Total Basement Finishing » basement finishing

Top Six Mistakes People Make in Basement Remodeling Projects

cynthia — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:53:48 +0000

Almost everyone who owns a house with an unfinished basement, dreams of having it finished. How can you not think of it? After all, an unfinished basement is a whole floor’s worth of space that can be easily turned into any type of room your family needs.

However, basement finishing projects are hardly inexpensive and, because basements are like no other room in the house, there are special challenges when it comes to choosing the best finishes and configuration. Basements usually house utilities, plumbing, wiring. They are also quite prone to moisture and water accidents. All of which must be taken into consideration before you tackle your project. Making the wrong choices, can literally spell disaster.

Below are the six most common mistakes homeowners make in basement remodeling projects:

1 – Finishing a Wet, Damp or Flood Prone Basement

Because of the way they are built, basements are always prone to moisture and floods.

Your basement is basically a box of porous concrete, buried in wet ground, and when that ground gets saturated with water, the resulting hydrostatic pressure pushes the water against the foundation walls. That water will eventually find its way into your basement, through cracks, the joint between walls and floors, as infiltrating the concrete through capillary action. To make matters worse, basements can also be flooded by plumbing leaks, broken water heater tanks and other water accidents. Without proper drainage, a reliable sump pump system, and proper dehumidification, no basement is dry enough to be finished.

2 – Using wood studs, fiberglass insulation and drywall.

While these materials work well when finishing rooms above grade, in a basement they usually spell disaster. Basements are naturally humid, and all these materials have the tendency to absorb moisture. They are also made with organic compounds: wood, paper and, in the case of fiberglass, a urea based adhesive is used to hold the batch together.

When you combine moisture with organic matter, you create ideal conditions for mold to develop. In addition, fiberglass loses all its R-Value when damp and drywall, in contact with water, will begin to decompose and release toxic fumes. Basement walls should be finished with 100% inorganic and waterproof materials that will survive a basement flood or water accident.

3 – Using wooden subfloors, hardwood floor, cork or bamboo.

Basically, anything that is made with organic materials is a bad idea for basements. Manufacturers might tell you that these products are either naturally “mold resistant” or are chemically treated to be so. Some wooden basement subfloor manufacturers might claim that the product has a vapor barrier and it is raised from the floor to keep the wood from soaking the moisture from the slab. However, read the small print. None of them really stand a chance to survive a flood, which can be caused by a plumbing leak, for example. Look for basement flooring solutions that are specifically engineered to withstand all sorts of basement moisture conditions.

4 – Improper use of vapor barriers

Many contractors will tell you that if you attach poly sheets all over the walls and the floor of the basement, you can pretty much use any type of finish you want, because the “vapor barrier” will protect the materials. Some will have an even worse suggestion: Placing the vapor barrier over the studs and the fiberglass, and then attach the drywall. According to the US Department of Energy’s Building America Best Practices recommendations, moisture from basement walls and floors should be allowed to evaporate and dry to the interior. This kind of vapor barrier will only do one thing: trap the water vapor between the concrete and the barrier, where it can condensate, and can cause mold to grow.

5 – Not having a backup sump pump

Every year in Wisconsin, millions of dollars are spent on basement flood cleanup, restoration and replacement of flood-damaged property. To make matters worse, the damage is never covered under homeowners insurance, and even special flood insurance establishes coverage limits when it comes to basements. Even if your basement is properly waterproofed and has a good working sump pump, without a battery operated backup sump pump, you are at risk for a basement flood. Keep in mind that the same storms that have the potential to flood your basement can also cause power outages. No power, no pump! Battery backups are also useful in case of a primary pump failure or other electrical malfunction.

6 – Disregarding moisture control.

You did all the right things when finishing your basement. You provided drainage, a good sump pump with battery backup. You chose all the right materials for the walls, floor and ceiling. Yet your basement smells musty or you found some mold spots growing in the furniture, fabrics or paper. Although proper waterproofing and good basement finishing choices can greatly improve conditions in the basement, in some cases they will not suffice to control the moisture in the basement.

Basement moisture levels tend to be higher because of temperature differences between the basement and the areas above grade. When basement moisture levels go above 60% mold will start to develop, especially in organic surfaces. Even if you don’t see it, if the basement smells musty, the mold is present. Basement moisture levels should be closely monitored and a dehumidifier should be used to keep RH levels at or below 55%.

For beautiful, impeccably finished, basement remodeling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin trust LakeSide Total Basement Finishing.
As an authorized Total Basement Finishing dealer, Lakeside offers 100% waterproof and mold resistant green basement finishing systems.

Cynthia Freeney is the Social Media and Web Reputation Manager for Total Basement Finishing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Freeney

via ezinearticles.com

Posted via email from totalbasementfinishing’s posterous

Making Space for a Finished Basement

jacques — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:31:13 +0000

Image Credit: Kim Scaborough

How to Make Room for More Room in Your Home

I did a little spring cleaning over the weekend. Among other things, I brought four 60-gallon Rubbermaid containers into the basement. Four. More. Giant. Containers.

In all, I have three dozen of these storage units now– all filled to the brim with things I’m not likely to touch (or think about) again for the next five years. As I stacked the containers, I thought of the most common reason homeowners never finish their basement:

“I’d never be able to finish my basement with all that stuff in there!”

Pishposh. Remodeling a crowded basement IS possible. Here’s what you should do:

Don’t Plan to Finish the Entire Basement

Most basement remodelers do not recommend finishing every inch of your basement. While an entire floor of your home is overkill, SOME storage space is a good thing. Allocate one-half to one-fourth of your basement as a dedicated area for storage, utilities, and laundry.

ZenWall is an affordable solution to spruce up storage areas

If you have a little extra in your budget and would like the storage area to look its best, try out some inexpensive upgrades. We recommend our ZenWall product to give it the same look as the finished space. Sometimes, we line it with rigid, white plastic boards (BrightWall) and waterproof floor tiles as a cost-effective upgrade.

Let Some Things Go

If you haven’t looked at it in five or ten years, what’s the chance that you really need it? Finishing the basement is a great reward for finally organizing all that junk, sifting through your photos, and finally tossing out Aunt Edgar’s old rocking chair.

Yard sales, Goodwill, and your local waste disposal & recycling company are the way to go. You’ll be surprised how good you feel without all that stuff weighing you down!

Use Vertical Storage

Of course, some things have to stay. But if you stack those boxes and crates one on top of the other, it’s not going to be accessible. The solution? Vertical storage.

Storage shelves are relatively inexpensive and can do wonders for adding available space to your home. Over the weekend, I personally picked up mine, and in two hours I’d at least doubled the available space in my closet. Awesome!

Ask Us for Advice

At Total Basement Finishing, we’ve been remodeling basements since 1987, and we’ve got tons of great ideas on how to maximize storage space in your home. Additionally, we’ll be able to help you build custom shelves, cabinets, and closets to optimize what you have.

We’d be glad to offer you a free, no-obligation basement finishing consultation and cost quote . Give us a call today to locate a Total Basement Finishing Dealer near you, and get started on your new & improved home!

Total Basement Finishing’s Everlast Walls Qualify for Federal Tax Credit.

cynthia — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:58:26 +0000

There was never a better time to remodel your basement the green way.

If you’ve been dreaming of transforming that dingy basement into a home theater, a home gym or any type of livable space in your home, the time to finally tackle that project is now.

The Federal Government, under the section 1121 of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, is giving qualifying homeowners a series of incentives to make their homes more energy efficient, including a Tax Credit of 30% of the cost of energy efficient improvements, up to $1,500 dollars.

Total Basement Finishing’s EverLast Perimeter Wall Panels qualify as an eligible building envelope component under 25c of the Internal Revenue Code and IRS Notice 2006-26.

Basement insulation is one of the most cost effective energy efficient improvements. The U.S. Department of Energy reports enormous savings from insulated basement walls. For example, picture a 1,500 square-foot home in the northwest U.S. that has a finished basement with R-10 insulation. If it’s heated by natural gas (at $0.72/therm), a homeowner should save $400 every year with an R-10 insulation!

EverLast Basement Wall Panels are mounted on a R-13 rated, closed cell foam insulation board which, unlike fiberglass and competing fiberglass based insulation boards, will not soak up moisture and loose its R-Value. There are also other features that make Total Basement Finishing’s EverLast walls the best choice for your green basement remodeling project.

100%waterproof, inorganic and non-absorbent. Will not soak up water, support mold growth or get ruined, even if your basement floods.
The cement core panels give you sturdy walls to hang book shelves, flat screen TVs and fixtures with no need to look for studs.
The washable, stain-resistant, waterproof finish is virtually maintenance free while giving you the refined, high-end look you are looking for in a basement remodeling project.
Everlast Wall Panels come with an impressive 50 years warranty.

There was never a better time to get the basement room of your dreams with Total Basement Finishing. But you have to act quickly: homeowners only qualify for this credit if the walls are installed after 12/31/08 and before 1/1/11.

For more information on the Federal Tax Credit and qualifying products. visit the U.S. Department of Energy website.

Mr. Basement’s Advice on How to Build the Perfect Man Cave

cynthia — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:57:06 +0000

Beautiful Game Room designed by Mr. Basement

The popularity of basement game rooms and “man caves“, which soared during the past decade, will remain as a huge trend through 2015, According to the National Association of Home Builders’ “Home of the Future” study.

A combination of rising fuel prices, shaky housing market, and the increase in number of available home entertainment technologies and systems, had homeowners looking at ways to maximize the use of available space in their homes building rooms to be more enjoyable and provide for all their entertainment needs.

Ron Greenbaum, also known as Mr. Basement, is an expert in basement environment, from waterproofing to finishing.

Mr. Basement built many basement game rooms and “man caves“, including the one in the picture that illustrates this post, which was featured in this Triangle article.

And he offers some important advice regarding game rooms:

“Before the design phase can begin, homeowners have to make sure the space is well-prepared,” Greenbaum says. “That means doing due diligence and controlling humidity in a basement or insulating the space in a loft above the garage. Otherwise, you’re throwing your money away.”

Mr. Basement is a Total Basement Finishing dealer in Baltimore, Maryland area all the way from Frederick County to the Eastern Shore, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia.

Total Basement Finishing offers the best finishing solutions for your Basement Game Room or Man Cave. Contact us to locate a dealer in your area.

The Case against Fiberglass Insulation in a Finished Basement

cynthia — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:59:33 +0000

Exposed fiberglass showingin a basement closet. Exposed fiberglass is also common in unfinished portions of basements finished with this kind of wall system.

In recent years, there has been a big influx of homeowners insulating their finished basement walls with fiberglass insulation. And some large companies have also joined the bandwagon, creating basement finishing products that are manufactured with fiberglass insulation.

The issue here is that while fiberglass insulation works well in upper floors, it’s one of the worst insulation options available for a basement remodeling project.

This article will explain why, and discuss the best alternatives for basement insulation.

Fiberglass insulation rarely goes all the way up the walls, leaving open spaces where heat can escape. Metal stud mounted on foundation walls will also conduct heat away.

Inferior Wall Paneling Insulation

Fiberglass basement insulation is a less-effective insulation option, when compared to closed-cell insulation or spray foam insulation. It can absorb water from flooding and humidity, losing much of its insulative R-value as it becomes saturated. And if the insulation is compressed in any way, it will also become less effective.

More importantly, fiberglass batt insulation is installed in an unbroken sheet on the basement walls. There will be open air along the top of the insulation, and over time, the fiberglass will often settle, increasing the size of the gap on top.

Additionally, fiberglass and fabric basement wall panels cannot support the weight of cupboards, bookshelves, or other heavy objects. When they’re installed, the insulation must be cut away, so they can be mounted directly to the foundation wall.

These openings give heat a way to escape from your home, significantly reducing its energy efficiency. Think of it this way: How warm could you keep your house if you had a window open all the time? If you have large openings in your insulation, you can expect the same results.

Mold can easily grow on fiberglass and fabric-based basement wall panels, especially during a flood.

Fiberglass Walls Support Mold Growth

While fiberglass itself is inorganic, not all the materials that are in a completed fiberglass batt insulation are. For instance, the paper facing that is too-often included on fiberglass basement finishing panels can grow mold easily, as are the resins that are often used in the fiberglass to attach it to the backing. Foil backings can be effective for protecting this fiberglass from humidity, but the newer black plastic coverings include perforated holes- holes that can allow humidity and water into the insulation.

And since fiberglass is not naturally pink, we know that pink fiberglass has been dyed; that dye contains urea, an organic material that can and does grow mold. We’ve seen hundreds of basements that have been ruined by moisture and water over the years, and we know just how easily fiberglass gets moldy!

Basement Flooding Ruins Fiberglass Walls

When fiberglass basement walls get wet, the dyes leak and stain the fabric. And fabric walls are very hard to clean!

HGTV recommends installing fiberglass batt insulation with the facing pointed towards the warm side of the wall. This means that if the batt is properly installed, your fiberglass insulation will be pressed directly against the wall, where it can absorb moisture and humidity directly from the basement wall.

And if the basement leaks with groundwater or it floods through your pipes, washing machines, basement windows, water heater, sinks, toilet, tub, shower, or anywhere else in your home, you can say goodbye to your fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass soaks up moisture like a sponge and its dyes are water soluble, meaning that once the flood has come, your walls will be stained and the fiberglass will be soaked, and no longer effective as insulation.

Of course, once the fiberglass is wet, it is also its most susceptible to mold, rot, and mildew growth.

The Solution for an Insulated Basement Wall

Installing Total Basement Finishing wall panels, with blue closed-cell polystyrene basement insulation.

Instead of fiberglass insulation, [dealer] installs closed-cell polystyrene insulation as part of the finished basement wall panel system they provide. Designed by Total Basement Finishing, each insulated wall panel includes an incredible 50-year written warranty to resist mold and damage from humidity or flooding.

Created with dense insulation and a hard 1/2″ cementitious board, these panels can support the weight of up to 300 pounds per square inch, meaning that there’s no need to cut away the insulation when you need to mount cabinets, bookshelves, and heavy objects. Their vinyl covering makes them beautiful and easy to clean for the life of the home. And unlike fiberglass insulation, this free-standing wall panel can install on the walls or as a partition with no need for studs!

We can finish a basement, from floor to ceiling, in about ten days, and the warranties that come with the products last for decades! To locate a TBF Dealer in your area and schedule your FREE, no-obligation basement finishing design quote, call or e-mail us today!

Basement Finishing Systems

francine — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:32:39 +0000

In many homes, the basement is a cold, dark storage space with concrete floors that’s more than a little bit spooky. But with today’s basement finishing systems, it’s possible to transform this scary area into a warm and welcoming place as bright as any room upstairs. Basement finishing works like adding another livable level to your home—in as little as two weeks. Think romper room, a buffered place for the kids to play, with lots of space for toys, games and musical instruments. Or think game room, with a pool table, ping-pong, darts, and maybe a bar. In a few easy steps, a finished basement will add massive value to your home.

In general, basement finishing systems consist of wall, ceiling, floor and window materials, on top of the labor. Unlike drywall, where bacteria thrives, modern finishing systems are moisture, mold and mildew-resistant. Still, if your basement leaks water, you must have it fixed before the finishing process. The systems are made to withstand high humidity, but they do not waterproof.

Read the full article here.

Affordable Decorating: Ideas for Your Basement to Your Bedroom

francine — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:44:36 +0000

Everyone’s feeling the strain in these stressful economic times, especially homeowners looking to do some affordable decorating or any home renovations. When your budget is tight, decorating may be the last thing on your mind. But there are ways to remodel and redesign areas of your home while not wasting all of your hard-earned cash. Make even your most frugal friends jealous with these penny-pinching plans for home decorating.

Like New
One thrifty home remodeling technique is to reuse and recycle materials. Reuse old fabric and material from clothing or blankets to make pillows or lamp shades. You can also take old furniture and redecorate it to make it more modern or to match the current theme or color scheme of your room. You can paint a new finish onto a wood chair, or reupholster an old sofa with new material to make it seem like it was just brought home from the store.

Read the full article.

SaniDry Dehumidifier: An energy conservation toy

francine — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:08:13 +0000

The impact of high-quality Total Basement Finishing products is reaching further every day! Dan Powell recently wrote a five-party review of the SaniDry basement dehumidifier for the website Daily Home Renovation Tips. Powell wrote a wonderfully positive review on the SaniDry and the Basement Systems dealer that installed it.

The Energy Star-rated SaniDry was installed in the home of Dan Powell, a contributor to Daily Home Renovation Tips. Powell wrote that because his daughter uses the basement as a bedroom when she is home for college, the atmosphere down there needed to be comfortable. Powell wanted to have the SaniDry installed in order to immediately begin saving money on his energy bill, as well.

Daily Home Renovation tips is operated by homeowners who share their own personal experiences on making major and minor home improvements. They are not contractors or renovation professionals. They discuss current products on the market and have been focusing more recently on energy-efficient products, such as the Sani-Dry.

Read the entire series of articles by clicking here: http://dailyhomerenotips.com/2009/04/16/sanidry-dehumidifier-part-1-my-new-energy-conservation-toy

Tainted Drywall Still a Problem

francine — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:30:23 +0000

For the past couple of months, news outlets have been buzzing with stories of homeowners in southern states including Florida, Louisiana and Alabama that are feeling the negative effects of tainted drywall in their homes.

After tremendous flooding from hurricanes in 2005 and 2006 made the need for drywall in the south skyrocket, contractors began importing drywall from China to build and repair homes with. This drywall has been found to be inferior, however, and has caused a host of problems for homeowners.

CNN recently reported that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has found Chinese-made drywall in some Florida homes. This drywall has reportedly been emitting smelly, corrosive gases and ruining household systems such as air conditioners and dishwashers. The gases have also been corroding copper wires and turning them black.

Tainted Drywall in Florida

francine — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:25:26 +0000

There are enough reasons to stay away from drywall (it’s organic, susceptible to mold and mildew, not waterproof, can’t hold any weight, etc.), but did you ever think drywall could pose a danger to your electrical and plumbing systems? Homeowners in Florida, and possibly other places, now need to worry about drywall emitting a terrible odor from gas that ruins electrical wiring and corrodes metal!

According to the St. Petersburg Times, houses south of the Tampa Bay area in Florida that were built during 2005 and 2006 were made using sub-par drywall. This cheap, China-manufactured drywall has been found to emit a sulfur-like gas that corrodes metal and plumbing, eats away at electrical wiring, and smells terrible.

The Florida Department of Health received more than three dozen complaints from homeowners across Florida, but mainly in Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties, as well as Pinellas, St. Lucie and Collier. This drywall may have been used in hundreds or even thousands of homes throughout Florida, and even other areas.

Read more about this drywall problem here: http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/article972128.ece

For a safe and clean drywall alternative, trust the Total Basement Finishing wall system!