Fixing Door Sill on Foundation Advice
Hey Guys,
Working on a remodel where, probably 20 years ago or so, someone cut an opening into the stepped foundation to add a side entry door. They basically cut the unreinforced foundation wall (house is probably circa 1930 or so) down to the dirt is appears, filled back up to the subfloor level with mortar and set the threshold. What started as a “replace the rotted door frame” has shown me that the cut in the foundation has allowed water instrusion and the mortar ‘patch’ they did has in-fact basically washed away somewhat to below the outside grade and is allowing water under the subfloor.
Is there a good way to patch the void in the foundation wall so that it will one, stick and two, be watertight? Of course, the complete answer would be to demo the whole area and pour a new foundation, but I don;t think my client is going to go for that..all she wated was a door that looked nice! I do however want to do this right, or as right as possible given the situation, and try to keep the same rot and water intrusion from hapening again.
Any advice would be greately appreciated!
Thanks guys!
Replies
If you can get back to solid concrete there are bonding products you can add to the patching material to make it stick. Also, a few concrete screws sticking out of the old material will make for a better joint.
happy?
If the joint is relatively flat, bentonite water stop between new and old concrete will easily solve the water problem. Latex additive will help with adhesion.
Good luck.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!