Hi there,

We are just weeks away from completing on our house in Abruzzo and a colleague from work has asked if the house has a Damp Proof Course as many houses in Italy do not have them. I have to confess, it's not a question I've asked. It's a fairly modern house, 1990(ish), villa style; we have the 'certificate di abitare' so I assume everything is in order and it looks in excellent repair.

Should I be worried? Is a 'lack of DPC' a common problem in Italy?

Italians don't do DPC-generally. Where in Abruzzo are you? Not that it matters as I'm just being nosey ) Welcome to Abruzzo though

Hi there,

We have bought a place between Villa Celiera and Civitella Casanova. Sooooo excited!!

damp is a thing you learn to live with in abruzzo there is not much damp and if you keep the house well vetelated ther should not be any problems , one reason the dont use dpc is eathquakes as the house would just slide of the footings . any way they dont use cavety walls much here ether , dont worry the climate is diferent so the houses are diferent , our house has solid walls of stone 2 ft thick , and we have no prolems with damp so relax and enjoy abruzzo we have lived here 10 years iam a retired carpenter and joiner so i know a little about building , dont worrie and leave all your english standards in england and relax and enjoy , oh if you want a chat and glas of somthing pop in and see us we are the english b) b in pretoro near the ski resort of passo laciano

Our 25 year old Villa has a DPC, no dampness at all and we have insulated cavity walls. We're not far from you, about 5/10 mins. If you fancy a pint (or litre) sometime let me know

"damp is a thing you learn to live with in abruzzo there is not much damp".......?????????
"one reason the dont use dpc is eathquakes as the house would just slide of the footings "

I'm really not sure about this. If badly constructed then yes, it may compromise the structural integrity of a building. Properly constructed, the weight of the structure above pushing down should not have any material effect on building strength. Earthquake bands run around top of walls not below ground. Walls don't slide, they cave in, hence allowing a "wobble" factor. (Waves are sent up from the ground and are dissipated at a band just below roof level because the further they travel the weaker they become). Most of Abruzzo has and always will be in a red earthquake zone. Thats a fact of life, but also I've seen many walls without a dpc turning green within a year and never been able to dry out.
You may not need one (chances are you won't) but 100% I'd go with Loreta on this one.

Thanks everyone for your answers - food for thought indeed. And thanks for the offers of a drink - noted!!!!