Tips & Ideas for Your Basement Finishing Project

Basements have loads of potential, even basements like the one below can be transformed into additional living space for your family, you just need to have a well laid-out plan before you begin.

Inspect Before you Build!
Before you start the design for your basement, you need to have it inspected. You can either hire a licensed professional or you can do it yourself (if you know what your're looking for).


One of the most common issues you come across in a basement is moisture. An easy way to check your basement for moisture problems is to lay 2 ft squares of plastic sheeting on the walls and floor- If condensation forms underneath, your foundation is not sealed-If droplets form on top, your basement needs dehumidifying.





Outside, check to make sure the ground is graded around the foundation (the soil should slope away from the foundation).

Check for cracks in your foundation. If you find a crack any wider than a pencil (like the one in the photo to the right), you will need to have a structural engineer perform an inspection.

To check for rot and insect damage, probe an awl or a screw driver into the suspect area, if there's any give, there is most likely rot. Dark spots on the wood are also a sign of rot.

Climb on a ladder until you are nearly eye level with the underside of the joists, look across them (perpendicular to their direction) if any are out of line, they are most likely sagging

Hire a pro to check fuel-burning equipment and your home's ventilation system for any carbon monoxide buildup below grade.




Take the Time to Plan Properly

Check to see if you need a permit, if so, it's likely to impact your design, if only slightly, so it's best to hold off on your final draft until after you know the requirements. Your Contractor will likely know if you need a permit, typically adding plumbing and/or electrical requires permitting and inspections.

Planning the layout of your basement is one of the first steps in the design process and takes quite a bit of consideration. Here area few suggestions:

Place the main socializing area wherever you get the most natural light

If you're adding a bedroom, it will need to be on the perimeter since code requires that all basement bedrooms have an egress window.

A TV/theater area should be located in the darkest spot in your basement to eliminate glare and create a real theater-like ambiance.
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Moisture Control

As you know, moisture is a problem in most basements, even after finding the cause of moisture buildup and fixing the issue, there are additional steps you can take to prevent future problems.

Adding a vapor barrier on the walls and floor prior to framing and finishing them is recommended. Insulation with a vapor barrier on both sides or spray foam insulation can act as another layer of vapor barrier (they also help with sound-proofing and keep hot and cold air out depending on the season)

Basement walls are generally made of masonry (cement, concrete, brick, etc.), therefore you will not be able to use regular screws or nails to attach new walls. You will probably need to use an anchor or a powder-actuated fastener instead. Another wall-finishing option you have is to create an offset space either using a small slat of wood or metal (furring strips). This method will prevent moisture buildup on the drywall and it levels out wavy or uneven walls.


Special Considerations 

Not all basements are built to become a living space. Basements that are not built with finishing them in mind, usually have a low ceiling height or low hanging ductwork, wiring, and piping. Code requires for 7-7 1/2 ft of clearance. If your ceiling is too low, you have a few options: You can dig out and lower the concrete floor installing new footings below your existing ones, but this option is complex and can be pricey . You may be able to relocate ductwork and waste piping into inconspicuous places (i.e. closets) and ductwork, gas, and water piping can be reinstalled into floor joists above.

If you have a sump pump in your basement (and you don't already have it),we recommend adding a battery backup in case the power goes out and a second sump pump in case the first one fails

Do not finish the utility room. If you decide to enclose it to keep it out of view, make sure you leave enough space for a person to fit for upkeep- plan on at least 2 to 3 feet of clearance. There are specific codes for finishing this area and you will need access for inspections and repairs, which is why it's better left alone (like the one in the picture to the left).





Material Options 

There are many flooring options to consider for your basement, if you choose carpet like many people do,opt for synthetic fibers that resist mold an mildew.

While drop ceilings are not the most fashionable, they do provide easy access to electrical and plumbing. One drawback they have is they reduce overhead space. If you do choose to install a drop ceiling, you may be pleasantly surprised, there are more choices than ever, & in recent years they've gotten a major face-lift.
















Soundproofing 

If you need soundproofing, add fiberglass Batts without a vapor barrier between the joists. Fasten one or two layers of drywall to them using resilient clips and metal furring channels. This isolates the drywall from the joists eliminating vibration and minimizing sound travel. Mechanical equipment can be placed on top of sound-dampening anti-vibration mats.

Lighting

No one likes a dim basement, you will need more fixtures than the rest of your home because of a lack of natural light. Recessed cans are the popular choice because they're fairly easy to install and they don't take up overhead room, but because the light on these shine in a cone-like shape that's wider at the base, make sure they are spaced well to eliminate dark spots.







Basement Bathroom


Most basement remodels involve installing a new bathroom which means removing part of the concrete slab and connecting new waste lines for the toilet and tub or shower. Your ability to connect those lines depends on how deep your waste lines are below the surface of the concrete floor. You need enough fall in the lines to allow the waste to leave by gravity. If you don't have fall or your waste lines exit the building through the foundation you will need a sewage ejection pump to drain the bathroom waste.

Extra moisture is the last thing a basement needs. Add a humidistat to your bath's exhaust fan that will automatically turn on when the air's too damp.

If budget is an issue, have the sink, tub, and toilet share the same wall to simplify plumbing installation and keep costs down.

Other Considerations:

Baseboard HVAC vents are a good option or basements since hot air rises.

Virginia code requires an egress window for a legal bedroom






Basements can be filled with various hazardous materials, Asbestos being one of them in older homes- it was used to seal seams in ductwork  and can still be found in the mastic glue used to install linoleum-type floor tile in the 1950's. Lead paint is another one to look out for- most pre-1978 homes have lead paint.

Plan Ahead

If you ever plan to complete future projects on the floor or floors above your basement, keep this in mind while finishing the space. The basement is the heart of most home's mechanical systems, you will likely need to get back in there to do major work on your main floor or for an addition.  For a future kitchen run a few extra electrical circuits into the floor systems and for a new bath run the waste and water supply lines now.

Basements, like any remodel, require planning. With proper planning and hard work, you can have the basement of your dreams. Since there are many codes and considerations when it comes to finishing and/or remodeling your basement, this is a project that is probably best left to a professional or at least have a professional consultant to help you throughout the process.