FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Patio issue

BJC | Posted in General Discussion on May 13, 2019 05:09pm

Hi all,

I had my patio redone and yard graded to fix some drainage issues.  The concrete paver patio is covering about 10 inches of the siding, and there is dirt now piled up all along the rest of the back and side of the house.  This looks like it will cause massive insect and rot problems. 

Any ideas on how to proceed?  Contractor insists this is how they always do it.  There is no flashing or waterproofing behind the pavers.

Reply

Replies

  1. A_A_Ron | May 13, 2019 08:05pm | #1

    What kind of siding is that? I believe Hardie (and code) requires 2" clearance between the siding and hardscape, or 4" to soil. You can always chat with a city inspector to find out the code.

    And at what elevation is your door relative to the patio?

    Sounds like your drainage issues may not have been fixed.

  2. BJC | May 13, 2019 08:13pm | #2

    Thanks for the reply. It is vinyl siding over cedar clapboards. The door is about 3 inches above the finished patio surface.

  3. User avater
    civileng43 | May 14, 2019 06:42am | #3

    "This is how we always do it." I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard a contractor come out with that one.
    Siding is typically attached to sheathing or lathing both of which I would want to stay dry or at least be able to dry out. So even if your vinyl and cedar don't mind being buried, whatever is behind might mind. It sounds like the patio grade was determined by the elevation of the door sill. That makes sense but I think the siding should have been cut away and some sort of flashing installed.
    If your house were advertised for sale and I were interested in buying it, the scene in your photo would make me start looking for other screw-ups.

  4. User avater
    user-2409187 | May 14, 2019 07:25am | #4

    Civileng43 is right. Siding should start 8" above grade. The first 8" above grade typically are foundation wall. Current grading is too high relative to the siding and whatever lies behind it, and is asking for leakage and rot problems. "This is how we always do it" is probably related to how the contractor grades around a patio. You had a grading problem before the patio was built. Patio grading exasperated it.

    Is this (the house) "slab-on-grade" construction? How high is the mud sill and floor joist framing above existing grade?

    1. BJC | May 15, 2019 09:42am | #5

      The house is on a hill. As part of the drainage work, they raised the grade next to the house to where the grade is up over the siding. It wasn't like this before.

      It is not SOG, there is a full basement.

      1. User avater
        user-2409187 | May 16, 2019 11:20am | #6

        It was a poor decision to raise the grade over the siding. My suggestion is you have the grading re-done. And don't be shocked it there is damage to the materials below the siding....sigh.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Monitor Both Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality

The sensors and mapping tool from PurpleAir can help residents strategically use existing air filters.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 598: Stone Foundations, Failing Stucco, and Comfortable Garages
  • Podcast 598: Members-only Aftershow — Long-Lasting Paint Jobs
  • Insulating Foam for High-Performance Windows
  • Screened-Porch Cable-Rail Installation

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Complete 3rd Edition
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 318 - October 2023
    • Make Mudsills Square and Level
    • Turn Up the Heat With Induction Cooktops
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Lloyd Alter
  • Issue 317 - Aug/Sept 2023
    • Finishing Drywall With Seamless Results
    • A Flat Roof in a Cold Climate
    • Compact Cordless Shop Vacs
  • Issue 316 - July 2023
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in