Patio horror

cmonwigan

A Landscaper has recently completed a new Indian Stone patio and path. 
We have two major issues with the work.  The first problem is the pointing which appears to be disintegrating and crumbles whenever any pressure is applied.  If it rains, the edges of all the patio slabs remain visibly damp for several hours. The landscaper is not admitting any liability and claims I have been using a pressure washer against the mortar which has weakened it - this is not true. 

The second issue is more serious. I was advised by the landscaper to have the patio slope toward the house and for an "Arco" drain to be fitted flush against the rear of the house.  This Arco drain was then to be piped to a soakaway in the garden.  We do not have access to a mains rainwater drain from the rear of our property. We were persuaded that this was a good option as the drain would still be beneath the damp course bricks, and the soakaway would cope with both the roof and pation rain runoff.

This week's bad weather saw the Arco drain overflow, and for water to gather all along the rear of the property, however it did disperse (eventually) we believe to the soakaway.  I took a video and sent for the landscaper to explain.  He claims the blockage to the soakaway is caused by material from my gutter drainpipe, which has got into the drain.   Again this is not true. as the drainpipe has a guard fitted.  The only material that has gotten in would have been the crumbling mortar via the Arco drain.  He has offered to have the pipe to the soakaway inspected and unblocked.

I am in a panic as to my legal rights but moreover I am more concerned about the potential damage to the house.  I need to put together a plan of action, and I am hoping for some sound advice.  Thanks 

Aylesbury_Duck

Without seeing the site, any advice will come with caveats.

I think you should find a locally-recommended builder and ask or pay them to inspect and report on the patio and associated problems.  Only then will you have an independent view on exactly what's happening and what, if anything, is needed to correct it.  Then you can go back to the original contractor and ask for him to put it right.  If he won't, then you can sue him for the cost of a third party putting it right.

If you have legal cover on your home insurance, you could ask them for advice, too.

cmonwigan

Thank you.  I have had another builder comment on the pointing and they advised it would need to be re-done.
I did not ask him to comment on the drainage solution as the heavy rains were not yet upon us.  

Hoenir

cmonwigan said:

This week's bad weather saw the Arco drain overflow, and for water to gather all along the rear of the property, however it did disperse (eventually) we believe to the soakaway. 

Weather extremes overload drainage systems. Water doesn't simply dissipate into the ground just like that.
 

cmonwigan

I believe the drainage works, but I am concerned that there is no method of unblocking and subsequent damage. The square of earth in the middle of the pic below is where the soakaway has been placed. 

cmonwigan

The drain and examples of the bad pointing.

born_again

Don't like the fact the downpipe is so short of the "Arco" drain. As looking at the wall behind, it has been splashing back up when raining heavily. As well as the debris on the top patio step.

Alderbank

As @born_again says, it's a shoddy job and bound to fail.

I would expect to see the downspout terminated to the hexdrain using one of these (costs about £40)


ACO say 'It is an effective method of connecting downpipes directly into the channel body in order to eliminate the risk of blockages and maintaining full flow.'

TELLIT01

We have had the roof of our large conservatory draining into a soakaway for nearly 15 years and never had a problem with the drain blocking due to debris from the roof.  It certainly shouldn't happen within a very short time of installation.  Add to that the downpipe terminating above the drain grating, any rubbish would build up on top, not in the drain.

cmonwigan

Excellent - thank you.  

As @born_again says, it's a shoddy job and bound to fail.

I would expect to see the downspout terminated to the hexdrain using one of these (costs about £40)


ACO say 'It is an effective method of connecting downpipes directly into the channel body in order to eliminate the risk of blockages and maintaining full flow.'

Alderbank

Aco Hex Drain - Downpipe to Channel connector. £40 from Amazon or £24+VAT from these guys:

https://www.mcdcompany.co.uk/product-page/aco-hex-drain-downpipe-to-channel-connector-1?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8--2BhCHARIsAF_w1gz4oCgF5IFHEbj-nT5QRkZLxNJDFtUSxZTVAPMsJToteCtFJFZtLzYaAs2HEALw_wcB