Constructing a step to enter a property

CatieE

I was wondering if anyone could help me please. My husband's elderly parents made contact with a local builder to construct a concrete step (eventually to be tiled) to enable them to enter their property safely.

Yesterday the builder arrived and constructed a wooden framework which was then filled with concrete. Six hours later there was an almighty storm and today has seen heavy rain. This morning the builder returned and made comment that the concrete wasn't looking ''too pretty'', but that didn't matter as the step will be tiled. My father-in-law asked when the wooden structure surrounding the step would be removed. The builder said that 3 sides would be removed on the day of tiling, but the wood against the brickwork would remain.

I'm afraid alarm bells are ringing and I'm not sure as to how to advise them. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Woodstok2000

Is the wood against the brickwork between the brick and the concrete? Would be hard to remove that - photos may help...

CatieE

Yes it is. My concern is that once tiled over the wood would rot?

Keep_pedalling

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82119329#Comment_82119329

if it was removed there will be a gap between the concrete and the brickwork. If left in place then the worse that can happen is that it rots leaving the same gap.

CatieE

I understand what you are saying. Has the step been constructed in the correct way?

Devongardener

I don’t know about the building technicalities, but I’d be concerned about having tiles in an area exposed to rain, they can get extremely slippery and dangerous, I know from experience.

stuart45

You need to get the correct tiles. They can be better than brick or concrete. There are some really good porcelain ones available. It's also important to get the correct falls on them, as well as tread and riser sizes.