A 50-year-old heating system, a cistern, and a need for a bulkhead?
Hi folks,
About to be a homeowner, and coming in eyes-wide-open as we’re about to close on an antique cape (original build, 1795). The house is in immaculate condition for an old home, save the furnace- it’s at least 50 years old, covered in asbestos, and though still ticking away, it needs to be replaced, and the house was priced with that in mind.
Here’s where it gets interesting. I got a quote from the gas/oil company that’s serviced the home for 30 years, and they said a new installation would require a bulkhead to be dug and installed outside the house to provide access. Perhaps because:
-the basement is actually an old cistern, approx. 8-10 feet in diameter, with crawl space 2-3 feet (dirt) running the rest of the length under the house. Stone foundation. To compound things, after a remodel once upon a time, the basement is actually only accessible from the downstairs bathroom.
Does this bulkhead really sound like a necessity? If I found a company that would do a heat install without one, is that wise? Lastly, is there a ROUGH approximation of how much that bulkead project would cost (I already have quotes for both nat gas and oil furnaces)?
I think access to dig is pretty good. I’ve attached a view of the south face of the front of the house, which is the original part (more was added later). The cistern/basement sits directly under the front of the house, and as it’s a narrow front, my guess is it would be about 6-8 feet from the exterior of the house to the brick cistern wall.
Thanks for any ideas, insights, and otherwise. I may be an avid DIYer and woodworking hobbyist, but this is a job well above my skill set. I spend my days as a 5th grade English teacher, after all…
-Mac
Replies
key words and phrases:
avid DIYer; project ..cost: You can proibably buy a used backhoe for less than the company installed cost. If you get a small bobcat or similar, now you can dig out the entire basement also.
Always plenty opportunity to broaden your skil set.
A bulkhead entrance sounds like a good idea, under the circumstances.