Installation Instructions

If this is a replacement installation requiring
a new concrete cap, first remove top 3" to 4"
of deteriorated masonry to permit pouring
the cap without increasing the height of the present
top step. Or, roughen the top of wall with hammer
and chisel to ensure good bond between old and
new masonry. Build a simple wood form as shown
in #1 ensuring that the form is level and square.
The top of the new concrete capping should be a
little higher than the surrounding grade. A height
of at least 4" is desirable.
The Bilco basement door consists of six
parts (the names of the parts are on page 1)
plus a set of four torsion rod door operators,
and the hardware* packed with this instruction
sheet. Apply strip of caulking to top of header
end plates on both sides by placing in center
of plates over holes as shown in #2A. Attach
header to sidepieces with four round head bolts.
The header end plates must be under the
sidepieces, with heads of bolts above and nuts
below. Tighten bolts with wrench until caulking
squeezes out between the parts. Remove this
excess caulking with your finger and fill the pock-
et formed by the protrusion of metal on both
sides. Attach sill to sidepieces using four flat head
bolts as shown in #2B. It is essential that the
heads of bolts are on outside with nuts inside.
*Hardware
4 1/4" x 1/2" round head bolts and nuts
4 1/4" x 1/2" flat head bolts and nuts
4 5/16" x 1-1/4" hinge pins with cotter pins
6 1-1/2" slotted hex head screws
3 2" slotted round head screws
9 spring steel nuts
9 plastic shields
2 strips caulking compound
4 rubber bumpers
1 vial lubricant
NOTE: If installation is with new concrete cap-
ping, plastic shields are discarded. If capping is in
place, spring nuts are discarded.
Move assembled frame into place over cap-
ping form as shown in #3A. Position frame
exactly as it will be when capping is poured
by blocking it up temporarily so bottom of
sidepieces are at the same height as the top of
the inside form board. All parts of the Bilco
basement door rest
on top of the concrete
capping and must not be buried in it. Place a
level against sidepiece and check plumb. Square
door by measuring diagonals and shifting frame
until equal and level frame to ensure proper
operation. Fasten header by nailing to sheathing
or securing to masonry with 1/4" x 1-1/4" flat head
machine bolts and shields, obtainable at your
hardware store.
IMPORTANT: If this is a replacement installation
on a home with siding, be sure to cut away the
siding in accordance with instructions on page 4.
Place the 1-1/2" slotted hex head screws in holes
in sidepieces and 2" round head screws in sill.
Screw a spring steel nut on the bottom of these
about three turns. Metal ears on the spring nuts
should be on underside as shown in the detail.
The Bilco basement door will shed water in all normal conditions only when
installed and caulked in accordance with these instructions. If there are no
rain gutters above, a diverter must be installed to prevent roof water from
flowing directly onto the Bilco basement door.
For new construction or replacing wooden door where new
Concrete capping
after pouring
Set form so
capping will
be level
Round heads of
bolts outside
Fill pocket and seal
vertical joint with
caulking compound
at both ends of header
Left
sidepiece
Flat heads of
bolts
outside
Header
Nuts under
Nuts
inside
Sill
Right side-
piece
FRAME CONSTRUCTION
Place strip of
caulking compound
on both end plates before
bolting header to sidepieces.
Fill pocket
MASONRY CONSTRUCTION
CAUTION:
Points of particular importance are in RED OR BOLD face type.
2
3
#1
#2A
#2B
Concrete capping
after pouring
Header
Sill
Insert six slotted hex head screws
in bottom flange of sidepieces
and screw spring steel nuts on
for 2 or 3 turns in position shown
before embedding in wet concrete.
Clapboard or Shingle
Header
Sheathing
Flashing (by others)
Concrete
capping
after
pouring
Insert three slotted round head screws in
sill and screw spring steel nuts on for 2
or 3 turns in position shown before
embedding in wet concrete
Caulk
#3B
Level
Level
#3A
Header
Page 2
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