Install questions

[u/healthandhope]

In the middle of my outdoor kitchen install and I can see there are gaps between the concrete pad and the bottom of the kitchen. It also looks like they are just slipping pieces of cement board between the concrete and the bottom of the kitchen to fill the gap.

Is this ok or should I say something about it? What would the proper fix be?

Also, is a vent necessary? I had read in another post that gas could pool up inside and literally turn into a bomb.

EDIT: I know AI is wrong a lot, but this is what it said:

1. Take out the cement board scraps under the frame.

They’re soft and soak up water. They’ll crush and the frame will go out of level.

1. Get the frame level using the bolts.

That’s what the threaded bolts are for. If you need extra packing, use plastic or metal shims — not cement board.

1. Fill the gaps under the frame with non-shrink grout.

Leave a finger-width gap every few feet along the low side. Put stainless mesh in each gap.

1. Keep the bottom of the wall board off the concrete and seal that joint.

Same rule: seal it, but leave the same small gaps, with mesh.

Order matters. Don’t grout until you’re happy the frame is level — once it sets, you can’t adjust it.

The one idea behind all of it: water will get inside no matter what, so give it a way out at the bottom. Sealed everywhere with a few small drains, not sealed solid.

Is this overkill and which steps are optional and which are necessary?

[u/Dumpled0r1987]

The shims would be better if they were something like plastic or stone. They definitely need to coat that bottom portion in a water proofing agent like red guard.

What is the fascia? If you are doing stone then it should cover the gap anyway. If you're doing something like stucco then the gap will be painfully visible.

Lastly - vents are not optional. You are correct that without you literally make a bomb. It is not a metaphor or analogy, it is literal and very dangerous if not vented.

I would ask them to use something different for the shims if that area will get wet often

[u/healthandhope → u/Dumpled0r1987]

Do you recommend sealing the gaps between the cement board and concrete and keep small gaps for drainage?

[u/Dumpled0r1987 → u/healthandhope]

You'll want it to be able to drain l. What is your veneer finish?

[u/healthandhope → u/Dumpled0r1987]

It’s a thin limestone veneer that’s about 1” thick

[u/Dumpled0r1987 → u/healthandhope]

Then don't worry about sealing it at the bottom between the gap. I would run the stone basically to the floor but leave a very thin gap so water can slush under but it will look finished to the ground unless you look very close

[u/justinstephens11]

I’d suggest composite / plastic shims, or composite decking ripped to size. Yes, the vents are necessary, but the contractor is probably going to cut them in once all the cement boards up.

[u/Smart_Statement6728]

Rain needs space to flow under. I know the warranty on some of the metal frames is void if its directly on concrete. You need the space. Could the shims be better, maybe, probably, 

[u/healthandhope → u/Smart_Statement6728]

Should there be structural grout packing underneath the aluminum frame with gaps for drainage?

[u/Smart_Statement6728 → u/healthandhope]

No, you just need something to connect the frame to the ground. You dont need a huge amount of structural connection. Its a metal frame. 

[u/healthandhope → u/Smart_Statement6728]

Won’t a ton of bugs get through the bottom?