(ARA) - Need a place to entertain the guys and house the pool
table? Want to rid the family room of toys from tots and teens?
Remodeling your basement is the easiest and most affordable way
to add value and additional living space to your home.
Depending on your skill level, you may need to hire a professional
contractor to help out with parts of the project. However, with
a little preparation and planning, refinishing your basement can
be simple.
* Plumbing and Patching -- If you're planning to install a bathroom
or a wet bar, plumbing needs to be the first priority since pipes
may need to be installed beneath the cement floor. Once all plumbing
is installed, be sure to patch all cracks in the floor and walls.
Use a low-odor, polyurethane sealant, such as PL Concrete and Masonry
Sealant (www.stickwithPL.com), which will produce a flexible, long-lasting
seal for all cracks in the foundation.
* Block in Beauty and Security -- If your basement is not already
equipped with glass block windows, it may be a good idea to have
them installed now. Glass block windows (www.pittsburghcorning.com)
not only provide aesthetic appeal and light transmission, but also
provide added security from intruders.
* Electrical -- Once the plumbing system is in place, it is time
for the electric. Be sure to install a sufficient number of electrical
outlets and telephone lines to accommodate televisions, lamps and
computer modems. And don't forget the cable lines too!
* Walls -- Drywalling is the easiest way to cover cement walls
to create a smooth surface. Be sure to use a low-odor, fast-grabbing
adhesive such as PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive
(www.stickwithPL.com) to create a secure bond and to reduce the
need for difficult nailing into the cement block. Once the drywall
is in place, PL Premium can be used to adhere baseboards and wainscoting
over the drywall. These decorative accents will not only add beauty,
but also functionality to the walls by protecting the drywall from
dents or scratches from flying cue balls or toy car crashes.
* Drop the Ceiling -- When it comes to ceiling choices, acoustical
tiles are a safe bet. Not only are these tiles aesthetically pleasing,
but they will also provide easy access to utilities for the rest
of the house.
* Flooring -- Since the floor of the basement is in direct contact
with the ground, it is most likely going to be cold! Installing
a subfloor between the concrete and flooring surface will provide
a warmer, dryer environment for your new basement living area.
In addition, it will provide a smooth, secure surface for your
carpet or other flooring choice.
