How would i go about digging a room in my crawlspace?

Question

I plan to dig a room in our crawlspace. What would be the best way to go about this? what would i use for walls? would i need a ceiling? would it work to just dig with a shovel and a few friends?

Answer 1

you can do it. little by little but remember to watch out how your house is made and brace the room some how. Dont disturb any of the foundation. I would brace the ceiling (lower floor) with more cross beams and with that later make a ceiling of sorts, and make sure that as i work further down there is always enough bracing to hold the structure solid so it won't cave in. Take a look at your house and work along your existing load walls as that is where most of the weight would be distributed if disturbed. Place beams and teleposts at these points for sure. It can be done.
For your walls a cement form would be best for load.

Answer 2

Well , does not sound like a well thought out plan yet. But with help and some basic brick knowledge it would work out . Just be sure not to dig where the sup[orts of the house rest. the last thing you want is to have the house fall on you . careful planning would be wise. as for the roof , a sheet of steel is the only way top go . Paint it first then put it on top of you new brick walls . it will take some work , but if done right then you will have a root cellar.

Answer 3

Does the crawlspace sit on a concrete pad? If so, rent a concrete saw, crawl under there, and cut a nice, big square. Break out the center with a sledgehammer and start digging. It will get easier once you can stand up. If you dig tunnels, you will need to support the roof with buttresses, or it WILL collapse.

None of this is meant to be in compliance with any building codes.

Answer 4

It will work but it may just fill up with water. You would need to pour concrete for a floor and block walls. You are looking at a lot of work. Why may I ask are you doing this? How are you going to access this room? You will lose floor space putting in a staircase. Are you planning to keep a woman down there?

Answer 5

Do a websearch on the phrase, "man dies when trench walls collapse on him" or "rescuers are seen trying to recover bodies of men killed when the walls of the ditch they were digging collapsed on them"...

Once you read a few of those articles, make it a point to have a licensed engineer test the dirt in the crawl space and determine if it will collapse on you when you dig your new room. Then, make sure someone knows the phone numbers for your girlfriend and your relatives and all that so they can call and tell them how you died.

Answer 6

When we dug out our crawl space, we started digging by hand and hauling out the dirt. Then we put up brick walls, and poured a concert floor. The ceiling is still the floor from upstairs. I think you need a building permit. Check with your city.

Answer 7

With a lot of work! Stay at least 2 feet away from the foundation walls and house foundation supports. In reality, you would need a building permit.

Answer 8

I can't believe you people are even answering this dimwit. Sir, if you are so stupid to attempt this yourself, have at it. Dig away. When it all falls on your head and you die, well, there will be one less idiot in the world. God Bless Darwin.

Answer 9

You might decrease the value of your house. Just buy a new house that better fits your needs.

Answer 10

Hydroponic garden, HMMMM! Dude you should have rented a house with a basement. ROCK-ON!!