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Damp Proofing

Loose garden slabs with soil underneath cause of dampness?

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.11 PM

Hi, I just purchased an end of terrace Victorian house. Outside in the garden there are paving slabs. Many of these are very loose, and they rest on what appears to be a very thick layer of wet soil. There is a line of bricks (which half cover the foundation vents) between the house's external walls and the slabs, but I do have the feeling that all that trapped wet soil underneath the slabs is partly to blame for some dampness on my walls. Am I right in thinking that? Would it be advisable to remove the slabs and the wet soil underneath until I reach the concrete and just stay with the concrete as a measure to reduce the risk of wall dampness? Many thanks for your advice!

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1 Answer

Trident Damp

Rating: 5 out of 5

Sidcup

Hi There The soil being wet is natural, what you need to make sure is that the slabs or soil do not bridge the damp course, there should be a difference of 150 mm from the damp course to the exterior ground level, if the damp course is being bridged then this is what is causing the damp internally, it is the damp course that protects the property from damp in the ground(soil),so you may need to lower the ground or fit a french drain to the perimeter of the exterior wall to stop the damp bridging the damp course. regards Joseph

Answered13 May 2015