Basement Renovation

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