I'm looking for advice on installing a concrete walkway around my house to help direct water away from the foundation. The stucco at the base of my home is below grade, which seems to have been a common construction practice. I want to understand the best way to approach this project so I'm informed when speaking with contractors.
Should the walkway be built close to the foundation, or is it better if it doesn't touch it? Is it acceptable to cut off the stucco that is below grade to allow the walkway to fit properly? Also, I have a concrete patio on the opposite side of the house that seems to connect with the stucco. Over the years, there's been some separation there. Should I seal this gap, and if so, what's the best material to use?
1 Answer
You can definitely place a walkway right up against the stucco, but keep in mind you might need to do a saw cut and put in a new weep screed. Just make sure the walkway slopes away at the right pitch for drainage. As for sealing the gap, I recommend using backer rod and a concrete sealant. I personally like Crack-stix, which you can melt with a torch, but there are also good caulk options like Sika.
Thanks for the recommendation! The gap isn't too big (less than 1/4 inch), so I might skip the backer rod and check out the Crack-stix.