Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Important Guidelines Regarding Basement Refurbishing

By David Breland


One way of increasing your family's living space is by utilizing the subterranean vault. There are a number of tips on basement finishing which will transform this otherwise dank and dark place in your house. This is attained with a little touch of creativity, planning and investment. At the end of the day, the resale value of your house increases.

The exercise can be undertaken by professionals or alternatively you can do it yourself if you have time. The second alternative is economical as you do not incur hiring expenses. To pull off this routine successfully, you ought to be acquainted with carpentry, plumbing and painting skills. If you do not have the necessary tools, simply call in a pro. You will get a warranty on the services.

The internet provides information regarding companies that offer this service. An online search is guaranteed to give you a list of such service providers who list their services in blogs and forums. You can alternatively peruse though magazines and newspapers for Ads or ask friends for recommendations. Make telephone inquiries. This will save you time.

The most crucial basement finishing tip is planning. Take time to plan on the materials needed for the ceiling, floor and walls, have a layout and set a budget to run on. After sorting the necessary details, clean the space and discard off all unnecessary things. Prepare the place for a make over. Seal off all electric sockets so as not to clog them when painting.

The biggest challenge is setting up a waterproof flooring. Moisture makes rugs and carpets moldy. Using laminated hardwood creates a barrier against moisture. Other materials also used for the same purpose include ceramic, porcelain and cement. Regardless of your choice, always make sure the material is durable. Family members may have one or two suggestions on the same.

You will notice that basements have lower ceilings compared to other rooms in the house. The best way to overcome this is by using mirrors which create an illusion of depth or excavating the floor. Using lighter-colored ceilings, floor and table lamps also has the same effect. For lighting, the rooms should have large windows. This will also allow in fresh air.

Final touches on basement finishing involve installation of a drywall and fixing of baseboards. You conclude by painting. Try experimenting with the idea of using several complimentary colors. Arrange furniture and art pieces for a unique outlook.




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Facts About Basement Remodeling That Home Owner Should Know

By Allan Hatchell


If you want to discover the real value of Northern Virginia basement remodeling, a look at homes that have been provided a face lift is required. You may not have to physically visit the residences to see the difference created by expert professionals. Online facilities are adequate prove of just how the aesthetic appeal of buildings is enhanced once the work is complete.

In many residences, underground facilities have been deserted altogether. What many house managers do not know is that with expert restoration services, the spaces can easily be placed into use once more. The procedure is not as expensive as clients frequently picture.

Any sort of cracks that are observed are prevented completely with the installation of tiles that can easily stand up to sipping complications. The cracks are rectified too. In fact, the renovation is so professional that some home owners choose to make use of the spots worked on as extra bedrooms. The facility need not go into disuse when just a little quantity of money can easily get it back to regular.

The same knowledgeable workers have the ability to perform Virginia bathroom remodeling. This is necessary particularly for locals who feel that their exclusive facilities are old fashioned. Some houses were placed a number of decades ago. Over the years, new technologies have undoubtedly been created.

The bath area is possibly little and you would like to increase it. Buildings that were set up a long time ago can easily be done in a contemporary fashion. The replacement of tiles is a sure means to make the location appealing. The experts are most definitely going to help in concepts that can easily turn the facility into a glorious compartment.

Modernization of bath locations is seen as essential by individuals whose shelter was built many decades ago. Tabs and piping is commonly bothersome with products that utilize outdated technologies. You can request utilities that suppliers have actually offered into the market place just recently.

Smart customers are prepared to take advantage of visits by the professional contractors. It is additionally common understanding that handing out more work can result in better price bargains. A really good mean to accomplishing an all round enhanced atmosphere is to request brand-new kitchen design in Virginia. The specialists who deal in baths are similarly proficient about cooking locations.

A thorough method is needed if the dream to obtain a new face for residences is to be obtained. The professional ought to look over tiles and sinks. After an exchange of ideas with the residence owner, it would be feasible to reach a choice on how to implement the transformation. The issue of price is settled before beginning of remedial measures agreed upon. At the end, customers are guaranteed of a residence they are happier with.




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Valuable Basement Waterproofing Information For Homeowners

By Sheila Baize


If you have a home, you must ensure that the basement is dry and clean. Basement waterproofing is essential if you want to make full use of this part of your building. Besides providing living space or extra storage, it can also add to the worth of the house.

Water leakage is a common issue because this part of the building is close to the foundation. The structure will become weak if the foundation stays continuously wet. It is usually for mildew and mold to grow rapidly in damp and wet places. This could cause some health problems like allergic reactions, skin irritations and breathing problems.

However, there are now many methods that can be used to correct this situation. You should not try to handle this problem on your own. Most of the over the counter methods that are available only provide temporary relief.

It is advisable to hire a competent and experienced expert who will look into the problem and proffer the most appropriate solution. The right sealing and drainage techniques should be used so that water will no longer find an entry point. The paints and sealants that are commercially available will not last for too long.

The specialists will conduct a thorough inspection of the foundation of your building so as to find any gaps or cracks that can cause leakage. These spots are then filled with a special compound that will stop the leakage. It is usually necessary to remove the paint before the application of the mixture. Further damage can be prevented through regular inspections.

It is necessary to pick a reputable basement waterproofing company in your area. Other homeowners can give you the contact details of dependable firms if you ask them. Evaluate their prices and then select the one that is within your means.




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The Common Reasons Why Basement Flooding Happens

By Jaqueline Margarito


Putting a basement in your houses is common to most people since it helps them store a lot of items that they don't need. The basement is basically used to store items that you are not using anymore to make more space for new items and furniture. Having a basement, however, is a big responsibility for house owners because there are a lot of problems associated with having a basement. Water and moisture can damage your basement including the other items that you are storing there. Since they are the lowest portion of the house, you can expect that the water from the higher levels can go down to the basement and cause problems. This is where basement waterproofing is very important.

You can say that basement waterproofing is the best way to solve this problem but you need to know some of the common reasons of basement flooding.

Unsuitable Location

This is one of the common causes of basement flooding because houses are supposed to be built on a higher location to allow the water to flow down. If your house is situated on the lower part of your community, it has a higher risk of basement flooding because the water flows down to your area from the upper location.

Poor Wall and Floor Sealing

If the wall and floor in your house is not sealed properly during the construction of the house, water from the upper floors will easily leak to the basement of your house. Well, this will be a big problem since your walls and floors will not be repaired immediately to prevent the leak to your basement.

The Gutter System is Blocked

A blocked gutter system is also one of the causes of basement flooding since the water will overflow from the gutter and go directly to your basement. Make sure that you check your gutters on a regular basis to make sure that it is free from debris and other materials that may block the water.

Torrential Rains and Snow

If you are currently living in a place where torrential rains and severe snow is very common, your basement will have a higher risk of being flooded. Torrential downpours and snow are very common to various areas but you can still prevent the flooding of your basement through basement waterproofing methods. There are a couple of methods that you can consider so you need to hire professionals that will conduct basement waterproofing to protect your basement from moisture and water.




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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Basement Construction

By Roger Frost


A basement is an area below the first floor with a minimum height of 6 feet 8 inches. Basements may be unfinished or finished, and used to store personal belongings, house mechanical systems such as the HVAC system, electrical panel, and main plumbing controls. Many basements provide added living space, including bedrooms, bath, recreation rooms.

Basements are typically the area of a structure most at risk for water damage because they are located below grade and surrounded by soil. Soil releases water it has absorbed during rain or when snow melts, and the water can end up in the basement through leaks or cracks.

The roof on your home can collect over 600 gallons per 1000 square feet after 1 inch of rain has fallen. Install and maintain gutters and downspouts so that they route all rainwater and snow melt far enough away from the foundation of the building to ensure that pooling does not occur near the walls of the structure. At least 10 feet from the building is best, and at the point where water leaves the downspout, it should be able to flow freely away from the foundation instead of back toward it, and should not be collecting in pools.

One of the most important parts of your homes defense system is the weeping tile and sump pump combination. Weeping tile pipe is placed against and level to the bottom of the foundation footing. Once the weeping tile pipe is completely installed, coarse gravel is placed on top and level with the top of the footing. Any water build up is captured by the weeping tile and carried to the sump pit where it is pumped away from your home.

Newer homes basements are typically protected using a black dimpled product which is attached to perimeter of basement walls. Most home owners think this is a water proofing barrier designed to keep water away from their foundation. The wrap is actually designed to allow water to quickly drain down void, created by the dimples, and enter weeping tile. This prevents any hydraulic water build up against concrete prevent water intrusion.

Sump pumps are usually electric and battery backups are common in homes which have high water tables. The two most common types of sump pump are the standup type and submersible sump pump. A sump pump is a pump placed in the basement of a home used to pump water from the basement to the outside or drain into the home's drainage system. Sump pumps usually work in conjunction with a sump pit, which is a hole dug in the basement of a house which collects water during a rainstorm. The pump then pumps the water out of that sump pit.. A sump pump is usually necessary either in cases where the home's basement is below the water table level, and or when the home is located in a place where flooding is common.




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How To Build Your Basement

By Brent Rowe


Remember, when you're adding a bedroom to your home or basement, you have to keep certain requirements in mind: Minimum width of opening: 20 in., Minimum height of opening: 24 in., Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq. ft. (5.0 sq. ft. for ground floor). Maximum sill height above floor: 44 in.

Basement egress windows have special requirements. Since you're below ground, you have to make sure that the window can still fully open without obstruction. Make sure the basement window well has enough area to move around in and if the well is especially deep, make sure you have a ladder attached to it for an easy getaway. Also, if the well is under a deck, make sure there is enough space between the deck and the window. In other words, give yourself enough room to escape. These specialty windows don't do anybody any good if there are other exterior obstacles that may end up trapping you.

In British English the word "basement" is used for underground floors of, for example, department stores but is used for a space below the ground floor of a house only when it is habitable, with windows and (usually) its own access. The word cellar is used to apply to any such large underground room. Subcellar is a cellar that lies further underneath.

If the walkout is not covered and is open to rainfall or water penetration, then a drain provision is needed at the bottom of the walkout stairway. Sometimes, there is a drainage grate or track in front of the tread of the door. Rainfall and snow can fill up an open walkout that has drainage problems. Overflowing gutters may also deposit a lot of water into an open walkout.

Many walkouts do not have covers. Some have one or two manufactured hinged doors. While performing the exterior inspection, check the cover or doors. If it's locked, you'll have to delay your inspection until you can get into the basement to unlock it. Check for damage, rust, rot, hinge condition, the surface condition of the cover or door, and how well it operates. Once open, a manufactured door over a bulkhead walkout should stay and remain open by itself. Check to see if this safety feature is present. If it is not, you may report it as a concern.

This first unfinished design, found principally in spaces larger than the traditional cellar, is common in residences throughout America and Canada. One usually finds within it a water heater, various pipes running along the ceiling and downwards to the floor, and sometimes a workbench, a freezer or refrigerator, or a washer/dryer set. Boxes of various materials, and objects unneeded in the rest of the house, are also often stored there; in this regard, the unfinished basement takes the place both of the cellar and of the attic. Home workshops are often located in the basement, since sawdust, metal chips, and other mess or noise are less of a nuisance there. The basement can contain all of these objects and still be considered to be "unfinished," as they are either mostly or entirely functional in purpose.

Finished basements are always suspect for water and moisture problems which can sometimes be hidden from view. The Barrie Home Inspector uses moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to detect otherwise hidden moisture issues.




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Which Are The Main Sources Of A Moist Basement

By Vernon M. Baldanis


In case your cellar is generally wet, and you would like to turn it into a dry, welcoming room to utilize for several functions, first you must remove the origin of the dampness. This can be complicated, it might not be simple and easy to notice, if perhaps you don't know where you should look. So, here are several ideas.

Breaches in the support of the house. Especially if the house is really old, or even in a new household, breaches may take place at the foundation level. Clearly, moisture could eventually infiltrate through those breaches. Even worse, the breaks can stretch if the water inside them freezes, and may even lead to other complications.

Leaky roofing. In the event that your gutter are inadequately fitted, water will spill over the sides, creating small puddles in the vicinity of the house. That water can imbed into your basement and it is a pretty good chance which is your wet basement trouble.

Leaking pipe joints. Specially if the flooring of your cellar is waterproof, water leaking from particular piping might accumulate on the ground. You could end up with a massive amount water in the basement because of this. The very best remedy in this case is to mend or change that pipe.

Condensation. This can be quite a popular situation that leads to a moist basement, with a musty smell. When heated air comes in contact with the cold wall structure and flooring of the basement, moisture build-up or condensation happens. Fortunately, a problem similar to this is rather simple to take care of. Get yourself a dehumidifier. Also, you may install a ventilation system, or keep the present ventilation of the cellar at its highest possible.

Mice, rats, moles etc. Different small mammals or insects may dig holes within the support, or the house walls. Or, they could build their burrows in the vicinity of your house, creating a net of channels which could favor the water in finding its route into your cellar. In this case, pest elimination may be one of several options which you must fit on your check-list.

Draining. Clearly, a drainage set-up is supposed to take away water from a certain enclosure. Nevertheless in the event that your cellar is actually gifted with a down, or horizontal drain, water may also come in through there. So, you may want to have your drainage system examined before proceeding with the hydro-isolation of the basement.

Water streams and rivers. In the event that there's a body of water in close proximity to your home, when it flows over the structure of the soil may alter and moisture can be redirected towards your household. Altering the course of a river, directing it away from the home, might not be an awful choice in this case. Also, underground water streams might find one way towards your cellar. Due to this, you will almost certainly have to drill down a number of channels in the vicinity of the household to reroute the water.




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About this blog

Even if you're not interested in learning how to build a basement yourself, the knowledge can still come in handy when it comes time to deal with contractors. A basement serves as the foundation for your home, so it is crucial that the job be down correctly. Although you may not want to tackle the entire tips yourself, the following overview will help you get started

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