I wish to construct a stone patio that goes between my front door and my garage. For a variety of reasons that I won’t bore folks with here, the desired grade level for the stonework is such that I would be covering the bottom 8″ or so of the exterior framed wall on the front of the house with compacted granular fill (even so, I will have a step down from the front door). Naturally, I am concerned about water damage to the wood framing over the long haul. My sill plate is pressure treated lumber, but the band joist is untreated spruce covered with 7/16″ OSB sheathing (also untreated). I covered the bottom 18″ of the exterior wood surface with Grace Ice and Water shield and Typar house wrap over that. The entire area around the front of the house is granular fill with excellent drainage. The house has gutters and proper landscape drainage.
1. Once the stone is in place – and assuming that I seal the mortar joints between the stones to waterproof them – are the measures I’ve taken so far (Ice and Water shield) sufficient to prevent water damage to the wood framing? The I & W shield will prevent moisture contact with the face of the sheathing, but I am still concerned about moisture possibly soaking up through the uncovered bottom edge of the OSB panel and migrating to the band joist.
2. Are there any other “after the fact” construction strategies (coatings, etc.)that would make this situation acceptable in terms of protecting the wood framing from moisture damage/rot?
3. Am I being overly concerned with this situation?
Comments are appreciated!
Thanks.
James Cross
Replies
James:
If I understand you correctly, this is a recipe for rot. Any reason you couldn't put in a big slab of rock for a step down to the original grade or some other similar solution?
J Painter
Thanks for the reply.
The unwritten part of my question was a desire on my part to match finished grade level between the front of my house and my detached garage which is about 18 feet from the house. If I could get away with it, I would raise the grade up and only have one step to the patio out the front door. If a "rot-free" solution cannot be found, then I will have to drop down two steps and then step up one step to my driveway (which unfortunately slopes down a bit).
My first reflex is to recommend a small entry deck as the transition between door and path. This keeps te grade where it belongs, and lets you choose where the step down is. Nothing huge, say 48 x 48" square for a 3-0 door (you may need just bit more space if you have a screen/storm door, which swings out).
I had thought of that also, and would have to do that anyway for at least one step. I have three levels that I am trying to accommodate in some fashion: a concrete walkway (at the desired height); a driveway (about 6" up)and the downhill part of the driveway which runs along the front of the house (it's almost impossible to explain without a drawing!) The multiple levels are going to look awful, I think, if I have to keep fill away from the house front.
I am now considering a small concrete trench/curb along the foundation wall that will allow me to to build finished grade at the (higher) desired height. I can drain the trough at one end thanks to the slope.
Thanks for the comment, sir!
Cheers!
Jamie
It sounds like you already did the Grace and Typar.
That's a start, but I still wouldn't want direct contact between the fill and the Typar.
I'd pour a concrete footer along the house. 10-12" wide or so, as tall as you need it to allow you to mortar the stone to the top of the footer and still make final grade height.
Hold the footer a few inches away from the house, then allow the finish stone that is mortared to the footing to overhange the footing and almost close the gap between the stone and the house.
Honestly, whenever I do a stone patio that requires fill, I pour a perimeter footing around the whole patio and mortar the perimeter stones to the footing. Keeps things contained. I usually use stonedust or 3/4" process for fill, stonedust drains better.
Based on the thoughtful replies from participants in this forum, I had come to the realization that there was no way around the fact that regardless of protective coatings or materials, backfilling against the framed wall was a potential problem. Trying to achieve my desired result anyway, I had pretty much come to the conclusion that a concrete curb or trough along the foundation might allow both objectives to be met, so I am pleased to see that your thinking is aligned with mine. Thanks for the reply.
Regards,
Jamie
Here are some pics from an old thread, not sure if they'll help you visualize...
This patio is up against the house, but the perimeter footing is against the foundation instead of the framing/siding.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=23395.11
Great photos and a great suggestion. It's pretty clear to me what your concept is. I like it.
Regards,
Jamie
the conclusion that a concrete curb or trough along the foundation might allow both objectives to be met
If you can, make it a hollow square, right around the edge of the step. I had to rip out a cast-in-place set of steps 24" tall once. Not because the material behind them was bad, but because the sills & rims & floor joists alongside were gone (what a fun bathroom renovation that started with "we want a new toilet & to patch the floor tile" . . . )Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)