Enclosing a patio

[imported_tone100]

I live in Dallas, TX. I would like to go ahead and enclose my patio that is surrounded by three walls. The patio is recessed about three inches. I would like to fill this in to make it even with the rest of the house. Can I just pour in concrete on top of the existing slab? Will the foundation support this extra weight? Also do I need to prep the existing concrete? Thanks for any guidance.

[Wgoodrich]

I am not sure exactly what you have but am picturing your concern to be a method of adding the 3" to even out the outside wall of the porch with the rest of the house on the finished product. It sound like to me you best method would be to use the existing flooring or depending on level of porch floor with level of adjoining floor using treated lumber to build up the floor to even out with existing adjascent flooring. Then use a 2x8" framed outside wall hanging out the 3" and letting that 3" part fly using the remaining 5" on solid concrete floor to support that flying 3" used to even out your framing.

Would this work to your desires?

I am concerned about pouring concrete on concrete less than 4" thick. If you pour concrete less than 4" thick it won't be long till that concrete breaks up with cracks etc.

Just my thoughts

Wg

[imported_tone100]

The only concern that I have with using wood to do the floor is the wood will be even with the dirt. Wouldn't this cause a termite or rot problem?

[Wgoodrich]

Today's building Codes allow for not only treated wood foundations instead of masonry but also provides for methods of wood basements with wood footings, floors, and walls.

YOu definitly will want to use treated wood, and you might want to waterproof the part exposed to dirt with a tar substance but it should not invite termite activity.

You have very little treated wood exposed to contact with earth. I live in a heavily wooded yard area with a wood deck that has treated wood posts in the ground and this wood deck has been in contact with the earth for 25 years and no termite activity has ever been present to date.

Use treated wood in contact with earth and use a rain sheild where water may enter the wall where exposed to weather and apply a tar to that area in contact with the earth. You should find no problems with decades to come.

Remember the bottom sill of your floor of a normal house is often exposed to the earth and in direct contact with masonry. What you are doing is quite similar to new construction activities. This is why the bottom sill is required to be treated lumber. It is done everday in new construction with no reports of inviting termite problems.

Let us know how you come out.

Good Luck

Wg

[imported_tone100]

I'll try it out. Thanks for your help.

[Wgoodrich]

Good luck with your project and let us know how you come out.

Wg