beetlespin
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2013
- Messages
- 37
New House - Not too happy with the steps and walkway
- Thread starter beetlespin
- Start date
dadsEH
Well-known member
Steps look too narrow
D45
Well-known member
New subdivision, contractor doesn't care and throws up as many houses as he can, as fast a he can.............so common and typical
Are you talking about the discoloration?
Are you talking about the discoloration?
rockettgpw
Well-known member
The rises and the runs (step height and depth) look all wrong for a main access. as DadsEH says the steps are too narrow and will likely lead to someone busting an ankle or tail bone from slipping off the edge There's not enough platform area to land on when coming off the verandah. As it is a new house, check on your local ordnances and see if the builder has to replace them. My council is red hot on stairs being correct. I would sort out the safety issue before the appearance issue.
As for appearance, you could could paint them with paving paint with a non slip grit additive, Tile them, or clad them with timber. Could you plant shrubs beside to hide them a bit?
As for appearance, you could could paint them with paving paint with a non slip grit additive, Tile them, or clad them with timber. Could you plant shrubs beside to hide them a bit?
jimreed2160
Well-known member
No insult intended, but I think you are trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Those look like inexpensive prefab steps that are inadequate. I would leave them alone and save my money for a replacement. It should be wider and the rise distance between steps should be uniform. And don't forget the handrails. A proper job will be in the 1-3k range and that is why the builder did the bare minimum.
Last edited:
Yep, that's a code violation in most jurisdictions (fall/trip hazard). Someone could get seriously hurt (especially an older person).
If someone will take responsibility, they can send someone out to break that out and re-pour or add some nice wooden steps with side rails. Then you can stain or paint the steps or just seal them.
Last edited:
ard
Well-known member
From that photo (without any scale!!) I cannot see how people are declaring a 'code violation'... crazy
You need 36" coming out the door- then he has two steps, of unknown rise and run- then a 'landing' that is continuous (or co-planar) with the walkway on out.
What 'code' violation are people seeing?
You need 36" coming out the door- then he has two steps, of unknown rise and run- then a 'landing' that is continuous (or co-planar) with the walkway on out.
What 'code' violation are people seeing?
Last edited:
Appears that the upper concrete was poured after but no thought into the run of the step below. The run may have been fine when it was poured- 9-10 "( legal) but when the upper portion was done it made the step too narrow. Who knows without a tape measure showing. Perhaps he isn't happy with the different colours of the concrete.
You beat me to it, I can't see any clear violation either, the risers appear to be about 7" or less, and the treads about 10-11", at least. Some people must work off different codes than 99% of the country. From the small picture, it appears the front porch is ~4' off of the city sidewalk, not sure what else can be done. Also, I'd be highly surprised if the steps aren't drown in on one of the elevations on the blueprint.
The only possible code violation I can potentially see is "IF" the local jurisdiction requires a handrail on steps with more than 20" of rise, but even that has to be awfully close........
Last edited:
I find that to be highly unlikely. I'm willing to bet the upper stoop was poured long before the steps.
On another note, the only thing that really sticks out to me (other than the obvious discoloring of the steps) is why on Earth the concrete guys that poured the stoop didn't use a vertical jointer on the face of the stoop at the control joint. Just allowing it to crack all willy-nilly is not very thought out IMPO.
Hilltopmasonry
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2015
- Messages
- 2,167
I agree i dont see a code violation issues since the the stairs appear to be the right dimensions....hard to tell from a picture
If the op is complaining about the staining then it appears that they covered up the concrete with plastic after the pour possibly to protect from rain or hot weather? Alot of times the discoloration goes away and there is also alot of products you can use as well to fix that
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If the op is complaining about the staining then it appears that they covered up the concrete with plastic after the pour possibly to protect from rain or hot weather? Alot of times the discoloration goes away and there is also alot of products you can use as well to fix that
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hilltopmasonry
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2015
- Messages
- 2,167
I agree i dont see a code violation issues since the the stairs appear to be the right dimensions....hard to tell from a picture though
If the op is complaining about the staining then it appears that they covered up the concrete with plastic after the pour possibly to protect from rain or hot weather? Alot of times the discoloration goes away and there is also alot of products you can use as well to fix that
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If the op is complaining about the staining then it appears that they covered up the concrete with plastic after the pour possibly to protect from rain or hot weather? Alot of times the discoloration goes away and there is also alot of products you can use as well to fix that
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
chaosracing
Well-known member
Without having a tape measure shown in the pics, there is no way to know what the dimensions are. They appear to be correct though.
OP.....what are your issues? Discoloration? Staining? No hand rails? Until its stated, everyones input really will not matter much.
Did you accept the house as the step are, then decide there is something you do not like? You should have done a punch list/repair list prior to accepting the house and signing for it. Now it might be to late. Since its not failing and I am sure they are legal, there may not be any recourse.
If its the staining issue why not get a pressure washer and try cleaning them? Have you talked to the GC at all about it? If so what was his response?
OP.....what are your issues? Discoloration? Staining? No hand rails? Until its stated, everyones input really will not matter much.
Did you accept the house as the step are, then decide there is something you do not like? You should have done a punch list/repair list prior to accepting the house and signing for it. Now it might be to late. Since its not failing and I am sure they are legal, there may not be any recourse.
If its the staining issue why not get a pressure washer and try cleaning them? Have you talked to the GC at all about it? If so what was his response?
Ditch
Banned
maybe cover them in gold leaf
rayra
Well-known member
I'll bet those are not within code spec, particularly for a main entrance. And that you can compel the builder to tear them out and replace them.
But it isn't a hard or expensive job to do yourself, if you already signed off on everything.
But it isn't a hard or expensive job to do yourself, if you already signed off on everything.
VintageVeloce
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2015
- Messages
- 34
Am I the only one seeing the strange optical illusion with this photo of these steps? Especially if you cover the right side of the picture? You look at it right and the rise and run swap...
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Mikeske
Well-known member
If the original poster bought the house before it was built, why did he not reject the stairs from the start? If he bought after the home was built, why did he sign the dotted line?
I am sorry if I am a bit rough but when something is not to your standards you can request that it be bought up to your standards before you sign on the dotted line, after the fact you bought it and if that is the issue for you get out the 6 pound hammer and have at it. Then build it the way you want.
I am sorry if I am a bit rough but when something is not to your standards you can request that it be bought up to your standards before you sign on the dotted line, after the fact you bought it and if that is the issue for you get out the 6 pound hammer and have at it. Then build it the way you want.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Why don't you put these steps on Kijiji cheap or even free. It is amazing what people will buy The new owner can haul this set away with a tow truck.
Then have a set poured that step down in a curved 180 degree or half circle. This will give better access and the top platform will give better street appeal. Or do the same with treated, cedar or a trex type material. You can heat Trex an bend it, although you might need more of an arc than a half circle. Would look pretty cool but more costly.
Then have a set poured that step down in a curved 180 degree or half circle. This will give better access and the top platform will give better street appeal. Or do the same with treated, cedar or a trex type material. You can heat Trex an bend it, although you might need more of an arc than a half circle. Would look pretty cool but more costly.
Playwme
Well-known member
No you can't. Not if it's built as per plans, contract and code.
OP
beetlespin
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2013
- Messages
- 37
Steps are code. Township is **** about things like this.
What I do not like is the discoloration/stain on the steps. They have been power washed twice already.
We close on the house tomorrow and will ask for compensation, just needed some ideas and hopefully cost on what we should ask for.
What I do not like is the discoloration/stain on the steps. They have been power washed twice already.
We close on the house tomorrow and will ask for compensation, just needed some ideas and hopefully cost on what we should ask for.
Last edited:
bczygan
Well-known member
$50
Handrail
Tile or Blue stone on everything.
Handrail
Tile or Blue stone on everything.
D45
Well-known member
Looks like a somewhat fresh pour..........how long ago was it poured?
Powerwashed?..........twice?..........already?
Marctrees
Well-known member
Like mentioned above, wouldn't a Muriatic wash and scrub, well rinsed. maybe neutralized if recommended, even out the appearance ? Marc
ard
Well-known member
Ah, the OP is back...good.
1. STAIRS ARE TO CODE. So that isnt an issue
2. NO railing is needed, there is simply not enough rise for it to be an issue. (Im a risk taker- give me a deck under 24" and I will NOT put a railing on it to ruing the aesthetics)
3. I wonder if a blast will change the look, make it more uniform?
4. You cannot 'resurface' this without major issues: you would need to do, the whole porch, each step, the landing out to 36 inches, then taper to the walkway. As I recall the tolerances are 1/4" so even thin tile will render a 'code compliant' set of steps to be out of compliance unless EVERY step surface is re-surfaced.
Id ask for $500 to repour. See what they say- settle for 250. They will, or course, tell you that there is a guarantee, and they WILL fix it. And IF you agree, it will be a year and they will ultimately say 'it is fine, within our standards'. Only way you should accept is if they put in writing 'steps will be cleaned or replaced so as to match the porch slab in color and uniformity of appearance'. Something like that
Ditch
Banned
quit looking at them
sqznby
Well-known member
Everyone's jumping to conclusions about codes, rise and run and what not and all it had to with was with the color, hahaha.
Well, I'm glad that's all it was.
Compensation though, I doubt they'll compensate, its a fresh pour. I believe it has been mentioned, you need to give it time to cure.
Well, I'm glad that's all it was.
Compensation though, I doubt they'll compensate, its a fresh pour. I believe it has been mentioned, you need to give it time to cure.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
I vote a mod go in and swap the pic from post 9 with the OP pic., so others can be astonished at his pickiness. 
Modern fisheye lens camera / phone. :/
Modern fisheye lens camera / phone. :/
toolmiser
Well-known member
Time will make the color just right. What you need is a couple smashed pumpkins or eggs to speed up the process.
I had discolouration on a patio I had poured from laying plastic on ( started to rain unexpectedly) after 6 months it was unnoticeable
joseywales
Well-known member
There's your winner. Focusing on it, makes it worse.
However, I don't think I could live with what appears to be a short run on the first step off the porch. The lip off the porch, over that top step...I don't like that. I could see kids missing the edge of that first step.
We are getting bids on replacing our outside steps. I went to various hardscape suppliers, to check different tread depths (runs), etc., on display they had built. It's amazing how the body acquires muscle memory on the steps in our homes, etc., and any step that is off can be an issue.
Vintage Veloce
Well-known member
If the issue is the color and texture of the surface, you can easily change that. There are various treatments that etch the surface and can even expose the aggregate underneath.
We used Top-Cast 03 Violet on our new concrete to make it more closely match the old concrete at our home.
You spray this stuff on with a pump tank sprayer and wash it off the next day, very easy.
http://www.daytonsuperior.com/docs/default-source/tech-data-sheets/top-cast.pdf?sfvrsn=12ded560_25
We used Top-Cast 03 Violet on our new concrete to make it more closely match the old concrete at our home.
You spray this stuff on with a pump tank sprayer and wash it off the next day, very easy.
http://www.daytonsuperior.com/docs/default-source/tech-data-sheets/top-cast.pdf?sfvrsn=12ded560_25
nolimits76
Well-known member
That picture has optical illusions going on. Like others, when I first looked, it appeared you had steps out of whack, but I think your steps are only the upper two. I think the lower part is actually the sidewalk with a joint.
Amazingly, the discoloration drives you nuts. The crack in the porch slab would be the thing that bothered me.
Not sure you can do much except try to let it cure and then acid wash it and neutralize it. I'd probably squeak to the contractor if it bothers you that much, and he will probably do something to make it right. Personally I'd try to get the steps and your porch deck color stained, which most people consider an upgrade.
Amazingly, the discoloration drives you nuts. The crack in the porch slab would be the thing that bothered me.
Not sure you can do much except try to let it cure and then acid wash it and neutralize it. I'd probably squeak to the contractor if it bothers you that much, and he will probably do something to make it right. Personally I'd try to get the steps and your porch deck color stained, which most people consider an upgrade.
Attachments
OP
beetlespin
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2013
- Messages
- 37
Thanks everyone for your comments. We close on the house today and it will be on the punch list. I think the only real solution is to not only redo the steps, but as one poster mentioned the crack in the porch using a reputable mason. Although I have seen even reputable mason's work develop cracks, just never seen such horrible staining. What is odd is the pad for the side garage door is perfect.