correct way to raise path above house's damp proof level?

Use a drainage channel abbutting the house and work to this, they're plastic so they shouldn't track damp across, but if you're worried, place a DPM twixt channel and house thusly:

Make the raised path out of decking materials - with fresh air underneath?

David,

I'm about to build some steps up to a set of patio doors (a timber construction, probably to be secured by sinking corner uprights into the ground) and I'm facing the exact same situation.

I was thinking of either leaving a gap between the step unit and the wall for the whole depth of the steps, or securing them to the wall below the DPC and leaving a gap above that.

If there are any other approaches I'd be interested as well.

Bert

Wouldn't rain still splash back onto the wall from the surface of the decking? How is that dealt with with normal deckings?

How about galvanised or plastic grating as used for industrial walkways?

SteveW

Decking will splash and block sunlight, not idael. FWIW expanded metal wouldnt, if you use thick enough to make it walkable.

NT

It is, to put it bluntly, a bit of a bugger.

But it can be done to satisfy BCO etc.

what you need is a gap twixt path and wall - a gutter if you like, and backfill that with shingle.

be aware that rain splashing off the path above DP will cause issues, so try and make sure its not too exposed.

So make that gap as wide as you can.

You're missing the obvious. A simple construction that will keep your walls dry, dissuade Jehovah's Witnesses, and be one up on the neighbours all at once.

Yes, builder number one didn't consider that at all, which is why we got our money back!

Decking is slippery in the rain. It rains a lot up here. So we really don't want any decking.

Considered a small gap, but thought it would just get filled up with muck and act like no gap soon enough. I suppose a slightly larger gap could be raked out.

Cheers, David.

Yes, already we can see the moisture spreading up the outside wall when it rains.

Yes, builder number one didn't consider that, hence the refund!

The problem with decking is that it gets slippery when it rains. It rains a lot up here. So definitely not decking.

Cheers, David,

slightly _above_ the DPM. The shingle will have to be lower. Splash back could be an issue because it's quite exposed to wind driven rain

- but not 24/7/365! (it just feel like it sometimes!).

Thanks for all the replies.

Cheers, David.

Couple of points. free draining shingle above DPM is not a problem esp with cavity wall.

Shingle breaks up drops of splashing water. Its less likely to lead to splash back.

Remember all houses get some driving sideways rain on the wall,. It's the long term damp that penetrates, not a quick splash or hose down.

The task of round house drainage is to disperse water above damp course very very quickly. Not entirely eliminate it.