foundation access door

[badgolferman]

The foundation (crawlspace) access door to my house is rusty and falling apart. My house is a 1967 brick-sided ranch house. The door opening is 32"x16" and unfortunately no local hardware stores carry this size. I would like to replace this door but it doesn't seem as simple as just replacing the door and its frame. I think it's mortared into the foundation but am not entirely sure. Are there replacement access doors similar to replacement windows that attach to the current frame or must I get a brick mason to replace this for me?

[dpb]

More than likely it is simply fastened into the foundation w/ anchors and mortar laid over it at the edges. I'd think it probably relatively straightforward to replace.

Most locales of any decent-sized population will have a local window/door manufacturing facility that either has or can make a door frame of the proper thickness and dimensions to fit the opening and the door to fit.

That's where I'd start--figure out how it's hung and find a vendor. If strike out there, then come back... :)

--

[DD_BobK]

Photo(s)?

[aemeijers]

Any concrete products company or supplier of brick and block, would likely have these available. If I was bothering to replace, I would upsize, assuming the crawlspace is deeper than 16". That is a Real Small size for tradesmen beyond a certain age to get through, to perform repairs of the plumbing or whatever. And if it is below grade in enclosed in a standard window well, it is even worse. Need to make the hole bigger, say by spacing the well out from the wall with 2 stacks of concrete block. One of my mother's previous houses had a tiny access hole like that, in a tiny well, and it was a major pain to use. If the foundation wall is concrete block, it is pretty painless to break out a few block with a hammer and chisel, and replace any half block with ones from the supply place, or just mud over the broken ends when installing the new door. It doesn't have to be super-pretty, just keep out mice and such.

-- aem sends...