| A finished basement can be a great place | | | | opening up the basement stairwell you remove |
| where you can entertain your family and | | | | some of the basement like atmosphere. Some |
| friends by putting in a recreation room which | | | | designers would like to see the doorways of |
| includes a pool table, ping pong table, | | | | the basement widened and employ arches and |
| pinball machine, and/or dartboard.Before a | | | | columns to dress them up. Examples include |
| basement renovation you should:1. Look for | | | | French Doors for privacy or a partial |
| basement foundation cracks. Hairline cracks | | | | separator using decorative glass to add |
| in the basement can be the fault of improper | | | | elegance to the basement room.When looking at |
| curing where as large cracks are most likely | | | | windows, if applicable, add as many as you |
| caused by settling. Both can be repaired with | | | | can. Basements tend to be dark and gloomy but |
| hydraulic cement if the crack is not active | | | | with more natural light it becomes a better |
| i.e. whatever caused the crack is no longer | | | | and well lit area. If windows are very |
| an existing problem. If the basement crack is | | | | limited, look into security and use glass |
| still active then the crack patching may be | | | | block windows. When it comes to artificial |
| re-opened later.2. Look for basement moisture | | | | lighting, the choices are fluorescent lights, |
| problems. Moisture problems may be tough to | | | | table lights, floor lamps and ceiling lights. |
| fix. Water is persistent and can make its way | | | | If your budget allows, stay away from the |
| through the basement walls that are | | | | fluorescent lighting since it is not the most |
| considered permeable. An easy way to test | | | | appealing in design.When installing the |
| water problems is to tape a piece of aluminum | | | | ceiling, stay away from suspended ceilings |
| foil to various places on the basement walls | | | | because they make the basement look like a |
| and floors. Seal the edges of the foil | | | | basement. Consider using tray ceilings. When |
| tightly and leave in place for several days. | | | | choosing the color for painting, use a light, |
| After several days, if moisture droplets | | | | bright, or dramatic color scheme. With these |
| appear beneath the foil then moisture is | | | | colors, you can turn that dark gloomy |
| going through the basement masonry. If the | | | | basement into a room that opens and |
| moisture appears on top of the foil, the | | | | brightens.The basement floor is always cold |
| problem is condensation from basement | | | | since it is in direct contact with the |
| humidity. Look for other water problems by | | | | ground. Look at having a subfloor between the |
| looking in the underside of the basement's | | | | concrete and flooring space. This will make |
| first subflooring for signs of leaks. Fix any | | | | it a warmer and dryer living area and a |
| faulty pipes and fixtures. Look for brownish | | | | smooth surface for your carpet or flooring of |
| stains on the basement subfloor and sides of | | | | your choosing. If a subfloor is not in your |
| the basement joists. This will indicate | | | | plans and you are using carpet, get plenty of |
| active or an old leak that has been repaired. | | | | padding to put under the carpet. Try to have |
| If the stain is spongy, an active leak | | | | a storage room added, maybe around the sump |
| exists.Basement renovation planning is key to | | | | and furnace area. This would be convenient |
| the success of your basement. For instance, | | | | for all those things that can't be thrown |
| if you decide you want a wetbar and/or | | | | out. Think about adding shelves to this room |
| bathroom, you will need to have the plumbing | | | | to keep it fairly organized.To control noise, |
| done first. This would be a top priority | | | | have thick wall to wall carpeting and a high |
| because the plumbing usually goes beneath the | | | | quality pad can absorb much of the sound. You |
| cement floor. After the plumbing is | | | | can use sound deadening material below any |
| completed, you need to plan and install the | | | | underlayment or subfloor. This is nice |
| electric which may include hiring a certified | | | | especially if the basement is used for a |
| electrician. Your plans should include enough | | | | bedroom or office. An easy way to reduce |
| electrical outlets, telephone lines and cable | | | | noise is by installation of thick insulation |
| hook-ups. These will be used for your | | | | between ceiling joists.In below-ground |
| television(s), lamp(s), computer(s), | | | | basement renovations, should you want to add |
| electronic games, and a computer modem. Once | | | | a kitchen or bath you can tie into the |
| installed, you must decide on paneling, dry | | | | plumbing system that is in place above. You |
| walling, or painting to cover your cement | | | | can buy toilets and lavatories that are |
| walls. Although paneling might be cheaper, | | | | specifically designed for below grade |
| the refined look of drywall makes it the | | | | applications.After your basement renovation |
| material of choice for finished spaces. | | | | are complete, start adding the "toys" that |
| Paneling can look dated and does not always | | | | will make it an enjoyable area where you get |
| last long.The next phase in your plans should | | | | away from it all.Keith Hoyng is the web |
| be the stairwell. Some professionals suggest | | | | master and operator of which is a good |
| you should open up the stairwell and install | | | | |
| a banister because a basement typically | | | | source of information for remodeling and |
| features stairwells that are enclosed. By | | | | much more information. |