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Open Question: Fixing our basement leak-- what would you do first? Concrete drain, or roof over entry stairway? and more... Open Question: Fixing our basement leak-- what would you do first? Concrete drain, or roof over entry stairway?We're in the process of buying a house. The only major problem we have (other than an aging heating/cooling unit the seller is either fixing or replacing today, depending on what his contractor decides to do) is a leak from the basement entry door. We received the home inspector's report yesterday, and he's fairly sure the leak is coming from the area of the entry door (he noted no evidence of leaks originating from the vent windows, the foundation, the mortar seams, etc.) The basement is a walkout only, with only a standard entry door (no garage door). The ground level elevation is such that you have to step down two steps to get into the entry door. These steps are built into a "box" of concrete block retaining walls. Unfortunately, whoever originally built these steps made three boo-boos: The landing of the steps rests slightly higher than the door, it slopes slightly toward the door, and it has no drain. FYI, the landing is about 4 feet by 4 feet of concrete slab. There are two possible remedies to this situation, and I want to eventually do both. Which would you do first? 1. Construct a "lean-to" roof over the steps and landing to channel rainwater away from the pit-like opening. Cost: About $100 and a day's worth of labor from yours truly. 2. Bust up the concrete landing slab. Dig out the hole a little deeper so it's a few inches below the door sill. Install a drain (which means trenching six feet deep across at least 20 feet of yard to the hillside in the woods) and re-pour the landing slab-- level this time, with a slight slope inward toward the drain on all sides. Obviously, the second part is going to be much more labor-intensive, though probably not much more expensive in a monetary sense unless I have to hire help (I'm unsure of my ability to handle concrete work like that.) Which would you tackle first, and how? Open Question: How can I prevent my concrete driveway from spalling or pitting any further?I have a 20 year old concrete driveway. The entire surface is pitting and spalling. Last year I lightly pressure washed it and a couple weeks later I put put on a water based concrete sealer. There are little pieces of broken concrete all over the driveway now. What else can I do the prevent further damage? Dig up and replace, that is kind of unreasonable in most situations. The driveway is stable, just the surface is not. Isn't there a way to resurface concrete, or can I asphalt over the top? Open Question: my first completed Mcoy amp?i just completed my first amp and i was wondering 2 things one is it weird for sound to be able to come out of it with out power to the amp and 2 i hooked all the wires up exactly like the blue prints showed but i only get sound in one headphone unless i have the jack to the sitting barely in the out put any one know what i could have wrong r how i can fix it Open Question: how cold for concrete?im pouring Mon.....temp is going to be 47/27, Tue47/30, Wen50/30 low. Thursday there coming with the garage to built on it. my pad is 28x18.6x.4.....retainer walls 10x10. there will be hot water and i think calcium in the crete........will this be ok to pour? there is rebar every 2' on center.......thanks for ne help. Open Question: I am involved with a community garden. Would a wooden barrier be better than a plastic or rubber barrier?the soil is contaminated so i wanted to build tall raised beds on top of a barrier. The people that have the plot want to use wood and wood chips as a barrier. I think some of the root systems could penetrate this and potentially contaminate the crops. what do you think? also what kinds of plastic/ Rubber would be better if this is the best option ok jonka. Do you think the plastic is necessary? The people who run the garden are very anti government and plastic. i wanted to make sure it would be safe to grow in beds that are higher than the root systems on contaminated soil to avoid being shut down by the police. i read today this works but am still not sure Open Question: How can I fix my Viking oven?I have an electric oven from Viking. It worked well for a year or so, but now it will overheat whenever the oven is used. For example, when set to 350 degrees, it will continue to heat up to near (or maybe over) 600 degrees - until the fan comes on and I have to shut it off. If I adjust the Oven Temperature knob down (from 350) the oven does not click off until I am below 200 degrees and into the OFF part of the knob. I am guessing it is a thermostat issue and wonder if there is a way to clean or adjust the thermostat. Any suggestions before I call for service would be appreciated. Thanks! Open Question: Does the Home Depot sell masonite sheets?I am an art student and am looking for masonite panels. Does Home Depot sell large sheets of it that I could take home and cut up into smaller square panels? Open Question: Does anyone know of short wardrobes?I need a half height wardrobe for shirts etc, but I can't seem to find any. Well I found one but it was £700! Any ideas where to get one? Or how I could convert a cabinet or chest of drawers into a low wardrobe with a hanging rail in it? Open Question: Is purple sheet rock ok for shower/tub area?Just installed mold/water purple sheet rock but heard cement board is recommended also did i make a mistake? I plan to cover with a 4X8 plastic panel (dont remember the name something PPV ) to make it water proof any opinions? More Recent Articles
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