Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Nov 29, 2018 10:50 am I have noticed with a lot of new builds that the damp proof membrane stops short of the exterior of the brick, usually by 10-40mm (as seen in the weepholes). To me it seems quite clear that the standards say that it should be visible from the outside and can then be trimmed back. I asked my site supervisor about this and the bricklayers, and they all said that that was just the way it was always done. From curiosity I have been checking this on all new buildings I see (residential and commercial) and it seems unusual to see the DPC from the outside, it is generally sopped a couple of cm short I don't understand what reason there is for the bricklayer to not follow the standards and not have it going all the way through - it is not like it is any more work for them Or am I missing something here? Re: Recessed damp proof course 2Nov 29, 2018 6:14 pm The Standards do call for it to be visible and the brick manufacturers also advise that the DPC should be visible but many builders now have various certified "Performance Solutions" (formerly aka Alternative Solutions) written into the contract. These permit various things that do not meet the Standards or other solutions within the 3 Part National Construction Code (NCC) and you have described one of them although the DPC recess is usually a certified maximum of 25mm. Water resistant finishes instead of water proofing in wet areas is another and a weaker mortar mix is another...and there are many more. My opinion is that some certified Performance Solutions are merely an allowance for poor workmanship but in certifying such solutions, they in fact encourage laxness. The NCC is a performance based document that states often ambiguous performance requirements that need to be met and provides references to Deemed To Satisfy (DTS) Performance Solutions. The Australian Standards are referenced Deemed To Satisfy (DTS) Solutions but if another method is deemed to have met the Performance Requirement of the NCC, then that DTS Solution does not need to have met the alternative Australian Standard. The chosen DTS Solution also does not have to comply with manufacturers recommendations or instructions. If you want to retain your taste for sausages, never see them being made. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Recessed damp proof course 3Nov 29, 2018 10:47 pm Thanks for the detailed reply, some interesting points. Your point about poor workmanship is I think a a valid one, there is no other reason I can think of to leave it short. I mean how hard is it to stick it out and then trim afterwards?? I have asked them for a written response, but have not yet received it (they have been good at responding to other issues). The SS didn't mention anything as fancy as alternate solutions, just that that was the way they always did it. The bricklayer (who has been very good in other respects) said the same. And all the other houses I have been looking at that are the same seem to reinforce the point. But it appears in the end I suppose I will just have to accept it and move on.... I guess I can always squirt some dryzone in later if I have problems down the track Re: Recessed damp proof course 4Nov 29, 2018 11:41 pm It is true that it is the way that it has been done for a long time but in the absence of a certified Performance Solution, they have to abide by the Australian Standards and it is for this reason that many builders have certified a Performance Solution that allows recessed DPC to cover their "behind". An existing certified Performance Solution excuses poor workmanship (IMHO) but in the absence of a certified Performance Solution, it is simply bad workmanship that does not comply with the DTS Australian Standards. Builders don't have to disclose Performance Solutions written into a contract. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Have look at your house plans and you will probably find that brick articulation joint has been missed. Maximum allowable spacing is 6M or 5.5M for a wall with window… 17 16729 Hi all Am new to this forum. I want to get some ideas/info about how to manage an 80 year old factory restoration to convert to a residence. The factory floor is concrete… 0 3429 Hi Stuey, think you’ve got a couple of options here you’d just need to decide your preference/which options suits best. You could recess the windows (just keep in… 1 3210 |