Lowering the ground level around house? Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[delph2000]

Have just had the homebuyer's report for a house I'm about to buy (semi, 1920s/30s built.)
The surveyor says that although there is no penetrating or rising damp, there is some condensation. His recommendations are to improve the central heating and ventilation (though he wasn't specific about what to do), and to have the ground level lowered by 250mm all around because the DPC is being breached in places.
Anybody have any idea how big a job this is, and how expensive?

delph

[thedoctor]

We can't give costs on line as there are so many variables. If the house is surrounded by concrete paths and drives its a huge job, if its just flower beds its not so bad but its a very good idea to do it. The level should be reduced for at least 1m away from the walls and it may help if you look at our freench drains project

[delph2000]

Thanks for that - unfortunately the house does have a lot of concrete around it.... drive/path at the side where the front door its, patio area at the back, and a drive has been added at the front as well.
Who would I need to get to quote for this - a general builder??
D

[Perry525]

I had the same problem with my bungalow.
Various owners had raised the path levels round the property until they were above the dpc.
The problem was made worse by the sticky clay around the walls that stopped the water from getting away.
I bought a hammer drill and went round breaking up the concrete to arround 60cms wide strip, then I dug down and created a sloping trench that I filled with washed rubble and stones to within 30cm of the dpc as a french drain all the way round.
I completed the project April '06