Basements have the reputation of being a dark and dank place to store all your unused and seasonal items. They tend to strike fear in the hearts of small children when asked to fetch something from their dark cobwebbed recesses. The thing is they do not have to be this way. A basement renovation is a great way to increase the living space and value of your home. So much so that the majority of new homes being built today include basements with higher ceilings, roughed in plumbing, and furnaces and hot water heaters that are located out of the way.
For understanding the μελετη στατικης επαρκειας, there is a need to implement the correct tips. These will guide you about the best improvement tips for the payment of the sum. The meeting of the needs and requirements of the people is possible for the individuals.
Many homeowners do not want to bother themselves with a basement renovation because basements can be more challenging than working on a room above ground. There are several challenges that need to be taken into account when planning the design for a finished basement, which include:
- Moisture
- Basement Windows
- Masonry
- Location of Furnace or Hot Water Heater
- Condition of Joists, Posts, and Beams
- Insulation
- Exits
- Stairways
- Utilize Existing Space
- Lighting
- Selecting a Contractor
When designing your plan you also want to think about planning for the future. If you plan to convert the basement into a children’s playroom, consider how it can be used once they are older.
Basement Renovation Tips
1 – Moisture
Basements are known as the dampest regions of your house because they are usually prone to moisture problems. Problem moisture can appear as condensation, which is airborne water vapour that turns to water after contacting a cold surface, or seepage, which happens when water enters the basement through cracks in the foundation or leeches through the masonry. A qualified general contractor can perform several different types of moisture tests to find out how much moisture is in your basement.
2 – Basement Windows
r cracks in the masonry. Large cracks could signify walls that are structurally unsound and these will require repair before a basement renovation can begin. Small cracks in masonry usually cause moisture, not structural problems, so these should be sealed to prevent moisture from getting in.
4 – Location of Furnace or Hot Water Heater
The location of the furnace and hot water heaters can affect the planning of your basement renovation. You will need to either incorporate them into your design, or if they be can move, incur the cost of having them repositioned.
5 – Condition of Joists, Posts, and Beams
You will need to take a look at the condition of all the floor joists, wood posts, and beams and inspect them for damage. Any weakened framing will have to be reinforced or replaced.
6 – Insulation
Older homes may contain insulation with asbestos, which was typically used for ductwork and heating pipes. A qualified contractor can let you know if your current insulation poses any health risks. When insulating your basement opt for the sprayed foam type, which will bond to all the nooks and crannies in the walls resulting in less drafts and a warmer, dryer basement.
7 – Exits
Most building codes require at least two exits. For a basement, the stairway up is generally considered as one exit and the second exit needs to be either a door leading outside or an egress window.
8 – Stairways
Older homes where built with the basement as a place to store the furnace, hot water heater and the other mechanics of a house. Consequently older homes usually have a set of steep narrow stairs leading to the basement. If you are going to renovate your basement you may need to replace the stairs to get them up to code.
9 – Utilize Existing Space
Basements are usually the catchall for your storage needs. They also contain all the heating, plumbing, electrical and load bearing systems for the entire home. A successful basement-remodelling plan will utilize the existing space to ensure ease of use and practicality. Not only should it be easy for you to service any plumbing and electrical needs, but you also need storage space. A good contractor will incorporate these needs into the overall plan by creating access points in the ceilings and walls for maintenance, and converting unused areas, such as under the stairs, into functional storage spaces.
10 – Poor Lighting
As everyone knows the basement is a very dark place. If you are lucky enough your basement may already posses a few windows, but they probably do not add much natural light. A general contractor can develop a lighting plan to create warm and bright places, using a variety of lighting products and fixtures to make your refinished basement warm and initing.
11 – Selecting a Contractor
Whether you have a detailed plan or you are still in the beginning stages of planning you will need to research a good contractor in your area. A general contractor that specializes in basements may be the way to go, since this way you will be able to see some samples of their work. Take the time to get references and contact the homeowners to get a review on the contractor’s performance.
With a little imagination and planning, your cold dark storage area will no longer be a place feared by small children, but rather it will become a warm, illuminated living space, that will provide you with immediate enjoyment, and later, the added value if you decide to sell.
