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Expert: - 10/21/2007


Question
I would like to level my basement.  The house was built in 1949.  It has a drain in the middle of the concrete floor and the floors slope towards the drain.  1/3 of the basement is actually a garage and the other 2/3 we use as a seating area.  There currently is no partition wall to separate these areas, and I would like to build one.  
The drain is located in the part we use as the seating area. I have to level out the floor first because any water that is on the car in the garage part makes its way into the seating part.  The basement is dry otherwise.  
Do I need to remove the drain before I level the floor?  Or can I plug the drain and concrete over the plug to level out the floor?
Other than these ideas, do you have any other suggestions?

Answer
Kristina,
I would suggest you determine which direction the drain flows.  Hopefully it will go thru the garage area.  If so, mark the floor , cut a hole in the floor and relocate the floor drain.
Don't raise the floor any higher than necessary - 3 to 4 inches.  You can abandon the floor drain or raise it to the new floor level just as a safety precaution.  Build your partition on top of the new floor and use pressure treated lumber as the bottom plate.

Good luck

Roger

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Roger Zona

Expertise

I am experienced in all types of construction: residential, industrial and commercial; single family, multi-family, mid-rise and high rise buildings (16 story office building) as well as remodeling, additions and tenant improvements. I can field most any question that relates to general construction. I have consulted with infrastructure (utility) contractors also and have a good general knowledge of underground utility construction for subdivisions and commercial projects.

Experience

After college, I began my career in the construction industry. I chose to become an apprentice Architect and 4 yrs later I opened my own architectural design firm. Six years later I moved to Florida to buy & develop land and build. I became a State of Florida Certified General Contractor and operated my business for 45 years. I built all types of residential and commercial buildings including warehouses, shopping centers, high rise apartments and office buildings and developed sites for other contractors. I retired and became a consultant to the construction industry. I maintain my license and continuing education requirements, operate a small construction company and write a weekly newspaper column for the Palm Beach Post (a Cox publication) with the byline "Ask The Contractor". I am the "technical editor" for a publisher of books that relate to home maintenance.

Organizations
Previously - NAHA Currently - FLCA (Florida Licensed Contractors Assoc.)

Publications
Palm Beach Post newspaper - weekly Q & A column Happy Herald monthly real estate publication - monthly column

Education/Credentials
Michigan State University University of Detroit BS in Engineering

Past/Present Clients
I built a home in Palm Beach for a member of the Pulitzer Family. I was responsible for the completion of a twin hi-rise condominium project for G.E. Credit. I was a partner in the successful development of a P.U.D. (Planned Urban Development) subdivision. I represented the largest home builder from France (Bati Service, S.A.) in the development of a subdivision and the design and construction of the homes.

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