"RicodJour" wrote:

Sir Topham Hatt wrote:
For my new addition, I am planning on installing a bluestone patio. To avoid a
3 - 4 step drop to the patio from my family room, the GC wants to raise the
patio area. Now, I know that soil should be at least 6 inches away from any
wood material (clapboard siding, sheathing, etc..) of a home, but my GC told me
since the material uses to raise the grade will be gravel and stone dust, so,
there is no need to worry about covering properly flashed plywood sheathing with
this patio base material since it will not retain water. Is he ****ting me or
what?

If the question is, is he lying to you, no way to tell from here. He
may believe what he's telling you, but it isn't good advice nor
construction.

In a subsequent post you metioned the wood-framed part would only be
about 12" below the surface of the patio. Code around here requires
wood framing to be 8" above grade, unless it's treated wood. If you
wish have the patio come right up to the house you will need to design
a better detail than 30# felt and some flashing.

The stone dust may prevent the concealed area from becoming a bathtub,
but it will get wet and hold moisture longer than if it was free to dry
in the air. Termites and such love that environment.

Brush-on waterproofing with embedded mesh over the sheathing/foundation
joint, or a membrane, will be required to extend down onto the
foundation. You may also want to look into a drainage plane against
the building. You may have seen those dimpled plastic sheets with
geofabric attached, or something similar.
Are you suggesting that I use the same type of waterproofing I used on the
foundation walls (brush on asphalt) and do I brush it on the sufaces covered by
the patio base (pea gravel and stone dust) base will cover or just brush it
on the joint between the foundation and sheathing.

In summary:

1) Brush on foundation waterproofing using embedded mesh
2) Flash the area with cooper or al.
3) apply a drainage plane

Also can you point me to a url of a drainage plane

The only thing I could find is something that is used for EIFS

If you want to do it right you need to approach it as waterproofing the
foundation. Anything else and you, and your GC, are kidding
yourselves. It's a small area, and already above grade, so it's no big
deal.

R