Question
QUESTION: I have a new sidewalk & steps going down a hill.  The plan called for "Steps = 4'6" rise approx. with a 7' run would give 7 risers of 7 3/4" with a tread width of 14".  They made only 5 steps.  At the top of the hill, the sidewalk slopes 3" to 3 1/2" (possibly more) downhill, making it difficult to walk on, especially when wet.  The contractor says the slope is needed for drainage.  I have never seen a sidewalk that was literally on it's side like this.  What do you think?

ANSWER: hello,

perhaps you could take out the side walk and install steps at the top of the hill.  you did not say what material the steps and side walk are made of.   perhaps a material with a coarser texture could be used on the side walk to give better traction or grooved concrete.

well from a rough sketch i made five steps would give a tread width of about 16 inches which does seem a bit too wide even for outside.   i would have to know more about what the slope looks like and what surrounds it to make a suggestion.    can you send me a copy of the plan by email or attach it at the all experts site?     my email address is located on my website:
www.harshmandrafting.com

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sidewalk   QUESTION: It's concrete with stamping.

Answer
Hello,

I could tell alot more from the plan,but this side walk looks slipppery and what is up with the debri and the pipes on the side?   I dont know what kind of arrangement you had with this contractor,but perhaps you could get them to address these issues?

The concrete looks like it may have had a waterproof coating applied to it and that can be slippery,particularly when wet.    Removing the coating and making traction lines in the concrete if necessary, would improve the traction.  The concrete should have had a grit applied or broomed to a rough finish before the coating was applied.


Mark Harshman
http://sites.google.com/site/harshmandrafting/
http://www.scribd.com/markscrib47

Email: [email protected]