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Damp Proofing
Transfer of driving rain water to inner leaf of cavity.
Hi
I had a boiler condensate pipe running under the floor of utility room and out through the wall to a drain. This wall is at times subject to severe wind driven rain, which obviously runs down the back of the bricks when they are saturated. The opening in the wall for the pipe was just about at the height of the dpc. Because of frost risk, I changed this arrangement and ran a new pipe to internal sink drain. My builder replaced the bricks where the old pipe had exited the wall and pushed the pipe back behind the facing bricks. I’m now worried that if he didn’t think and pushed the pipe in at the wrong angle, it will transfer driving rain water to the inner leaf and that if the pipe comes through the inner leaf just below the dpc I won’t know anything about it until the breeze block has decayed and serious damage has occurred. Would this actually rot the block or would it just get a bit wet and dry again without any harm? I don’t want to make matters worse but I’m wondering should I remove the bricks and check what way the pipe has been pushed in behind them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
4 Answers from MyBuilder Damp Proofing Specialists
Best Answer
Hi
If you changed the pipe than the old pipe is surly disconnect, do no harm and that s pipe will transfer water is more than unlikely.
However I am doubtful if you remove the brick, that you not put him proper back and than water leaks in
Regards
Ralf
Answered 13th Feb 2020
Any pipe disconnects should be taken back behind cavity wall and capped kind regards Steve
Answered 15th Feb 2020
The answer provided is fine - I can refine it a little by advising that masonry below the damp proof course is likely to be damp anyway and masonry will not decay as such.
There is a possibility of water tracking through via the pipe but the risk is so localised and small and if the pipe terminated below the damp proof course then it is unlikely to become a problem.
I hope this helps clarify the issue but obviously an 'armchair' survey is no substitute for an actual inspection.
With regards
William
Answered 16th Feb 2020
Hi There, to answer this question, we would really need to know how deep the now disconnected pipe falls into the wall, secondly, was the new brick a single course leading into the cavity.
I would say, if the new brick is installed correctly and property mortared in place, I don’t see how rainwater could enter to tech the pipe.
Regards
Answered 10th Mar 2020
