Damp Proof Course Rubble Wall

[Anonymous]

Hi, I wondered if anyone can help me. I am doing a project on converting an old farm steading into a House. I am finding a lot of conflicting information on the best ways to add a dpc to an existing random rubble wall. Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

There is no way to succesfully install a dpc into a random rubble wall - and it is probably unnecessary anyway.

My advice is to take other measures including reducing adjoining ground levels, generally improving drainage around the base of the wall and render/plaster (if applicable) with lime based materials.

 

[Anonymous]

I had an injected DPC inserted into the rubble gable of my steading conversion 16 years ago (don't blame me, I was young and naive, the mortgage company insisted and the man from R***o***l said it was needed). It maybe wasn't the best thing to do with the little cash available but it doesn't seem to have done any harm!

With hindsight, I would have put in a French drain along that side of the house as it would have sorted various other problems at the one go.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't do it!
If you get an estimate for the cost, put the same amount in fivers into an ash-tray and set light to them. They'll do more good in drying out your house.
Seriously, though - there is no effective DPC for a rubble stone wall once it's built. None whatsoever, despite what some snake-oil salesmen would have you believe.
Far better to do as worms suggests and address the drainage outside the house, while ensuring that anything on or in the wall is breathable. That means using lime rather than cement and gypsum.
Don't be put off by builders unfamiliar with the materials - persevere, ask questions here, contact people here individually, talk to experts at various lime companies...you'll find that there is a huge community of people living in rubble-stone houses which haven't been ruined by modern methods and which are dry and snug. And which have the neighbours looking on in abject envy!

 

[Anonymous]

It may have done no harm - but did it do any good? Apart from to the bank balance of the installer?

Then of course there is all that cement which is required to be plastered all over the inside as belt and braces. Not good.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the advice. Going to render the wall and look at the drainage.