Thread: Access Hatch through Polished Timber Floor

Originally Posted by ian

Option 3 - Jigsaw ..... this would be my choice -- assuming you have a good jig saw and the appropriate blades you can plunge cut removing the need to drill starter holes. Perhaps guide the saw with a batten
......

Hi Ian

I have an AEG jigsaw so it should be able to handle this. Not sure on plunge cutting into 130 year old messmate - its hard. Will experiment, but circular saw would allow some use of the joists to hold the new hatch.


Cheers

Graeme

Originally Posted by orraloon

I would make the cut along the joist with a circular saw at the first joist out from a wall. That way the boards can be replaced closing the kerf and the other end will be under the skirting board.

Can't do this, John. The joist spacing varies a little and the first two are only 200 mm apart.

Number/mark boards so they go back in the same order.

Good advice, will do.

.....Seeing as the underfloor space is all closed in a blower to supply ventilation would be a good safety measure while anyone is down there.
Regards
John

Probably not needed unless doing something particularly dusty. There are ventillation grills every 5 metres or so on the external walls. But I won't do anything silly.



Cheers

Graeme

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

I have an AEG jigsaw so it should be able to handle this. Not sure on plunge cutting into 130 year old messmate - its hard. Will experiment, but circular saw would allow some use of the joists to hold the new hatch.

I'm thinking that your underfloor access is a once only thing.
cut the trap door
get in (or better yet pay someone else) to go crawling around in the moldy air fixing the insulation
replace the boards
done.

so if when you put the boards back you need to narrow the hole somewhat with a ledger it doesn't matter.

Graeme
Even if you cut at second or third joist then take the whole board back to the wall that way you can close the kerf when you replace them. Only one kerf to worry about also. I am sure skirting boards were invented to hide the ugly bits.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by ian

I'm thinking that your underfloor access is a once only thing. cut the trap door
get in (or better yet pay someone else) to go crawling around in the moldy air fixing the insulation replace the boards done. so if when you put the boards back you need to narrow the hole somewhat with a ledger it doesn't matter.

Hi Ian

Probably true, but at least I will have an inspection hatch, if needed. I almost said no one had been in the space since the house was built in the 1880's, but at some stage some wiring was laid under the floor in conduit. I have no idea how they accessed the space - must have lifted some floor boards, but no witness marks as to which ones.

Some years ago I helped a friend install a ducted heat pump in a property of similar age. There was 100+ years of accumulated dust in the crawl space - extremely fine, extremely penetrating and extremely itchy! On the third day, the guy across the road was having his place recarpeted, so as the carpet layers ripped out the old carpet we commandeered it and carpeted the crawl space. Pure luxury to crawl around on carpet. Its still there!

I have hoarded some carpet so that we will have an equally luxurious crawl space.


Fair Winds

Graeme

Originally Posted by orraloon

Graeme
Even if you cut at second or third joist then take the whole board back to the wall that way you can close the kerf when you replace them. Only one kerf to worry about also. I am sure skirting boards were invented to hide the ugly bits.
Regards
John

Brilliant, will do. Thanks John.


Cheers

Graeme

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Probably true, but at least I will have an inspection hatch, if needed. I almost said no one had been in the space since the house was built in the 1880's, but at some stage some wiring was laid under the floor in conduit. I have no idea how they accessed the space - must have lifted some floor boards, but no witness marks as to which ones.

Look under the stove, fridge, large free standing (or nearly free standing) cupboards

In my 1890s house, the under floor access was under the stove

Originally Posted by ian

Look under the stove, fridge, large free standing (or nearly free standing) cupboards

In my 1890s house, the under floor access was under the stove

Hi Ian

Definitely not in the kitchen. Possibility that it is in the formal lounge room under a very large, very heavy secretaire-bookcase.

You have inadvertently revealed an inconsistency in my logic. I don't want to be caught without some insulation - underfloor or carpet. If I put in a hatch and then discover an existing hatch in that corner then I'll feel a real goose.

change of work order. Rip out remaining carpet, cut hatch if none found, install insulation, sand and polish floors.

A good outcome. thanks.



Cheers

Graeme

Originally Posted by ian

Look under the stove, fridge, large free standing (or nearly free standing) cupboards

In my 1890s house, the under floor access was under the stove

Bit like those POW escape movies.
Regards
John