Finishing Your Basement
Now that you have decided to finish your basement its time to plan your layout. Take the time now to decide wall placements if you are planning multiple rooms.Where any kitchen or bathroom plumbing will go and how you are going to supply power are all critical factors that must also be taken into consideration. Lets get started with some ceiling options.
Most basement remodeling jobs will have a drop ceiling installed. There are a variety of reasons for this including accessibilty, ease of installation, and easy maintenance.The minimum drop on most installations is two to three inches from the bottom of the joist but this can vary if you need room for drop in lighting or have any existing plumbing or such that is below the joist. This added with the possible subfloor (we will discuss later) may take anywhere from four to six inches or more of height from your basement. Of course you may decide on a conventional drywalled ceiling for aesthetics or other purposes. In this case you will need to frame in any low hanging plumbing and wiring or move it into the existing joists. Leaving access ports for plumbing is always a good idea but not always feasible so discuss this with your contractor.
Now onto plumbing of your bathroom and kitchen. In a basement remodel you need to decide how you will evacuate and waste waters and bring in supply water. In a conventional system the water can be gravity fed to the outside sewer system. This is generally not the case in a basement though as you are below the existing sewer lines. Not to worry though you do have the option of pumping your waste water out to these existing lines. There are many available systems today in a variety of costs so I would consult a local plumber for your application. The supply side should be of no problem though as these are pressurized and easily added on to existing plumbing. When planning these systems always consult local building codes for rules and regulations. This is a area that you do not want to get in any trouble for.
Next in your installation process is electrical installations. You need to layout any proposed lighting and wall outlets as well as any garbage disposals or such. Then you will lay your conduit into the flooring and run the wiring through this conduit. Everything will then be hooked into a circuit breaker box and inspected for proper installation. This is a hazardous process that is best left to a certified electrician. There years of experience will pay for itself in time saved alone.
The last thing we will discuss is the installation of a subfloor. These are generally installed in finished basements for the added comfort and warmth. Generally a polystyrene base is installed and covered with plywood that is secured with concrete screws. Polystyrene is normally used for its ability to withstand water and its excellent insulative qualities. Some homeowners will choose to forgo a subfloor though depending on there needs. In this case whatever flooring choices you make will just be laid directly onto your existing concrete. Be warned though, water and cold could become a normal part of your room if this is your choice.
Any construction job is going to come across stumbling blocks along its path. If this is your case always consult a professional for their opinions and help. I wish you luck along your journey and in your new remodel for many years to come!
Before you start Finishing Your Basement check out http://newbasementremodeling.com/ for ideas and resources.
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Lol! It seemed like they had some real dummies in that classroom. ... 