I’m replacing a bunch of rotten trim and siding on a garage in Minnesota. For some reason, the framing is at grade, which doesn’t make much sense with 6″ of snow melting all over it. The wood clapboard siding is also at grade, and rotting. I plan to remove the bottom coarse of siding, install metal flashing to overlap the slab, and add a 5/4 water table, which will need to be at grade. The drainage is not good, with the neighbors adjacent parking lot higher in elevation than the framing. Any ideas on the best material to use for the water table. It will be painted. Also, this is in a historic district and vinyl is not an option. Fiber-cement and miratec are an option, but i don’t think they can sit at grade. Cedar? Treated?
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My immediate reaction would be to change the grade first.
Excavate 6" (min) and put perf pipe, wrapped with drinage silt sock, and if it can't be daylighted to an opening at a lower elevation, at least put a drywell to dissipate water.....If the customer can't swing that, or is unwilling to.....
In a pinch, if it would blend with the style of siding and trim, I suppose a water table of 1x10 or 12 Azek, with I&W behind it, and z flashing (drip cap) on top would at least keep your siding a foot off the ground, and be pretty bulletproof against rot. Make sure gutters, etc, keep as much rainwater as possible away from that area.
Bing
Changing the grade won't be an option. The garage is a few feet from the property line, and the neighbors paved drive is higher. Not sure how they got away with that. As for the Azek, the historic district doesn't want to see any vinyl. Ideal, the situation is not.
Trex will hold up well and can be painted. I've done it with good results.
You may not like the texture (a little rough), but similar products from other manufacturers may be better.
Trex probably would handle it, but like hardie, the manufacturer doesn't approve ground contact installation. You can get ground contact PT though.
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Can you pour a flash wall or a curb so that the siding is above grade where it should be? Seems like a better long term solution.
John
I'd like to, but this is a detached garage for a small condo association. Lacking will and cash.
Trench, sock pipe, gravel, and dry well.Or at least a narrow 2x12 PT box trenched in, with another 6” of gravel below, and a grate on top.And talk to the people at the Historic district office. Bring them a sample of Azek -- scuff it up well with 60-grit on a RO sander first, ease the edges nicely, and paint it. It doesn’t look THAT bad, and they should want to work with you, especially since wood at grade does not meet code. They probably have an appeals process, and if the association is worried about $, they can take care of the legwork, and call you back to do the job when they’ve got approval.AitchKay
PT
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That water has to be taken away. I like the idea of pouring a trough then filling with gravel. Ten test between the concrete and ground level pressure treated plywood...like to see a flashing there too.
Any other wet option is just going to rot out that sill and studs again.
L
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I have an identical situation on my 1870 detached garage. I just went before the Historic baord in my city(I know they are all different) and stated I would be using a PVC trim board at grade because of the water issue - they had no problem with that material. Our city has a historic liason that can make some minor decisions like this without a formal hearing. The other approach is to ask the historic baord what material they would use in this situation that won't rot!
BTW as the other poster mentioned I also used I&W to cover the slab/sill joint.
Good luck - Carl
Do the histeric's know what Azek is? How can they be ok with wood but not with Azek, when its painted it look the same. Also, no pvc but PT is cool? I would talk to the Azek rep for the area, and get his info on dealing with various histeric boards. If others have accepted it, then I think they would too if they are unfamiliar. Also, talk to the histeric's and have the Azek rep call them or vise versa.
I would also try to put in some type of drainage that runs to day light.
Edited 3/10/2009 10:32 pm ET by DDay