Ok guys-
I have just begun to feel good enough to take my house on again.
Here she is from the street--As you can see it has potential-
I have dine all the changes myself-built the bay window in the master bedroom add on, all of it. You can see where the original roof line was. It wasn't done the best way--but we only added 65 sq feet to the bottom footprint.
The dilemma involves the building between the house, and garage--
The Smokehouse---

More to follow--

OK-the good
This is the slab where the hot tub will sit. Service is already installed-

The pile of lumber is my unfinihsed deck--I have a run from house to garage--it is going to continue between garage and smokehouse--in left of picture

Now the trouble area--I need to build an angled stairway--without hand rail , from deck to the door
I am currently replacing the landing and framing under it--rather just finished it-
There is a lot of water in the cellar.
The cellar floor is actually the rock table-and we are 2 blocks from the river. When the building was constructed, the river was at a lower level. They have since dammed it. so now, if the river is up, we have an indoor pool. I need to cut into the rock and make a sump with pump--

Right now it is 3 feet deep, and pumping would be futile---

BTW I have a new cellar door constructed--I sent wife to wally world for hinges-she came back with everything but them--

Pretty cool! Good luck getting that water out of there. And your fence hides your house! :)

OK
This is one of the few buildings left standing after a civil war raid. The rest of the town was burned to the ground by Quantrill's raiders in 1863--

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/1912/q/quantrills_raid.html

It has a history. This was a slave smuggling center--slaves were aided in their escape by the locals, some waited for the boats in this building--

They were then walked to the houses on the river and tunneled to the boats in complete sececy--there are 3 house by the river which still have the tunnels :cool:

um why no hand rail, would this work? nevermind thats your celar door

Um to keep the water out of the celler you might have to bite the bullet and concreet the walls.

I want a triangular stairway--filling in the dirt area--
I don't want the stairs over the door.

Although, maybe this would be a better option---

hmmmm.

Um to keep the water out of the celler you might have to bite the bullet and concreet the walls.

I think it would be a loosing battle. Although there is a huge bank on this side of the river--we are actually below it's level right now--

I had over 2 feet seep in overnight.

OK
A split stairway, which opens in the middle--and outwards.
then the cellar door could be opened upwards???

ideas???

We never go into the cellar--but I want to convert the smokehouse into a guest house, as it has electric service. The only way I would consider it though is if I can keep the cellar relatively dry and spider free--. Oh it is scary down there right now--

I think it would be a loosing battle. Although there is a huge bank on this side of the river--we are actually below it's level right now--

I had over 2 feet seep in overnight.

or use gunnite thats how we do pools in cali

The building is sound though-the rock walls are at least 2 feet thick. The roofs on all buildings are completely new-deck and all-well 4 years ago they were-

I need to do a bit of mortar tucking outside--but the rest looks ok

oh--theres a short window like this in the cellar also, right below this one

OK
A split stairway, which opens in the middle--and outwards.
then the cellar door could be opened upwards???

ideas???

We never go into the cellar--but I want to convert the smokehouse into a guest house, as it has electric service. The only way I would consider it though is if I can keep the cellar relatively dry and spider free--. Oh it is scary down there right now--

If you never go into the cellar, fill it in move floor down to deck hight.

or use gunnite thats how we do pools in cali

umm that looks expensive--but a good idea--

I'm hoping I don't have to sink another 10k into this--
I'm only in to the whole house for about 59k---

umm that looks expensive--but a good idea--

I'm hoping I don't have to sink another 10k into this--
I'm only in to the whole house for about 59k---

Holy crap, is the house next door for sale.

If you never go into the cellar, fill it in move floor down to deck hight.

Also a very good idea. The fill would suck though yes???
access to this point would be wheelbarrow only--

BTW if anyone is wondering---

The city constructed several storm shelters--one of which is directly accross the street from our house.

Also a very good idea. The fill would suck though yes???
access to this point would be wheelbarrow only--

BTW if anyone is wondering---

The city constructed several storm shelters--one of which is directly accross the street from our house.

Or don't fill it up move the floor down leave the water, throw some fish in there. Then cut a hole in new the floor, drop a line and your fishing!:p: :D


Oh yeah it's good your live across the street from storm shelter. Because I heard some where you guys get tornados!:p: :D

Holy crap, is the house next door for sale.

umm notice the privacy fence?

nuff said--

umm notice the privacy fence?

nuff said--

:nono: with houses going for like 60k outthere i wanna move there!

:nono: with houses going for like 60k outthere i wanna move there!

http://www.homes.com/Content/ListingDetail.cfm?City=HUMBOLDT&State=KS&FirstRec=1&Radius=0&Bedrooms=&FullBaths=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PriceRange=&AmenitiesList=&PropType=%20&TotalRecs=2&PropIdList=51302514,51125992&PropId=51302514

5 blocks from elementary school, 6 from middle-high school

OK
This is one of the few buildings left standing after a civil war raid. The rest of the town was burned to the ground by Quantrill's raiders in 1863--

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/1912/q/quantrills_raid.html

It has a history. This was a slave smuggling center--slaves were aided in their escape by the locals, some waited for the boats in this building--

They were then walked to the houses on the river and tunneled to the boats in complete sececy--there are 3 house by the river which still have the tunnels :cool:

Money from the state to keep the building up?! :dunno:

Money from the state to keep the building up?! :dunno:

Funny you mention that--
First-we wanted to demolish it-had a bid of 600 bux.
Then the city said no--they made a special acception allowing the small distance between house and smokehouse.
The only way to get assistance is through the state historical society-and it isn't much considering the red-tape, and lack of privacy which come later. I would have to allow every person off the street to tour it. :thumbdwn:

Why not build your steps into the cellar door, then have the whole unit open to the side? You could just have 2 separate railings one for the landing, and another attached to the door that would swing to the side with it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/techieman33/smokehouse_idea.jpg

Why not build your steps into the cellar door, then have the whole unit open to the side? You could just have 2 separate railings one for the landing, and another attached to the door that would swing to the side with it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/techieman33/smokehouse_idea.jpg

Another good idea--
it would be heavy though--maybe some sort of helper springs??

I would think you could find some hydraulic shocks like what hold up the tailgates on our mountys, only bigger.

Thats insane, I could afford a pimpin house out there

Thats insane, I could afford a pimpin house out there

part of that is living in a small town, in Topeka (population approx 150k) it would probably go for double that. Which is probably still cheap by a lot of your standards.

100k will buy a lot of house here

100k will buy a lot of house here

sweet, is the house behind you for sale for like 150 grrr right now!

sweet, is the house behind you for sale for like 150 grrr right now!

I would bet it is doable for 35-40k--give or take--
has a 2 car garage--

I would bet it is doable for 35-40k--give or take--
has a 2 car garage--

ok sweet can we take the fence down then?

ok sweet can we take the fence down then?

Ok--My bad--

the house I consider behind me is across the alley

The house next door--well yes if you could buy it I'd gladly tear down the fence--lol
that house was bought for 17k, about 10 years ago--
It isn't for sale but around here $$$talks.

Hey--I know
We can have fires here--just need a burning permit.
I get them often for backyard campfires--how about I start doing some nightly bean bombs--:D :D

part of that is living in a small town, in Topeka (population approx 150k) it would probably go for double that. Which is probably still cheap by a lot of your standards.

I've seen the small town charm.

It can drive some people NUTS in a heartbeat.

I can stand it for a few days, then there is something I want.. and I can't get unless I start driving, or have to wait several days for it be delivered.

Also, what is the jobs like in that town? There may be not much.

I've seen the small town charm.

It can drive some people NUTS in a heartbeat.

I can stand it for a few days, then there is something I want.. and I can't get unless I start driving, or have to wait several days for it be delivered.

Also, what is the jobs like in that town? There may be not much.

Sweet tom you just had to spoil it for everyone. Now I don’t want the house next door!

I've seen the small town charm.

It can drive some people NUTS in a heartbeat.

I can stand it for a few days, then there is something I want.. and I can't get unless I start driving, or have to wait several days for it be delivered.

Also, what is the jobs like in that town? There may be not much.

Correct on all counts.


Grunt jobs yes--and some pay well.

Although it is a good feeling when your kid can ride his bike to the swimming pool.

Most of what you need is within 10 miles though.

How far to the nearest major city?

I remember working in Fremont, NE; I'd drive up there from Omaha.

Loved the summer charm (parades, everyone knew everyone..)

Hated the everyone knew everyone.

How far to the nearest major city?

I remember working in Fremont, NE; I'd drive up there from Omaha.

Loved the summer charm (parades, everyone knew everyone..)

Hated the everyone knew everyone.



Ha ha
I was born in Schuyler--I don't know if you ever went west on highway 30 from Fremont--but it isn't far. Rogers is where I am really from.
Now, Fremont to Omaha is just about 1 big city--it is really growing!!
Heck, Valley is a subburb now--

Yes-I would bet if I take a crap-everyone here knows-

Olathe is about 75 miles North-northeast of here--I'd say that is where the Kansas City Metro area starts.
It is exactly 100 miles to Oak Park mall--1 1/2 hrs

Wichita is about 120 miles to the west

Lawrence (KU ) is about 65 miles north

My wife's family lives outside of Paola. Might be out that way in September!

My wife's family lives outside of Paola. Might be out that way in September!

Awesome. Paola isn't far--

Anyhow back to Jon’s problem, what are the dimensions of the cellar?

I am lliking the fill idea best I think--Although the door would have to be a very tall custom built unit, which I could make easily enough.

The cellar dimensions are 14'x16.5'x6.5'
the room above is the same, with a ceiling of 7.5 feet.

I am lliking the fill idea best I think--Although the door would have to be a very tall custom built unit, which I could make easily enough.

The cellar dimensions are 14'x16.5'x6.5'
the room above is the same, with a ceiling of 7.5 feet.

No just lower the door then put stained glass section over it, like this but square.

Good idea--:thumbsup:

This would also create more space-I could rip out the cellar opening and build deck righ up to the smokehouse--it is starting to make real good sense-
I need to show this to the wife--

Good idea--:thumbsup:

This would also create more space-I could rip out the cellar opening and build deck righ up to the smokehouse--it is starting to make real good sense-
I need to show this to the wife--

Thats what I'd do, if you dont need the cellar anyway.

OK
the fill cannot just be "dumped" in there-
This will cost a fortune I bet.

No way I can do it--

To me it looks like there is just enough stone in the building itself to fill the hole-

Smashing it all down and forgetting about it is another option-

The solution to the problem is, make that cellar into a hot tub, with a sauna on top.

What about elevating the deck to the height of the door, and then having an access hatch for the basement. Since you have power in there, why dont you get a submersible pump and plumb it so it drains downhill. Then you could at least dig a sump down there.

What about elevating the deck to the height of the door, and then having an access hatch for the basement. Since you have power in there, why dont you get a submersible pump and plumb it so it drains downhill. Then you could at least dig a sump down there.

Thanks for a good idea--
However, the floor of this cellar is a solid rock slab--bedrock is 4 feet down right here. This is where the water is flowing in from--

Thanks for a good idea--
However, the floor of this cellar is a solid rock slab--bedrock is 4 feet down right here. This is where the water is flowing in from--

Thats an interesting situation, without some really expensive work the only thing I can think of is an elevated floor or just leaving it and using the water to irrigate your lawn.

OK, so let's see the inside of this thing. I'm trying to picture it. And what exactly do you plan to use it for? Or is that part of the problem too?

OK, so let's see the inside of this thing. I'm trying to picture it. And what exactly do you plan to use it for? Or is that part of the problem too?

Inside--upstairs??

Right now it is a storage shed.The rock has been scratch coated with mortar. I would frame it in inside to allow for insulation and sheetrock, of course. The floor is good, its old, but pretty sound tongue and groove hardwood of some sort. The cieling area is rafters--which could easily be sheetrocked over. I'll get some pics later.

Well-it has been discussed. We are going to fill in the cellar.
This will be tricky though-I'll need a conveyor. There is no way I can haul wheelbarrow loads in. The fill will have to go in the small cellar window.

Ideas?

Get a stone shooter, and aim for that window!

Get some Mexicans :D

Very hard workers and cheap labor

How much is property tax? How old is the house? Are you the original owner? How much was it when you bought it compared to its present value?

How much is property tax? How old is the house? Are you the original owner? How much was it when you bought it compared to its present value?

1). 1120 per year-just increased due to the High school gym project
2). over 100 years-frame up resto in 1961-then we did again starting 1998
3). 13k purchase-however we added a 24x36 garage, plus a second bathroom, second private master stairway-and increased master bedroom size.
Plus added 56 concrete piers for foundation. We haven't thought about selling, so don't really have a grasp on it''s worth.

That's pretty cheap compared to the houses where I live. An average house is between $425K-$750K. Some rich people bought some houses for $150K-$300K years ago, then rebuilt them. They are about $2M-up now! I don't know where they get this kind of money? I pay more for car insurance than what you pay for property tax per year.

Yeah everything is expensive in New York--

Get some Mexicans :D

Very hard workers and cheap labor

Yes i second this idea I'l rent you some!:D

If you are going to fill it I would do a few feet of gravel and the the rest dirt, and if possible drop the floor down a bit.