Building defects database - High ground level

Record details

This ornate stone patio and pathway abutting the rear addition solid wall to a late Victorian property is bridging the horizontal dpc. The repointing carried out to the wall at low level did not help resolve the internal damp problems which were clearly being caused by the bridging of the dpc. A chemical dpc had also been recommended but would not have helped remove the dampness.
A classic case of bridging of the horizontal dpc at a solid bay wall in a Victorian property built c1900. Successive owners of the property have built up the abutting external ground levels. The through-wall subfloor air vents had wisely been kept exposed but their recessed locations had allowed rainwater to penetrate through the vents, causing localised flooding of the internal subfloor oversite. This caused a severe damp problem internally to the living room wall. Wet rot of the internal subfloor timbers had also resulted.
The grassy bank and stone wall abutting the rear elevation solid wall to the back addition of a late Victorian property are clearly bridging the horizontal dpc at the wall, leading to a severe internal damp penetration problem.
A line of concrete blocks have created a raised flower bed right up against the base of the front elevation. Any additional height to the ground level would block the subfloor air vent on the right.