When you first thought about remodeling and finishing the basement to give your family more living space, the picture you had in your mind was all about a finished product with carpeted floors and nice furniture.  You know that there is work to be done before you get to that point and that basements have special challenges that have to be addressed in order to protect the investment you put into your home.  One aspect of protecting the new room from the common moisture of the basement is basement finishing panels.  Let’s take a look at why you need to have your contractor install these panels and what they can do for the value of your basement remodel.

As mentioned, the biggest reason for the need for basement finishing panels is moisture.  We tend to think of concrete as this impregnable material that can’t be compromised.  In reality, it is incredibly porous and takes on water and moisture rather quickly.  It is estimated that even new home constructions develop water moisture seepage in five to ten years.  Basement finishing panels are used to stop moisture from getting to your newly remodeling painted walls and nice flooring. 

Basement Finishing Panels

Besides water protection, there are other considerable advantages to using basement finishing panels.  They make the work much faster and easier on the contractor’s crew, which translates into labor savings for you.  A common complaint about basement is the dank smell that sometimes is present due to water seepage.  Basement panels help eliminate that odor adding value and comfort to the room or rooms.  Those basement finishing panels are also very important for stopping the spread of mildew and certain types of mold from accessing the ventilation system of your home resulting in a healthier environment. 

Be sure to talk to your contractor about installing basement finishing panels.  You will be very happy you did.  In the end you will be left with a useable, comfortable remodel that adds value and beauty to your home. 

For more information on basement finishing panels and other basement remodeling ideas

Most of the time it’s pretty easy to avoid issues other than your own and they can be no fun when they arise.  However, when the issues are directly related to your home, it’s a little harder to ignore.  Let’s take crawl space issues for example.  For such a small space in your home it can sure create a lot of problems.  With a little bit of understanding about how this space is supposed to work and some good advice on where to go for help, you won’t have any trouble solving your crawl space issues and moving onto more exciting things to occupy your time.

You know how most women’s problems and issues are directly related to men and visa versa?  Well, when it comes to crawl space issues, the same thing applies to moisture and water.  You would think since your crawl space is next to the earth, they would get along just fine.  The truth is moisture is incredibly damaging to the foundation of your home.  Your crawl space can be made to work properly with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced contractor and some new ventilation and insulation materials.

Crawl Space Issues

In eliminating crawl space issues, you can expect your contractor to first make sure the crawl space is free of mold and other pesky problems.  If not, that will have to be taken care of first.  The next step is to have insulation installed.  It’s not nearly as worrisome as it sounds.  All you really need is some plastic sheeting and duct tape to insulate the bare ground from the wood and the rest of the crawl space.  Some homes may benefit more from spray insulation, but your contractor will be able to help you figure out which is best for your situation.

Other tools such as crawl space dehumidifiers and vent fans will also go a long way in doing away with crawl space issues.  Two inspections yearly should be all you need after all of the various protection devices are in place. 

For more information on crawl space issues

Most homeowners usually have at least one area of their home that makes them want to throw their hands up in the air and say ‘I don’t know.’  For many people that area is the basement.  Unless you bought the house with a finished basement or have a clear idea of how to use the unfinished one, this room can be a challenge.  One of the most common areas of contention downstairs is going over your basement floor covering options.  Naturally, a good contactor can help you make sense of the options, but you have to know what you are planning to use the basement for.  Take a look at some of the popular basement floor covering options you have to pick from.

Let’s start with the flooring options that aren’t typically recommended for use in the basement.  Unless you have a watertight basement and feel supremely confident, it’s a good idea to avoid carpet, hardwood, and laminate flooring in the basement.  If moisture is a problem, carpet will mold and mildew.  You won’t like the smell.  Hardwood warps easily under pressure from water.  That’s not a good idea.  Laminate, being one single piece, will pull away from the sides and corners of the room if water damage occurs.  Not to worry though, there are still plenty of other attractive choices.

Basement Floor Covering Options

One of the more modern approaches to basement floor covering options is engineered flooring.  This is the perfect choice for people who like the look of hardwood, but don’t want to run the risk of it being damaged by moisture and water.  Engineered flooring is made from hardwood, it’s just several different versions layered together.  The layering provides a more water resistant composition. 

The best basement floor covering to choose in a basement that will only be used for storage is paint or cement stain.  Both will be unaffected by moisture and last for a suitable amount of time.  Your contractor will be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to which of the basement floor covering options will work best for you, your home, and your needs. 

For more information on basement floor covering options

A finished basement should not only be a fun place for your children to play, but also a fun place for adults to enjoy.  Think about all of the possibilities a finished basement can offer: a place for a pool table or a dart board; a place for a home theatre; or, even more popular and perhaps even more fun, a place for a wet bar.  The possibilities for basement bars are endless, but the first part of this project will be bar sink plumbing installation.  After all, you can’t have a wet bar if it isn’t wet!

Bar Sink Plumbing Installation

So how does the average home remodeler go about bar sink plumbing installation?  Well, the most obvious course of action is simply to hire a contractor.  This is a very good idea for many home owners, especially those who do not have a lot of experience with plumbing.  Bar sink plumbing installation can be done by an amateur plumber if there is an existing plumbing fixture.  If you are simply adding a sink or changing out a sink, you should be able to do the work yourself.  But if you need to create a new plumbing attachment and hook up for your bar sink, plumbing installation should be done by a professional.

Once the plumbing has been installed, you may be able to complete the bar sink plumbing installation by yourself.  You will need a lot of tools, and you will need to have already made the actual bar and counter top.  Some of the tools needed will be a drill with a paddle bit, a sink, plumber’s putty, a drain flange, rubber and paper gaskets, channel lock pliers, a faucet, washers, nuts, and caulk.  The steps of bar sink plumbing installation will include cutting a hole in the countertop that is slightly smaller than the sink itself, using plumber’s putty on the drain flange and on the faucet, and then setting these fixture parts into the sink.  You will need to place the gaskets on the sink drain stem, and will need to tighten the drain stem locking ring.  Use the caulk to create a seal around the lip of the sink, and then set the sink into the hole in the countertop.  Be sure that your plumbing attachments are correct, you will end up with a lot of water leaking into your wet bar!

For more information on bar sink plumbing installation