Victorian Terrace - 2ft concrete from walls of house

[nats22]

Hi,

I dont know much about the construction of these victorian houses and so need some advice - I am trying to take up all the concrete that is in our front and back gardens to recreate a garden more in keeping with the property.

I have done the front and noticed that there is an older concrete skirt surrounding the bay windows wall at the front (I presume this will also apply at the back) I have left this for the moment as am concerned that this is protecting the foundations from water seeping into them from soil surrounding although I really want to know if this is going to affect the foundations if I do remove it.

There does seem to be some air bricks in place in the wall.

Firstly, is this going to cause me damp problems if I do remove it and if this is a problem can I replace it with something a little less obvious - any recommendations?

Thanks loads for any help.

 

[Lime]

A picture would help.

Is this concrete skirt flat and horizontal like a path or vertical up the wall?

 

[nats22]

Hi, thanks for the response, at the moment I am afraid that I am not sure how to upload images to this - am trying to work out a solution as it would absolutely help to explain. Any ideas let me know?

However in the meantime, the concrete is about 2ft from wall and flat like a pathway. It is about 5cm thick although thinner in some places and seems to just have rubble beneath it - where I began to hack it up by mistake before I realised perhaps I shouldn't. It follows the wall of the bay window and so comes out about 2ft all the way round in the same shape.

Thanks again

 

[Lime]

Ok that's clear.
Such a concrete/cement surround was/is quite common but serves no useful function except for cleaning the windows. (to stand on)
It does not protect anything.
It could be argued that it could direct water away from the house but IME the concrete moves over time or cracks so the slope changes.
There are many thing bad about having this concrete skirt.
Often it is over the DPC (if fitted) of the house so it is bridged.
A hard surface next to the wall causes rain to bounce, making the wall wet, far higher up than if it were just soil.
Also it prevents the soil beneath the window drying out which is not good for the brickwork either.

I'd carefully remove the "skirt".

Make sure that you don't cover the walls of the house any higher than they have been covered as you could make any damp worse.

 

[nats22]

Hi, thanks for the response. This is the first time I have posted and so is great to have a response so quickly.