Posts Tagged Steps
Steps to Adding a Bedroom to Your Basement
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on June 12th, 2010
If you have a growing family, you may want to add a new bedroom to your house. Adding a bedroom can also add more value to your house. If you have space in your basement, then you should first consider adding the bedroom there. Adding a bedroom to the basement is much less expensive and time consuming than adding a bedroom on to the house. Still, as in any other remodeling project, adding a bedroom to the basement takes some time and planning. Properly planned, a basement bedroom can be a comfortable, and inviting place.
What Are The Important Steps To Adding A Bedroom To My Basement?
1. When planning a bedroom, you will want to take into consideration some safety factors. Among these factors include an alternate exit from the bedroom, in case the stairway is blocked by fire. With this in mind, it is very wise to have a window that opens (an egress window) or other means of escape from the basement room.
2. You will also want to consider dampness of the basement itself. This dampness can cause all sorts of problems if you are not careful so it is wise to make sure your basement is dried out before proceeding to the next step. You can read more about drying out a basement on our website fixmyownbasement.com.
3. Make sure to clear out the area of the basement where you are planning to add your your room. Remove all items such as sporting equipment, boxes and furniture to give you space to work with.
4. If any new floor covering will be applied, be sure to sweep the existing floor and mop the floor surface with a commercial or consumer floor cleaner.
5. Plan your walls. Some people add paneling for the walls while others add drywall. With a little extra effort, drywall provides a thicker wall that offers extra protection as well as holding picture frames and other wall art that paneling might not hold up.
6. If you plan on hanging drywall, frame in the bedroom with 2×4s. Be sure to cut holes for outlets and telephone connections in the drywall. Make sure to insulate the walls and the ceiling according to construction standards.
7. Since lighting is an important issue in basements due to the lack of natural light, you’ll need to choose a lighting fixture or scheme for the space.
8. Apply paint to the newly formed walls by putting on a primer coat first followed by two coats of paint. Make sure you let each coat of paint dry thoroughly (preferably overnight), before adding the next coat of paint.
9. Since basements in general have a cold cement floor, adding flooring or perhaps carpeting would be preferable and much more comfortable. Even though natural wood floorings are popular, modular carpeting and throw rugs are just as popular for that comfortable and homey feel.
10. Move bedroom furniture inside your new room and arrange to your liking
11. Enjoy your new room for years to come.
Visit Your Home Improvement Place for more resources on home remodeling projects.
First Steps in Planning a Finished Basement
Posted by admin in Long Island Basements on February 22nd, 2010
Like many homeowners, you might be thinking about adding living space by finishing your basement
. Before you go too far in planning how you will use all of that extra space, there are some steps you will need to take to be certain that space will be healthy for your family. In fact, many of the first steps in planning a finished basement are good to protect the health of your family whether you finish your basement or not.
The first steps in planning a finished basement are these:
1. Inspect for signs of dampness. Look for standing water anywhere in your basement, especially in corners and below windows. Also look for signs of mold or mildew. Mold and mildew can grow on walls, floor, windows, and on the wood beams and framing for the floor above the basement. Mold and mildew inside your home can cause respiratory problems for your family, even if they don’t have allergies or asthma. Basement dampness can also damage hardwood floors above, cause warping and buckling of framing boards, cause odors and even increase your heating and cooling costs.
2. Determine the cause of any dampness and correct the problem. Water or dampness in a basement can be the result of cracks in walls or floor, leaking windows, inadequate drainage below the basement and inadequate removal of water around the foundation. Drainage of rainwater is relatively easy to fix, and making sure downspouts are correctly placed and extend far enough away from the house is important both to have a dry basement and to protect the footers beneath your basement. Be sure to check the areas where floor and walls meet.
3. Correct any foundation problems. When you inspect, keep a sharp eye out for large and uneven cracks in walls or floor. These could indicate a foundation problem. You will need to have this fixed before you finish your basement.
4. Have your basement inspected by a professional before you start construction. Particularly if there are cracks in your basement floor or walls, it is a good idea to have a professional check your basement for potentially harmful leaks. You should also have the basement checked for Radon and other gases that could be collecting under your basement. While many homes today are built with drainage systems under the basements, this might not be the case in your locality. A professional can advise you about what you need to do to protect your family when you plan to use your basement for living space.
5. Check local building codes for specific things you must do before you start remodeling. For example, some localities require a set number of windows and doors for emergency escape. There might also be specifications about stairs and ceiling height. Remember that the most important part of finishing your basement is protecting the health and safety of your family.
6. Make plans to install appropriate vapor barriers and adequate insulation. You will probably want to install a vapor barrier of some sort when insulating exterior walls and before installing floor covering. This prevents moisture from penetrating porous concrete. There are floor mat products and insulation with attached vapor barrier that can be used for this purpose.
7. If you have any appliances in the basement that use water, check pipes and hoses for leaks. It will be worth the time and trouble to check bathroom pipes, washing machine hoses and the like to be certain there are no leaks before you start construction. Also check for leaks around your water heater and where pipes penetrate walls.
By taking these first steps in finishing a basement you can be assured that your new living space will be safe for your family and will protect your investment in your home.
Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing
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.
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