Some may be less familiar with what a basement bulkhead is. It's basically another word for a cellar door used to keep rainwater from entering the stairwell. A basement with this type of access would definitely need one.
A basement bulkhead won't just keep people safe during any disasters, but it also prevents mold from forming because they're designed to keep water out of the basement. Think of it as something beneficial for your house and for your well-being.
Many of the old types are made of wood and so they're likely to become rotten, which can also lead to rainwater coming into the stairwell more easily. The process of having a basement bulkhead installed, especially if you have a stairwell that leads to the outside of your home in your basement, can be difficult if you're not prepared.
Having a basement bulkhead installed by yourself is doable, but putting a little extra money into having it done by a professional can go a long way. If you do intend to do it yourself, you'll need to get all the necessary materials: hinges, a door frame, lubricant, etc. Add together the act of destroying and re-building the foundation around the basement bulkhead and you've got one busy job on your hands.
When it's done, you can see that you now have an alternate way of entering and exiting your basement, which is good for having as an escape route in case of emergency. Also, make sure that you put a lock on the basement bulkhead so no one else but you can enter it.
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