Stone door step so worn down.....

[Jess]

Hi,

I've not used the forum for ages but am in desperate need of some advice! My stone door step has been so worn down over the years of use that it now dips in the centre and the rain is pooling by the door and my floor boards are rotten in the hall, my new(ish) door frame is rotting at the bottom and I think that the joists under the floor boards must be rotting too!

What can I do? Where do I even start getting a new one and how would it be fitted or is it a case of repairing? If so how?

Thanks everyone !

Jess

 

[MdB]

A picture would be useful.

If the bottom of the step is dressed, you may be able to turn it upside down which may be a relatively simple job. It of course depends on the design of the step. Something you want to sort out though if you are getting rot.

 

[Penners]

I agree with MdB. Turn it over. Pity though - I love steps like that, showing the wear of thousands of feet.

 

[fjpdesigns]

Could you turn it round or slightly angle it down from the door to get run off?

 

[DaveBrigg]

The top step of a flight down to a cellar at Warwick Castle, in a similar worn state, had a small channel cut across it, presumaby to divert water which would have otherwise run down the stairs. Possibly not a DIY project though.

 

[Jess]

Thanks everybody, I've been trying to get a photo but got a problem with my camera so I thought I'd just try and describe it as best as I can.

The stone step sits under the front of the house so turning it over / replacing it doesn't look like an easy job as the bricks and the door frame sit on it.

A builder suggested self levelling compound - does that sound like a good idea? Or asking him to angle grind a chanel into it?

Thanks everyone.

Jess

 

[Penners]

A builder suggested self levelling compound - does that sound like a good idea?

Jess - I've re-read your posts and I can't see whether this step is inside or outside the house. If it's outside, I don't think self-levelling compound would survive for any time at all, particularly if you get frost after rain. It would probably lift off the step.

Inside, I doubt it would fare much better. I think its thin edges would soon crumble and break up.