The last house I lived in had a shallow basement (only about 5' deep).  We
removed the flagstone floor (used those stones to extend the sidewalk, also
of flagstone) and dug through the hardpan and additional 18" to put in a
french drain and a cement floor.  This helped immensely with the water
problem in the basement (that, along with the dehumidifier and sump pump).
It was nice to be able to stand up straight and not hit joists or furnace
ducts.

- Pam

------------ Previous Message from  Philip McPherson <[log in to unmask]>
on  06/09/99 11:05:41 PM ----------


          The tiles were dirty and stained, and the whole
          thing sagged in places.
          It was only fifteen years old, and already ugly
          and worn out.
          It partly blocked the windows.
          It made the ceiling too low for comfort.

          All of us are taller than our grandmother was.