Is it possible to add a walkout entry to an existing basement?

Question

We have a full basement & would like to add outside entry.

Answer 1

Yes, but it can be an expensive project, especially if you are below grade. You need to make sure that the grading still runs away from the house so that you don't end up with a wet walk out basement. you might have to add an awning to direct the rain away as well.

Answer 2

Basement Entry Door

Answer 3

Outside Basement Entrance

Answer 4

Ok, determine where you want the door.

Now, outline the door in paint, (a can of spray paint will do), and then, go outside and where that door is , (measure from one wall, to the door and you will know the position), then, outline on the ground, where the steps will have to be. Your probably going to need 5 steps or more, and probably 8 feet from the edge of the door to the end of the steps.

Now, start digging, or if you know some one with a back hoe, get them to dig out the hole!
Dig it to however many courses of block, there are, until you hit the bottom of the door...(your going to remove MANY cubic yards of dirt, so have a place to dump it! And, get as much help as you can. Now, the average width is 3.5 feet wide. (so you can move a washer and dryer in there if you want). After you have dug out the dirt, make sure you tamp down the "floor" by the door., (also, make sure that your floor is about 4 inches below the doorframe, so that you can lay concrete down).

Now, you can build the frame for your steps, and fill them in with concrete and then the pad, or, wait until you cut out the door frame with a saw, (rent a large concrete saw from one of those rentall places and cut it from the OUTSIDE, or you'll have a ton of dust in the house!).

After you cut out the frame for the door, have the prefab frame in there and install. (If you dont know how, then hire some one to do this, but, its not that hard to do). Then after you get the "man door" in, then work on the steps.

Concrete or wooden steps, is the way to go.

Also, put a ROOF over the thing!!! (I know from experience! because I had 4 inches of water in the basement when I moved into my house after the first rain!). Put a banister up, so that no one will fall into the hole as you will be liable for that.

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 5

A lot of times basement egress is required by code for a finished basement.
If you are below grade there would be issues that would make it an usatisfactory condition for a walkout.

If egress is required for code you may want to consider a basement egress window.
look here
http://www.basementanswers.com/basement_egress_window_wells/pages/content/index.html

Answer 6

if it is a walk out baement the foundation is cut ot for it when it was poured so you would have to remove the door and frame a mould for a concreat pour you would also have to drill the wall on both side and put in rebar to reinforce it before you poured concrete in it is alot of work and very costly to do even yourself i would just build a deck and is this the only other way out of the basement the you could not do this because of building codes you MUST have 2 excits from a basement

Answer 7

You can do it, yes. But consider how far down you may to dig, and then would you have water seeping into it later on.. Do you live on an elevated piece of propriety, to make this change possible..
I agree with the first person to answer you.. you may wish to consider moving.. might be cheaper in the long run.
Call a few contractors, and see what they have to say..
Good luck!

Answer 8

yes its not a problem....u have to build a wall on both sides of the entry....i would think about 8' wide if were mine....the walls will be block or retaining lock blocks....be sure u consider a drain and a sump pump on the entry level.....so when it rains the pump can take the water to a higher level away from house...

lots to consider, hire a contractor that has done this.....


lic. gen. contractor

Answer 9

Dig deep. However, might be cheaper to buy a house with a walk out basements.

Answer 10

yes and depending on the location it can be a costly undertaking.
you must consider water run off and possibly a drain .ITS not as simple as smaking a hole and sticking a door in but close .figure around 3000 bucks