Protecting Damp Proof Course

[PhilDonnelly]

Hi - Not sure if this is the right forum for this but I'll give it a whirl. I own a 1950's semi and when we bought it we were made aware of the concrete surrounding the entire building was too high, thus affecting the DPC. I recently had a builder come round and say that there's of course the expensive option of taking it all up and starting again or alternatively grinding out a 5cm width gap all around the house down to a depth of about 6", laying a DPC and then pea-shingling over the top.

Reason I asked the builder is as the DPC doesn't look too great and the bottom bricks to the surface are a little flaky, there is no sign of damp.......yet

Anyone got any thoughts on this. If its a decent idea I would be willing to do this myself and use the money elsewhere on the house, re-pointing for example.

 

[foxhole]

DPC has to penetrate the entire wall, waste of time and money to do as builder? suggests.Dig up concrete, a days work with a breaker and probably cheaper than pointless suggestion of builder.