Basement Walkout Entry in Riverton, Utah
Hello, Caleb Dansie here with Dansie Design Build. Today we’re back in Riverton, Utah, at our new basement walkout entry project we just started. So we have Blue Stakes Utility locating the underground utilities to double-check that the marked lines are identified correctly so we can begin excavation.
In the side yard of the home is where we’re putting the basement walkout entry; there are some utilities that we have to keep in mind. For example, the gas meter and AC condensing unit are on the corner of the home.
Progress We've Made So Far
To give you an update on what we’ve completed so far:
- We broke up the concrete pad in preparation for the excavation, which is happening today.
- We removed the sprinkler lines and valves for the operation of the sprinkler.
- We located the approximate location of where the foundation walls will be and marked them in pink paint.
So the new basement walkout will be five-foot-wide, and the door will be between the two pink lines.
Next Step: Ensuring Utility Lines Are All Marked
So next will be ensuring that the Blue Stakes‘ lines are all marked. They did mark some of the utilities in the front yard, such as the main gas line. The gas line is marked in yellow paint and a flag, which is how we identify it. It has snowed in the last couple of days, so the paint marks have faded, but we know the gas is in the front yard. However, no utilities are located behind the gate, so Blue Stakes is coming back today to find them.
The Gas Line and Basement Walkout Entry Layout
I have hand-dug this here by the gas line and identified that that is where the gas line is going, but to make it official, they’re coming out to spray that and locate the line. So the foundation of the walkout entry will be approximately two feet away from where the gas line is running, so the layout worked out perfectly with how the stairs will go.
How to Locate Gas Lines Underground
The way we find the gas lines is with a locating device. So, essentially, you will clip the little red wire on the locator line on the gas meter, which is wrapped around the gas line down through the ground out to the main in the front yard. So then you’ll use the black wire, which is the ground, and ground out the system so that the locating device can find the wire and beep a signal, a beep similar to a metal detector.
Locating All of the Underground Utility Lines
So we’ll find where the gas line is in the front yard again. They originally marked it in the wrong spot; he’s picking up a different signal and maybe thinks it’s the power line. The power line’s on the other side of the house, so that is indeed the gas line, so he’s going to remark that, and then we’ll know where it is even though we’re not digging in the front yard; it’s marked, so everybody knows where everything is.
Once we get all the utility lines marked and know that there’s nothing in our area that we’re excavating, we can start digging. If there is something, we must dig by hand within two feet of anywhere they mark, and then we’re good to go.
Digging Down to the Foundation Footing for a Seamless Transition
So when digging for basement walkouts, quite a bit of dirt comes out, and this is something to be aware of as we’re here. We’ve already removed three trailer loads to keep working on-site. Then when we dig down, at the bottom is the footing, and that is what the house rests on—the foundation. The foundation rests on the footing, and we’re going to cut the foundation wall at the footing so that the new concrete from the walkout landing can flow right into there under the threshold of the door we install; it’ll have a seamless transition into the basement.
Conclusion
So we’ll keep digging and hauling out the excess dirt; the only amount we’ll try to leave here is the amount we need to backfill the excavation after the foundation walls are set. Then, we’ll put a tarp over our excavation so that it doesn’t get rained on or get too muddy due to the weather, so we’ll be in good shape for when we come back.
Contact Dansie Design Build
If you need help with your basement apartment or finishing your basement, contact us. Also, check out our resources page; we have information for you to download. Have an excellent rest of your day!
