Damp proof course at ground level, is it a big problem?

[NeedSleepNow]

I'm in the process of buying a house and am a bit concerned by something the survey flagged up.

There is an extension to the rear of the house with bifold doors to the garden. The garden has been paved so that it is the same level at the house floors so when the doors are open the spaces flow together with no change in level. The survey has flagged up that at the rear of the house the damp proof course is pretty much at ground level, level with the paving. I assume the garden level was built up to get the house flooring and outdoor paving level.

At the moment there is no evidence of damp but I have been warned it could lead to it in which case I should be prepared to lower the ground level in the back garden which would be a big job and removing the paving & underlying cement etc. My question is how likely is it that it will eventually lead to damp, is this something I'm likely to have to do to the house?

It's my first purchase post divorce and I'm a bit nervous about making a stupid mistake and don't really know anyone to ask about it in real life.

I think you can dig a channel around the bit with the low DPC and fill it with gravel so you don't have to dig up the whole lot. Could you take up one row of slabs and do this.

It’s a problem. We recently bought a house with an incredible amount of mould in it caused by this. We dug a channel as poster above mentioned and this solved it.

p.s so sorry I quoted your entire OP, I meant to just reply.

Who warned you about it and advised a remedy? A professional in the building trade or surveying?

Easy fix. Don’t let it put you off buying the house.
If you do buy it, this would be one of the first things to fix.

It was the surveyor that flagged it up and their router warned that although there are no signs of damp now it could cause it in the future

Thank you. My worry was that as the garden was all paved, whether it would be a real pain to sort as it could mean lifting a load of the paving slabs which are large and cemented down I think.

Thank you @Lemsipper . How wide and deep a channel did you need to dig?

They usually come up without breaking them.
Then you channel out a little ‘ditch’ around the extension, maybe 25cm deep and 15cm wide, cut the slabs to size and relay them. Put gravel in the bottom or better is some appropriate sized stones.
It’s very unlikely to be solid concrete or anything substantial below the patio, so usually an easy job.

Thank you, that doesn't sound anywhere near as big a job as I was thinking!

About a foot wide and a foot down from the damp proof course line

French drain, i think its called, we did one as patio sloped towards house, thought it was causing damp....few years later we dug up the downstairs wc floor and found a leak....at least it didnt cost much...about 100 for the plastic channels...i think they do a metal cover style now also so looks a bit nicer.

If there is a gap between the extension and the patio, it may be ok

The whole of the garden is paved unfortunately. I would much prefer to have grass and flower beds and would eventually like to take up some of the paving, but I will have no money so it was a job I planned to do a lot later on!

Someone could just cut the channel with a grinder so no need to take the slabs up, could be a shit job but wouldn't let it put u off especially if there is no damp

Offer a lower price due to the work that needs doing to rectify the issue