Greenwoodstock 2015 at my Front steps...

This past Week End, we had another reunion of Greenwood's oldies in town, the
Greenwoodstock 2015 reunion.

Group picture from their Facebook page.

As per the last reunion I hosted, it gives us the chance to host old friends passing thru for the reunion. This year we were hosting our friend, Rose Goulden from Halifax.
This includes being her Designated Driver for the various reunion activities :-)

She has a long history of hip's problems. Watching her navigate our front steps the other nite, remembered me that I should do something about these %$@#& front cement steps.

The walkway slab has long ago tilted and there is about 2 in differences between each end of the cement riser height!

We talked about doing something about these steps, ever since we moved in about 4 years ago.  It was a stark reminder that theses are difficult to navigate, for Heather also. Me, it does not affect my long skinny white legs, so I tend to put that back into my 'later list...

What we did accomplished so far, is to stop the sinking slab of cement to put pressure against the cement block foundation by cutting it back.

See the demarcation line on the steps,

where the slab used to touch?

Cutting slab with a rental cement saw.

After jack hammered, removed debris, 

then back filled with white rocks

We briefly considered lifting the remainder of the cement slab back up, but rejected the idea as beyond our capabilities.
We did however re-landscaped the front to incorporated another entrance to the front steps, where the difference is much less.

But of course, these are not accessible during the winter...

OK Enough procrastination, time for swift action...

Some measurements, and thinking, I had this drawing and plan sketched:

- This is a temporary fix, so nothing too permanent.
   I'll just attach it to a spiked 2/4 on each ends.
- A pressure treated platform should last long enough to figured out how best fix that front entrance way once and for all (Major cement work, landscaping)

Platform max finished dimensions.

And 12 in is probably a bad idea, should keep it closer 

or same as the cement threads: 9-1/2 in or it will create a problem.

- Figuring out the best length for our PT construction lumber is to maximize my materials and cost.

2X4 construction lumber Pressure Treated

Decking boards, 5/4X6, 12 ft is $8.64

And we have a plan, it's off to buy some PT wood...

Of course, that just buy me some time to face the inevitable conclusion of this saga... 

Blow up those darn cement steps and the walkway slab and start from scratch??

Or maybe just the slab! We did discussed pouring a new "leveller" surface on top of the sinking slab, but I'll be worry all the weight is going toward the sinking edge,. Will it just compound the problem quickly?? Or has the slab found its resting place?  I imagine it sunk into the softer disturbed ground back filled to the foundation which was not compacted enough for its weight?

House ownership's comes with a never ending list of to do things around...

I don't care how young or old your house is, things settle, gravity always win :-)

Bob, taking a big step...