Endless Projects - The New Home Part II

(Part I)

After much trepidation I decided to have some professionals come and look at this bizarre above-ground sump pit. Two different professionals both stated that they had never seen anything like it before... Who thought it was a good idea to install a sump it in a house addition that's on a concrete slab above ground?

Strange things indeed. Anyway I decided to have it partially filled and properly lined, but left in such a way that if I did ever had flooding issues I could have a sump pump easily installed. Better to be safe than sorry.

Right? Right.

I think now I'll just cover it with some polyurethane sheeting and at least fill and seal the concrete cracks that have been there for what looks like quite some time.

Fiona is clearly excited by this new development

Alright, what's next on the list of things to do with a new (old) house?

Endless Projects - The New Home

Office Difficulties

Let the projects roll! 
And boy will there be a lot of them. When you get a house from the 1850's you know what you're getting into though. Poor insulation, moisture buildup, failing structures, and grand-fathered in out-of-code aspects everywhere you look.

For the most part we're only looking at old school insulation and yes, some moisture, but surprisingly not in the main part of the house. Instead I have found moisture and mold in a small office add-on that's only about thirty years old - judging by the alarming color and style of the carpeting. 

First it's a concrete floor that's separate from the foundation of the rest of the house and second there's a trap door. Now when I initially pulled up the carpet and found this wooden trap door I was skeptical and even a little worried. What's inside? Contraband? Zombies? Let's just say that the first time I opened it I wasn't taking it lightly.
Afterward though I was able to put down my weapons and flashlight and really inspect this oddity. What I wonder is if I can find a way to properly seal this trap door to stop moisture from getting into the room. Is it possible? If it is possible, should I? I'm not a construction expert by any means, but it looks like it was meant for mitigating flooding. Like a sump pump might actually go into it.

I'll be getting a dehumidifier soon for this room (only about 150 sq. ft.) and putting down some interlocking carpeting. Then I'll do some real mold-cleaning with borax and bleach and get the room usable again. The room doesn't have to look spiffy as it's just going to be my new office\workshop, but if I'm going to be spending a decent amount of time in there I don't want it to look like an outhouse either.

Any advice on this would much appreciated as I am definitely out of my element here.