Sidewalk to front door

[Brian E. Kelly]

French drain or perforated drain piping and some fill woud work.

[Richard A. Hetzel]

Tell the client that the next time she builds a house, perhaps having an architect who draws, specifies and details such items might be a wise investment. When the specifications are left to the builder, that is what one gets, with no recourse available.

On the other hand, would it have killed the builder to make the damn thing a foot wider? The combination of the narrow width and the drop on one side definitely raises the issue of safety, especially for small children and the elderly. Being elderly myself, I am coming to see the wisdom of certain design decisions and the folly of others. What I would have sailed through with ease in even my recent "youth" now has become an area of concern for me as I navigate through the built environment.

I think that raising safety concerns without using the word "defect" is exactly the right approach. But don't forget, putting a railing on that thing is going to reduce its width by a few inches, making it even narrower to pass through. Maybe a railing could be bolted into the side to avoid further restriction. But darn, a passage to a front door ought to be four feet wide, at least. Where is this house, in Chintzville??

[tneyedli1]

Originally Posted by jszczesny

Ok this House is a new house that I have inspected. The walkway to the front door has a 24" ledge leading upto the door. Would anyone recommend handrails or raise the grade of ground for the walkway. I did. Builder doesn't want to do anyting about because it appearantly within city code. Owner wants more than my opinion. Your opinions??

You have to ask yourself when does it or when does it not represent a trip hazzard?
Whenever it becomes a safety issue with me, SAFETY trumps code every time.

T.Neyedli CHI
BPCPA #47827
www.alphahomeinspections.ca

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I agree with Richard, a little common sense on the part of the Builder would have gone a long ways in providing a safe walkway.

No common sense in Building, hire an Architect to tell you how to do it right.

I wonder if they provided water proofing of some sort on that porch area slab, stoop entrance.
I can just see the box sill rotting out already.