Leatherface Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Not so much a do-it yourself question, but more a what should I do question... I am not in a flood zone and do not have flood insurance. The work was done about 8-9 years ago by a contractor who did a $110,000 extension job on my house. So the job was big and the concrete was contracted out to a concrete guy who also did the foundation of the extension (which also cracked in 4 spots in the basement). I am currently waiting on a copy of my homeowners insurance to see if there is any way I can get help repairing these steps before they collapse and bring down the whole railing and porch supports with it. It seems that the base under the steps and pad washed out. Where it went, I have no idea. So now there's a huge gap under there and everything is slowly sinking. If I would have caught the start of it a couple years ago, I may have been able to get it fixed under Sandy before it got worse. Any suggestions? Former LIBBA #1818 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kicking Bass Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Keep hitting the Gym....: There is certainly something in fishing that tends to produce a gentleness of spirit, a pure serenity of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leatherface Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Keep hitting the Gym....: Don't worry.. If it comes down to me having to get involved with some demo.... I know who will be helping me out! Former LIBBA #1818 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodpecker Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Precast concrete steps, as well as site poured or site built should at the very least be footed the same as a deck down to the local code's required depth. It is 42" in S CT. Aside from seasonal heaving, the backfill against the foundation will settle over time no matter how well compacted it is, and the footings should be on solid, undisturbed soil. Simple landing slabs and often 2-3 riser custom steps often skip this step and are in certain cases exempt from footing requirements, but if it is load bearing it would have required proper footing. On grade landing pads are usually not footed and often wash out from heaving and runoff. The stairs look tight to the foundation. They usually sink more on the structure side, as that is generally softer. I would dig around a little and check for footings at the corners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epanzella Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Can't tell much from the pix but assuming this is happening on your dime, I would cut out the first section of sidewalk out at the front of the steps, remove any loose soil or rotting wood from the hole, and fill it right up with concrete. Replace the sidewalk section in the same pour. Ed Panzella "BAITS MOTEL" - 2450 Maycraft Pilothouse Higganum, Ct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leatherface Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Thanks for all the information. I'll get an overview photo of the whole area when I get home later. That should put things into perspective. Former LIBBA #1818 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epanzella Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Quote:Originally Posted by Leatherface Thanks for all the information. I'll get an overview photo of the whole area when I get home later. That should put things into perspective. Some contractors throw wood scraps in the excavation and then backfill to keep dump run and dumpster costs down. Eight or nine years is about the right timeframe for it to rot and cause a sinkhole. Burying stumps is another sinkhole waiting to happen. Ed Panzella "BAITS MOTEL" - 2450 Maycraft Pilothouse Higganum, Ct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leatherface Posted July 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 This is the only photo I can find here on my work computer. You're looking directly at the steps in question. At the bottom is the slab. From that slab another set of 4 concrete steps go down to the left, to the driveway. Former LIBBA #1818 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass-o-matic Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 As most other have already said, poor footing / soil conditions. Runoff water may also be adding to the problem. Where do your down spouts go? Is the walk properly pitched away from the house? "I just do what the voices in my tackle box tell me to do." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to register here in order to participate.
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now