The new owner made a special effort to show me the trap door in her small utility room.
I am wondering how many of our readers know why this trap door was cut in the floor of this old house. Leave a comment if you think you know.
Monday, January 08, 2018
Trap Door
Last year I was visiting a friend in her new (actually old) house. She had just purchased a 100-year-old island home. Although it now has a modern kitchen, two bathrooms, central heat & A/C, and up-to-date wiring, it still maintains its original character. The ceilings are low, interior walls are paneled with bead board, and the stairs are narrow.
The new owner made a special effort to show me the trap door in her small utility room.
I am wondering how many of our readers know why this trap door was cut in the floor of this old house. Leave a comment if you think you know.
The new owner made a special effort to show me the trap door in her small utility room.
I am wondering how many of our readers know why this trap door was cut in the floor of this old house. Leave a comment if you think you know.
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To let out the rising storm waters? Glad you are back, Philip. I hope you enjoyed the holiday season with your family!
ReplyDeleteNJ Reader
Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI concur with NJ Reader, that more than likely this door was not only used to let rising water out -- but, maybe just as important, to let it in so the house wouldn't float away.
Thanks for the blog.
Jeff P
I agree with both previous answers...the trap door would pop open with rising flood waters because flooding the house was better than the house floating away.
ReplyDeleteAre the above answers a guess? This subject has been written about back in June 0f '17 and the thought it would prevent a house from floating off the foundation. (I google-ed OI house trap door what purpose) Anyway I love that paint color on the "trap" door however, even though this is not a real estate blog I bet that house sold for 439,000 dollars.
ReplyDeleteYes, the trap door was to let flood waters into the house to prevent the house from floating away. Several older island houses have trap doors or evidence of holes cut into the floors for just that purpose.
ReplyDeletedoes it lead to the basement or wine cellar?
ReplyDeleteNo basements or wine cellars om Ocracoke; water table is too high! All of the houses are up on pilings.
Delete