meltwater coming in between siding and cement
#1
03-28-16, 05:16 AM
meltwater coming in between siding and cement
This problem happens every year.
Last year, I tried to increase the negative slope on the side of the shed by taking away soil but the snow builds up so high every year that the meltwater just comes in anyway. There has also been a lot of free/thaw this year so maybe the ice has built up underneath the snow.
Is there something I can put between the siding and the cement to stop the water coming in?
There are 2 leaking points, one is where the siding needs to be replaced as it has rotted.
However, the other is the bottom corner, bottom of the slope where cement is much lower.
Last year, I tried to increase the negative slope on the side of the shed by taking away soil but the snow builds up so high every year that the meltwater just comes in anyway. There has also been a lot of free/thaw this year so maybe the ice has built up underneath the snow.
Is there something I can put between the siding and the cement to stop the water coming in?
There are 2 leaking points, one is where the siding needs to be replaced as it has rotted.
However, the other is the bottom corner, bottom of the slope where cement is much lower.
Last edited by qwertyjjj; 03-28-16 at 05:39 AM.
#2
03-28-16, 05:38 AM
Member
There is no magic fix for this one that can be just applied to the siding or at the bottom plate.
Siding should not have been within 6" of grade, in your case it may have needed more.
Looks like you have some more regrading to do.
The right way to "fix" this would be to remove the siding on the side causing issues, brace that wall so the bottom plates and the bottom of the studs could be cut off.
Add at least two rows of block, waterproof the outside of the wall and add a french drain.
Fill some of the voids in the block with concrete and add foundation bolts, new pressure treated bottom plate.
Siding should not have been within 6" of grade, in your case it may have needed more.
Looks like you have some more regrading to do.
The right way to "fix" this would be to remove the siding on the side causing issues, brace that wall so the bottom plates and the bottom of the studs could be cut off.
Add at least two rows of block, waterproof the outside of the wall and add a french drain.
Fill some of the voids in the block with concrete and add foundation bolts, new pressure treated bottom plate.
#3
03-28-16, 07:29 AM
I think in the past there was much less soil, it has just built up over the years or someone added more at some point. I could try digging it all away but seems difficult.
You mean bolt the cinder blocks to the existing concrete?
And when you say waterproof the outside wall, you mean waterproof the concrete or the wood siding?
The french drain would have to run along the cement wall and away from shed?
You mean bolt the cinder blocks to the existing concrete?
And when you say waterproof the outside wall, you mean waterproof the concrete or the wood siding?
The french drain would have to run along the cement wall and away from shed?
#4
03-28-16, 07:56 AM
Member
The foundation gets waterproofed, not the wood.
Yes the french drain runs along the wall and needs to be drained away from the shed.
The fastest way to regrade may be to hire someone with a skid loaded, no way to know what the best way is from those pictures.
Yes the french drain runs along the wall and needs to be drained away from the shed.
The fastest way to regrade may be to hire someone with a skid loaded, no way to know what the best way is from those pictures.
#5
03-28-16, 10:41 AM
I agree with Joe, no easy solution. Many of the 100 year old home here in Maine have a very aggressive slope within the first 4 or 5 feet, like a 3 ft drop. I'm guessing they knew something modern builders haven't learned.
Your slope has to deal with two things. One, frost will lift the soil as much as 6" just a few feet away from the foundation, thus you need a foot or more in that space. Second, is the snow pile you are experiencing. I've seen 4' of snow up against a house that then melts and freezes forming an ice dam that holds the water against the house. Worse, it can freeze against the siding and pull it off of the house as if shrinks vertically. Seen this many times. The solution to the glacier against the house is a snow blower to keep the snow away, all winter long.
Or elevate the house as Joe is suggesting.
Bud
Your slope has to deal with two things. One, frost will lift the soil as much as 6" just a few feet away from the foundation, thus you need a foot or more in that space. Second, is the snow pile you are experiencing. I've seen 4' of snow up against a house that then melts and freezes forming an ice dam that holds the water against the house. Worse, it can freeze against the siding and pull it off of the house as if shrinks vertically. Seen this many times. The solution to the glacier against the house is a snow blower to keep the snow away, all winter long.
Or elevate the house as Joe is suggesting.
Bud
