Basement Remodeling

Bedrooms, Man Cave, Home Theater,Family Room What Are You Looking For?

I will begin by looking at a larger basement remodeling project and the things to consider before moving forward. First understand that you have many options depending on your budget. Let’s consider adding a spare bedroom and bathroom.

First I will explain the process for adding the egress window most codes will require for a safe second way out of the bedroom in the event of fire. Then I will cover the process for moving or adding a new floor drain or drains for your new bathroom. Keep in mind that this process will be the same for any window or drain assembly you might want to add.

Windows

Start by deciding window loaction and size. You will need to make sure you have an area approximately 5’x4’ directly outside the window area exacavated for a vinyl window egress well to hold back the dirt around the window.

The process will begin by removing the dirt around the area from the outside of the wall. You can learn more about this area and the egress window well installation by visiting my egress area wall page

Next, hire a masonry cutting company to come and cut a new window opening in your existing concrete wall.(Watch Video) The masonry cutting company should cut an opening that is 3” wider and 3”taller than the rough opening size for your new window. Once the opening is cut into the wall, you will mount a treated wood frame or buck ripped to match the thickness of the concrete wall to all 4 sides by sealing with caulk and anchoring with masonry anchor screws. When this is complete you should have a finished wood opening that exactly matches your standard window rough opening.

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You can now proceed to install your new window the same way you would in any other location of your home. After you have completed any wall upgrades like building in a wood wall for electrical and insulation you will need to determine how you want to finish the jamb extension from the edge of the window into the interior wall finish. I cover these options in my section on windows.

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New Plumbing

How about adding a bathroom or drain for a new bar sink? You will need to locate your existing drain locations below the floor and any place they come up through the floor. Armed with this information you can proceed with your basement remodeling design options and lay out your new area so it takes advantage of existing drain locations if possible.

If you need to relocate a drain connection you will need to cut and remove a section of concrete floor from existing drain connection point to the new drain location.(See video below) Run your new drain assembly with a fall of 1/8” per foot for proper drainage. Learn more on this process in our [plumbing] section. Once complete you will need to fill the space with compacted rock or sand up to 4” from finished floor then finish with a smooth concrete cap. Finish this cap to 1/8” below floor level so you will not have a high spot to set your finished floor over.

Wall Cracks

Next coat the wall surface with an approved masonry sealing paint like UGL Dryloc. Dryloc contains a fine Portland cement that will work to seal the pores of the concrete to help eliminate future moisture problems.This video will cover what you need to know.

Wall Framing

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