Our driveway slightly slopes into our basement foundation wall, causing water to stand in that area. We don't want to simply add cement to this area to elevate it one or two inches because of our concern that the thin layer will eventually crack up, and that the new layer won't bond properly to the old layer. What is the proper method to correct this problem?
Concrete – How to best build up concrete driveway where it meets the basement foundation of house
concreterepair
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I would be more concerned that your wire looks to be at the very bottom of the concrete, making it useless. Concrete is very strong under compression but very weak under flex. The steel is there to take the flex and should be about center of the concrete. Definitely use a concrete bonding agent and Ditra. The Ditra will provide enough of a barrier that the cracks should not come through. Personally I would not put a huge pile of money into tile considering it might end up cracking
I realize that you don't want to proceed with the project but I thought I'd answer anyway in case someone else is curious. I am a licensed contractor and my company specializes in basement remodeling; we have done several window expansions or additions in concrete foundations. A few things:
- You definitely need a permit for this project (though you don't need to hire a contractor) this is a structural modification and needs to be done correctly.
- You definitely need a structural engineer to write you a letter after a site inspection stating his recommendations for keeping the structural integrity (when you get a permit, they'll require this any way.
- If you are making a bedroom in the area you are adding a window to, you'll want to make sure that the new window you put in meets egress code for inspection/permit reasons.
Though you can support the new opening with pressure treated wood (according the engineers prescription, of course), most likely the engineer will recommend a steel frame in the newly cut opening. We use a 4"x4"x1/4" steel frame that the engineer signs off on. You can have one made to fit your opening at your local steel fabricator. (see pic below)
After you install the frame with bolts into the concrete and silicone sealant around the entire perimeter, the installation of the window is a piece of cake.
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Best Answer
You are correct about the thin layer of concrete not working. The best way to fix it would be to cut and break out that area and raise it with packed dirt and then pour a new 4" slab. Preferably giving the water another place to flow like off to the yard.