Basement finishing ideas

Posted on August 27th, 2007 in Basement remodel, Finish basement, Remodel basement by finish basement

Basement remodeling picks
Demo begins

At this point in the basement finish process, we have scraped down the walls to remove any loose paint and have removed the former ceiling to replace it. The plan is to repaint the walls with a masonry waterproofer and replace the ceiling. There was no insulation in the ceiling so we will add insulation prior to putting up a new drywall ceiling. The former ceiling was ruined as a result of a water leak from the upstairs kitchen sink (something to keep in mind if you plan to finish your basement - try to eliminate or reduce the risk of water leaking and destroying your work).

Basement remodeling picks
Demo continues on the finish basement project

Here’s a view of the north and east walls of the basement. We continue to remove drywall and scrape the masonry walls for loose paint. In the corner, you may be able to tell where we had water entering the house - look for the black mold. I will reiterate what I said earlier - deal with these water intrusion problems now when you finish your basement so that you don’t have to redo your finish basement work again.

Basement finishing ideas
Strange discoveries when you remodel your basement

Here we found electrical and gas connections for the stove in the kitchen above. The previous owner started to put an electrical oven connection but it was not live. You may find similar strange occurrences when you finish your basement especially if you are in an older home.

Finished product of finish basement project
Finished product of finish basement project

Here’s a shot of the finished project of our finish basement project. Note the canned lighting, new flooring, re-painted masonry walls and the drywall fix on the north wall. It turned out to be a comfortable living area. I only wish the space was bigger now.

Basement Remodeling Starts With Permanent Waterproofing

Posted on August 27th, 2007 in Basement remodel by finish basement

Basement remodeling can add lots of extra living space to your home but beware; basement water leakage could put a real damper on your hopes if not properly corrected.

There are two conditions you must address for a dry basement, actual water leakage and condensation. Water leakage is a pretty obvious concern to homeowners but many are unaware of the problems that high humidity can cause to a finished basement.

Take Care of Humidity Problems prior to Finishing your Basement

Cost Benefit Analysis of Finishing your Basement

Posted on August 27th, 2007 in Remodel basement by finish basement

Potential benefits of finishing your basement

    Increase the resale value of your home by finishing your basement - Converting unused space into usable space is one of the biggest benefits of finishing your basement. A finished room in a basement is often sequestered away from the rest of the house. You get a real sense of privacy and seclusion in a finished basement room. If you have a smaller home, you may reap larger benefits from a finished basement room than someone with a much bigger house. A finished basement in a smaller home makes it seem much bigger than it really is. In addition, where the livingroom may seem too much a part of the kitchen or dining room, the finished basement room will give a real sense of separateness from other rooms in the house.Double your living space by finishing your basement - Make your home more comforable by increasing the space that you can stretch out in, or sometimes the novelty of a new room in previously unused space can make an old tired home come to life. If you do make a living room out of your finished basement space then make sure and convert your former living room into a library, office, reading room, etc. Don’t finish one space and abandon another.

    Waterproofing your basement will protect your home - One of the initial steps in finishing a basement is to waterproof it. This pays dividends for your basement and your entire home since the basement serves as the foundation for your home. Protect your foundation and you will protect your entire home.

Potential costs of finishing your basement

    Water damage to your potential basement - If you fail to completely waterproof your basement then you risk damage to your finished basement. Water damage can come from the exterior of your home as well as the interior in the form of leaky drains, toilets, sinks, baths, etc. Of if you decide to drywall your basement and you suffer water damage through the basement block walls then tearing out the drywall to repair the problem can be an expensive proposition.Mold issues - Drywalling your basement block walls can also lead to mold issues down the road. Once you drywall over a cement block wall, you’ve ended your ability to seal the wall with dry lok, xypex or other products on a regular basis. You may want to consider a wall system that is removable and allows access to the cement block wall behind.

    To lay down carpet or not - Cement basement floors have a tendency to sweat water. If you use a material such as carpetting on the floors, you may develop further mold issues. Carefully consider the flooring you use to avoid such problems down the road.