Bridged DPC

The DPC is a non porous layer used to prevent the capillary action of moisture travelling from the ground level up and into the building through its construction materials which are typically made from porous materials.

Bridging the DPC means that there is some kind of porous material stretching across the non porous DPC, from the lower to upper porous layers of the building, rendering the DPC completely ineffective.

A bridged DPC can occur when a flower bed has been positioned right up against the exterior wall, with the soil level higher than the DPC. Any moisture can penetrate above the DPC and continue up and in to the property.

Bridging can also occur when the floor level inside the property is lower than the DPC and the interior plaster work starts from below the DPC level. Moisture will be absorbed by the plaster and cause rising damp.