Late 1800s homestead- dirt basement

I'm considering a old Virginia farmhouse from the late 1800s. It has a partial dirt basement with sump pump. No concrete. I would like to keep it dirt and use it as a root cellar, that said I would also like to make any improvements that would help make it a little less scary looking and ,more importantly, critter proof.

I'm thinking a hardware cloth floor covering with a layer of gravel and whitewashed walls?

Hi Athena,

Your solution may be a bit premature...

Without living in the home for at least a period of time both dry and wet weather...how to plane the basement would be ill advised. I have seen many that have a sump pump down in them because they don't have good drainage (or blocked drainage) on the outside. There are other reasons too. Many dirt floor basements are 'bone dry' and need no further augmentation from the original form other that shelves and bins to make them "back into root cellars" which many had been.

If you want to add white wash lime paint for brightening and esthetics...that is fine. I like the looks of stone, timber and brick in their natural state...but have added "white features" to the area to brighten things up a bit...as well as other colors...

Critters be what they are...rodent proofing a floor may not be enough...

Are you living there yet?

If not...when?

I will follow along and help wherever I may.

Regards,

j

I appreciate it! We are hoping to be making an offer in the next few weeks. I do realize this is premature--I have a handle on a lot of home repair sort of stuff and am trying to think through the things I don't know much about before making our decision. Of course, things will not work out the way I expect but I'm sort of doing my due diligence if you will! Once we are in and have more information I will absolutely be asking