How to protect house from garden bed and tree?

Vich

What can I do to maintain integrity of the brickwork and underfloor area?

We just bought a 1970s home in ACT.

The previous owner made a beautiful garden bed up against the brickwork.

There is a drip watering system.installed and this keeps the soil moist and runs into the bricks.

I cannot see a damp course in the bricks. The underfloor is accessible and has good ventilation.

I've dug back the soil to reveal the vents.

I'd like advice - what should I do with this garden? Do I dig it up and start again?

How do I protect the house from damp if there is a garden here?

  

JacobZ

Hi @Vich,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

My suggestion is to dig a small trench along the brick line and insert some Tunnelcore 2250 x 1220 x 2.5mm Black Double Wall PP Flute Board along the bricks. You should aim for this to extend down past the line where the brick meets the foundation to prevent any dampness from moving sideways into the brick.

You could stick it in place with Liquid Nails, or simply backfill so it is held in place by the pressure of the soil. 

I think this would be a fairly non-invasive approach that would help keep your garden in tact.

Allow me to tag @TedBear, @Dave-1 and @Jewelleryrescue to see if they have any ideas.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob