Waterproofing – Concrete Exterior Stairs next to House Retaining Wall
CottageLover
| Posted in General Discussion on
We have a portion of our house which will be below grade. So we have a concrete wall for this portion of the house. Running adjacent to this concrete wall are concrete stairs, which run along the exterior side of this concrete wall, which is 9′ tall. We will have waterproofing below grade, but I am concerned about water infiltration between the steps and the concrete wall, for instance, when it rains or when we are hosing down the steps. Should the joint between the concrete steps sitting against the concrete house wall be waterproofed in some way or sealed?
Replies
In an ideal World I would say yes, BUT:
- Are the concrete stairs simply cast on soild with no positive connection to the foundation wall?
If yes, then they will settle over time and any effort to seal the joint between the stair and the wall will fail at some future time.
- Are the stair treads sloped away from the wall and down toward the next lower tread?
If so, and if the foundation wall below the the stair is waterproofed, there really isn't a whole lot of water the will infiltrate the joint between the wall & stair.
Thank you. There is no positive connection. They will have a slight slope away from the wall and toward the lower tread. Thanks for your response.
Yes, sealing the joint between the concrete steps and wall is important to prevent water infiltration from rain or hosing. Apply a flexible, waterproof sealant like polyurethane or silicone to fill the gap. You can also install flashing to direct water away. Regularly check and reapply sealant as needed to maintain protection. This will help prevent moisture issues and potential damage.
Flashing?
From a concrete wall to a concrete stair?
Yes, it can be done, but you'd be having to cut grooves in the wall to accommodate the flashing.
I'd focus on using a properly caulked joint using a top shelf sealant and then diligent maintenance over the subsequent years.