Damp Proof Course

khpatoary · Feb 25, 2011 9:48 pm

Is the DPC should extend full width of brick? Ours stops about 35 mm inside from the outer face of brick. Is this a problem?

khpatoary · Feb 28, 2011 8:37 pm

Looks like no one in this fourm got the answer.

Pinchy · Feb 28, 2011 11:21 pm

I'm not sure that I would have an answer anyway, but I don't understand your question, sorry.

bashworth · Mar 01, 2011 5:41 am

It should be the full width of the bricks.

Any less and it creates a moisture bridge which defeats the purpose.

khpatoary · Mar 01, 2011 8:18 pm

bashworth

It should be the full width of the bricks.

Any less and it creates a moisture bridge which defeats the purpose.

Thans Bashworth. I had a walk through in my suberb and found that in lots of the house it doesn't cover the entire width of the brick. In my house its about 20-25mm inside the outer face of brick. Is there an easy fix to this or need to pull down the entire brickwork?

bashworth · Mar 01, 2011 9:12 pm

In the UK there are a wide range of methods for providing an effective DPC such as injecting a sealant into the bricks but I am not sure what is available in Australia.

Sorry but unless someone knows something I don't starting again and doing it properly looks like the solution

khpatoary · Mar 13, 2011 9:05 pm

bashworth

It should be the full width of the bricks.

Any less and it creates a moisture bridge which defeats the purpose.

Builder is providing assurance letter from Engineer, Surveyor and an undertaking by the builder that this will not have any long term effect on the building. Is that enough?

bashworth · Mar 13, 2011 10:08 pm

I would be asking them to clearly explain in their letters how they know more than the people who wrote the Building Code and the Australian Standards and provide specific guaraantees for the life of the building, see below

The Building Code of Australia and Australian Standard AS3700 Masonry Code require dpcs to be placed through the full thickness of the base of walls below floor level to form an impervious layer that keeps rising dampness out of the interior of the house to prevent lifting of tiles, and deterioration of walling, furnishings and floor finishes.

khpatoary · Mar 14, 2011 8:10 pm

bashworth

I would be asking them to clearly explain in their letters how they know more than the people who wrote the Building Code and the Australian Standards and provide specific guaraantees for the life of the building, see below

The Building Code of Australia and Australian Standard AS3700 Masonry Code require dpcs to be placed through the full thickness of the base of walls below floor level to form an impervious layer that keeps rising dampness out of the interior of the house to prevent lifting of tiles, and deterioration of walling, furnishings and floor finishes.

Thanks Bashworth. What else they can do without pulling down the whole house. I'm already in the 12th Month of construction. Tired of paying loan and rent. Is there any easy fix?

bashworth · Mar 14, 2011 8:29 pm

This might be a solution

http://www.dryzone.com.au/choiceofdpc.htm

Regards

khpatoary · Mar 14, 2011 9:13 pm

bashworth

This might be a solution

http://www.dryzone.com.au/choiceofdpc.htm

Regards

Thanks again for providing valuable info. The building surveyor issued occupancy certificate. If DPC not installed properly how he issued the certificate? Isn't building surveyors role to see the compliance with the standard?

jbyway · Mar 14, 2011 11:25 pm

My SS said that we don't have a DPC and said that they don't need it as they spray a water proofing layer on the edges of the slab. Should I present them with the above AS and ask them to confirm in writing?

bashworth · Mar 17, 2011 4:54 pm

I have not heard of a spray on DPC.

Also the slab normally finishes up underground and the DPC needs to be above ground.

I would definitely be asking your builder to show you the place in the regulations which approves his method!

Regards

SherWin · May 10, 2011 5:36 pm

khpatoary

bashworth

It should be the full width of the bricks.

Any less and it creates a moisture bridge which defeats the purpose.

Builder is providing assurance letter from Engineer, Surveyor and an undertaking by the builder that this will not have any long term effect on the building. Is that enough?

Hi khpatoary
Just wondering how you got on with your non compliant DPC.
We have the same problem with our new home ..... the builder will not accept responsibility despite us advising that it is not in line with BCA or AS3700. It is their belief that the shortfall is current common building practice. Have you received your guarantee letters yet ..... how did you go about this?
Please PM me if you wish?
Looking forward to your update.
SherWin