Breezeblock construction

[Just Katie]

[quote user="Anton Redman"]The British obsession with DPCs dates from the time when brick build houses were going up in cities whose streets were little better than running sewers. Seen a fair number of French huses with wooden lambris up to waist height because the wall is always slightly damp behind.[/quote]

I have seen loads of these in UK too but in different forms from t & g to boarded tiles.  Dressing over the problem usually worsens it and that is when more sinister things occur.  Good air circulation is imperative.

 

[littlemouse]

 

But there is a dpc in french new housing its called hydrofuge en mass and added to morter.One course below floor level and two courses above floor level.

Dpm as well in new build 200 microns just cos you don't see it doesn't mean there isn't one

Concrete blocks of 20 cms wide are load bearing and when the corners are filled with concrete and steel , then a belt of concrete and steel are added plus a concrete floor "hordis poutrelles" these are very strong buildings.

You can go on all day about uk vs french construction methods and not resolve it both methods work in the environment they are designed for.