Creating an access point (carpeting)?

Joined
12 May 2019
Messages
33
Reaction score
1
Country
United Kingdom
So we have the carpet in the living room. Problem is there's a hatch towards the front of the house in the living room floor that it looks like we're going to need access to once per year.

I don't want to have to go through the faff of moving what we've had to move this past week again and certainly not on a regular basis.

I imagine if you cut a big square in the carpet it's going to look awful. I'm just wondering if that's all you'd do or is there a way of getting it to look a little better?

We could rug it, maybe. I think it'd make the rug look a little random, unlike a rug in front of the fireplace, but i don't really know the best way of approaching this.
 
Sponsored Links
If you have a hatch in the floor, I think it's best in a corner of the room, furthest from the door where it will get least traffic (hatches are liable to squeak).

As it's in a corner you can fold back that corner of the carpet to get to the hatch.

I wonder what's underneath. Floorsafe? Wine cellar? Radiator drain cock? Crypt?
 
Photo 03-06-2019, 11 12 40 pm.jpg

The hatch has already been in place. It does squeak but 1) we know roughly where it is when walking so tend to try and avoid it if we can and 2) it's not in an area of high traffic. You'd only really be walking in that area of the living room to either A) open the blinds or B) listen in a little better on next doors latest argument

So yeah we can't do much about the hatch tbh as it's already there. As you can see in the thumbnail it's between the black sheets.

As for what's underneath - unfortunately water, and a sump pump - hence the need for the hatch itself.

So just wondering how you'd cut access to this?
 
a skilled carpetfitter could probably cope, especially if you have a mottled, unpatterned carpet. They often put doormats into a carpet, flush, and, in offices, there are little lift-up trays for power and comms cables to be plugged in.

i have an idea they call the mat-tray a "well" but I might be mistaken
 
Last edited:
Sponsored Links
Must ask , why is there water and a sump pump under the floor ?
 
Houseboat.....:LOL:

Seriously, if it’s only once a year, I’d invest in a carpet kicker and roll it back each year for access.
 
It’s close enough to corner to allow access by pulling back the carpet , no other work required .
Or install floor socket over position which will create a removable hatch in itself which can be carpeted .
 
Hmm interesting. Thank you.

I did wonder if they'd border off a square somehow rather than just cut a square and do a runner. I've got to find myself a carpet fitter. I'm hoping for one who's done a fair bit of time so may have done something similar.

Must ask , why is there water and a sump pump under the floor ?
Because the water comes upwards from the ground the house is built on.

To which people then mention drains & i then say been there & tried that but it's not the drains.

More back & forth but honestly the houses in the area are like this due to the land the houses were built on. Next door have it similar, the houses on the rear street too, houses opposite us. Houses on the street running across ours.

Houseboat.....:LOL:

Seriously, if it’s only once a year, I’d invest in a carpet kicker and roll it back each year for access.
Well to get to it i need to relocate 3x 24ltr fish tanks, a large heavy solid oak sideboard, book cases, chairs & then lift the carpet back.

It's too much hassle for once every 5 years never mind once every year.
 
It’s close enough to corner to allow access by pulling back the carpet , no other work required .
Or install floor socket over position which will create a removable hatch in itself which can be carpeted .
Except it isn't.

You're only seeing it with everything moved. My living room is obviously not bare all year round. It's got stuff in there that isn't easily moved.

As for what you're saying about a floor socket, not sure i follow to be honest. Sorry.
 
Except it isn't.

You're only seeing it with everything moved. My living room is obviously not bare all year round. It's got stuff in there that isn't easily moved.

As for what you're saying about a floor socket, not sure i follow to be honest. Sorry.
Floor box for power https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...TUdgQrsut_KDm76ntOucZSzQPoVM6bkRoCiusQAvD_BwE

Top insert holds carpet to match and you can give yourself extra sockets.Entire box can be removed to give access below in about 10 seconds .
 
Floor box for power https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...TUdgQrsut_KDm76ntOucZSzQPoVM6bkRoCiusQAvD_BwE

Top insert holds carpet to match and you can give yourself extra sockets.Entire box can be removed to give access below in about 10 seconds .
I'm sorry but i'm not sure if that would work.

Access would be needed to the subfloor (which has a 1mtr drop btw) to replace/service the pump. So whoever is doing the job would A) need to fit through the hatch and B) be cable to get in at the pump down there to do whatever it is they're doing.
Interested where water is pumped out to . Must be a high water table in your area.
To the drain outside.

No idea about the water table. I've been on my hands & knees under the floor & you can see the water coming up through the floor. Have been in touch with drainage folk & they said they worked this area years ago. It's certainly not just our house or even our street.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top