are broken with pieces missing) so was thinking about replacing them - should be an interesting summer project!

Wondered if the current paving are a bit too high in respect to the kitchen door step? I do not know where the DPC is (it is a 1930-1940s semi solid wall house) and this level extends round to the front where the drive is.



Although we moved only in August, we haven't had any dampness or mould issues (and the surveyor said there was no issue) so I assume this gravel board thing is doing the job of DPC?

FreeBear

If your build is anything like mine (~1928 semi), the DPC is level with the bottom of the door frame. But it looks like your cill is slightly higher, so I'd go for the DPC being about the same level as the slabs. Not good in either case. Current recommendation is paving 150mm below the DPC. But you may be limited to 75mm without exposing the footings.

moneysaver1978

FreeBear said:

If your build is anything like mine (~1928 semi), the DPC is level with the bottom of the door frame. But it looks like your cill is slightly higher, so I'd go for the DPC being about the same level as the slabs. Not good in either case. Current recommendation is paving 150mm below the DPC. But you may be limited to 75mm without exposing the footings.

Perhaps a silly question but how can a DPC be the same level as the slabs given that there seems to be a deep gravel board thing against the bricks (just above the door cill and going down past the drainage)?

stuart45

The DPC is usually under the door frames. It's the way houses are built. You build up the foundations to DPC height, then bed the DPC, then set the door frames on th DPC.
Isn't that a sand/cement plinth rather than a gravel board?

moneysaver1978

stuart45 said:

The DPC is usually under the door frames. It's the way houses are built. You build up the foundations to DPC height, then bed the DPC, then set the door frames on th DPC.
Isn't that a sand/cement plinth rather than a gravel board?

Oh yes, I wasn't sure what they were called but you are correct, they do look like cement plinth!

So I guess if we wanted to replace the slabs, it's probably best to dig, remove and put in a french drain along the walls of the house (there's a french drain in the front already), right?

I think we have something like 3 or 4 separate drains in the back!

moneysaver1978

Just to update on this thread in case this helps anyone, due to costs and timing, we are going to prepare the slabs (pressure wash, etch, etc.) and then paint! Hopefully it'll give us 1-2 years before we start thinking about overhauling the pavers.