You have decided that it is time to take on that ambitious task of basement remodeling. Now the question is, How do I remodel a basement? While you have started the journey with us at New Basement Remodeling and we hope to head you in the right direction.
Remodel a Basement
Any form of home remodeling is a large and ultimately expensive task. Whenever you begin a task no matter how small scale you need to be prepared for the inevitable surprise. You may begin framing walls only to find that you have a pre existing water problem that needs fixed before you drywall or even do anymore framing. Or perhaps you remove some old work to find mold or lead paint. You never can tell what lurks behind the next corner or phase of your project. I once tore out a wall in a home to find only two 2×4’s in a thirteen foot section! This was “holding” up a second floor room as well. You can only imagine the time and rework that went into that unexpected surprise. So before you set about with any construction budget ultimately for some form of added expense. Even the best contractor or “do it yourselfer” will have some over runs.
Now on to the planning! When you decide to remodel a basement there are a few things that need assessed first. First off you need to check for any moisture or water penetration. This WILL have to be stopped before you start. Any entrance of even the smallest amount will lead to mold growth and possibly drywall failures. Once you have checked for that also look for mold and any cracks in the floor or foundation walls. Any bulging or cracking should be repaired by a professional. One of the problems that we have more recently discovered with cracking is Radon penetration. This can be checked for with a in home do it yourself kit or by a pro. Either way if you plan on being in the basement you should check because Radon is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Then on to your rough design. Here you will measure your available area and check for any low hanging areas. This will be used to measure for your ultimate ceiling height. You will want at least 7 to 8 feet of ceiling room for code in most areas. Remember you may be adding a subfloor to which will take away from ceiling height. The subfloor is for a added layer of comfort, it helps to keep the cool of the concrete floor from coming through to your feet.
Take time now to lay out your bathroom,kitchen or any other plumbing as well. Your plumber will need to know exact areas to run his piping and you want to get this right the first time. It is often easier for a contractor and plumber to work as a team to avoid confusion.
Good luck with your basement remodel and take a look around the site for anymore questions and answers you may have.
