Damp Proof Courses

Our Brick Inspiration Series is primarily about showcasing beautiful brickwork and highlighting great outcomes. Occasionally, however, we also use it to draw attention to common problems that continue to occur—even though they are entirely avoidable.

All bricks are porous and can absorb and wick moisture. A damp-proof course (DPC) creates a physical barrier within the wall, helping to prevent ground moisture from rising through the brickwork. Without an effective DPC, rising damp can cause staining, efflorescence, deterioration of mortar, bricks and, in severe cases, mould and moisture problems inside the building.

The DPC should be installed at least 150 mm above the finished landscape surface and must remain visible. Achieving this clearance will often require the DPC to be installed several brick courses above the slab or footing—not simply at the point where the brickwork meets the concrete.

Landscaping completed after construction must not bridge or cover the DPC. Soil, mulch, garden beds, paving and other finished surfaces placed too high against the wall can allow moisture to bypass the DPC entirely, making it ineffective. This is a common construction and landscaping mistake that can result in serious long-term moisture problems.

Installing two damp-proof courses can provide additional protection: one at the slab-to-brickwork interface and another at the required height above the finished external surface. Regardless of the approach used, the upper DPC must remain unobstructed and clearly visible so its position and effectiveness can be easily checked.

Some variations to the above may be allowed under some scenarios including:

• 75 mm above the finished surface level of adjacent paved, concreted or landscaped areas that slope away from the wall; or
• 50 mm above finished paved, concreted or landscaped areas complying and protected from the direct effects of the weather by a carport, verandah or the like;

so check with your license builder about what specifically applies in your area, however, what ever variations are permitted, landscaping is never to cross the DPC.

For detailed information on this topic the link below takes you to the relevant section the the National Construction Code.

https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/housing-provisions/5-masonry/part-57-weatherproofing-masonry