Is a metal basement hatch in front yard necessary?

I’m having new iron railings made, and want to also replace the flat front windowbars with belly bars that will accomodate an airconditioner.  Unfortunately, the windows are just about at ground level and will the bowed-out bars would protude over the metal hatch into the basement, preventing it from opening. The contractor has suggested eliminating the hatch, and I have no problem with that, but am wondering if there is some reason it’s needed.  Everyone on the block has one; I assume they were all coal chutes originally.  It has some small vents for air– should I make sure some kind of air vents remain?  There is also a hose spigot in the basement I can attach a garden hose to, which I could no longer get out the hatch if it were sealed, but perhaps I could replace the hatch with something smaller.   Also, any code issues mandating such a hatch?

dkal

in Brownstoner Renovation 12 years and 11 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

BSDOD | 12 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4893 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4882 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "81246"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$.OsmxvjaeA121WsOWmpAqePEevkc22uJ0FZbVpsdYeM3BY4gIhuu."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "apoprilo@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/apop/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-10-21 00:43:10"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "Apop"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(81246)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

How about a box at the top of the window instead of at the bottom.

Arkady | 12 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4892 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4891 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Having the bars on hinges also allows you to move in large objects to the ground floor.  My basement has too many angles to allow a big fridge in, for instance.

shahnandersen

in Brownstoner Renovation 12 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#138068 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4903 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(1) "6"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(31) "brownstoner@brownstoner.com.old"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "brownstoner.com/renovation1"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2006-09-08 20:12:54"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(6)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

We put in belly bars with a hinge.  Works fine and should make your insurance company happy.  We’ve used the hatch to bring in and take out a dryer.  And to replace our boiler and remove the old oil tank.  The water heater made it down the inside stair though.  Lastly, a while ago, we had to replace our (sewer) house connection.  The sewer people had to remove lots of dirt and rubble from the cellar to do this work.  I certainly wouldn’t want them traipsing through the house with all that dirt.  DON”T seal your hatch.  You will regret it.

GreenThinker | 12 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#138070 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#138071 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "98498"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "GreenThinker"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BUyWaQ.9zd8QKKjw0tTw.V/FyEYyLC0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "greenthinker"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "Moscicki.adam@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/greenman/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:19:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "GreenThinker"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(98498)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

As long as you have another way of getting larger objects in & out when the need arises. Measure out if you could get a washer or dryer through your front door and down the stairs. New boiler’s and water heaters for 2-3 family homes are compact and should easily fit through a basement staircase door that’s only 28 inches wide. If you do decide to remove it, and you have a typical boiler and water heater then air vents will be must, to allow for air circulation. Also inculding a vent for future dryer hook up will help as well.

deano | 12 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#138069 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#138072 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176902"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "deano"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSJkB7.59Q//kadbm20/R638tXVvxn0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "deano"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "brownstoner@vitelli.org"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(20) "/forums/users/deano/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:52"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "deano"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176902)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’d guess when it comes time to replace your boiler or water heaters you may be regretting the decision to make that hatch unusable. Then again, if your new, bellied window bars were installed on some lockable hinges and could swing out and clear of the basement hatch when necessary, then that might be having your cake and eating it.