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Hi Team,
I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about pouring a concrete path next to an old house. I've been told conflicting things- drill rebar into the foundations, and don't drill into the foundations. I'm not really sure what do to.
I've attached a couple of diagrams, the red indicates the rebar, the blue the mesh that would get attached. I was thinking the mesh and rebar would sit inside the new concrete. There are vertical facades on one side of each path.
Would it be beneficial to put a membrane down also?
Any advice welcome!
Hi @Sebastian90,
Both approaches—connecting the concrete path to the foundation using rebar and keeping the path as an independent structure—have their merits, and the decision largely depends on the specific conditions of your site and what you're hoping to achieve long-term.
When you connect the concrete path to the foundation using rebar, the path will move with the house's foundation as it shifts over time. This can be beneficial if you're looking for uniformity and want to avoid any separation between the path and the foundation. However, if the foundation experiences significant movement, this could transfer stress to the path, potentially causing cracks in the concrete.
On the other hand, decoupling the path from the foundation creates an independent structure. This approach helps prevent the path from cracking in case of any foundation movement or settling over time. It gives each element—foundation and path—room to shift independently without affecting the other.
To further protect your path, you can lay builder's plastic underneath, which acts as a moisture barrier. This membrane helps prevent moisture in the soil from leeching up into the concrete, reducing the risk of cracking caused by moisture changes in the ground. It's a good idea to include this membrane for added durability, especially near old houses where drainage may be less efficient.
For the mesh and rebar placement, your plan sounds solid. The mesh and rebar should be placed inside the new concrete to reinforce the structure. The rebar, especially if you decide to connect it to the foundation, will add strength, while the mesh will help distribute any tension across the slab and minimize cracking. If you do decide to drill into the foundation, just be cautious of drilling too deeply, which could potentially weaken the structure.
Ultimately, both options—connecting or keeping the path independent—are viable, but I’d recommend thinking about the long-term movement of your foundation and how that might affect your concrete path. Personally, I'd probably go with having them separate and installation and expansion joint between the path and the house's foundation.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Hello @Sebastian90
It's better not to have the metal touching the earth as it is a pathway for moisture which will cause the rebar to rust and deteriorate. You'll notice in that in most concrete layouts the rebar is placed on little plastic chairs also known as Jack 25 - 40mm Plastic Reinforcing Bar Chair that lift the rebar off the ground so that when the concrete is poured the rebar ends up in the centre of the concrete slab.
In regards to the holes in the foundation using Able Flex to fill it should be just fine.
If you need further assistance, please let me know.
Eric
Hi @Sebastian90
Please allow us to double check with our supplier regarding the proper procedure on how to place the AbelFlex when the concrete is being poured. As soon as we have more information, we'll get back to you.
Thank you for your patience.
Eric
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