Removing a Cistern

[fishhuntwork]

I live in a 1957 rambler home where the basement isn't finished. When my wife and I purchased this house approx. 6 years ago we didn't plan on living here more than 10 years. Well with the market still in the crapper and 2 small kids we are running out of room. I have a cistern in the basement that is approx 10' x 12'. I would only have to remove the top and 1 side for it to finished off. The problem is it appears to be connected with the outside foundation and the center, load bearing wall. I know this will be a lot of hard manual labor but I believe installing a bathroom, bedroom and a family room in the basement will make it worth it. Anyone have any experience with this or have any idea.

[Tom7227]

Your going to get a lot more action on this question if you can post some pictures. I've spent a lot of time on this forum and I don't think I have ever seen a 'cistern' question before.

[Moose]

Better to keep it as a BOMB shelter JK.. I grew up in a house with a cistern we use to haul water to both my grandparents and our house I thought it was pretty cool till Dad decided "WE" should take it out to expand the basement yikes that was alot of work. We stored wood in it for our stove but dad uses it for storage now. I was pretty young but I remember hauling the busted up concrete blocks out of the basement. Is it poured concrete or block? You said there is a top on it? Ours didn't have that. How will you SAFELY get it off? How old did you say those kids are:)) It's always nice to have Executive Assistants to help you out:) You can rent an electric Jackhammer to do the busting up but getting all that cement out of there is going to be a chore. I would make sure the cistern isn't acting as a load bearing wall for the upstairs. You would hate to have a sagging house cause you took out the wall they built the house around. 10x12 would make a good sized bedroom if you could figure out a way to put in a door, egress window, run wiring,and hvac. Just a thought..