My Stoop to Conquer

I’m in a small fame house in South Slope and my stoop leaks like a sieve and is starting to crumble on the inside.  The walls are cynderblock and the steps seem to be modular cement units.  The whole thing is a big leaky mess. So. I am going to consider a new stoop.  If aesthetics are not the #1 priority, what is the conventional wisdom about what will be most durable and waterproof?  Brick?  Brownstone? I know everyone here seems to complain about some moisture under the stoop… but there’s gotta be something better than this! Thanks in advance.

widthom

in Masonry 12 years and 11 months ago

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Stonergut | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Sealing the outside too thouroughly can lead to spalling of the stone on the inside. The inside has to be porous and vented to keep it dry. I know that’s counter intuitive, but condensation gets locked inside if it’s too completely sealed on the outside, and the vapor is damaging. Our stoop has been great since an external resurfacing, and included cement repair and whitewash in the entry directly underneath (by the iron gate).  We retained an earth floor under the stoop itself, but have cement and a drain where you walk in.  We use a wood door with a big cutout (outhouse-style) to separate the “caboose” (as the old guy we bought the place from called the area under the stoop) from the entry.

Arkady | 12 years and 11 months ago

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VinRoy Barronette at Park Slope Brownstone fixed mine 2 years ago – excellent work & reasonable cost

slopefarm | 12 years and 11 months ago

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“I have no advice to offer, but I have salute your title!” LOL, yes, old stoops (and frame houses generally) lend themselves to restoration comedy.

anonymous | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Couple things you can do to salvage your stoop, but end of the day I am not an expert and you may call contractor who is expert and experienced. I think you can put wire match then cement stuccoo. After that you can put thoro coat. If the stoop is really bad then rebuilding is better bet then resurfacing it. You probably will be better doing brick then brownstone. Call Millad at 718-669-8305 or email him at ctgconstruction@gmail.com. He has done work for me and will use him in the future. After my neighboor seeing his work in my house, they hired him to do their work, so he seems very reliable. Hope your problem will be resolved.

Amym718 | 12 years and 11 months ago

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I have no advice to offer, but I have salute your title!

anonymous | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Re pointing all joins of the stoops and cinder block wall is the primary care.Resurface is the secondery care.if its too bad conition better re build.You may get an estimate from M.Hamid Construction CO. by calling at 718-633-1500.