RehabFAQs

how to rehab a basement

by Mr. Brandon Conn PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to Prepare Your Basement For a Renovation

  • Get your foundation inspected You need to obtain a foundation inspection to identify structural damage, rust,...
  • Address drainage needs Water damage is a chief concern for homeowners, particularly in basement settings. If you perform...
  • Dry out the basement According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, approximately...

Full Answer

How do you finish a basement?

Jun 18, 2012 · Related:Basement Remodeling Ideas: Overcoming Obstacles: http://www.bobvila.com/articles/408-basement-remodeling-ideas-overcoming-obstacles/pages/1Upgrade to...

Should you cover stairs when renovating a basement?

Jun 18, 2021 · How to Prepare Your Basement For a Renovation Get your foundation inspected You need to obtain a foundation inspection to identify structural damage, rust,... Address drainage needs Water damage is a chief concern for homeowners, particularly in basement settings. If you perform... Dry out the ...

What are the benefits of finishing a basement?

Mar 30, 2020 - Explore Rebekah Potter 🌸's board "Basement rehab" on Pinterest. See more ideas about basement remodeling, finishing basement, basement.

Is waterproofing a basement a good idea?

Basement Rehab is dedicated to provide quality work and ensure the best possible experience from start to finish of your new or renovated basement. At Basement Rehab we offer fair pricing in every project. We'll even provide you with a no hassle free estimate.

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What is the cheapest way to finish an unfinished basement?

You can save on the cost to finish a basement by doing things not bound by codes: installing trim or doors, painting walls and woodwork, and installing flooring, says Buckeye Basements' Jon Smith. Beyond that, count on using some pros.

How do you fix an old basement?

4:028:31Low Budget Basement Finish: On a 125-year-old house - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause they're flush with the ceiling. And we used LED dimmable x' and we put a dimmer switch inMoreBecause they're flush with the ceiling. And we used LED dimmable x' and we put a dimmer switch in the main area. And then we had to cut out some areas where the existing drywall was to run lighting.

How do I make my basement usable?

How to Make A Basement LivableSeal the Walls. Basements often feel damp and chilly and sometimes contain an unpleasant smell. ... Improve the Floor. ... Brighten Things Up. ... Put in Furniture.Feb 9, 2015

How do you make an old basement look good?

16 Finishing Touches for Your Unfinished BasementBetter Your Basement. 1/18. ... Lay Down Foam Mats. 2/18. ... String Some Lighting. 3/18. ... Throw Down Area Rugs. 4/18. ... Install Storage. 5/18. ... Paint Your Cinder Block. 6/18. ... Hang Curtains. 7/18. ... Create an Art Studio. 8/18.More items...

How do you transform an unfinished basement?

25 Unfinished Basement Ideas We Love in 2022Add a Fresh Coat of Paint. Andy Dean Photography/Shutterstock. ... Cover Unsightly Walls with Curtains. Image Source: House of Beng Beng. ... Use Foam Floor Mats. ... Create a Laundry Room. ... Create Under-Stair Storage. ... Create an Industrial Bar. ... Paint Your Ceiling. ... Hang String Lights.More items...•Mar 18, 2022

How do I make my unfinished basement warmer?

8 Tips for Warming Up a Cold BasementEnsure that your basement is well-insulated. ... Invest in a cozy fireplace. ... Replace drafty windows. ... Seal air leaks. ... Eliminate crawl space drafts. ... Install an extra heating system. ... Use radiant in-floor heat. ... Don't forget the visual aspect!

How do I make my basement not feel like a basement?

10 Ways To Update Your Basement so It Doesn't Feel Like a...Lighting. Lighting can overcome a myriad of negative issues such as lack of natural light and low ceilings. ... Create an Open Space. ... Don't Forget Decor. ... Consider Using Color. ... Functional and Effective Flooring. ... Ceiling. ... Declutter. ... Window Treatments.More items...

What can I cover my basement walls with?

drywallThe most common way to cover concrete walls in a basement is drywall, a.k.a. sheetrock. Drywall comes in panels panels made from calcium sulfate dihydrate or “gypsum.” Panels come in different thicknesses and sizes, the most common being 4′ x 8′ x 1/2″ thick.

How do you finish a basement without drywall?

Finishing Basement Walls Without Drywall: Options and...Paint.Basement Panels.Wood Fiberboard.Fabric.Vinyl and Wallpaper.Stone Veneer.Pargeting.Exposed Brick.More items...

How can I cover my basement walls cheaply?

Inexpensive Ways to Finish Basement Walls & CeilingsDrop Ceiling. If your basement is deep enough, you can put in an inexpensive drop ceiling to give a finished look. ... Paneling. Paneling can be used as an inexpensive way to finish you basement walls or ceiling. ... Paint. ... Area Rugs.

Can you partially finish a basement?

A partially finished basement is also called as a half-finished basement. It is mostly used by children and teenagers. It can be used as a work area for the entire family. You may also be able to find showers and toilets in this type of basement.

Can you finish a basement yourself?

The basic steps to finish your basement include insulating walls, choosing flooring and adding a ceiling to transform your lower level into an additional living area....The Materials You'll Need:Foamboard adhesivePolystyrene foam insulationDuct tapeFraming nailsWall screwsDrywall3 more rows•Dec 19, 2018

Why finish a basement?

Finishing a basement presents a unique opportunity to increase the after-repair value of your rehab. On the other hand, it might plague you with problems and be a bottomless drain of time and resources. If you are a real estate investor looking for the most efficient ways to improve the ROI of your rehab, decisions about the basement should be on top of your mind. Let’s dig deeper (no pun intended) to explore how to handle basement renovation decisions to make your money and minimize your risk.

What is an underground basement?

Underground basements are basements that are fully submerged and offer no direct outside access from outside. In the DMV area, such types of the basement often come with split level or ranch-style homes. The construction codes prohibit placing bedrooms in such basements. Instead, they are commonly used as TV rooms and rec rooms.

Is basement square footage above ground?

A basement is typically not included in the above-ground square footage of the listed property. Why? Because the below-ground square footage is valued at less than 60% of the value of the square footage above ground. In some cases, a crafty agent might attempt to include basement footage as above ground footage mudding the waters and misleading potential buyers. One way to ensure that you are looking at the true picture is to compare the above-ground square footage listed in MLS with the above-ground footage listed in the tax record. Your goal is to get a clear understanding of above-ground footage, below-ground footage, and total square footage.

Do you have to finish your basement after repair?

Let me be clear: if your after-repair value is based on the properties with finished basements, you might have no choice but to finish yours. Not only that, your finished basement should be of similar size and construction quality that the comps you are using.

5 Tips on How to Prepare Open Beam Ceiling for Painting

Unfinished basements can be dark and dingy. They usually come with an exposed or open beam ceiling that reveals all the pipes, vents and wiring that are the inner workings for the basic functions of your house. Remodeling the entire basement as you might the rest of your house can be expensive, but there are …

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Why do you need to waterproof a basement?

Waterproofing a basement can prevent structural damage, improve the air quality, lower utility bills and make a finished basement a possibility. Learn about common water problems in basements, what's involved to fix them and how much you might expect to pay. Basement Finishing Costs.

What is the most important aspect of finished basement wall construction?

You may have noticed: The most important aspect of finished basement wall construction is preventing moisture from becoming trapped within the wall, allowing mold and mildew growth. If you are finishing your basement yourself and have water issues, pay close attention to your local building codes and spend some time researching basement moisture — you won't be sorry you did. Start with our basement waterproofing guide and follow it with the foundation science primer written by building scientists at the University of Minnesota Extension Office. Having a basement water issue won't preclude basement finishing entirely, but it will affect the way you construct your walls and may require some initial foundation work that in turn will save you expense down the road. Jamie Saer explains that for the FBC Remodel basement builds, moisture issues will be addressed first. And if there is potential for any future problem, prior to wall finishing they take precautions — lining the walls with a moisture barrier that routes water to an interior perimeter drain system and on to a sump pump. Saer says, “We have done this before and it is a great system! You just need to make sure your sump pump is working and create a consistent schedule for checking its operation.”

What type of insulation is used in a basement?

The types of insulation used in basements include rigid foam panel boards, spray foam and conventional fiberglass or mineral fiber batt insulation (the blanket stuff), sometimes with facing or wrapping. Framed basement walls often use a combination of insulation.

What is framing in construction?

Framing: Framing is the skeleton of a finished wall, serving as support for other aspects of the wall, like windows and the drywall surface layer, and as housing for more insulation, electrical boxes and plumbing lines.

Where is insulation used?

Insulation materials are used against the foundation, within wall cavities and at the sill plate and rim joists (the bottom and top of the wall). Additionally, any wire, pipe and duct penetrations are sealed to prevent air leaks with noncombustible caulk or spray foam, depending on the gap size.

What is a stud wall?

A stud wall is traditionally constructed using 2x4 or 2x6 timbers and consists of bottom plates (horizontal boards attached to the floor), top plates (horizontal boards attached to the ceiling joists) and vertical studs affixed to both plates.

Do finished walls have moisture management?

Though finished walls incorporate their own moisture management system, it's intended only to handle small amounts of water vapor. You do not want to build a beautiful wall over any moisture or structural problem. So, the first step to finishing your basement is to identify and remedy any existing issues.

Do basement stairs need to be replaced?

Just like any other part of your house—whether it’s your HVAC unit or roof — the stairs will eventually wear out and need to be replaced or refinished. This is especially true for the basement stairs. Since they’re more commonly exposed to moisture, they have a greater chance of developing rot, mold, and other serious issues that can affect your home’s value and even your health.

Can carpet be used in a basement?

Cons: Unfortunately, the carpet also tends to collect moisture and can suffer from mold issues if placed in a damp location. This keeps the carpet from being a usable option for basements and for stairs that come in from outside where people will walk with damp shoes.

Do you have to cover up stairs in basement?

If you like the look of basement, you don’t have to cover up your stairs at all . Instead, try painting or staining or stain your existing stairs to give them a like-new appearance. First, though, it’s important to sand the stairs down and get them very clean. This helps with either product for a long-lasting finish.

What is carpetin G?

Pros: Carpetin g is a popular way to refinish stairs. If installed properly, it will give your stairs a brand-new look, and your stairs will be more functional, more comfortable, and quieter than before.

Can you refinish stairs?

It’s okay if the treads of the stairs are getting soft or beginning to fail. What matters more is the framing underneath the treads. The stringers of the stairs are what support the steps. If they’re cracked or rotten, they must be replaced—and so must your entire staircase. If they’re in excellent shape, you can just refinish your stairs as long ...

Do you need to vacuum stairs?

After you take the time to refinish your stairs, it’s important to maintain them regularly. If you get carpet you need to vacuum it quite often and clean up any spills using a carpet shampooer before the stain has a chance to set in the fibers.

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