Basement entry
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Post Fiend
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From: Where's my map???
Basement entry
I was just wondering if anyone has used those pre fab basement entryways.
I'm thinking about adding a more convenient entrance to the basement. I absolutely hate working with cement and everything that goes with it.
Any thoughts or better ideas out there? One of my concerns is the stability of them. Does it feel as if you are stepping on empty tubs.
Frank
I'm thinking about adding a more convenient entrance to the basement. I absolutely hate working with cement and everything that goes with it.
Any thoughts or better ideas out there? One of my concerns is the stability of them. Does it feel as if you are stepping on empty tubs.
Frank
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Post Fiend
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From: Where's my map???
Originally Posted by tjc transport
are you talking about the bilco doors??
Frank
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From: Fort Smith
I have seen them, but never dealt with them personally. I haven't seen the price of one, so I can't say how they would be to use. Adding a basement entrance though should be fun. 
I had a 6' wide basement entrance and double 3' doors built into my basement when I built this house. I know by code we had to put a drain at the bottom of the stairs. Is New York the same?
The ones I saw were made of a plastic/urethane material. They had the grip look made into the steps, but I imagine that is still pretty slippery, especially in winter. Me personally, I would have someone come pour and form the concrete steps. JMO...
I had a 6' wide basement entrance and double 3' doors built into my basement when I built this house. I know by code we had to put a drain at the bottom of the stairs. Is New York the same?
The ones I saw were made of a plastic/urethane material. They had the grip look made into the steps, but I imagine that is still pretty slippery, especially in winter. Me personally, I would have someone come pour and form the concrete steps. JMO...
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Post Fiend
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From: Where's my map???
My intentions are to pour a footer and a 18 in. wall. then enclose the whole thing. Making it a inside entrance. i am not sure as to the code, but there will be a drain system installed. Just the smart thing to do. IMO
Frank
Frank
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From: Fort Smith
Enclosed should work ok then I would imagine. Wish I could give you more info on the way they work. The ones I saw seemed they would be good to use for general use, but I was too nervous about it getting wet. Next thing you know, I would be paying slip and slide down them... 
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From: MA
I don't have one, but I believe they would be the same to install as prefabed stairs.
They need to have a solid footing so they do not settle and pull away from the house.
They also need to be sealed where it meets the foundation to prevent leaks.
The problems that I have seen with prefab installations is they usually just place the stairs on a few cement blocks. The blocks usually sink in then the stairs move.
Just make sure the footings are solid and they should be fine.
They are pretty sturdy.. No they do not feel like stepping on empty tubs..
They need to have a solid footing so they do not settle and pull away from the house.
They also need to be sealed where it meets the foundation to prevent leaks.
The problems that I have seen with prefab installations is they usually just place the stairs on a few cement blocks. The blocks usually sink in then the stairs move.
Just make sure the footings are solid and they should be fine.
They are pretty sturdy.. No they do not feel like stepping on empty tubs..
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Peoria, IL
My parents had a basement entry added after our house fire back in 93. I was going to move into a bedroom in the basement so they decided to make the window in the bedroom large enough to crawl out, and put an entryway on the back of the house (Little paranoid after the fire). The stairs they added were cement or concrete, but they came in pre-poured. They just dug a hole next to the house and dropped the stairs in. Cut a hole in the basement wall, put the door in and sealed everything up. We had to pack dirt in a few times around the stairs as everything settled, but the stairs never moved. It leaked a couple times until my dad realized it was the seal between the house and the Bilco doors and sealed that up. No problems since.
Haven't seen one with plastic steps though.
Haven't seen one with plastic steps though.
Postmaster
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From: Peoria, IL
That's what my parents had put in. It actually ended up being a big deal cause the truck and crane drove over the septic lines and caved one of them in. They had to pay to dig it up and replace it.
Tewfer I guess is looking at some kind of plastic or composite material I guess. I just figured if they could do it with concrete they should be able to do it easier with something lighter.
Tewfer I guess is looking at some kind of plastic or composite material I guess. I just figured if they could do it with concrete they should be able to do it easier with something lighter.
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Post Fiend
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From: Where's my map???
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
So bascially this is a set of Precast concrete stairs and walls that are set into place with a crane type equipment ?
Two people would be able to lift it into position.
It's sorta kinda like the childrens toys that you put together for outside play, but on a more rugged scale.
Frank
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
Whatever you do, make sure you have a drain at the bottom of the stairs in front of your door. Mine was put in after the fact and a Pretty **** Poor Job also. At first, I thought it was great, but after living in my house for awhile, I found out that I was a cheap build. And the drain doesn't drain fast enough when It pours down rain or snow melts too fast, so if I don't keep the drain open, water builds up and runs under my door. Not the end of the world becaue the water that does come in, runs right to a drain in my utillity room where the entrance is. But, a PITA. I will definately have to fix it in the near future and I'm going with something else.