Building Homes or Extensions/Basement addition

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Expert: - 2/25/2009


Question
I would like to add an addition to the back of my home. I was wondering if i can make the new basement addition 1-2 feet deeper than the existing basement?

Answer
Dear  Cristian,

The only trouble with placing the new basement deeper than the existing one is that there may be drainage tiles (pipes) around the basement and just a little below the floor level to intercept water. Going deeper than the drains would ruin such a system.

If your existing basement has no drains around the perimeter, then you may go deeper and put in a sump now that you have created the lowest spot. The sump would be a place to put a pump in case water got in.

Daniel

Building Homes or Extensions

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Daniel Humphrey

Expertise

I can answer questions about designing and building homes and outbuildings, especially for colder climates. I am expert in timber framing, but of course I also know about other kinds of residential construction techniques and materials. Because of my emphasis on using local materials and organic alternatives, I know quite about about Green Building and am willing to do the research to find out more.

Experience

I've been a timber framer for 20 years, working as a general contractor who designs and builds custom timberframe homes, working as much as possible with local organic materials, from foundation to finish. I also have expertise in designing, building, and setting up pre-fab remote camp facilities on terra firma or temperate glaciers for research and expeditions, using helicopters for support.

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B.A., M.F.A.

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