| Remember: The
building code requires sloping
public walkways that intersect with a stairway to have no more than
a 1 inch per foot slope. This
applies to the top and the bottom of the stairway.
This isn't the case for a private walkways. Private walkways need to be
level. The building code books don't give any exceptions for private
walkways. In the picture above, the builder could have created a level
stair riser, even though it might have created a drainage problem.
Here's a tip from someone who's been there. This stairway is located at
a stop sign, on a highly traveled road. If a building inspector or
building department official was to drive by this neighborhood and
notice a freshly poured concrete staircase and knew about this building
code, the property owner or contractor could be responsible for making
the necessary changes.
Not only can problems like these create safety problems, they can also
create problems for the building department.
Example: Let's say that one of the neighbors drives by and sees this
wonderful staircase. They get the bright idea to build one exactly like
it. They build it and within a short period of time a building inspector
red flags the job. The owners of the property wonder why they are
getting in trouble, when their neighbors didn't. Problems like these
create headaches for city building departments.
Just because you see someone build something, doesn't mean that it was
built correctly. Don't make assumptions, especially when pouring
concrete stairs.
|
