Flood Prevention: Cellar Door Installed on Cinder Blocks

I’ve poured through forums and blogs about flooded basements, and I am familiar with the usual suggestions: a new door, no door, sump pump, water redirection, a rubber mat, tape, tubes, a French drain, or a bucket.

We tried some of those, and others seem a bit too complicated.

Is there a reason why a door can’t be installed on cinder blocks? That would absolutely fix the problem for us. Just walking around the neighborhood, I see several doors installed on a riser of cement or bricks. However, when I ask contractors about it, they seem to be very reluctant about the process. Am I missing something?

Anyone have any experience getting this kind of work done or have any insights into this solution?

Much appreciated.

durodeco

in Doors & Windows 1 year and 6 months ago

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justinromeu26 | 1 year and 6 months ago

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And by the way. What i say above might imply that the issue for us is Ada compliance. That is one issue for us but the immediate show stopper for us is still the building code as it might be for you.

justinromeu26 | 1 year and 6 months ago

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I read the code recently. It was for all buildings. But i was looking for something specific and did not look for exceptions. Also, in the case of the issue i had, our way around this will be raising the approach. We are on a commercial building and on a roof, so we are going to use tapered insulation to remain in ada compliance. I am suggesting you can do this if you raise the approches. In so far as buildings in nyc, codes apply everywhere. Would i worry about this in my garage or shed? No

You can google this. Google how high can a threshold be for a door. Maybe there are exceptions for certain types of occupancies.

durodeco | 1 year and 6 months ago

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Thank you, the door is on private property enclosed by a fence. Does that still apply?

justinromeu26 | 1 year and 6 months ago

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There are height limitations of a saddle and a contractor can get sued if someone gets hurt.