ᐅ Pouring a concrete entrance platform – what should be considered?
Created on: 21 Jun 2022 09:02
R
Reini1234
Hello everyone,
We are planning to pour concrete for our entrance platform, which will be covered either with WPC decking boards or natural stone slabs. The platform will be wider than the door opening.
In the picture, you can see the current situation. A black waterproofing strip has already been installed by the window company, and in front of it, the white perimeter insulation of the basement is visible. We have now applied a self-adhesive bitumen membrane here (not yet visible in the photo).
Is there anything we need to consider before pouring the concrete? Should XPS boards be applied to the render?
We are planning to pour concrete for our entrance platform, which will be covered either with WPC decking boards or natural stone slabs. The platform will be wider than the door opening.
In the picture, you can see the current situation. A black waterproofing strip has already been installed by the window company, and in front of it, the white perimeter insulation of the basement is visible. We have now applied a self-adhesive bitumen membrane here (not yet visible in the photo).
Is there anything we need to consider before pouring the concrete? Should XPS boards be applied to the render?
Tolentino schrieb:
Okay, that’s possible, but it brings up much more serious issues. In any case, the train has left the station for me. There’s no way I’m raising the entire site by 40cm (16 inches) and installing drainage everywhere. Accessible can also mean a ramp 😉 (that’s how I solved it)
We also didn’t install a base plinth in front. Since we raised the property level anyway, the area up to the front door was paved at the same height.
This also improved wheelchair access, making it easier to navigate. Just before the door, a drainage channel was installed.
This can help to catch any potential runoff water. The entrance door itself also has an additional seal at the bottom.
This also improved wheelchair access, making it easier to navigate. Just before the door, a drainage channel was installed.
This can help to catch any potential runoff water. The entrance door itself also has an additional seal at the bottom.
A proper ramp would also work for me if it ever becomes necessary. But in that case, I would probably consider moving instead.
And of course, if a single-story design had been chosen from the start, it could have been planned that way. However, the foundation recommendation from the geotechnical engineer was different, and all the specialists and neighbors advised against a single-story layout...
And of course, if a single-story design had been chosen from the start, it could have been planned that way. However, the foundation recommendation from the geotechnical engineer was different, and all the specialists and neighbors advised against a single-story layout...
This applies especially to timber frame or solid wood constructions. According to our builder / structural engineer, they must protrude at least 30cm (12 inches) above ground level. Any moisture inside the base area can cause very serious damage. With traditional masonry and a brick facade, I often see them at ground level and expect fewer problems here, provided the base waterproofing has been properly installed (which is probably much too rare 😉).
Yes, standing water or occasional heavy rainfall is not really the problem. In those cases, a drainage channel or even just a slope away from the house is usually enough. But in Berlin over the last 10 years, we have already had two severe rain events where you literally waded through water ankle- to knee-deep, and subway stations were flooded (I believe someone even drowned there once). In such situations, you’re happy to have more than 40 cm (16 inches) of elevation before all the slag starts flowing into your house…
Tolentino schrieb:
However, the foundation recommendation from the soil engineer was different, and all experts and neighbors advised against a single-story design... The same applies to us; due to groundwater layers and clay soil, drainage is poor.
Entrance platform with granite edges and paving stones,
granite stones as platforms at all “doors.”