How to add paving below weep holes?

[Wander]

I'm planning to start paving certain sections around my newly built house. Currently it's covered in sand. Looking for advice as to what level I should be paving. 

All RWP grate is at the same level as the weep holes. I read elsewhere that I'm supposed to start below the weep holes, but doing so would mean that the pvc pipe would be exposed. What would be my best approach to this? 

 

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Wander,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

I'm a bit concerned with what I'm seeing right now. If your home was built to code, the DPC (dampproof course) sits along the horizontal mortar joint directly below the weepholes. At present, this DPC is covered by sand, which means moisture can transfer from the soil into the bricks that sit above the line of the DPC and then travel upwards through the phenomenon of rising damp.

Building codes usually require at least 75mm clearance below the DPC and weep holes to any finished surface like paving. As it stands, your DPC is under the level of the sand.

If you are looking to pave right up to your house, you will need to remove enough material so that the top edge of this paved surface sits 75mm below the DPC.

With this being said, if you wanted to remove the soil and pave up to your house, the stormwater outlet and possibly the downpipe itself would need to be altered to sit much lower in relation to your home.

If your home has only just been completed, I would be querying these issues with your builder.

Allow me to tag @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their thoughts.

Jacob 

[Dave-1]

Good afternoon @Wander 

I was wondering where the weep holes are as they dont show up in your photos? The paving toplevel should be below the bottom  of the weepholes by at least 30mm, otherwise water will enter via them and you will have a reverse of what the holes are meant for. The storm water point may need to be dropped as @JacobZ has mentioned.

Dave

[JacobZ]

Hi @Dave-1 and @Wander,

Just to clarify, this is a weep hole here.

It has one of these installed - Weepa Standard Weep Hole Vent.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @JacobZ 

Thank you. lol well the pavers top need to be below that for sure, the reason I say 30mm at least is to allow debris building up next to the weepholes. I had that happen to mine and yep water came throughto under the house. I work my way backwards to know how much soil needs to be removed.

wheep hole = zero point

Air space = 30mm

Paver = 40mm

Gravel or sand = 40mm minimun

Compacted soil = bottom most point

So as a rough guage 110mm from the base of that weep hole is your starting point and thats if everything is exact.

Dave

[Wander]

Appreciate both you @Dav  and @JacobZ input on this.

All the outdoor grates have been installed to the same height as the top of the weep holes it seems like. I would assume the build is to code as we had independent third party inspector to review the build before handover.

Image shows that the depth of of one of the drains. My concern is, if I were to go lower, would not the return be too shallow?

[JacobZ]

Hi @Wander,

Do you know if the sand was there before your third-party inspector attended the site?

I would be surprised if a reputable building inspector didn't mention your weep holes being that close to the ground.

Can you locate your damp proof course?

If you brush away the sand against your house to expose the next mortar line below the sand, can you see a black plastic material running along the mortar? This CAgroup 90mm x 30m x 500um Plascourse is what you are looking for. 

Jacob

[Nailbag]

Hi @Wander 

@JacobZ its spot on picking up on the concern that the DPC is below ground level. It's possible the inspection was done prior to the additional sand being placed by your builder. But this would be my first port of call to contact the building surveying company if not the builder and get them to inspect this first and then they can also advise on the paving level once established.

Nailbag

[Wander]

Hi @Nailbag @JacobZ 

The sand was already there when inspection was done. 

Thank you for all the responses. I'll reach out to the builder or the surveying company for advise.