quote:

---

>
> So, should I place one of these fiber strips down in my small "pit"
> (against
> the concrete foundation), extending down from the basement door threshold,
> so my newly-poured concrete doesn't bond directly to my concrete basement
> wall/foundation? This would make my new slab a separate structure from the
> basement wall. Is the gap that this strip would create a water seepage
> concern? Is there a recommended thickness for this joint strip? Thanks.

quote:

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>
>
> Yes, it is apart from the foundation and should remain that way. Just put
> the strips against the wall and pour right up to it. If you think seepage
> is going to be a problem, use a caulk like material after the concrete is
> set up. With no expansion allowance, you could end up with a cracked or
> heaved slab.
>
>

quote:

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> Thanks. Now, do you see any problem if my basement door's threshold
> overhangs the location of the expansion strip (which would really prevent
> me
> from adding anything to the top of the expansion strip after
> installation)?
> Like this:
>
> CURRENTLY:
> ------
> | <<< Basement door threshold (overhang)
> ------
> X |
> X | <<< Basement concrete wall
> X |
>
>
> AFTER INSTALLING STRIP:
> ------
> | <<< Basement door threshold (overhang)
> ------
> X | |X|
> X | |X| <<< Expansion joint strip outside basement concrete wall
> X | |X|
>
> My basement sliding door's threshold overhangs the basement slab slightly.
> Is that the way it should be?

quote:

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> Hello. I'm planning to pour a small 8' x 4' (4" thick) concrete slab for a
> walkout from my sliding basement door. I think I have just enough height
> from the bottom of the door threshold to slope the slab away from the house
> slightly. Anyway, while doing some reading about it on the quickrete.com
> website, I noticed their mention of fiber "expansion joints" that are
> recommended when pouring a slab that will butt up against a concrete
> foundation (which IS what I'll be doing). My slab will essentially go right
> up to the concrete wall foundation of my basement.
>
> So, should I place one of these fiber strips down in my small "pit" (against
> the concrete foundation), extending down from the basement door threshold,
> so my newly-poured concrete doesn't bond directly to my concrete basement
> wall/foundation? This would make my new slab a separate structure from the
> basement wall. Is the gap that this strip would create a water seepage
> concern? Is there a recommended thickness for this joint strip? Thanks.
>
>
> Fr@nk
>
>

quote:

---

>
>
> There is caulk that can be used over expansion joints to keep water/ice
> out. Leaves them flexible, which is the whole idea so it doesn't crack
> or push against your basement wall.
>

quote:

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> "Norminn" <norminn@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:42D97B98.2030608@earthlink.net...
>
> Thanks for the tips, guys. I'm glad I didn't start this project without
> planning for the expansion strip.
>
>
> Fr@nk
>
>

quote:

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> I am not sure of your situation but if you have a door at the same level

quote:

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> a weather exposed slab you will have trouble with rain water running under
> the door. Even the best of seals and a slope away from the door will not
> prevent wind driven water from entering. Unless you can tolerate this you
> need a step down from the door to the outside slab if at all possible. I

quote:

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> lowering a 6'x12' concrete porch because of this problem.
> Don Young
>

quote:

---

> Hmm. How much of a step down are you talking about? If I bring this one
> down
> more than a couple of inches, the outer edge of the slab will be well
> below
> the ground; I'd need some sort of "curb" surrounding the slab.
>
> What I'm looking at right now would put the top of the slab just below
> (1/2
> inch or so) the bottom of the door threshold. Sounds like you're saying
> that's too close, and that wind-driven rain could still come in under the
> door.

quote:

---

>
> "Don Young" <notme@nonesuch.com> wrote in message
> news:11djl3266hon2b9@corp.supernews.com...
> as
> am
>
> Hmm. How much of a step down are you talking about? If I bring this one
> down
> more than a couple of inches, the outer edge of the slab will be well
> below
> the ground; I'd need some sort of "curb" surrounding the slab.
>
> What I'm looking at right now would put the top of the slab just below
> (1/2
> inch or so) the bottom of the door threshold. Sounds like you're saying
> that's too close, and that wind-driven rain could still come in under the
> door.
>
> Really, I'm mostly concerned with yard drainage/runoff coming down a slope
> and "wandering" toward the basement door (which I'm controlling
> effectively
> with simple diverters). I mean, right now, it's just dirt outside the door
> (again, coming up to within a half inch of the bottom of the door), and
> I'd
> like to "finish" it with a slab. If I'm not experiencing a problem with
> blown-in water now (with the dirt), are you saying the addition of
> concrete
> would increase the possibility?
>
>
> Fr@nk
>
>

quote:

---

>
> Really, I'm mostly concerned with yard drainage/runoff coming down a slope
> and "wandering" toward the basement door (which I'm controlling effectively
> with simple diverters). I mean, right now, it's just dirt outside the door
> (again, coming up to within a half inch of the bottom of the door), and I'd
> like to "finish" it with a slab. If I'm not experiencing a problem with
> blown-in water now (with the dirt), are you saying the addition of concrete
> would increase the possibility?
>
>
> Fr@nk
>
>

quote:

---

> clipped
> I would be squeamish about putting the patio smack-dab against the
> house. With so little space between patio and threshold, windblown
> water would be one issue. Snow/ice melt another. I'm in Fla., have two
> patios, but about four inch curb up to living space (on slab). Only an
> 8' storm surge or a busted pipe will flood us :o)
>
> I don't know the likelihood, but settling could leave you with the low
> end next to the door, or pitching against the basement wall. Can your
> situation use a patio away from the basement wall, with soil border and
> a paver or walk between? My daughter has a driveway smack dab against
> her foundation, which is actually higher than her basement window sills.
> Problem with snow and water accumulation.
>