The dilemma -A nice finished basement with an eye soar
and a potenial tripping hazard. The pipe has to stay. There
is no budget to relocate it. It is hard to believe that this
passed code.
I would like to box it in. However, with the pipe sloping down,
the box will have to be a very large to keep it level. That
might be a bigger eye soar and will make 3 or 4 steps narrow
instead of just one step where the pipe protrudes.
What's a girl to do? Suggestions appreciated.
Box it with a larger box where it enters on the top on one end, exits on the bottom on the other..make shelves for pictures, knick knacks.
A dilemma indeed!
Could they create a landing at the point where the pipe comes out, then take a 45 degree right (looking down from top) turn?
You're going to show us the finished product I hope... all the best!
I agree with Marian but I wil go 90 degrees, you will have that tube coming from the side. Then depending on the angle of the tube, maybe some cabinet or shelves on the top with some great art pieces.
Please share your end product...
This is a dilemma... but it also is in the garage. I don't think I would try to do anything about it especially if you think it is a tripping hazard. I would let a contractor or the homeowners deal with it. Stick with your staging of the house... it is safer ;)
This is a real issue and could be a safety problem. I would suggest that the homeowners contact a contractor to either put in a landing on the staircase where the pipe is or to reconfigure the staircase to curve out. A simple shelf around the pipe could be staged very nicely.
Good luck and let us know what happens.
I was thinking along the same lines as Lori Kim. Firstly, I can't believe this is to code - there's no way. I would stage the room so fabulously, that potential buyers will focus on the room and not the pipe. It's unfortunate the home owners can't afford to relocate the pipe.
No handrail and this pipe....I would ask a home inspector before I would do anything.
I wouldn't try boxing anything in ... get a contractor, or as Ginger suggested, a home inspector before attempting anything with this eyesore. I can't understand anyone putting it there in the first place!
Sharon- unless you're also a contractor, home inspector or architect, I would leave it to the homeowner and those who know. How it passed the first time is a mystery! Please follow up with the "end" of the story.
Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions. I did speak with my contractor and, unfortunately the pipe cannot be relocated due to the exit height of the sewer pipe and the common wall of this twin home. The contractor would like an inspector to come in first before he would box it in.
Also, there is not enough headroom to make a landing and angle the stairs, although that would really look nice if it was possible. The home owners are selling this themselves, and have not committed to my staging services as yet. If they decide to proceed with the staging, I will definitly share the results.
With appreciation,
Sharon
As others already said, I would just leave this alone and focus on the rest of the house.
I too would just leave it alone and concentrate on staging the house. Sometimes it just is what it is!
I think handrails are the most important plus they will cover half of the pipe. than I would put some really good artwork above to draw eye out of the pipe. good luck.
Birgit and Margaret,
Your comments have reminded me to keep the solution simple. Adding a handrail will help with the safety issue. Since the pipe has to stay, I will suggest at least painting it the same color as the wall. With the addition of some art, the pipe will not be as prominate.
Thank you,
Sharon
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