I Can't Believe This! Poor Foundation Design or Bad Building Codes?

[@mikec5705]

Here in northeast Ohio, new house basements only have access window if there is a bedroom. Every new construction we pour already has the house built over the foundation. We pump through a window or down where the staircase will be. We hand trowel the floor.

[@eaglebill3738]

Wow, there is no way that a no egress basement would fly here in Northern Illinois, even unincorporated areas require at least one escape from a basement, this one might even require two of them. I'm surprised that passed there. Good video Mike. Thanks!

[@gunfisher4661]

Many are built around here with no outside access. But I can`t see pouring a basement floor after the building is up for many obvious reasons also including the effect of all the moisture from the concrete effecting the building materials in the building.

[@nvragn]

Hey Mike I really enjoy your channel. I fix the trucks all day long at the shop but rarely get to see what they actually do. Ty for that 👍🇨🇦

[@ernieforrest7218]

There will be a stairway to the basement somewhere Mike. We always finished by hand, no power trowles in the homes we built. We would place a pc of plywood on the poured concrete where the basement steps were going to be, then just placed a ladder on top of that. But then we never poured the basements till the house was under roof either. We graded the basement floor and placed the stone base when we set up the forms for the footings. So there was very little prep time involved when we were ready to pour the floor. We wheeled the concrete shot thru a window. Then shoved the wheelbarrows up the ladder, and sometimes we just hung them from the floor joist with chains, and later washed them out with a hammer. lol We never used screeds, or used any type of a screed. We always used stakes for the concrete height set from the floor joist with a proper length rod, then we raked to the stakes and used a 4’ wide jitterbug and a bull float. As builders we were masons to start, and always did our own concrete, since it was critical it be done in order to keep the job moving along, especially with certain style homes, like split levels for example. Im now 88 years old and have been retired in Florida for 24 years. So i entertain myself on the days i dont fish by watching guys like you on youtube. I became a licensed builder in Florida also, and my youngest son age 52 is also. And so will his son when he finishes college, making him the fourth generation. My only regret is that i put up with all that cold wether BS as long as i did. If i had my life to live over it would definitely be in a warm climate.

[@ddean7869]

Even a single stairwell seems like a death trap for fire...The building code should get changed for homeowner safety!

[@lawrencegreen8291]

Missouri, at least in my area requires escape windows if there is living space in the basement.

[@rkalle66]

Such basements are typical in Germany (but then with a concrete ceiling/groundfloor). Stairs will be installed inside to get down/up. The main concern is water tightness/drainage (and buoyancy of this trough structure). At least there schould be light shafts and some air exchange.

[@canonicaltom]

It's possible to have an exterior staircase with the foundation wall on the outside. Can't really know if you don't have the whole drawing.

[@5624high]

In our area in Michigan this would not be allowed, especially as occupied space. Egress windows or an exit stair are required for any potentially occupiable space. In order to not have egress, it would have to be a crawl space only.

[@GrumpyAndCricket]

Great job guys!

[@t23001]

Amazing skills.

[@hilux0094]

Proper education and teaching in your videos. Much appreciation for your thorough work.

[@kevinpoore5626]

Honestly when doing below grade no access footings or slab pores when it comes to slab pours its kind of Handy if you could pre pour one section ahead so you have somewhere it's hard to escape too at the end

[@perstaffanlundgren]

If you pour a concrete floor on top of the walls, you will have a good prepper/survivor/ fallout bunker under the house. Just a little window to make a steel plate for cover and your done. Very solid walls I must say and no styrofoam in them, another thing: let's hope the draining of rain / ground water solution is solid. When there is styrofoam between floor and wall like that waterproofing in the corners may be hard to do. Mayby a " concrete seal band" should be "poured in place" in the wall and then into the floor when it is poured. Just to be safe.

[@esotericwoodworks]

As a builder in Maine, I've found building codes in Maine to be different from town to town. Having said that if the town building code doesn't live up to the state wide code (there is a state wide code no matter where you live) then the state code takes precedent. More importantly if you bank finance anything you will need insurance and they will send an inspector. The insurance inspectors are way more strict than code enforcement and they don't care who you are or where you live, also some of their recommendations are not based in logic. They will just drop you without much notice and there goes your mortgage now you are in default 🤷

[@Dr.LongMonkey]

I really don’t get why someone would finance a house they’re building. Just build what you can afford

[@Jsd_1]

@@speedster9622don’t forget how much the NEW house is worth now. Nevermind taking out a heloc at the same time you got that 2.5% loan. Could reinvest the equity as well. Smart man !

[@jackwilliams7738]

@@Dr.LongMonkey bro…. Only a small percentage of people can even buy a home up front.

[@Dr.LongMonkey]

@@jackwilliams7738 no way that is true. I was homeless when I built my first house. If I can cover the cost to build a home without help from a bank anyone can do it. It cost me 50k over the course of a year. I now understand why someone would get a loan to build something like a mansion, but getting a loan to buy a trailer still seems a little crazy to me.

[@jackwilliams7738]

@@Dr.LongMonkey I would say a large percentage of people take a loan from a bank. But you can build a small house for $50K. It’s possible just not likely.

[@freebird7284]

two "S" bracket to hang on the wall and hook the ladder onto them at desired height with kickout brackets on the bottom to get it away from the wall, nice work.

[@morgan79347]

What do you use as an accelerator guessing Frits pack.

[@74stevedc]

In Massachusetts you need 2 ways to access out in case of a fire. So those windows aren't access unless there 42" from finish floor. So a stairway is one, this would not pass in Massachusetts with those windows. A bulkhead is nice if you need to move anything big into basement it's only $1,800.

[@bryaningle6034]

I believe we only need access if there is living space in the basement.

[@ddean7869]

I hope they change their building code after this!!!

[@mikegreen7620]

Ya that is pour planning on somebody's part no access, surprised no support legs in foundation 70' to long for 8"wall We generally will go thicker walls or 4' kicker walls half way. What time did it finish?

[@bobmottau7668]

A lot of contractors are doing this now.If this is a duplex there should be two bulkheads. I always put a temporary service on every site. I know contractors who make all there subs to bring there own generators and there own gas if you want to work for them.

[@SpringRubber]

Maybe the owner will install two spiral stairways on the ends. Or just use it as a dungeon. No egress is pretty common, I think, as I lived in a rented townhouse with such as basement in the Wash DC area. I'd never do it for new construction

[@kellenwhitney4505]

Love the blend line in the wall lol

[@daveyconcrete9801]

I saw that

[@tnolan3176]

I poured a lot of floors without egress windows ,,usually after the house was framed and lower everything down through the stairwell ! We would finish everything by hand !! Never really gave it a second thought till they changed the law and every new build needed egress windows or doors ! What a game changer !

[@e.l.robbins5614]

There should be egress from the basement. The aqua guard and drainage around the basement looks poor as well based on what i can see in the video. You guys do great work. I can only imagine what you guys said when you drove up on this job.

[@johnds6621]

I my town you can't have bedrooms in the cellar but if you have a living space you must have at the very least a window big enough for a fireman to come through with a pack on his back. I think it would be more enjoyable with bigger windows.

[@edgarsweeden9786]

You could make a bracket to hang the ladder off the stem wall

[@larrywigmore1243]

In Delaware here you have to at least have an emergency window exit. But me personally I would put in a bit of doorway

[@oklahomachris6298]

It’s definitely a different way to build a basement but it appears maybe the homeowner may be a prepper unlikely I’m sure but maybe it’s a more protective thing I dunno that’s the only thing I can come up with since there is no side access

[@nsdash9]

Here in northern Ohio it's most common to not have any egress on a basement foundation, generally the exception being if there is a finished bedroom.

[@MrRozdower]

seems like you could use a ladder that hangs from the foundation wall, like a pool ladder

[@gssuper1438]

Somebody took a lot of pride in laying out those pex lines.... lol

[@hu5tle-]

We have code here that require basement egress. Illegal here in Seattle,.

[@dustinlarkin6970]

A rope ladder or long pool ladder that hangs from the top edge might be ideal in these situations but it doesn’t look like it’s that big of a deal anyways to fix the 2 spots where your ladder feet were resting on.

[@ShaneL295]

Looks to me like they're trying to cut costs, considering the lack of egress and the tar "waterproofing" on the basement walls that will be leaky as a sieve in a couple years. I'd be much happier with an egress window at least, or stairs in a perfect world.

[@proriznian7765]

Hello Mike. You should always state temperatures as degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius! Many of your viewers are NOT in the USA! Fresh water freezes at 32 degrees F and 0 degrees C! Andrew, from Canada

[@ericbrawand1079]

Wow! No access. Even if it's just for storage it doesn't make sense to me.

[@psidvicious]

We don’t do basements in Fla (almost never), but code does require 2 means of ingress/egress. Why wouldn’t a stair on each end qualify as your ingress/egress means?

[@ddean7869]

Stairs at each end does qualify!

[@scottb6098]

My son just bought a new house in Southern Wisconsin. Same deal , no egress , no windows at all...couldn't believe it.....???

[@BlueFlameOfLife]

why is there no reinforcement in this pad ?

[@niveknospmoht8743]

So Mike what would be your opinion? I will be building a home with a full basement. Do I do the slab first with rebar protruding vertically every 16'' with an engineered footing underneath or go with the walls built on the footing then fill in with the slab.

[@myronsmith2114]

A basement that size should have at least one egress window or door. How do you get out in case of a fire if you finish off the basement . I differently can’t fit through one of those Hopper windows

[@elmerkilred159]

Climb-outs aren't needed in basements that are not going to have bedrooms. Basements are not added to the square footage of the home. Most houses that are older than 20-30 years old don't have climb- outs.

[@ericeel1995]

That doesn't look very safe. Here in Indiana I believe you have to have 2 windows large enough to get out of in the basement like 20"x24", or a walk out door.

[@EDH90]

I do find it strange that with new construction one would opt out of having egress built in to the foundation. However, it is possible that there was never any intent to put bedrooms/living space in the basement and wanted it solely for mechanicals and storage. I would also say a storm shelter but I’ve never heard of tornadoes in Maine. I’m from Missouri, so we get them from time to time and basements are very common here, some with egress, some without. Depends on the age of the house. Mine was built in ‘59 and the only reason I have egress is because of a garage door.

[@ds650forever9]

That is how basements are most of the time here in Minnesota. The only access is up thru the house.

[@mikewilhelmson8413]

Maybe old houses or ones that haven't been remodeled yet. Now we mostly build walkout and just about every remodel job I ever did included installing an egress

[@ds650forever9]

@@mikewilhelmson8413 I'd say 75% of the houses here are like that. There are a few with walkout basements or egress windows. I'm just not sure why you waste time doing that. Mortgage company told me anything below grade does not count towards home value. So bedrooms and bathrooms in the basement don't count for appraised value. A walkout may be an exception, not sure on that.

[@mikeknoll1130]

I have done those with no egress, same situation. If they set the home with in a week or so, they will have a ton of moisture in the basement to deal with, they most likely have to insulate the walls and put some heat and air mover down there.

[@Pippy626]

Yes and no. Security I don’t but safety I would it’s a tough call. Basement steps to a door is a huge safety risk because no one sees them coming unless you have a alarm or cameras.

[@craiguglandrealty3705]

Why would they bother with in-floor heat for a space that'll never be accessible nor occupied?

[@monizpaul]

The living area (heated space) is required to have egress around here. Should be everywhere.

[@mattnuevo6334]

Power trowel is nice.. but not necessary. Hard trowel on sliders. As far as the lack of exits on the basement, I’d hate to be trapped down there with a burning house above me.

[@Joe-oi6eh]

Builder from southern NH and all I gota say is that someoneee ain't to worried about inspections lol

[@johnfahey7215]

Poor Building codes, piss poor planning. Double Whammy! Also, I was astounded at the backfill situation. Inexcusable! 😧 Good job under terrible circumstances. The Old Retired Laborer 😀👍

[@ddean7869]

Amen!

[@t23001]

Basement windows at 10-12 feet. Just curious, What do you put in these huge fully heated basements?

[@ddean7869]

Maybe a pot greenhouse/garden? Should be humid enough!!!

[@CybekCusal]

10' walls makes me think they are putting in a drop ceiling for access to mechanicals but those windows would be in the ceiling plenum so I have no idea what they are doing. Windows could be bigger also none of them are egress compliant so I hope they aren't putting bedrooms or living space down there.

[@TT-ik3kd]

You dont need egress if theres no living spaces in the basement. This is common everywhere

[@andrewrivera4029]

I worked for 30 years installing low voltage wiring in new and existing housing and I never understand some of the things contractors do and blame it on codes, it doesn’t mean you can’t do above the codes. WE know that isn’t right, no basement egress or the GC will say the customer didn’t want it but honestly with the amount of knowledge of the GC they should throw it in. There is always unintended cost saving for GC’s to have their payday.

[@greenwolf401]

Maybe they'll cut out an opening later. Maybe couldn't decide where they wanted it? The walls look pretty thick, maybe 12"?

[@davidbrightman6987]

That can't be considered living space here in PA

[@RonSales]

I'm sorry like Eagle Bill said N/E illinois Egress has to be included in the designs before it is approved for the job to be started. They'd have told them to tear it all out and start over.

[@andrewwatkins1561]

Most basements in NY don’t have outdoor egress. Better hurry before the house comes🤣

[@charlesviner1565]

👍every new home should have an egress window. If you want to make an existing basement into living space with a bedroom, you have to cut a egress window in

[@Tom-kx3xe]

There should be at least one window for egress in case of fire...

[@metalrooves3651]

I'm surprised somebody isn't building a little batch plant, portable, and this could be poured with 2 trucks on -site.or even with a couple single axle 4 YARD TRUCKS...would easy to batch 4 yards .with a little plant.And not monster over head bins either.short,portable system and little conveyers.Would have to have 2 trucks so laydowners stayed busy..they couldn't wait for batching.

[@chrisbrann7733]

Definitely not practical in Maine for portable batch plants, most people in Maine earn under $100k a year, and the cost of a portable batch plant would be outside their budget, we don’t ever see them, nor do we see trucks that carry less then 10 yards

[@goldblueberries326]

Sounds like the manufacture home company did this .

[@Argumedies]

Well its not like the floor is in place and its open air so carbon monoxide shouldn't be an issue. The coolest thing I've seen on a basement like this was watching finishing troweling from the bucket of an excavator

[@user990077]

Can't believe local code does not require an egress.

[@pappydaddy7447]

Mike, what do you think of fiberglass rebar?

[@MikeDayConcrete]

We're using it more and more, I like it.

[@Rob-to4mu]

That basement is a death trap if they plan on putting bedrooms down there in the future. Imagine a fire starts upstairs during the night, anyone sleeping downstairs would be screwed.

[@revenniaga6249]

Those are not windows They are temporary openings for the beams to slide the home onto the foundation

[@mikewilhelmson8413]

Uh.. what? That's not how houses are built bud.

[@revenniaga6249]

@@mikewilhelmson8413 Pardon me? It is a modular home built in a factory. Trucks park on each side with a unit and then slided together with temporary beams and skates. Rim joist are then bolted together to form a beam with teleposts to support in basement.

[@morg52]

Looks like a footing for an elevator on that last part.

[@goldblueberries326]

The owners will regret not having an access door for the basement. To save $1000 in door and additional labor?

[@mikewilhelmson8413]

Door? The whole basement is below grade. If anything they should have an egress window.

[@daveyconcrete9801]

It's disappointing to be on a job and see oversights that you know are going to be problems for the homeowner and the value of the home. Richer towns have stricter requirements and poorer towns are just happy to add any tax value.

[@J297WFD]

Needs a door!

[@jeffculpepper3492]

Hammer drill some 2 by 4's to the concrete wall.

[@gregorysampson8759]

I'm willing to bet they build a staircase inside that foundation! I bet that's how they get in and out of there.

[@jocalafarms4051]

No bedrooms no access needed

[@mikewilhelmson8413]

Huh. Pretty sketchy dungeon I mean basement.

[@14sgdpg82]

thats a saftey hazard am i wrong ?

[@chrismartin3959]

Actually that's exactly what we did with the power trial when it blew up on us

[@metalrooves3651]

You mean setting the machine in ?OF COURSE they would..l mean ,how did you do it?

[@chrismartin3959]

@@metalrooves3651 through the stair hole the house was framed on just poured this for about a week or two ago

[@tomthompson7400]

Ah ,,, I see where youve looked at this wrong ,, its an indoor pool ,,, its not a basement at all...

[@TrailTrackers]

It's obvious to me why there is no access to this basement... The guy is setting it up to be a torture chamber. When the women around the local area begin disappearing, this should be the first place they search.

[@jimbobhavens8634]

I would think your insurance would balk if you didnt

[@nealsterling3849]

Batman 😀

[@johnbjorklund9958]

Terrible design, without windows you cannot have egress therefore no ability to have a legal bedroom in the future.😊

[@jeremyrude6883]

Seen it all now

[@vernechappell4105]

Not windowes,for the lifting beams,rigs,for lifting the house on.

[@jedgeled759]

Thats when they end up on the news with another family demise and then they say,,Ohh yea,,shoulda,coulda,woulda