Tips for Finishing a Basement
If there is one under-utilized space in most
homes it is the basement. Why? Because it is dank, dark, full of
nasty but essential things like pumps, boilers, electrical wires and
ductwork. Plus we use it for storing all the junk we don’t want but
can’t bear to get rid of. But with a little – okay a lot, of
planning it can be turned into an attractive and useful room. Just
think about it; here is the perfect addition to your house already
complete with walls, floor and ceiling. It’s even insulated by
Mother Earth. What more could you want?
Start dreaming and planning. There are experts in this field who
will be able to help you maximize your available space and hide
those unsightly pumps and things behind designer cupboards. You
won’t even think about this being the service area of the house once
it’s all done. You could have a spare guest room, a game room for
the teens, an office or study or a combination of all – along with a
built–in bar if you want one.
Many basements have a problem with moisture. If yours seems damp,
tape a sheet of plastic to one of the walls. If water forms on the
front of the plastic, the dampness is caused by condensation. If
after a few days there is moisture on the back of the plastic, then
it’s due to leakage coming through the walls from the outside.
Moisture problems must be treated before anything else is done, or
else all will be spoiled. An expert will know what to do about it –
you might be surprised how easily it can be fixed. It could be a
simple matter of rerouting a downpipe.
Once the moisture problem is solved, you will be able to attend to
other necessary areas like framing the walls, laying a suitable
floor and disguising those things that cannot be moved. Even though
you have earthen insulation outside, you’ll still need insulation in
the walls for warmth. It is usually cool in the basement in summer,
but in the winter it will be colder. You will need heating, lighting
and ventilation.
A good hint for the drywall process is to lay rosin paper on the
floor to catch all the excess, and then it is a simple matter to
roll the paper up along with the waste and dispose of it. Sure beats
scraping it up afterwards. One thing to remember is that you will
still need permits and inspections to see that all is done in a safe
manner and according to law. But once the experts have done all the
hard work, you can get in there and show off all your handyman
skills.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
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