Landing Exterior Stairs on Concrete, avoiding rot
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I’m about to build a small set of stairs ( 2 or 3 risers) from an exterior door, terminating on an existing concrete slab. I’m intending to use a 2×4 kicker-board at the bottom and fasten it to the slab with sleeve anchors. I’m concerned about water and detritus getting trapped between the wood and the concrete and rotting out the kicker and the ends of the stringers. I just demo’ed a deck in the same location that used a PT 2×10 as a kicker. It was completely rotted and insect damaged. A lot of stairs I’ve seen have similar issues with rotting where the wood meets the slab. What’s the best practice on making this connection so it’s secure but allows for drying?
Replies
Cut the bottom of the stringers 3/4” short and then cap each with an oversized pvc “pad”. Make the pvc pads a bit wider and longer so you can fasten through them to the slab.
You are making pvc “shoes” to sit on the concrete with space between for water to drain and enable you to clean below.
Comprende?
Makes sense. The PVC you're talking about, is this just PVC trim like AZEK or something? Forgive me, I'm a little old world so I'm not super familiar with modern building materials.
Yes, any of the pvc trims. You’re going to make oversized pads (enough to allow you to screw through to anchor them to your concrete pad.