Before you begin any remodeling though you need to thoroughly investigate your basement for any mold or musty smells as these are signs that you have water damage. You will need to take care of it before you remodel or you will end up with a finished basement you can’t enjoy. It is common for rain water to seep into the walls if the house is not designed to move it away. You can easily remedy this type of situation by adding drains that take it somewhere else.

Wallpaper isn’t a good idea in any basement because it allows mold to grow. It also keeps the walls from being able to dry on their own. Instead of using wallpaper consider painting them with latex paints. A dehumidifier is a great investment to help control the amount of moisture in your basement. Adding vinyl flooring will also seal it from moisture. There are several flooring options available for you to explore.

You should also take a look at your lighting options before you start remodeling your basement too. You can use artificial light but you will also want some natural sunlight to come in if possible. Heating your basement needs to be considered as well and you may have to make some changes to what is in place.

You can also find more info on musty and rank and remodel basement. Basementremodelinghelp.com is a comprehensive resource to get help in home basement.

Post from: Basement Bar Ideas

Basement Remodeling Ideas - Cool Ideas For Your Basement

There are two conditions you must address for a dry basement, actual water leakage and condensation. Water leakage is a pretty obvious concern to homeowners but many are unaware of the problems that high humidity can cause to a finished basement.

Humidity Problems

Because a basement is below ground, it will be naturally cooler than the floors above ground. When warmer air from upstairs or outside enters the basement, it shrinks in volume as it cools. This shrinking or “condensing” of the air volume results in higher humidity. Everything porous in your basement will absorb the extra moisture in the air and cause a foul odor. Dehumidifiers are appliances which mechanically remove the unwanted extra humidity from your basement. A good dehumidifier is a must if you plan on remodeling your basement. Even a basement that doesn’t leak will benefit from using a dehumidifier.

Water Leakage

Without doubt, water leakage into the basement must be permanently corrected before you start your remodeling project. Start by correcting obvious sources of the problem; broken or non-existent rain gutters, down spouts emptying next to the foundation, ground outside sloping toward the home, uncovered underground windows, etc.

After you exhaust all preventative measures outside, try to identify areas inside where you are experiencing the leakage. If a corner of the basement seems to be a particular problem, again, look outside at your rain gutter downspouts. If you see cracks in the walls leaking, some of these can be repaired with hydraulic cement or crack injection. If water seems to be coming in from an isolated area, installing a sump pump below floor level can lower the water table and underground hydrostatic pressure in that area. If you are unsure or your problems seem to be widespread, it might be best to call in a building inspector, engineer or other professional to help you identify and solve your problem. There are a variety of services available to solve your leakage problems. These include; outside excavating, re-parging your walls, interior or exterior drainage systems, interior cove systems, grout or epoxy injection and others. Most of these options will require a professional.

Basement Remodeling Begins

I like studding the walls out with 2X4s. If you can spare the extra space, 2X6s are even better because they allow room for more insulation. Never, under any circumstances, nail furring strips onto the walls. Penetrating the foundation will compromise its barrier against water.

Use construction adhesive rather than nails or screws to adhere your bottom wall plate to the floor. It’s ok to nail the upper wall plates into the upper floor joists.

Don’t glue down your basement carpet. Carpet is something that is going to wear out and eventually need to be replaced. Glued down carpeting creates a real problem later on when trying to remove it. Tell your carpet installer to use construction adhesive to install the carpet tack strips around the perimeter. Do not allow them to drive nails into the cement floor.

Summary

With some common sense construction techniques, a reliable waterproofing system and humidity control, you can enjoy a lot of extra living space by remodeling your basement.

Robert Clarke has owned B-Dry System NEPA, a basement waterproofing company, for the last 20 years. Visit http://b-drybasementswaterproofingnepennsylvania.com/basement-remodeling.html for more information. He has also served as President of the B-Dry Owners Association, a nationally recognized group of basement waterproofing contractors. Visit http://www.b-dry.com/ for details.

Post from: Basement Bar Ideas

Basement Remodeling Ideas Start With Waterproofing

You might want to start with a basement bar design that is most appropriate for your basement. There are so many you could find. Below is a list of bar descriptions that are commonly used in households:

1. Staight-Bar Design. As its name implies, this basement bar design is the simplest of all. It looks similar to a front desk in hotel lobbies. The difference is its features and functionality. Like a typical bar, it has a little space for the sink on top, a foot rest on the stool side, a gutter area where you mix the drinks, an arm rail, and a space for the cooler or ref. The width for this type of bar can vary from 6 feet (or less) and up to 10 or maybe more. Make sure that when designing, you have investigated the measurements properly.

2. L-Shaped Bar. This is a basement bar design that is shaped like the letter L. There is no difference in the materials used and its features are the same as the standard straight bar. Simply put, the big notable difference is its design. Your friends can also enjoy a better conversation while sitting in this bar because the distance from other seats is closer. Again the measurements vary depending on the size of your basement but usually the lengths are symmetrical.

3. A Keggar Bar Design. This bar is very popularly used. Its design is shaped like two L-shaped bars joint with the straight type in the middle. Viewing from the top, it usually looks like a one-third of a square is cut and used. This basement bar design accommodates a perfect space for the refrigerator and a beer keg. Hence its name.

4. The Monster Bar. This is a very huge bar that can accommodate plenty of seats, a big space for the drinking area, equipped with a keg and beer gutter and all other basic bar features. Think of this basement bar design as a combination of the L-shaped and the Kegger but a lot bigger. A monster bar can also be designed in the shape of a letter U.

5. A Portable Bar Design. If you plan to bring your basement bar elsewhere in you home, this type could be what you want. Basement bars are usually huge and sturdy so weight can be a major concern. And considering that basements have low head room clearance, you may have some difficulty in moving a bar. The portable bar can be disassembled. This is what makes it unique. Probably the latest innovation in the basement bar design industry.

Of course, there are more designs for you to choose from. There are no limits to a basement bar design. You could even design a unique one yourself. You just have to know the common features in a bar, its functionality and usability, compartments, etc. What makes a basement bar enjoyable aside from the drinks is the good conversation with your friends. Align your designing in the light. Whether you are buying or building one, having this as a guide will surely give your home basement a pleasing and friendly atmosphere.

Post from: Basement Bar Ideas

Basement Bar Design - Common Types

Bar stools come in many shapes, sizes, colors and decorating styles. Whether your bar is a tropical paradise, a fun and funky retro style or a formal and elegant version of the wine bar downtown, you are sure to find a stool that matches your décor.

But just finding a stool that looks good isn’t enough. You need to buy bar stools that are comfortable to sit in and are also the right height for your bar. In addition, you need to know how many stools to get for that perfect fit around the bar, otherwise you might find that it is simply too crowded and not as much fun as you thought!

If you want to have the most comfortable placement of your bar stools you must think of the bar o r pub table you will be pairing them with. Before you buy your set of bar stools, you need to measure the height of the bar that you will be putting them under. Be sure to pick stools that will allow for ten to thirteen inches between the top of their seat and the bottom of the bar or pub tables in your basement bar.

If your choice stools have arms, be sure that you can still push the stool under the bar. Bar stools can generally be purchased with seat heights of between 17 and 31 inches however you may not be able to purchase the specific piece of furniture you want in the size necessary. You may have to make a compromise and take home something in a similar style. It’s more important to get a stool that fits great and maybe isn’t the want you wanted most since the fit is vital to the overall comfort of the chair and comfort is key in your basement bar.

While you are shopping for bar stools, remember to have in mind the amount of stools you would like. The most comfortable placement for bar stools is twenty five - thirty inches from the center of one seat to the next seat. Take a measurement of the span of your bar and divide by 28 inches and you’ve got about how many stools need!

Your basement bar is supposed to be a fun place to hang out so, remember when buying bar stools that they should not only be decorative, but functional too. Getting a good look is important, but getting a great fit is vital!

Post from: Basement Bar Ideas

Basement Bar Stools - Great Way to Dress Up Your Basement Bar

Getting a basement bar idea is one of the best things you can come up with as a homeowner. Its especially useful when you have a lot of friends coming over to party on weekends. Even for just the simple joy of hanging out, the basement is a perfect spot.

When you know your friends love your basement, it makes the room special and more enjoyable to hang out in. Having a very good basement bar idea is one thing that gives you that sense of fulfillment. The conversation doesn’t seem to end. Here are some things you need to set it up.

1. Sink. You have to place your sink in a corner where it’s near to the plumbing system. This is will make it easier to install. Since all ends of the plumbing system in your house leads to the basement, might as well set up your mini bar there. Your wet bar is where you wash stuff or drain all excessive spills into the sink.

2. Liquor shelves. Having a liquor shelf in your basement bar is essential since you’ll be serving drinks in the room. Place your liquor shelf in an area where the temperature is consistent. This will help as most of the wine and other liquor types are temperature regulated. A basement bar idea can never be complete without this.

3. Keg, cooler, and a refrigerator. If you hope to serve beer, you might want to put in a beer keg shelf below your bar. It’s safe and it’s easy to manage. Some bar units have a built-in keg cabinet. An alternative to the beer keg is a cooler to put your beer bottles in. However, coolers can also be messy after the party. If you don’t like coolers or keg, put a mini ref in your basement bar. But these are also must haves for a basement bar.

4. The bar. Obviously, a basement bar can’t be without the bar! You have a choice of building your own. Some carpentry skills and a little time in your weekend schedule is what you basically need. This is most practical when your budget is tight. However, if cash is not a concern, buy one. There are a lot of different types of bars that suits your basement bar idea to choose from.

5. A bartender. Then adding an experienced bartender in your list makes it more fun. However, this can add to your overhead cost. If you have a friend who knows how to mix concoctions, send him in. But if you don’t, the next best option is to study this art of mixing drinks. The fun part is when the party begins. Having this is your plan completes your basement bar idea.

Many basement bars don’t even look like a basement at all. The designs are so good you might think it’s a bar in a hotel restaurant. The point is that all you need is a good and clear vision of how your bar should look like. Your basement bar idea is your key to make it happen. When it’s done you’ll be the envy of your friends and neighborhood.

Article kindly provided by http://www.uniquearticledirectory.com

Hunting for a basement bar idea? Discover the best tips on basement remodeling ideas from the best sources on the web.

Post from: Basement Bar Ideas

Basement Bar Ideas For Your Basement