Damp proof course for garden wall

[bob]

I am getting a local brickie to build a garden wall using LBC 'heathers', about 2m high and half-brick wide, with piers every 2m or so. The question is - do I need a DPC, if so then what form should it take? Most brickies who have quoted say that a DPC is not necessary for a garden wall, although one recommended a DPC in the form of 2 rows of engineering bricks. I am replacing a similar wall, built 25 years ago, which has a kind of mineral bitumen sheet DPC - this seems a bad choice as the DPC is the weak point in the wall (indeed some sections of this wall can be pushed over with a big shove).

TIA, Bob

[Mike Taylor]

It is not necessary to put a DPC in a garden wall but totally agree with your comment that if you do decide to put one then use a couple of courses of engineering bricks. I dont agree thopigh with your choice of bricks. LBC heathers have a susceptability to spalling in frost so to me they are a no no for a garden wall

[N. Thornton]

A felt DPC was a bad idea, sounds like it has made the wall dangerous. I would think a DPC would keep the wall in better condition, even if its not essential.

Regards, NT

[Peter Taylor]

bob wrote

Hi Bob. What concerns me is that LBC sand-faced Flettons are cheap quality and very easily damaged by frost. The drier you can keep the brickwork the better, so I think your bricklayer who suggested a couple of courses of engineering bricks is right. But also the top of the wall needs protection in the form of a coping of some description - I would suggest more engineering bricks or maybe roofing tiles. Precast concrete might be cheaper but looks terrible IMO.

A normal DPC would add a slight weakness, but IMO your wall will be very unstable anyway, especially if it's exposed to strong winds. If you have the space, it would be much better to have buttressing walls rather than piers, say

600 long at the bottom. Alternatively a much more stable design than piers is build it like this (on plan)::

____|¯¯¯¯|____|¯¯¯¯|____ 220mm thick overall 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m

Peter

[Meoww]

Hi Bob

Have a look at this website. Around about the fifth article then down to the end as regards choice of class a or b engineering bricks

HTH

Patrick