Best way to fill gap at front doorstep

boots_babe

Hi, 

My parents have a sandstone step at their front door which is very worn down and is letting water in.

I need to put a suitable filler in between the step and the UPVC door frame, and wasn't sure what was best to use. The gap is too large for just a bead of silicon, so perhaps some sort of cement?

I've attached some photos but you can't see particularly well. Any advice welcome.

Also I have been advised to paint the step to re-waterproof it, is some sort of tar type paint the best option here?

Thanks.

HumberFlyer

If it was my step, right or wrong way, I don't know.... I would just get a small bag of sand / cement... fill the gap, then put a upvc quadrant across.... using silicone would then work ok...ideally after you have tared the step

FreeBear

HumberFlyer said: ...ideally after you have tared the step

Sandstone is a relatively "open" stone, and doesn't want a waterproof layer slapped on top. Moisture will be drawn in from below, and through any cracks in the coating. Come the winter, this moisture will freeze causing the coating & stone to spall. if you must paint it, go for a silicate paint such as SecilTek Isovit. Darned expensive if you only want a small tin, but you might get away with a couple of 100ml sample pots at £4 each (don't forget the primer).

ThisIsWeird

It looks as tho' the main step is sandstone, but the part immediately in front of the door is concrete, so could be painted with no issue. Is that the case, bb?
And, how far in under the cill does the gap go?

flashg67

I'd think about using a pvc quadrant beading and sealed using acrylic frame sealant

casper_gutman

I'm not sure whether the gap is causing any problems e.g. with water ingress? If it's just an aesthetic issue then I'd consider getting a bigger doormat without so many big openings in it!

boots_babe

@casper_gutman - it's definitely causing rather significant water ingress. We can see the sodden floorboards inside, and multiple tradesmen have told us this is the issue. You cannot see very well on the photos but it's a pretty big gap - you would easily get your finger in there.

@ThisIsWeird - yes that's right. I'm not sure how far under the gap goes to be honest, I will have to check next time I am there.

Thanks to everyone's suggestions, I will go and look at those. the PVC quadrant could be a good option.

ThisIsWeird

boots_babe said:

@ThisIsWeird - yes that's right. I'm not sure how far under the gap goes to be honest, I will have to check next time I am there.

Thanks to everyone's suggestions, I will go and look at those. the PVC quadrant could be a good option.

The reason I asked about the gap is that it is hopefully fairly deep. That way, it can be filled nicely, but still allow the front edge to be set back in a small amount. The reason is, water will be coursing down that door, and running off that lower PVC frame - it does not have a cill to divert the water away. So, all the rainwater coming down that door will run over whatever you fill that gap with, and if there is a tiny fracture between the PVC and the filler, then it could capillary water in.

Hopefully, if you can fill that gap but inset in a good few mm, most water will cascade off in front of it, and not on to it.

boots_babe

@ThisIsWeird that makes really good sense, I hadn't thought of that. I was going to get a PVC quadrant as per a couple of people on this thread suggested, but actually your point regarding ensuring there is a cill to help route the water, is sensible. I am pretty sure the gap will go back far enough, to enable us to fill it but leave a small overhang at the front, thank you so much for your advice.

ThisIsWeird

boots_babe said:

@ThisIsWeird that makes really good sense, I hadn't thought of that. I was going to get a PVC quadrant as per a couple of people on this thread suggested, but actually your point regarding ensuring there is a cill to help route the water, is sensible. I am pretty sure the gap will go back far enough, to enable us to fill it but leave a small overhang at the front, thank you so much for your advice.

The PVC quadrant idea could be fine, but it's just to be aware of this potential issue.

A really good sealant-adhesive is Stixall, and it's available in white. So if you were to fit a PVC trim, just make sure it's sealed fully along the top join with that door frame.