Hello, out there -- Boy do we need help! We were removing old linoleum in our kitchen and we uncovered a set of stairs leading down to a basement!!! We are refinishing the floor except we need to cover this huge 5foot x 9foot "L" shaped hole at the end of our kitchen! Your mission (should you decide to accept it) involves the following :o) 1. The hole is an "L" shape, with the long side (stairs) running along the back wall and the short side (lowered concrete slab) right in front of the back door. 2. We considered leaving the hole uncovered and installing a rail or wall and vertical door access, but that lops off over 50 square feet off an already tiny room. 3. We should probably frame the short end (slab) and continue the floor evenly so we at least have even access out the back door, but that would make the first step about 18" down. 4. The BEST solution so far is to cover the slab with flooring and make an even path to the back door, then install a "trap door" over the stairs. It could hinge in half and fold up /\ and slide along a wheel-track and fold neatly against the wall. But where could we find hinges and wheels and railing, and make the door light enough so it wouldn't kill us by slamming shut? Also, how could we reinforce the closed door so we could walk on it? Have you encountered this? Are there any building codes? Please let us know -- Thank you!!!

Where the sill meets the foundation I have a sandy accumulation which is always present. My home is 35 years old. I'm wondering if this is a sign of a problem or the result of the movement of the building against the foundation wall. Is this unusual?