Dpc on outer wall. Have never seem before.

shugy

I'm in the process of inheriting a new build that work stopped last year. House 85% finished alought on the porch outside, there's a scratch coat for stone to get face to. One thing I've noticed though, is there's DPC coming out the face about a ft over each opening (door and windows) about the same width as opening. I was going to do the stonework myself but have never seen this DPC sticking out like this before. I presume it's to stop damp!

I've worked with stonemasons before and helped face external walls but any job I've been on, it's never had this. Is this a new regulations or someone just being extra cautious!

Has anyone any links so it'll explain why this is there. I can't get my head around the fact why it's there. Surely not having it will cause damp issues above openings seeing as there's 2 skins of block and a scratch coat then stone.

BryanF

details typically available - ask your architect

shugy

BryanF wrote: »

details typically available - ask your architect

Sorry to be so blunt Bryan but it's a straight forward question for this forum. He's on holiday so won't be back for a few weeks so thought best to ask in here seeing as it's a simple question that should have at least got a straight answer. I'm sure with your experience, you'd at least know this and answer accordingly.

Calahonda52

No need to be all prickly here this early on a Sunday morning.
It might seem a simple question but its not.

Have you bothered to google over window dpc and look at the images section?


In addition have you valued the place for CAT purposes?

DOCARCH

A picture would paint a 1000 words?

shugy

Calahonda52 wrote: »

No need to be all prickly here this early on a Sunday morning.
It might seem a simple question but its not.

Have you bothered to google over window dpc and look at the images section?


In addition have you valued the place for CAT purposes?

I'd have thought many on here would understand what I'm talk about and esp Bryan. Anyway, will draw a line under it and move on.

I just googled over window dpc and it would seem it's exactly what it is. If one is building stone where all joints are staggered or even a random rubble finish then it would be difficult to install this properly unless one has a straight line in his wall. And doesn't the dpc have to sit flush with the finished wall. If so, if one looked carefully, you'd see a line of black dpc protruding out the wall.

shugy

Can anyone answer is this a new reg. Reason why I ask is I've never seen this before where stone is faced onto front of buildings

delfagio

shugy wrote:

I just googled over window dpc and it would seem it's exactly what it is. If one is building stone where all joints are staggered or even a random rubble finish then it would be difficult to install this properly unless one has a straight line in his wall. And doesn't the dpc have to sit flush with the finished wall. If so, if one looked carefully, you'd see a line of black dpc protruding out the wall.

Not exactly sure as we would need to see a picture.

However, if your facing the front porch with stone, you will need either concrete lintels but preferably steel lintels to carry the load of the stone across the Opening, the DPC will sit onto this so it would then lay the stone on top

ptogher14

It's Bryan's generic answer. That or "what does your assigned certifier have to say". It's getting old at this stage. But yes the DPC is to push moisture running down the internal leaf out and stop moisture building on top of the window. That's my understanding of it. I'm sure Bryan will be along to correct me if I'm wrong.

BryanF

shugy wrote: »

Can anyone answer is this a new reg. Reason why I ask is I've never seen this before where stone is faced onto front of buildings

1. It's not a new regulation..
2. if one is building and not capable of finding this out..
3. If one hasn't seen it before..
4. If no picture or detailed drawing is forthcoming..

Ask the architect

duckcfc

BryanF wrote: »

1. It's not a new regulation..
2. if one is building and not capable of finding this out..
3. If one hasn't seen it before..
4. If no picture or detailed drawing is forthcoming..

Ask the architect

Or one can ask on the internet to see if anyone can help him. Did you forget to leave no5 out bryanF

All jokes aside, op, I've came across new builds with and without this dpc for stone. My cousin recently built a house in Leitrim and she too never had the dpc on outer skin of block. My neighbour also built back in 2012, I was on that job plastering and all we did was scratch coat the extension, the porch. A scratch coat is enough to stop and moisture entering the building. Stone is usually 200-300mm thick and takes alot of rain to soak whole way through that before it even gets to the scratch coat. If it's bothering you that much, cut it off and scratch over it. Job done