Installing french drain between house and existing patio
Discussion
Hi,
I recently had this porcelain patio laid and it is causing me no end of stress, I could really do with some constructive advice.
|https://thumbsnap.com/fFNbaR6d[/url]
Due to varies reasons it was installed just below the house DPC (damp proof course) and just below the patio door sill.
At the time when I questioned it the contractor said "it'll be fine, don't worry".. I wish I had of stopped the work at that point but alas it is what it is and now I have to deal with it.
I had the contractor come back out and he has agreed to "do what I want to make me a happy customer". I talked about installing a linear drain in front of the patio doors and a french drain between the house and patio around the edge. In order to 1) Decrease risks for DPC bridging 2) Safeguard against wind driven rain/storms etc and 3) Allow the house be OK'd in terms of DPC regulations that the ground should be >150mm down.
Does that make sense?
Contractor said he'd be able to cut the porcelain slabs in place to make the drain, and that is a better option than pulling the slabs up as it's less likely to result in breaking them. While probably challenging, is it doable? The slabs sit on a pretty big full mortar bed, how would that be excavated without damaging the slabs?
Something akin to this very poorly attempt at sketchup (my first time using it)
Aside from the difficulty in cutting the drain I have two main areas of concern that I'd like to have figured out.
1) Will the contractor be able to use mortar to create a slight slope from the left most drain to the drain outlet on the right side of the house?
2) How should the linear drain be installed? The door width is ~176cm so doesn't easily fit off the shelf linear drains (I believe I can cut plastic ones or order bespoke ones at a cost). Will my layout of having the drain a little bit out work ok?
Will the slabs by the door be stable with the drain in? being split in two.. should some extra support be put in?
[url]
Thank you and please be gentle
I recently had this porcelain patio laid and it is causing me no end of stress, I could really do with some constructive advice.
|https://thumbsnap.com/fFNbaR6d[/url]Due to varies reasons it was installed just below the house DPC (damp proof course) and just below the patio door sill.
At the time when I questioned it the contractor said "it'll be fine, don't worry".. I wish I had of stopped the work at that point but alas it is what it is and now I have to deal with it.
I had the contractor come back out and he has agreed to "do what I want to make me a happy customer". I talked about installing a linear drain in front of the patio doors and a french drain between the house and patio around the edge. In order to 1) Decrease risks for DPC bridging 2) Safeguard against wind driven rain/storms etc and 3) Allow the house be OK'd in terms of DPC regulations that the ground should be >150mm down.
Does that make sense?
Contractor said he'd be able to cut the porcelain slabs in place to make the drain, and that is a better option than pulling the slabs up as it's less likely to result in breaking them. While probably challenging, is it doable? The slabs sit on a pretty big full mortar bed, how would that be excavated without damaging the slabs?
Something akin to this very poorly attempt at sketchup (my first time using it)
Aside from the difficulty in cutting the drain I have two main areas of concern that I'd like to have figured out.
1) Will the contractor be able to use mortar to create a slight slope from the left most drain to the drain outlet on the right side of the house?
2) How should the linear drain be installed? The door width is ~176cm so doesn't easily fit off the shelf linear drains (I believe I can cut plastic ones or order bespoke ones at a cost). Will my layout of having the drain a little bit out work ok?
Will the slabs by the door be stable with the drain in? being split in two.. should some extra support be put in?
[url]Thank you and please be gentle
As a starter for ten I'd consdier a narrow or slot drain: https://www.pavingexpert.com/drain06
In chatting with some knowledgeable friends I'm considering the following.
Instead of getting the contractor to do this work, which i feel could cause more headaches, for an issue that may never occur. I'll get them to specifically write (and sign) in a guarantee that any issues arising from not having a drain between house and patio will be fixed.
Contractor already said he'd give a written guarantee and is local and in business for over 20 years so I wouldn't be too concerned with them not honouring it.
Does this sound like a good course of action?
Instead of getting the contractor to do this work, which i feel could cause more headaches, for an issue that may never occur. I'll get them to specifically write (and sign) in a guarantee that any issues arising from not having a drain between house and patio will be fixed.
Contractor already said he'd give a written guarantee and is local and in business for over 20 years so I wouldn't be too concerned with them not honouring it.
Does this sound like a good course of action?
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