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Cutting a hole in the foundation

| Posted in Construction Techniques on April 28, 2003 08:50am

I need to cut a 30-inch wide by 18-inch tall access in my foundation between two rooms. the hole will be directly beneath a 5-foot opening, and so will not affect any bearing load. I thought of just renting a big hammer drill and drilling a series of holes, but I’m open to any suggestions…

Thanks,

Chris Philips

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  1. CAGIV | Apr 28, 2003 08:56pm | #1

    I assume you mean 30" length and 18" width, not 18" deep?

    If your going to rent something, I would recommend a saw, much easier then drilling all the holes and a much cleaner line.

    View ImageGo Jayhawks..............Next Year and daaa. Blues View Image
    1. CPhilips | Apr 28, 2003 09:07pm | #2

      Actually, I meant 30 inches wide, from north to south, and eighteen inches down from the sill plate. the foudation is eight inches thick, and I wasn't sure a saw would cut that deep. I definitely like the idea of a smoother hole, as I'm sure I'll be crawling bck and forth between the two spaces once in a while!

      1. CAGIV | Apr 28, 2003 09:12pm | #3

        Ohhhhhhhhhhh, This is going in the wall and not the floor?View ImageGo Jayhawks..............Next Year and daaa. Blues View Image

        1. CPhilips | Apr 28, 2003 10:03pm | #4

          Yes, the wall. I realize now I wasn't very specific. It all makes perfect sense in my head! I added a room to my house a couple of years back, and I made a crawlspace access hatch in the floor, rather than have an exterior access opening. I'm planning on laying laminate floor, and decided to cut a hole to join the new crawlspace with the old. rather than duplicate the access hatch in the new floor.

  2. WorkshopJon | Apr 28, 2003 10:29pm | #5

    Chris,

    I've had to put holes like that through my foundation a few times too. Always used a big air powered impact hammer ~35CFM @90psi. Made quick work of the job but the holes always look really jagged.  Recently I bought a bunch of diamond tipped stone cutting equipment. I'm amazed at how quickly and cleanly those blades cut stone (granite), concrete, tile, etc. Like budda'. I'm not recommending anything here, just passing on my experiences. But next time, I'd definitely at least start with a diamond blade.

    Jon

    1. CPhilips | Apr 28, 2003 10:41pm | #6

      Thanks, Jon. I think I'll just make the (previously mentioned) big jagged hole, and then maybe slap some mortar on it to ease the transition. The access is into a 12 by 12-foot by 24-inch deep crawlspace, and I don't forsee a lot of coming and going.

      1. User avater
        ProBozo | Apr 29, 2003 02:56am | #7

        But you didn't tell us what material you are dealing with?  Concrete?  Brick/block?  Stone? 

        1. CPhilips | Apr 29, 2003 07:10pm | #11

          The foundation is 15-year old, 8-inch reinforced concrete. I've got 4 feet of headroom on one side, and about 20 inches on the other.

  3. Poolman | Apr 29, 2003 04:07am | #8

    There is a "chainsaw" of sorts available, instead of the traditional chain blade there is a wet cut diamond abrasive blade.  Can make plunge cuts up to about 12 inches.

    http://www.askalight.com/dcs.htm



    Edited 4/28/2003 9:18:46 PM ET by Poolman

    1. ponytl | Apr 29, 2003 05:28am | #9

      there is a chainsaw... the one i bought is made by ICS the guy has ads on ebay all the time... very cool deal... mine cuts up to 16" deep and you can plunge cut... I don't know that anyone rents them... the chain is about $600... but hang'n balconys thru 14" thick walls (channel steel supports that go into the building 5 ft) i can cut a perfect U and just grout ot caulk it when i'm finished vs knock'n or cut'n a 12" sq hole and then fix'n it....

    2. CPhilips | Apr 29, 2003 07:07pm | #10

      Thanks for all the info- As I don't plan to make a habit of it, I think I'll stick to drilling holes and a jagged edge. The chainsaw sounds pretty cool, but I couldn't be trusted with it- I might decide to turn my crawlspace into a daylight basement!

      1. xMikeSmith | Apr 29, 2003 07:16pm | #12

        chris... i guess your foundation is block.. unless the cores are filled ( and even if they are ) i'd just bust it out with a sledge.... trim it up with a hammer.. and parge it smooth with mortar..

        if it's conc. hire a conc. cutting company , unless you want ot make a two weekend project out of it..

         also.. don't use any gas powered tools in your crawl space.. the fumes are unbelievable....Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

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