digging basement to level it - staying above footers
#1
05-25-12, 02:23 AM
digging basement to level it - staying above footers
I've looked around quite a bit on excavating a basement but most of the questions are people trying to dig out several feet to improve height. My basement has plenty of height on oneside but the floor(poured concrete) slopes significantly (6-8 inches). My plan was to cut out sections of the concrete and dig down about 6 more inches then repour an even floor to about a 300 sq foot area of the basement. This would level the sloped section of the basement with thr rest of the floor, which is pretty flat. If i don't go below the foundation at all and also do this in sections will this be safe to do? Any other suggestions / advice would be great.
#2
05-25-12, 05:35 AM
Group Moderator
If you don't dig down to the bottom of your footers you should be OK but I have to shake my head thinking of the job you are in for. Sawing, breaking and removing the old concrete is not a fun job. Is pouring an overlay an option?
#4
05-26-12, 06:22 AM
Pouring an overlay or leveling it out with the subfloor would certainly be much easier but the tall side of the basement is 7' 3-4" to floor boards and the short side is about 6' 6-8". If i level out to 6'8" then place a subfloor and drywall the ceiling Ill be well below the 7' requirement to meet code and comfort. This isnt something I want to do but I don't see much option. I was told that the floor was poured that way because they did that in older homes to allow for a slope to the floor drain in case of flooding(we are not in a flood area and this is the dryest basement I've even seen, only 2-3' of it is actually underground). I plan on smashing out a small section on the short aide just to examine what is underneath .
#5
05-26-12, 12:29 PM
Group Moderator
I would spend the money to rent or buy the proper tools. If you want to save some of the existing concrete and have a nice straight line between the new & old I would rent a good concrete saw for 1/2 a day and make the required cuts as deep as possible. Then rent a electric jackhammer to help break up the concrete.
Don't forget dust control, sealing off the basement from the rest of the house with plastic, wetting the floor and wearing a dust mask or cartridge respirator. And don't forget eye and ear protection. Over time the vibration from a jackhammer or other vibrating took can be harmful to the nerves in your hands & arms so try to take frequent breaks or better still have helpers to take a spell to give your hands & arms a break.
Don't forget dust control, sealing off the basement from the rest of the house with plastic, wetting the floor and wearing a dust mask or cartridge respirator. And don't forget eye and ear protection. Over time the vibration from a jackhammer or other vibrating took can be harmful to the nerves in your hands & arms so try to take frequent breaks or better still have helpers to take a spell to give your hands & arms a break.
