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plot. These guidelines are vital and respect for restrictions which apply to your lot are the first step for the planning stage.

Every home has damp-proofing these days. This is a barrier that stops the dampness penetrating into walls. Home owners are always advised never to bridge this damp proofing course with flower borders or anything that threatens the integrity of the damp proof course, since it is installed for the purpose of protecting the walls which are placed upon it.

If installing a raised patio against a home, due thought must be given to some kind of protection which enables the patio to respect the possibility of dampness to the home, and to address it. The methods used differ geographically, and the reason an expert would be able to help in the planning stages is that they can pinpoint the best method of installation, helping you to assess cost.

Some methods used involve a coating of asphalt waterproofing, though this on its own is insufficient to guarantee that dampness will not penetrate walls. The reason for this is that you are installing something above the original damp proof membrane, and even with the most careful attention to asphalt waterproofing will not get over the fact that you have an almost flat surface next to vulnerable walls at the surface of your patio. This is mentioned in more detail below, though should be included here, as without taking necessary steps to ensure that drainage works and that slope is correctly calculated, this area of damp proofing would be ineffective.

Circulation of air.

If the patio is to be placed on a foundation of cement, and then to be laid on a hollow base, there is need for ventilation. Here, the installation of air bricks helps the air to circulate underneath the patio. This would apply to raised patios which are not based on a solid foundation.

Impact of soil against walls.

The impact of soil against walls is best discussed with professionals, although here, allowing for the costs of drainage pipe would be prudent. Many of the interlocking systems for creating raised patios are used as a barrier, which is then back-filled with rubble, aggregate or soil, and constant water penetration to the wall will damage it's integrity, though this can be addressed by the installation of drainage pipes. Geo-grid mesh ties the drainage into the retaining wall, and an expert will be able to estimate the cost of this work and advise on how it should be performed.

Drainage of patio.

The planning of a patio must include

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