Remodeling a basement is no joke. Unless you already have a new home than is already planned for a potential remodel, because other houses are not equipped with basements intended to be transformed into living spaces. Below are some REnovating tups for your Guelph Home.
PLAN YOUR EXITS. Building codes require safe exit routes in case of an emergency particularly in the bedroom areas. The most common requirement is that an opening window must be big enough to climb out of, and close enough to the ground to reach.
STOP THE WATER. If you have any moisture or water coming in through the foundation or slab, find the source and fix it immediately.
CHECK THE HEIGHT. Basement with low height ceiling are not built purposely as living space. You need to relocate the ductwork or waste piping into inconspicuous places such as closets.
CAN YOU DRAIN? Most basement remodels involve installing a new bathroom, and that means removing part of the concrete slab and connecting new waste lines for the toilet and tub or shower. You need enough of a slope in the lines to allow the waste to leave by gravity. If you don’t have fall or your waste lines leave the building through the foundation, you will need a sewage ejection pump to drain the bathroom waste.
IDENTIFY YOUR HAZMAT. Hazardous materials can be found in basements. Asbestos was often used to seal seams in ductwork and can still be found in mastic glue used to install many linoleum-type floor tiles.
RETROFIT. Bolting down your foundation and installing shearwall at your pony walls as they are at risk for failure in an earthquake. Standard retrofitting involves nailing plywood to the face of that short wall, as well as connecting it to the foundation and the floor system above, if possible.
LOOK AHEAD. Think first about future projects in your basement. Basement can be the heart of most homes, when you will likely need to get back in there to do any major work.
REDUCE NOISE. Finished basement has the potential to affect the rest of your house with noise, specifically if you create a media or play room. You may need to install sound insulation into the ceiling of the basement.
CHOOSE YOUR STYLE. You may want to match finishes of the basement in the rest of your home, or you may want it to have a different feel.
