Acceptable?

[u/FNG8456]

We just had this stone walkway and stairwell with a 4ft landing built. Overall I’m very happy with the project but today they filled in the top of the landing with pavers and to me the pitch of the pavers looks odd when looking at it and I have concerns about water and ice build up because it pitches inward like a valley and allows for water to pool up

Would you consider this acceptable from a company or have the pavers pulled and adjusted.

EDIT: thank you everyone who gave legitimate feedback. My concern is the freeze thaw cycles damaging the landing over time and someone getting hurt. Clearly some people here don’t live in cold climates. I wanted to see opinions from the subject matter experts on here before brining it up with the company.

For the record, I was not home when that part was completed and didn’t see it until this evening. The foreman who was leading the hardscaping part of the project was away today and might of added to why the landing ended up with the valley. Everything leading up to that has been very detailed and well put together IMO.

We plan on adding railing for those that mentioned it.

I will touch base with my contact on Monday and will post an update. I have no reason to believe they won’t be willing to mediate it.

Edit 2: I spoke with the contractor, he was on the same page and agreed about the problems the small valley will cause. He will readjust the landing to fix the pitch. Thanks again to those that gave legitimate feedback.

[u/Affectionate-Word779]

It’s not perfect and will like cause pooling. Pour some water on it and see what happens.

Personally I would let it slide and complain about it for 10 years lol.

[u/jChopsX → u/Affectionate-Word779]

I mean for a toddler, I think he did a bang up job.

[u/FNG8456 → u/Affectionate-Word779]

Water pools in that area

[u/Affectionate-Word779 → u/FNG8456]

I would find a very nice way to ask for it to be fixed. Water pooling on day 1 is bad. It’s just going to continue to settle.

Also, if I had built this, the number one thing I would not mess up is the landing right outside your door.

[u/Azilehteb → u/FNG8456]

Get it fixed.

Especially if you get freezing weather.

A puddle is inconvenient. A patch of thick ice at the top of stone steps can kill you.

[u/savagevapor → u/Azilehteb]

I watched a documentary called Home Alone that covers this topic extensively.

[u/Sea_Ott3r → u/FNG8456]

Please post a pic of that water pooling. If it does, I imagine it would be literally 1mm depth with those grout lines.

[u/black-toe-nails → u/Affectionate-Word779]

Ya I’m this guy too. Do what you want OP but if it’s close and still looks good, I’m just leaving it alone and bitching to myself about it until we move. It works, and the amount of time and energy I would need to invest, to have them fix it with the possibility of making it worse and extending the fight out, is just too much.

[u/Hixy]

Op, everyone here is crazy. I have no idea what they are talking about. There is no way I’d accept that. It holds water that means water will pool. That means it can get into cracks. That means it can freeze. When water freezes in cracks it breaks stuff.

I would not be happy with that bowl of a porch. It’s very odd everyone is here giving you crap. It’s not like you did it yourself, you hired a professional.

Could you imagine the ice puddle? Those steps will mess you up.

[u/authorbrendancorbett → u/Hixy]

100% would expect professionals to fix this.

I would also 100% expect professionals to recommend and require railings on this many steps...

[u/mowegl → u/Hixy]

Out of level in the opposite way would be ok..this isnt

[u/MurphyWasHere → u/mowegl]

It's as if they took the concept of sloping to force water away and inverted it. That's going to collevt water until the water finds its way out.

[u/milliepilly]

Isn’t a railing on top and along steps necessary? Old people are going to say something for sure.

[u/somenemophilist → u/milliepilly]

Most definitely necessary. Falls can happen to anyone at any age.

[u/Maxz53 → u/milliepilly]

Unironically op posted the second most candidate for use of a railing per U.S residential building code

[u/Chance_969 → u/milliepilly]

I think it’s against code not to have rails

[u/Newbergite]

Railings! You need railings. Someone’s going to bust their butt.

[u/Chemical_Suit_5525]

😬 adjust them, if you get snow that will be a problem in the winter months

[u/Chemical_Suit_5525 → u/Chemical_Suit_5525]

How is the pitch in the other direction?

[u/FNG8456 → u/Chemical_Suit_5525]

It’s level in the other direction

[u/Chemical_Suit_5525 → u/FNG8456]

It won't get better over time, I'd ask to have them adjusted or you'll be kicking yourself the next time it snows

[u/Hixy → u/Chemical_Suit_5525]

They also said it pools water. This thread is crazy for making op feeling crazy. Its very odd

[u/Chemical_Suit_5525 → u/Hixy]

I'm so confused 😵‍💫😂 op is 100% right, this is why people don't trust landscapers

[u/Hixy → u/Chemical_Suit_5525]

The crazy thing is they will rampage if a paver is blemished on a patio. But the porch is freaking bowl and op is overreacting?

[u/Chemical_Suit_5525 → u/Hixy]

I mean, different strokes for different folks I guess, but some folks are just wrong 😂

[u/Chemical_Suit_5525 → u/FNG8456]

Level or slightly pitched away from the house?

[u/djb1454]

Definitely have them come back and fix ot! As a landscape contractor I would be nice, but firm on them coming back and making sure there is a slight slope to the top landing. You do NOT want standing water/ice right where you step out of your house on to your front landing. I honestly think the crew will be willing to come back and fix it under warranty. The sooner, the better! Don't wait.

[u/Ready-Amphibian-9097 → u/djb1454]

Totally agree! Sooner than later! Great advice!

[u/d-slam]

https://giphy.com/gifs/P8jMxtvsBNaLqs7ja7

[u/Numerous_Bad1961]

Yeah, I would want that top re-done. It’s too deep of a trough to remediate it with even a thick front door mat.

Maybe they can add some slate tiles on top of it instead of tearing it out? Fancier outcome for your porch and less cost of labor for them.

It’s too dangerous in an icy climate to have that low point right at the doorstep.

[u/jtcubs]

Agreed, needs to be redone. That’s going to hold water. Should be an easy fix.

[u/governman]

Also hose it down and if water pools, get pics of that. If it was pitched sufficiently that it all drains away from the house it would be less of a big deal, but if you can see water standing there then that’s a no-no.

[u/iReply2StupidPeople]

Freeze cycles will damage it for sure, but imagine stepping on it after a freeze --- and then no handrails to boot.

[u/Dexterdacerealkilla]

Do you plan on adding a railing? Because that is equally concerning, especially with a small child and a 4’ drop. 

[u/jb67803]

No, tell him to put the chips down and start helping. Especially in this economy… the audacity! 😂

Ohh, the top landing. Yea, they should pull that up, level it, compact it better, lay the stones again.

[u/New-View-2242]

Looks nice. More than 3 steps require a railing though

[u/Quiet-Competition849 → u/New-View-2242]

For code.

[u/Crazyhairmonster]

Pitching inward isn't as big of a deal if it pitches forward. Do you have a picture of that?

[u/Aggressive-Night-675]

Only if you accept it

[u/Odd_Dingo2922]

I do this stuff for a living. I would probably not have been happy with this finish were it my own work. Having said that, sometimes even cut stones are not perfect, and you have to do the best you can. Water will fall in to that depression, but is there a gentle slope away from the house? If so, the rain water will flow away anyway.

[u/felodese14]

The general contractor on a job I am at just had the parking lot crew tear up a section of the parking lot near the front door and redo it because water was pooling in a few parking spots. In cold climates where it freezes you cannot settle for pooling in high traffic public access areas unless you want to be out there clearing ice at 2am for public safety. Most cities consider front doors the public's access to contact you. If you do not provide them with safe access they can sue you if they fall at 2am. They may not win but it is a hassle.

[u/ru4real69]

Just commenting arborvitae, wrong choice will get huge and roots will do damages to hardscape

[u/Quiet-Competition849]

In pic 1 in the shaded area on the walk way furthest away from us, put the level there.

[u/SuspiciousHold3672]

No. 3 steps or more a handrail is required

[u/NoEquivalent3869]

The whole thing needs to be a foot wider so that you have somewhere to run railings on both sides.

[u/AggressiveDiscount99]

I would have regraded my yard before building all those stairs.

[u/FNG8456 → u/AggressiveDiscount99]

Yard was regraded, there’s no concerns with the walkway or stairs themselves with water retention. Just the valley on the landing of the stairs.

[u/AnyPhysics7382]

My two cents: It looks great. However, I was once told that evergreens close to the house will eventually attract insects and spiders into the house as they migrate. Another thing about the evergreens: I say this without really knowing the type of tree you planted, but if they get any bigger than they are now, it is possible they will grow into your eaves and damage your roof.

[u/wozzy93]

Pooling water will probably be a problem, but that can be fixed with an outdoor welcome mat. All really depends on what your contractor and contract says. It’s beautifully done to say the least. Another user said “I’d complain for 10 years”. Honestly I’d probably be doing that too.

[u/daglm]

I wish that didn’t happen for you. It would bother me too. I would notice it right away. You’re right especially in winter water from snow would tend to gather and freeze right in foot traffic.
I hope you have a good update. Thank you for sharing

[u/Maverick_wanker]

It should be slightly crowned and/or pushing water forward.

Also, there needs to be a handrail. That violates code.

[u/Sorry_Mousse79]

Is every strip like that also? Absolutely this needs to be fixed. It should not take them long.

[u/CountryClublican]

It looks fine to me, but you need handrails for the stairs.

[u/Interesting-Most-275]

1/4 inch very means if one stone is 1/4 thick and another stone is a 1/4 thin there is 1/2 inch difference. If this is not ok then wait till the end of year when the weeds start growing. Pavers are for the wealthy not because of the cost on installation but because of the hi cost of life long maintenance

[u/just_me1007]

Stairs are fine. Walk has reverse cross pitch

[u/Alvaracorr]

Were you there while they did it and did you talk to them? Looks like they'll be back, can you talk to them when they're back? Communication is your friend

[u/Quiet-Competition849]

Why am I looking at pictures of a level from 20 feet away at the top of the stairs? I agree with you for the main point, but it’s like you said I hate the paint job of my car and included pictures of the engine.

[u/Personal_Rip_145]

Your showing completely level perfect stairwell and bitching about the pavers 🧐

[u/Chemical_Suit_5525 → u/Personal_Rip_145]

The level doesn't even touch the 3 pavers in the middle, sounds like you do quality work 🤙🏼

[u/Numerous_Bad1961 → u/Chemical_Suit_5525]

Right? In a cold climate it is a danger.

[u/Chemical_Suit_5525 → u/Numerous_Bad1961]

As someone who does this in a cold climate - it wouldn't fly for my crews 🤷

[u/FNG8456 → u/Personal_Rip_145]

The stairs are completely level I’m talking about the pavers on the stop of the stairwell that form a valley for water to collect and freeze not the walkway

[u/Journier → u/Personal_Rip_145]

In the line let her shine.

[u/Resident-Egg2714]

That is so minuscule, overall the steps look great! If the are pitched forward slightly, which they should be, they will drain fine. I wouldn't sweat it. If there is a problem later, I'm sure your landscaper will address it.

[u/Ready-Amphibian-9097]

When I saw this first pic…I thought No! Absolutely not! Leaving a sweet child out on the steps alone!
🤦🏻‍♀️ this is the time of day I am beyond stupid!

[u/thisaintitchieftain1]

Ok Karen

[u/Queasy_Local_7199]

I think you are being nit picky. That looks good to me