I really think you need to have a drain otherwise the water has nowhere to go except, most likely, into your home. If it doesn't flood then excess water is still seeping into the foundation. My house already had a drain in the foyer area but after the base of the steps flooded several times I had it moved outside (and a "lip" of cement about an inch high built as a barrier between foyer and base of steps). It really works great. It's worth the money to have it done (I can't remember exactly what I paid, but I was having the foyer recemented anyway). You won't have to worry about what's happening to your house when it's pouring rain outside and you're stuck at work unable to bail. If I could go back and do it again I'd have a drain outside AND in the foyer. Hope this helps!

Posted by: classon at October 27, 2007 9:46 AM in response to Stoop Entry Awning?

I have hired a man named Byron several times to repair windows in my house. My neighbors too. He recently fixed 10 windows for me in about 2 hours. When i get my windows in about 3 weeks he'll be the one to install them. He's a nice nice person, honest and ONLY does windows. Please email me if you would like his number. herkimer.street@yahoo.com

Posted by: classon at October 27, 2007 9:30 AM in response to Carpenter for Windows?

Thanks-- we have the "lip" on the top step, but itisn't enough--looks like we will have to price out a drain.
Has anyone seen an attractive awning over a garden level entry?

Posted by: PHfamily at October 27, 2007 10:05 AM in response to Stoop Entry Awning?

How exactly does the water reach where it is causing concern? Do you have the stoop caulked and sealed? This should prevent water entering from above. Is the water flowing in or being blown in from the concrete pad outside the ground entrance? Again, could it be that the rainwater is penetrating your uphill neighbor's walkway and then seeping through the base of your stoop? Putting in a drain will protect your house (and foundation) but you need to stifle that in-flow which will continue to undermine the stoop and vestibule.

Posted by: guest at October 27, 2007 10:14 AM in response to Stoop Entry Awning?

Please do not use mega glass. I used them to make and install new wood windows in my house. they did an awful job, and now i'm fighting with them because they did not put a proper seal in the windows. also, the nephew who came buy and works for Freddy didn't really know much about windows. THe install job was sloppy, the windows are not very weather proof and i'm out thousands of dollars for shitty windows that wont be resolved until i take them to court or get them out here some how to replace the ones they put in. They are NOT good for woodwork IMO.

Posted by: guest at October 27, 2007 2:53 PM in response to Carpenter for Windows?

You need a drain absolutely, awning or no awning. Besides a glass awning would cost more than putting in a drain there.

It's not a disaster and it's not impossible. Most houses have a drywell drain in that front vestibule, that does not connect to the sewer. Whomever does the work will just bust through the concrete in the vestibule and dig a well, line it with bricks, then recover with concrete. No biggie. Call a yard contractor, they do drywells all the time.

You know what? I bet anything you have a drywell under there already. Somebody put concrete over it at some point. Tell the yard contractor who does the work to first look for an existing drywell when he busts into the concrete. Good luck!

Posted by: guest at October 28, 2007 10:47 AM in response to Stoop Entry Awning?