9 years after we built the house, we are finally getting the basement finished. The basement was basically unusable during the winter and early spring due to the cold and extremely unhealthy during the summer due to the moisture and mold.

Enjoy the progress pictures. It is going to move fast. I will post new pictures at the end of every day or every other day depending on my schedule.

THE BEFORE

Well kind of. We started clearing out the basement and the pics start about 75% of the way through the cleaning.















Old crappy wall I built when I was 13


Moisture warped the panel




Annoying duct


Wall I built when I was 16. Much better construction but still room for improvement.



Old storage room, where did all the stuff go?


Straight into the dining room on the main floor, as well as some other less used rooms in the house




Stair wall panels and door I built when I was 13.


The projector and the riser I built a couple years ago

 

Rough plan:

 

The guy doing the framing and drywall actually does this as a part time job. He works from 8-3 and then goes to his other job doing I have no idea what. Maybe a stripper



Most of the cleaning done

 

If anyone is curious, the ceilings are 9ft height.

 

Monday:

-more framework gets put up
-plumber comes to start installing septic tank and pump for bathroom and kitchen sink

 

Great start and plan...looking forward to following the progress. I love threads like this.

 

What are you using as a vapor barrier between the framing and the concrete?

 

Seems like you guys have a lot of moisture problems, have these been addressed already?

 

For heat/AC/dehumidification the heating guy recommended this unit:



http://www.acunitdirect.com/lg-tri-z...oor-units.html

As far as putting something like a plastic sheet vapor barrier between the cement wall and the framing, that is a good point. I am not sure why we aren't doing that but the contractor never mentioned anything about putting in a vapor barrier. He knows about the moisture issue. But it's not too late in the process to put one in.

 

The fiberglass insulation we are going to use has a plastic backing. Is that a sufficient barrier?

 

The recent best practice I've seen is spray foam on the walls after framing. But I believe this assumes that the foundation walls are properly sealed on the outside to prevent moisture coming in. General guideline is the vapor barrier needs to be on the warm side.

I take it you've pulled permits and are building to code?

 

Here's a decent reference on the current thinking on vapor barriers:

http://www.buildingscience.com/resou...r_code_changes

 

Hmm I see. I will ask about the vapor barrier on Monday. Thanks for the link

We don't need to get a permit (at least in NY) because it is not labeled as a living space. If we had put in a bedroom, we would need a permit. Plus we would have to put in a door or large window to the outside which would drive up the cost. This basement is for our entertainment only and we have no plans of converting it into an apartment. The builder is building to code as well.

 

03, regarding the movie viewing area, have you considered placing the seating platforms dead center and having open pass through space on both sides to access the room? I doubt you will notice the slight offset you currently have planned while viewing a movie, but the OCD in me wonders what centering the platform to the room would be like...

If you plan a sound system in there, it might also help dissipate some reverberations from the sound waves if the entrances were open or curtained with fabric.

 

We would like to keep it a closed room to keep excess noise from the living room and ping pong and foosball table from coming into the theater. There will be sound deadening in that wall and the ceilings.

It would be ideal to place the platforms in the center of the room and make doors on either side but the width of the room is 11ft. The platforms must be at least 7ft wide. That leaves 2ft on either side for doors and that is just too small of an opening to take our large furniture in and out of the room.

Side note:
As of now, the plan is to put drywall on the ceilings in all areas except the theater. The theater will have a drop ceiling.

 

Makes sense. Looking forward to seeing how it progresses.

 

in for updates...

 

More framework



Pump this morning before it went in



Pump installed







We decided against the LG heat pump unit. The plumber who came today also does HVAC and said he can do forced air for less than the cost of the heat pump.

Also, my dad asked the contractor about the vapor barrier earlier today but I forgot to ask him what he said. I will find out soon.

 

DAY 5

More framework, blank spot is where the show piece will go...tentatively. I kinda drew it out in 3D so you can see haha.



Pump and plumbing are done







I'm very tempted to write something in the cement before it dries

I promised you guys there would be picture updates every night except Sundays so hope you all enjoy. I am definitely excited. I am already planning a HUGE Superbowl party

 

I love the daily updates . Your guy makes a good bit of progress each day, too.

You should write something in the cement...how do you not?

 

We are his only client at the moment so all his focus goes on our basement, which is very nice. He does all framing, drywall, paint, cabinetry, and tile work himself (literally only him) which saves him and us A LOT of money. And he has done very professional work so far. I really don't know how he does it himself. He's like 5' 6" maybe 140-150 lbs, probably in his late 30s. Minimal tools too. I guess he's really good at what he does.

Only things he gets someone else to do are carpet, countertops, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.

Also, I failed I didn't write anything in the cement before it dried.


HVAC work starts tomorrow supposedly.

EDIT: Crap I forgot to put Day 5 as the title for pictures from 11/1/11. Maybe a mod could be so kind as to add that? It's just a bit of OCD on my part. I want this thread to be really neat and organized

 

added day 5 title, keep the updates coming

 

Thanks and will do

They actually need to move the water heater over to the right about a foot today to make room for the new HVAC unit. So my guess is that duct work will begin tomorrow, not today. New pics coming tonight as usual.

 

Man what a long day. Out of my house by 7:30am, just got home. I'm beat. But I was pleased to see quite a bit of progress










Old wall I built was taken down today






That awkward duct work is being fixed




Heating unit

 

Make sure you're leaving yourself enough room to do maintenance and at some point perhaps have to remove the HVAC unit and hot water heater.

 

Is there a floor drain in the HVAC room?

 

at first i thought that was a sump pump, then i realised you are using it to discharge the waste water... how fast can it move the water? will it keep up with a shower?

if you don't mind me asking, how much was the pump?

 

HVAC room has two doors and is up to code. HVAC guys said they wouldn't have a problem.

No floor drain but the units are hooked up to their own pump.

No shower in the bathroom so it shouldn't be an issue. Ill get back to you on pricing and specs. I can't remember at the moment.

 

You know now that I think about it I the doors in the HVAC room are 30 inches. Maybe we should just make at least one opening 36 inches for good measure. I will talk to my dad about it tonight.

 

All HVAC is done I believe








The left most duct going the length of the basement is the new one they put in today.












More new frame work in theater

 

Turns out my dad doesn't know the price of the pump specifically because the price we got included installation and HVAC and everything. If we get a breakdown of the bill, I'll let you know.

 

Not much completed today, just kitchen walls.

 

^It's Friday...contractors knock off early on Friday . Still, lovin' the progress and the updates.

 

More progress on the theater

 

Had to organize some files, pictures got moved. So here is Day 9 again.

 

Not much completed today. Looks like work is slowing

Bathroom is completely framed




Some other small framing stuff was done near the new gym but nothing picture worthy.

Also the AC unit was installed outside but I didn't get a pic of it. Maybe tomorrow.

 

Showcase thing. He couldn't do the arch for whatever reason.



Storage room door finished

 

so a sink and toilet? that pump can move solids?

 

Apparently. I guess ill find out the first time i break in that toilet haha.

Also sorry I still haven't gotten you any info on the pump. Ill see what I can find out tonight.

 

no worries.. don't kill yourself over it... i just wanted an idea but will look into more when i am serious enough to need it...