Can I safely re-excavate and lower my basement floor?
I have a 1908 house in Minnesota with a ridiculously bumpy concrete slab in the basement. Some bumps are probably about 3 inches higher than other sections of the floor. The concrete is about 1-2 inches thick, has broken away and exposed dirt in some and some patches apparently were poured at different times. Very scary.
I’d like to rip out the existing surface, lower the 29X29-foot floor by excavation (doing the work myself, if possible), level it all off and pour a new, smooth concrete surface. In short, I’d like turn this dungeon into a finished space with 6-12 inches more head room.
Can I do this without causing any structural problems? Will lowering the floor pose risks to the existing walls or chimney?
Thanks for any advice.
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Excavating down would be no problem if you stay above the footers. Digging below them may cause the footers to slide into the excavation.
Have you figured out how you're going to remove the concrete and soil out of the basement? Where are you going to dispose of the stuff?
When you install the new floor, make sure to install a water barrier, 3" or more of compacted gravel then 3" or more concrete.
I haven't made a final decision about how to remove the concrete and soil. The basement has four small glass block windows and a steep staircase leading up to the kitchen. There is an old bulkhead door that a previous owner sealed with cinder blocks. I suppose I could reopen the bulkhead door and temporarily remove the deck that has been built above it. That would give us a direct passageway from basement to outside. Does this sound like the best option?
As for disposal, I was thinking of renting a dumpster.
As for disposal, I was thinking of renting a dumpster.
