Help building patio up to DPC level

[georgefreeman918]

We recently moved into a property and are currently decorating / renovating where needed, however the recent weather meant that we had time to clear the garden, to start a fresh.

I am looking to build an outside patio area to the same level as the internal kitchen / diner floor. I have measured to the dpc from the current path shown on the image below, current sits at just over 150mm (adhering to building regs).



Plan shows decking, but I would like stone patio.


|http://thumbsnap.com/gEfXGHjo[/url]


If a patio was to be built up to the internal floor level it would be a few mm under the dpc, not adhering to regs.

The brick wall to the left is the neighbours conservatory, I could not locate a dpc on this wall.

Am I correct in thinking that I might be able to get away with building to the dpc level by creating a dry area as shown below? If so, what is the minimum width the gravel area needs to be from the wall?

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[georgefreeman918]

SAB888 said:

Another way to do it is to have the patio at door cill level but leaving a small gap between the house and the slabs, say 10mm. Support the slabs on a small wall and leave an open channel between that and the house, thereby maintaining the 150mm gap.

I understand, but does that officially appease building regs or is it a loop hole?

[georgefreeman918]

Too Late said:

i finished last year exactly what you want to achieve

Looks great, please could you advise what you used within your dry area? Is it just gravel of is there any piping?

[georgefreeman918]

Too Late said:

I used the plan on paving expert


Except mine was a 200mm drop down to the base of the gutter. In the gully concrete (dry area) i pressed a long length of gutter in wet concrete to create a flow which i then made lead out through a hole in the kerb unit wall away from the house. Even though i laid membrane down, i didnt want water sitting in the gully of the concrete. I then filled with stones

I built the patio up with 5 tons of subbase and then created a 1/3 mix for my slate. Created a small fall away from the house but still puddles in areas due to the natural slate humps and drops.

Pointed with sharp sand and cement.

Hopefully that helps

Thanks that helps a lot, could I ask where you got your membrane from and how did you secure it to the wall?

[georgefreeman918]

Too Late said:

Sorry i missed this question

Membrane was from a local builders merchant and it was held there as i poured concrete in to make the gully. Once set, i poured stones in and cut it back so it wasnt visible...

Sorry another question regarding the membrane, (hoping to start this weekend!).

So it is not glued or attached to the wall. If you fill the channel with gravel, does the membrane not stick out of the top and permanently on show?