200+ Years OLD Basement is FULLY Revealed!?

[@Strooisuiker]

I have mentioned this before: I am not an expert but I have learnt that water that reaches the walls from the outside and cannot come in, will go up, and can cause moisture issues in that part of the house. You could dig a french drain around the house to prevent he water from going in. Otherwise, the dip in the floor that you dug out at the end, might have been where they let the incoming water get collected... Also: you don't seem to have guttering on your roof. Could it help to put up some gutters and lead the rain water further away from the foundation (and basement walls? It must get very wet there when it rains!

[@Strooisuiker]

Also: great team work :)

[@izzy1949]

Yes I totally agree these things have to ge implemented or your potatoes will ruin and hse will get damp…may I also say you are a very hard working couple and your mamma and brother also…well done …

[@Jax-kj5yo]

What a mother and brother. Get stuck in to help when you need it and still smile! Love it when your mum visits and this time your brother too. Devid and you have worked so hard with the cellar and the extension. Having supportive family around you must make such a difference. Well done to you all.

[@Haven2U]

My experience is that with old houses with those kind of walls, you can't completely "waterproof" them. Use the small square hole to install a simple sump pumpin the floor to remove water that infiltrates through the walls. Don't push stuff uptight aagainst the walls that might get damp and deteriorate. How do I know this, because a large part of my basement, the "cellar' part where we store canned food is pretty much like what you guys have. Your family were troopers in helping you out with that very challenging job. Cheers to all.

[@gaylejideofor6198]

agreed. you do not want condensation on your jars, shelving or wood, keep a few inches away. Someone mentioned a sump pump but that would require a trentch around the entire perimeter of the lower level, not idea in this case

[@Erin_Wilson_Studios]

Do you know if you have french drains around the perimeter outside? I'm sure no one wants to dig more dirt!! But one of the best ways to keep a basement dry is to keep water away before it gets to the walls

[@kathleenlucht1921]

Not only do we love you both, but your mom and brother are keepers!! Could not believe how hard they worked! Oh you guys! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹 So happy you had help! Special thanks to your family. My heart is full! ❤️

[@basiljackson3829]

Watching you and your brother work, if your mother ever writes a book on raising kids... I definitely want a few copies! She managed to instill a pretty good work ethic in the two of you.

[@wendyday25]

Your blessed with a beautiful family

[@jen....]

I can't believe there's a concrete floor under all that soil and rubbish! I thought you were going to have to pour a whole floor. What a relief.

[@mary333j]

Great team work ❤kudos to your mom and brother, your mom is a hard worker, great mom! David needs to strengthen his back and gain some weight 😊

[@annettegreer2425]

Thanks to mother and brother for making the work load lighter and faster!!!

[@johntaoist23]

The amount of dirt is mindboggling.

[@gemeames1597]

Wow, that was a tremendous job excavating the basement. Nice that mom and brother chipped in to help. Absolutely amazing.

[@richardpiper6265]

Have you considered a sump pump in the lowest part of the floor to pump out any water that might come in? It smells but you could put some tar membrane on the walls too. Gutters with long downspouts is a must too. You get the golden shovel award for all your hard work.

[@PeggyAmaya]

such a monumental task. Your family has accomplished much. I hope you haven't hurt your backs. It will be a wonderful storage in the deep snow of winter.

[@turtlegrams6582]

👁️👁️⚖️✝️🩸🕯️🍞💧😡🌡️🌪️🌋👀👂🙏⏳, Excellent Team, your Mother Is A Jewel and your Brother Is great helper ! Happy for you to finally have that cleaned out , hooray , rest up, you've earned it

[@rosanelson2625]

As a viewer I’m grateful to see your mum and brother helping you guys. It’s awesome to see all the TLC you guys put into an old home and make it warm filled with love and happiness. 😊

[@kimberleyengle1432]

Had a neighbor once with an old basement like that. Wet caused mold issues and nothing worked until they dug all the way down on the outside of the house and installed a rubber membrane, then backfilled. Also added a 6 inch gutter and downspouts with black corrugated tile to even more direct water away from the house.

[@margaretspignardo5588]

Congratulations! And I think you should keep the lift arrangement. Great for putting bags of potatoes etc up and down.

[@vickismallwood2082]

I was totally amazed at the amount of dirt in the basement. I would suggest asking your neighbors what they have done to waterproof their basement. They have been living in this area for many years and also store their crops they grow each year. I know my grandma had wooden slat shelves in her basement so that her root crops never touched the floors or the walls. I never thought to ask why but now I think I know why. To keep moisture from getting to the vegetables.

[@billyinwaves]

This is a great new room for storage, especially for potatoes or as a root cellar etc. To avoid damp you either try and seal the moisture out - with a tanking system - or you do what you can with drainage and then keep the room well ventilated. You could tank it with a paint-on rubber/bitumen membrane or, if you want the room completely dry, then fibre glass the walls and floor.

[@dianearmoogan3326]

Despina, you have such a good mom. Not only is she beautiful, but, she's hard working as well. She's a great help to both you and Deivid whenever she visits and your brother as well. Good luck with fixing the basement and I know you guys will do a great job just like your other projects ❤😊

[@heningsutadi9505]

For me... the background music is always entertaining my ears while enjoying their vlog. That's why i really like their vlogs and always waiting for it. I know nothing about constructions.... just enjoying hiw they process the things. 😅

[@Marlenesgardens]

There is a company that takes a lazar print of a basement the makes rubber type liner for the hole you just cleaned out it is a moisture barrier to keep that area dry. It is attached to the floor above. Like someone else said a French drain is the best way to move moisture away from any building.. Nice work everyone!🇨🇦💪💐

[@SlavicCoffee]

For the stone/brick walls I recommend using lime mortar for it than regular concrete mortar. Because it will damage the stones and bricks because there needs to be away for moisture to get out and for the stones to breathe. As of water proofing goes I’m not sure of what can be done for the walls without further damaging it. But there could be something out there that won’t damage it as much, but I could be wrong. Thank god there was a floor underneath the dirt or that would have been quite expensive to put in a new cellar floor,

[@DoBeDiff]

Yeah it would be great to do it naturally but in this case I can't think or find anything that wouldn't be chemical based and would let it breathe so we will have to use rubber based sealant to prevent the moisture! In the old days they would just keep up with removing the water daily or weekly depending on the build up rate no easier solution back then now we can seal it to be dry the walls will be exposed on the outside so I think they will be fine!

[@minime7375]

@@DoBeDifffor sure waterproofing membrane, rubber, silicone, whichever one you can but it’s too much moisture for traditional moisture barriers.

[@gaylejideofor6198]

most of our 100+ year old homes in MN are limestone and lime mortar. Good suggestion. We had a home where they poured regular cement only between the floor joists! that house was well over 115 years and the floors still level, windows- on a curved bowed 14' wall were still straight/ plumb and nothing hand shifted...all the way to the foundation was solid as a rock.

[@tomkinsky771]

"instead of there, struggle, and here, freedom" - I love it!

[@ednarichardson3442]

Maybe u can build that land that flood around the sheep house with the extra dirt

[@laburdjalyn7107]

I'm waiting everyday for a new video

[@kerrylynnparsons7879]

You two certainly are dedicated, hard workers getting things done!!! 🥰❤️😎👏👏👏👍

[@annmcnamara8]

Work fascinates me I could watch it for ever guys

[@secretlocketsparks8092]

That house is thanking you. ❤❤❤

[@kiza4178]

looks awesome!

[@unitedworld6618]

You have such a great mom and brother!!!! Wonder if your mom's friends watch your videos and especially this one showing how hard she is working.

[@geraldineross5168]

My gosh your family is so amazing and so are you and David. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@victoriakopp1483]

Great job, guys. Just think tomorrow when you wake up, your first thought will be (NO MORE DIGGING! ) You two have made a wonderful home for yourselves. More to do, and I can't wait. Great job, mom and brother.

[@kathleenengland2548]

Good job everyone.

[@uraqtpie2]

Congratulations ! Great team work too !

[@tarinalavis5845]

Brilliant job bless mummy for helping lovely lady well done

[@marciavaldez7767]

Thank God for family. You all did so much hard work. Enjoy the rest of the time you have with your mom and brother. Make sure to rest a bit and do something special together as a family to celebrate before your mom and brother go back home.

[@brianingham9569]

Mom is a bad asss!! Enjoy every moment you have with her. I’m sitting in a room that my mom help me paint when I bought my house many years ago. I remember how much work she put into it. I think that is why I can’t repaint it. Love the videos from Nashville Tn USA

[@bfox5767]

Great job on your basement! That's a lot of work. It is deep enough. If you want to one day in a few years you can always dig more, but you may find it is good enough. My parents' concrete walled basement used to have water leaking into it. They painted the walls w/ a water sealer product & it hasn't leaked since. Having the soil surrounding the house sloped slightly away from the house & having good gutters & downspout leading water away from the house also is very helpful. If you still get a lot of water in it after a big rainstorm, despite all you do, you can still pump out the water as long as the hose is long enough to lead the water far from the house. Your shelving can be put on concrete blocks to keep your food dry. Put the pump in the hole you dug.

[@bfox5767]

I just read a few replies to other people & it seems you are already planning to use a water sealer for basements. Also, I didn't realize that the floor is already concreted. It doesn't seem worth it to jackhammer the concrete to gain a few more inches in a root cellar, especially since you might have to add more to the bottom of the walls. It sounds like you have a great plan.

[@jcdgrayson]

The lower hole is for a sump pump to keep the water out

[@sherilynl4038]

CONGRATULATIONS!! What a HUGE job to do that all by hand. CHEERS

[@glhatcher]

They make a waterproofing type paint. It forms a seal and will not let water in or out. It is not cheap but very effective. It is called Drylok.

[@buttafly591]

That’s why your mom looks so young. She’s always working hard keeping that body fit.

[@fondoftheduh]

Wow. You are so blessed with family, friends and neighbors ❤

[@timkirkpatrick9155]

Very nice, now pressure wash. Don't waterproof, ventilate and use a pump if it floods.

[@denises9426]

I get exhausted just watching this process! Great job everyone! 🥰❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@peter-fuppe-fuchs]

Hiiiii❤❤❤

[@Timhey0912]

Hard Hard Wok!!! Many hands, make lighter work! Great Job, It looks really good!

[@Kitty_cat2001]

Great job however a French drain outside will prevent any flooding water issues.

[@davidstoddard9160]

As for the French drain thought, As long as you have one side to drain out of , it does not have to be all the way around the house, for that basement Having a french drain outlet would be really important . Again, it is always best to do things the righ way in the first place.

[@patriciapoyanestebanez408]

ENHORABUENA 🎉🎈🍾 que gran ayuda de tu hermano y madre ❤

[@sharonsmith9478]

I just love your mom love you all

[@helenehendrikse9625]

You guys are some of the hardest workers !!

[@londonobrien2626]

Monumental task completed!

[@marierobinson2681]

Yous have all done amazing well done

[@amberjade528]

I am so happy for you guys! I felt a sigh or relief for you when you finished, Can’t wait to see how you transform it.

[@gloriawaters1455]

Cheers to you all ❤

[@unitedworld6618]

Perfect music.

[@matthewgordon-clark2392]

Hey David - lucky man to have a mother in law who loves to help you work lijke that. Look forward to seeing the basement used for crop storage. Bloody well done to the 4 of you

[@MrSluggo47]

Mothers and Mothers-in-law are the best :)

[@waniesworld7256]

Congratulations to everyone on getting it done! How did the dirt get down there on top of the cement you think? 🤔

[@lyndaf.6329]

You are amazing. Clearing the basement was a massive task. What I don’t understand is why was therenso much earth down there. I can see that previous owners have used it as a dump for their rubbish, although that was horrible, but why would they put all that earth there? Anyway you’ve got a proper basement now which will be a big advantage for the future. Looking forward to seeing you renovate it and the store room above! 😍

[@birgitc.rudolph9123]

We asked us all the time during digging, how on earth they put the dirt down there . This must have been hard work as well😮

[@DoBeDiff]

*The Previous of Previous owners filled it in cause there was moisture problem they started to make a new basement but the previous owners closed that one up as well. The moisture problem can be solved with modern technology in 90s it wasn't so easy!*

[@lyndaf.6329]

Okay, but as your mum says it must have taken them ages to put all that earth in there, LOL! Well done for clearing it and it must have been a big help having your mum and brother to help. What a wonderful family you all are. Love from Germany ( although I’m English, I’ve lived here for 40 years), and I’m wearing a black Do & Be Different T - Shirt whilst I’m writing this !!

[@DoBeDiff]

@@lyndaf.6329 Indeed and they did it though the hatch not open space like we are doing it. It must have been a nightmare undertaking. And that make us very happy! ❤️😊

[@birgitc.rudolph9123]

@lyndaf.6329 so you are a hard-core fan ! 😍🤣 thank you very much for watching 💚

[@catevandenbosch491]

Baby 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@johntaoist23]

You could do a recap of all the work you have done. I have started following channels after watching those types of videos 3 years of work in 30 minutes 😁

[@franckherrmannsen7903]

no waterproofing that basement, put a pump in the sump, racks off the walls and you´re good to go for storage, people did that for aons (without the pump though :) a little fan for airflow

[@debbieherrera1605]

Seeing your mom work definitely tells me that you have got your work ethic from her. Always been impressed with the way you two young people work. Not sure if all younger people where you both come from still have good work ethics or it’s just you two. I can tell you that here in the USA most of the younger generation are not willing to do much even when they have had good roll models in their parents.

[@gregorymcd944]

Such hard work! Great jog and nice video. Thank God your Mom and Brother came to visit and contributed so much! Your Mom is so impressive. She has so much energy! looking forward to move videos on what happens to the new underground room / basement

[@didisalyers4460]

Congratulations on getting that big job done and what a awesome Mom you have!!

[@ruthnoronha8206]

Good thinking with the beam. I like your reason too.

[@lararabb8888]

I find the storks just amazing. You have overseers on high watching all the time. Any stork chick's yet? HOW DOES THE GARDEN GROW? ❤❤

[@Hollybank5]

What’s an amazing family!! Teamwork ❤ It was nice to see the champagne 🍾 celebration after all that hard work !!!!

[@janewilliams6358]

That soil would make some great raised garden beds

[@beccimathews2677]

I love your videos, I watch them all. You both are amazing. Love your mom. Does she have her own YT channel? Thank goodness you have such a great little brother.

[@thescaledraven5482]

You Guys, this is a big deal what a lot of work. BRAVO!!! How great that your mother and brother were there to be a big part of it. Congratulations!

[@Yotrek]

0:46 another option is raising the beam. Then in the future pantry, building shelves on top of the beam, for the length of the beam. The effect will be the space where the bottom two shelves would have been will be for the beam. This will allow everybody to walk upright in both spaces.

[@ldqa2737]

That's some hard work. You have good fam 😎👍 It looks like you have room to raise that beam. Add stone/brick and mortar under it. Create a step up for the upper room. Would that lower the upper room too much? You will have to put a water barrier in that basement. I have a feeling they filled it in due to water. Have you read up on basement prep?

[@richardjones5255]

Well don! You all earned the job complete celebration. I trust all of you are happy to reach that important goal.

[@foxglove8836]

Well done Mum and son, great job all. Hope your going to put a french drain in now as @Strooisuker said.

[@renovatinghouses]

Hatts off to all 🎉

[@gloriawaters1455]

Well done team work thanks to mum and brother who worked so hard with both of you, I love your vlogs you are amazing take care be safe ❤

[@fredhorsefeathers3225]

I love your mom's glam sweater for digging lol

[@c.w.3750]

Thst was a monumental amount of effort but it’s done!

[@barburich5796]

Great job everyone should parge walls then coat with waterproof made for basement and seal floor

[@marilynwade9448]

Really cool music. Now you have a beautiful room down there

[@clf235]

Looks like there was a sump pump pit already in place. Good work.

[@xatzopoulios007]

Ο ΆΓΓΕΛΟΣ 😍

[@shalmaratrethewey9618]

Your Mom is awesome!

[@Blessings.429]

Back from away, hey happy family!! Basement I didn’t know one was there. I wonder how long it’s been filled.❤❤❤ fix all walls first that gives you a solid base, already know it will be pantry or is it?❤❤❤

[@adriannahuezo6112]

Any new treasures?

[@birgitc.rudolph9123]

Only big stones , broken glass bricks, and rotten wood 🪵 😢

[@sandyfry9306]

An amazing job all of you!!!

[@moanahughes3593]

Awesome organising, prep makes the job flow🎉❤

[@balticfaeshop]

Maybe somekinda pool making plastiky based paint/sealant? I live in Spain for many years and they seal their stone/cement build water reserves with that. Maybe you guys saw it in Greek farms too must be something similar

[@DoBeDiff]

Yeah that's what we have and we are going to use! The floor we will use a specific basement sealant for floors and the walls we have a different sealant, plus the filler cement for walls we will include water repellant chemical!

[@Lantanana]

That last corner does look like a lot to me. I used to work in the oilfield, and the hardest activity, to me, was the digging. That is intense!!!

[@danarosu4861]

Sand pomp and French drain I got in my home and I solve the problem and good gutter Congratulation team work 🎉

[@johntaoist23]

This is a fun project!

[@debraheskin428]

Great job

[@geniestotz2240]

I don’t know about your drainage system but can you get a sump pump for the basement and the put a French drain outside the whole house to keep the water away??

[@minime7375]

That’s such good quality soil. It’s so nice of your mom (in law) and brother (in law) to help you out with such a crappy job. ❤️ I was wondering because I’ve seen this in an elderly couple’s home, is it possible that the square you dug out in the basement was at some point a well and it got filled with dirt? PS as for waterproofing of course membrane but if you have to first repipe the stones in the walls maybe mix some linseed oil in the mortar (it’s an ancient Roman technique used in public baths and aqueducts to waterproof).

[@benmoffitt7524]

What a relief it must be to have all of that digging done! Great work, all of you!