Why the metal hatch doors into the basement?
I am buying a brick and frame house, built in 1901. There is a door to the basement from the front, and it is currently covered up with one of those double metal hatch doors, that look like a tornado shelter entrance (ala Wizard of Oz). I see these types of door coverings in many…
I am buying a brick and frame house, built in 1901. There is a door to the basement from the front, and it is currently covered up with one of those double metal hatch doors, that look like a tornado shelter entrance (ala Wizard of Oz). I see these types of door coverings in many brownstones in the back. What purpose do these kinds of doors serve? Is it for security? I was thinking of taking off these metal doors, and just having the cement steps leading down to a secure entry door, to make entry in and out with bicycles possible. Any reasons not to do that?
They are “Bilco” style access doors. They keep your cellar dry from weather. They are pitched for this reason. Flat sidewalk hatch doors tend to leak. The inclined doors are generally built on a curb and obviously shed water and snow away from the opening. If the doors you have are unsightly, you could either refinish them or replace them.
They are “Bilco” style access doors. They keep your cellar dry from weather. They are pitched for this reason. Flat sidewalk hatch doors tend to leak. The inclined doors are generally built on a curb and obviously shed water and snow away from the opening. If the doors you have are unsightly, you could either refinish them or replace them.
Whatever you decide, get a dob permit so you don’t get fined…
The hatch is next to the house, inside a gated front garden, well away from the sidewalk….
You will get a violation from DOB and likely injure a pedestrian, get sued, and lose your house.
steps down, without a hatch, is not a great idea when it comes to rain and snow, unless you have a good drain at the bottom of the steps.
These hatches were not for coal, there was generally a separate coal chute opening on the sidewalk (those round metal covers you see in the bluestone sidewalks that often say “coal” or have been removed and filled with concrete). The hatches are actually very useful for getting large items (wood, plumbing pipes) in and out of the basement without going under the stoop and around corners to get downstairs.
RAIN and SNOW! You can have secure cellar doors made that look like what you find for stores/commercial businesses that are flush with the cement.
I believe you have to have some kind of ‘safety’ device over these entryways into basements. I’m currently building a deck (with a trap door) over one – the alternative that was offered to me was to fit a railing. I presume it’s to do with preventing people from falling down into the hole.
What’s more, there usually aren’t steps down but rather a straight drop. The front hatches were for dumping coal down for the furnace. If you have steps, you could always have a secure door at the bottom, just make sure the rain has somewhere to go…