Posts Tagged Options
Options for a Basement Bathroom Toilet
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on May 10th, 2010
If you’re thinking about remodeling your basement and adding a bathroom, you’re making a smart decision. Homeowners can often recoup as much as eighty-five percent of the cost of their bathroom addition if they decide to sell later. After all, an additional bathroom adds real value to a house, making it much more convenient for everyone living there. Many older homes were built with only a single bathroom, which is difficult for modern families to deal with. Add guests in, and you could be facing a frustrating situation. The right basement bathroom with the right basement bathroom toilet could be the solution to all your problems.
A basement bathroom remodel is a unique situation, unlike adding another bathroom above ground. The room’s location in the basement means that you’ll have moisture and lighting concerns, a real need for ventilation, and some special plumbing requirements. A toilet located below the level of your sewage lines won’t flush properly, after all, and sinks and showers or tubs in the basement won’t drain. This is why your basement bathroom toilet and other fixtures need to be set up properly.
You can install a sewage ejector as part of your basement bathroom renovation. This is the most common and conventional method. To do so, however, you’ll need to excavate a portion of the basement floor in order to install the ejector. Waste water of all kinds can be handled this way, and it’s a relatively well tested system for making sure your basement bathroom toilet works properly. You may need to talk to a professional about installing this kind of system, unless you have a lot of experience with plumbing, or you’ve dealt with one before.
Another option that’s more costly for the fixture, but sometimes cheaper in the long run, is a macerating toilet. This kind of bathroom installation can also handle sink and tube waste water as well, as long as you choose a unit of the correct size. However, unlike an ejector, it requires no digging. Some additional space is needed for a pump box and macerating unit, located either behind the toilet or in the wall. This method is relatively easy and requires no maintenance, but it is a little more costly to set up at first than a sewage ejector.
No matter what kind of basement bathroom toilet setup you decide to use, you’ll need to know a fair amount about your plumbing and what you want out of your renovation. Pay attention to your budget and your pre-existing piping and wiring setups in order to create the right basement bathroom plans for your needs. Your stark, unfinished basement has the potential to become a really useful space for you, and the addition of a basement bathroom is an important part of that process. With the right plan, you’ll have no problem putting together a basement bathroom that’s right for you and for your family. It’s a great way to add value and livability to your home!
Thomas Johnsen is the Author and Leading Expert on Basement Bathroom Toilets and the creator of the publication Basement Bathroom Toilet 101. Visit the site now to find the easy-to-understand step-by-step guides on basement bathroom construction available online today.
Basement Waterproofing – 3 Unique Options for a Dry Basement
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on March 3rd, 2010
If your home has a basement you should be sure that you know about basement waterproofing. Basements are extremely susceptible to flooding, especially when the moisture and rain fall levels are high (like when the snow melts or in areas of the country where torrential downpours are common). Basement flooding can also be caused by water problems inside the house like leaking pipes. With your basement under the constant threat of water damage, you should be very interested in basement waterproofing methods.
The first step to waterproofing a basement after a leak occurs is to find out the exact source of the leak. External and internal basement waterproofing methods are effective and seem similar but they aren’t completely the same. Leaks that stem from structural integrity problems will have different solutions than leaks from household pipes or other internal sources.
There are three basic kinds of basement waterproofing. Interior sealants, interior water drainage and external waterproofing. You should look into each method of basement waterproofing to learn how best to ensure that your home isn’t at risk of severe water damage.
Interior Sealants aren’t technically basement waterproofing materials, but they can help you make do while you are working on other waterproofing methods. Usually an interior sealant is used to keep the atmospheric humidity levels in your basement down. The sealant can keep moisture from getting absorbed into the walls and floors of the basement. It can keep the moisture from spilling into other areas of the house as well.
Interior Water Drainage. Like interior sealants, interior water drainage isn’t technically a method of basement waterproofing, but it is usually used to help deal with basement water levels so most people have come to think of it as waterproofing. Usually interior drainage systems drain away most interior water by moving the water through the footers of the foundation and then out from underneath the basement floor. If you have a sump pump you can usually do this all by yourself. Just make sure that the drainage system will still be operational if the power goes off or if the sump pump fails temporarily.
Exterior Basement Waterproofing is the best method for basement waterproofing. This is the only basement waterproofing method to be recognized by the International Building Code as efficient enough to keep water from doing any intense structural damage to a building or home. Exterior waterproofing makes use of polymers or membranes that are used to waterproof the basement walls. These polymers can last thousands of years so they are seen as the best option for waterproofing.
It is important to make sure that your basement is waterproof because your basement forms the foundation to the rest of your home or building. It is the best place for mold and mildew to start their growth process. Mold and mildew can do expensive damage to your home and it is difficult to remove most mold and mildew spores. Basement waterproofing is the best method to keep your home warm, safe and dry.
You can find out more about Basement Waterproofing as well as much more information and tips on everything to do with basement and foundation waterproofing at http://www.BasementWaterproofingTips.com
Many Options for Finishing a Basement
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on February 25th, 2010
When you find yourself in need of additional living space, consider your basement as the place to grow. You will be surprised at how easy it can be to claim that unused space for a remarkably small investment. Deciding to finish a basement can offer almost unlimited possibilities to meet the needs of a growing family or simply to enhance your lifestyle. You can also finish a basement in stages, as your budget permits additional work.
One of the joys of deciding to finish a basement is the discovery that the most difficult work and the most expensive is probably already done. You already have exterior walls and a floor. You probably also have some windows in place, as well as two points of access to the area: stairs from the first floor of your home and an external access door or window.
First, identify basic needs. Here are some basic initial questions to ask and answer:
1. Do you need to install plumbing?
2. Do you need to install or enhance electrical wiring to various parts of the basement?
3. Do you need to install a separate furnace and air conditioner? Or, can you simply connect new duct work to your existing furnace and air conditioner?
4. Are there supports (posts, etc) that you need to incorporate into your floor plan?
5. Is additional natural lighting needed?
Second, develop a plan for how you will use the space. Identifying the uses you want to make of the space in your basement is the first step in planning your project. Make a list of the rooms or areas you want to create. Some very popular uses of basement space include:
* Select a style and roof line that is consistent with the style of your house
* A home theater
* A home office
* A suite of rooms for in-laws or teens
* A playroom for children
* A den
* A game room
* A wine cellar
* Guest bedrooms
* Storage rooms
* A spa
* An additional bathroom
* A computer or homework room
* A library
* A mud room
* A hobby or craft room
* A family room
* A party room
Third, after identifying the rooms or spaces you want to create, plan the location of each room or area within the space. Here are some things to consider in designing your floor plan:
* Since most basements have one to three “sides” that have no windows (because they are essentially underground), plan to place the rooms that do not require windows on that side of the basement. For example, a home theater would be a good choice for a room that will have no windows.
* Try to place bathrooms and/or a kitchenette near or under first floor rooms that already have plumbing. The shorter the distance you must travel with new plumbing, the more money you will save. An ideal spot for a home spa would be in a windowless part of the basement near existing plumbing.
* If your plan includes creating a teen suite or an in-law suite, carefully consider access to the remainder of the space. For example, do not place the bedroom of the suite at the bottom of the stairs from the first floor.
* Plan for access and privacy. For example, if you are finishing your basement in order to create both a playroom for children and an in-law suite for parents, you might want to put them at opposite ends of the basement area.
* Consider the noise from the rooms above. Either locate the rooms that will be used frequently in the basement under quieter rooms upstairs or consider adding sound insulating board on the ceiling in the basement.
The next thing to decide is how many walls you actually want to create. Do you want to create a single large area that has several semi-defined spaces, or do you want to create discrete rooms for each function? You might want some combination of effects, depending on how you will use each space.
Choose the style of decor and the materials you will use to finish your basement. For example, will the walls be drywall or paneling? Will the ceiling be drywall or a drop ceiling? How will you treat the floor? Will you use carpet or tile or hardwood, or some combination for different areas or rooms?
Finally, plan the work itself. Will you do all of the work at once? Or, will you finish part of the basement and delay additional work until a later time? If you plan to delay part of the work, you will want to consider either permanent or temporary closure of the finished area. If your plan is to leave the entire are open, you might need to do all of the walls and ceilings at once, gradually defining areas within the space.
Today, one of the most popular ideas for finished basements is an in-law or teen suite, consisting of a bedroom, a bathroom, and a sitting room. Home theaters are also very popular, with large-screen televisions or projection screens. A small kitchenette for snack preparation can make the home theater perfect. As more people telecommute or start home businesses, a home office can be very practical. Homework rooms are also quite popular today. These are relatively simple to create. All that is needed is computer connections, some bookshelves and a work area large enough to accommodate your childrens needs. A play room or a game room can provide great serenity on the first floor. You can even create your own home spa, complete with whirlpool tub, multi-head massaging shower, steam room, and a tanning bed.
The final question is whether you should do the renovation yourself or hire an expert. This will, of course, depend upon your skill level and the preparation that has already been done in your basement. Many builders today connect at least some electric and plumbing to the basement. Check the laws in your locality to learn what permits are required before you begin the work, and whether your State or locality requires that certain work be performed by licensed professionals. You may find that the best approach is to hire a professional to do the electrical, plumbing, and heat/air conditioning work. There is no reason you cannot hire professionals for the work you are not able to do and keep your project within your budget by doing things like installing drywall, wrapping support posts with decorative columns, painting, wallpapering, etc. Remember, plumbing and electrical work can be dangerous when attempted by people who dont know what they are doing.
Whatever your needs or dreams to accommodate a growing family or to enhance your lifestyle, the basement in your home offers limitless possibilities. By planning the use of space and the placement of the rooms or areas you will construct, you can maximize the space, fulfill many needs, and save some money on the renovation.
Dan Fritschen, Publisher at ABCD Publishing, is a consultant to both individuals and businesses who are trying to decide whether to remodel or move. ABCD publishing currently owns two helpful websites, www.remodelormove.com and www.remodelestimates.com.
Basement Waterproofing Systems – What are Your Options?
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on February 24th, 2010
It is incredibly easy for moisture to invade your home. Most people think that if they live in a relatively dry climate that they won’t have to worry about things like basement waterproofing systems (or any waterproofing at all). What surprises these people is just how easy it is to flood a basement and case water damage from a water source inside the home. Even worse, the moisture level in most basements is higher than it is anywhere else in the house because the basement doesn’t have the moisture relief methods that are available in the rest of the home. For those who are interested in learning about the different basement waterproofing systems available, here is a quick rundown of the systems that are available to you:
1. Exterior Fountain Drains (also known as the “French Drain”)
These are moisture relief methods that are usually installed in houses that are constructed in parts of the world that regularly see heavy rain showers and terrible weather patterns. This system involves a draining mechanism that is built on the outside wall of your home’s foundation. It moves the water through an in-ground drainage system and moves the moisture away from your basement walls.
2. Tanking
Tanking is the most common form of external basement waterproofing. Tanking is the name for the process in which a bonding substance or membrane is applied to the outside walls of your basement. This should be done during your home’s building process, especially if your basement is underground.
3. Outside Drainage System
The outside drainage system is another type of external basement waterproofing. The outside drainage system refers to a process in which the basement floors are built at a slant toward the home’s sump pump. A thin, plastic honeycomb membrane is installed in the walls and the floors of the basement to ensure that any moisture that enters your basement will be promptly removed.
4. Interior basement waterproofing
Interior basement waterproofing isn’t technically a basement waterproofing system but it will help you keep the moisture from invading your basement and covering it in mildew and mold. Interior basement waterproofing involves spreading a coating all over the floors and walls of your basement. The coating acts as a sealant for the basement which makes it far more difficult for water and moisture to get in through your basement’s floors and walls.
Obviously if you want to be incredibly prepared, you should use both exterior and interior basement waterproofing systems. You will need to be very up front with your contractors and home builders as your home is being constructed and you will have to apply any interior basement waterproofing before you do any furnishing or decorating of your basement. Home building and fixing is expensive so you want to do everything you can to make sure that your home is as safe as you can. Basement waterproofing systems are all ways to keep the foundation of your home as safe as possible.
You can find out more about Basement Waterproofing Systems as well as much more information on everything to do with basement waterproofing at http://www.BasementWaterproofingTips.com
“Long Island Contractor Will Build Your Basement With No Worries”
Creating extra living space affordably has never been easier. This Contractor shows dozens of different uses for basement spaces, then shows their clients exactly how they will accomplish each task. Spaces include adding an extra bathroom, a family room, bedroom, home office, kitchen or game room to their homes.
A basement can be as fine a living space as any other area of the house. Basements present their own challenges, such as moisture, lack of heat and light, among other issues, but many ideas are available to remedy these.
Click here to get a reliable Long Island basement contractor.
