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Moved into our current house 3 years ago and have decided that for this summer we'd like to replace the patio that goes across the whole back of the house (it's detached).
The thing is, the current patio is quite close to the damp proof course and the survey report on our house also says this. It's at least half the minimum 150mm it should be. Which got me thinking, would we be covered for any problems with damp on the house, should they arise?
My thinking was that (having not looked at the house insurance as I can't find the paperwork) most buildings insurance would assume the building regulations had been properly followed, and if not wouldn't pay out?
This would mean I'd have to dig out the new patio and potentially a hell of a lot more work involved.
Appreciate any advice. Cheers
Just fit a french drain or some plastic drainage channel. TBH as long as the DPC is above ground then you are unlikely to have any issues unless the patio slopes the wrong way or the gutters don't work properly
As nick says, provided your DPC is above ground I'd not worry to much.
Our house had a similar problem pointed out to us. DPC was 3cm above a patio previous owner had installed. We dropped the patio to be safe (was being replaced anyway) and put a small French drain in all the same.
If you are aware there is a potential problem and don't take any steps to remedy it, you can be sure if the insurer finds out they will tell you to jog on. Slight exaggeration follows: No different to you being aware of a hole in your roof and not bothering to fix it. Do you think the insurer would help you out when water starts poring in?
I was initially thinking of putting a french drain in around the edge but was hoping I wouldn't have to. It'd be a bit of a pain to connect up to the manhole cover in the middle of the existing patio, that serves as the main drain from the kitchen. As in I'd have to find some way of connecting it up and then concreting it back together?
Regarding your question.... I'd guess that you'd not be covered as the insurance is cover for accidents rather than bad building
But I am not an insurance person so I could well be talking rubbish.
Would your house ins cover rising damp? I would have thought not, the insurance is to cover things like flooding and that wouldn't have any impact on where the DPC/patio is.