Damp proof courses and weep holes in Donnybrook homes
Two code items that get covered up at handover.
In short: Both are required, both are easy to bury, and neither is visible once you have moved in.
What a damp proof course does
It stops moisture rising through the masonry into the wall above.
How it gets defeated
Render, paving or landscaping carried over it. Once covered it cannot function or be inspected.
Weep holes
They drain the cavity. At the wrong height they cannot, and water sits in the wall.
Why it matters later
Neither shows up as a problem on handover day. Both show up as damp two winters on.
What to ask
Have the builder point out both, and check them against the approved drawings.
Written by the Owner Inspections team from inspections carried out in Donnybrook. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
