Test Your Basement for Radon Before Remodeling
If your basement remodeling plans include adding living space to your home’s lower level, it is imperative to test for, and if necessary, to mitigate for radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has been found to cause lung cancer. The EPA estimates that 1 in 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated levels of radon.
Radon is most commonly found in your home’s basement, where it collects after seeping through the small cracks and seams in your foundation and floor slab.
How Do You Test for Radon?
Testing for radon is simple, and Do-It-Yourself kits are inexpensive and widely available at home improvement stores. Testing kits measure radon in Pico curies per liter of air, or pCi/L, and the EPA estimates that the average indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L. Although it is thought that no level of radon in your home is completely safe, it is worth noting that 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air.
If your first test indicates that your home’s level of radon is 4 pCi/L or greater, you should call a radon mitigation specialist. By using more accurate testing equipment, these specialized remodeling contractors can confirm your home’s radon level and recommend mitigation systems that can help solve the problem. Fixes can include sealing the cracks in your concrete floor with silicone caulk or installing a fan-driven venting system under your basement slab.
Sub-slab Venting Systems for Radon Mitigation
If a sub-slab venting system is the recommended solution, you will be glad that you tested for radon before the new basement flooring was installed. Cutting a trench in a basement floor is messy, difficult work, but it is the only way to place the needed vent pipe under the existing slab. The easiest conditions to mitigate are those prior to pouring a cement slab in your basement, but most often this situation is only available during new construction.
Because installing an active venting system requires digging up your basement floor and drilling through your home’s roof, it is recommended that you consult several remodeling contractors before beginning a project of this scope. Fortunately, a well-installed mitigation system can reduce the radon in your home to a worry-free and acceptable level.
Radon in your basement is a serious problem, but it can be dealt with successfully. Testing for radon in your basement is the first step on the path to a radon-free home.
8 Ideas for a Unique Basement Room
March 16th, 2010 by admin
Are you making good use of your basement? In many homes, that promising space is relegated to storage, and homeowners never realize its full potential. Make room for fun and unique style in your basement room! Consider these great options for turning your unused space into a well-loved haven.
- Consider an office. The basement space can be used to house a small business office. Built-in shelves make good use of tight spaces. Place a small desk under an existing window and perk the space up with a comfortable rug on the floor.
- Bounce into a playroom. Offer a place for your kids to play with their friends while staying out of your hair. Such a thing really is possible! Turn the basement into a playroom with a small climbing wall, plenty of colorful drawers for storage, and of course, toys galore.
- Turn it into a hobby shop. Are you tired of seeing those model pieces all over the kitchen table? Are you running out of room for your fabric and sewing essentials? Your basement makeover could give ample space for the things you love to do.
- Drink to the wine cellar. Line the entire basement with open wine racks, add a small refrigerator for incidentals, and don’t forget a cabinet for the wine glasses. If there is room for a sitting area, opt for comfortable chairs that invite guests to relax.
- Create an oasis for relaxation. Why bother to go to the spa when you have one in your very own home? Turn your basement into a steam room or sauna. Include all the elements of relaxation, and create a beautiful retreat that is just a few steps away.
- Get the room of a second bathroom. If your bathroom is crowded with everyone trying to get ready and out the door, ease the time crush by creating a basement bathroom. If you have plenty of room in your basement, consider adding laundry facilities, too.
- Create a home theater. A large projection screen or a big-screen television is the basis of your new home theater. Add plenty of comfortable chairs to make it a true theater experience.
- Turn to the classic gameroom. Add a pool table, pinball machines, and other fun games to balance the big-screen television and sporting decor on the walls. It’s a sporty area of fun!
Don’t let that ample space go to waste! Decide what you would love to have as your “bonus” room and then make it a reality with your basement space.
A Healthy Basement Renovation: Build Yourself a Home Gym
March 5th, 2010 by admin
Among the more energetic basement remodeling ideas floating around now is the use of a qualified basement remodeling contractor to build a suitable space for a home gym. Basement waterproofing leads the list for completing this basement renovation the right way. Can you imagine breathing in dust and mildew while amping up your heartbeat on a treadmill?
If your basement has adequate drainage, lighting, heating, ventilation, waterproofed floors, pipes, and walls, you might consider completing the gym transformation on your own. But in most cases, you should call in a qualified basement remodeling contractor to design, bid, and complete the project. There are plenty of benefits to finishing a basement.
The Health-Related Basement Renovation, Simplified
Having a basement gym is a great idea. It can increase your home’s value and bring the workout to you. No driving to the gym on hot or wickedly cold mornings. No membership fees. No excuses.
Before you do anything, can you claim that your basement is dry enough? It may not suffice to install a dehumidifier alone. Have a remodeling contractor conduct a thorough inspection. One thing you may not want, despite how appealing it may be, is a carpet for your basement gym. Instead, consider concrete floors or rubber flooring with adequate padding when finishing a basement.
Even outdoor or tough carpeting may show its wear under the stress and weight of workout equipment, and you may spend more time working out the mildew problem than you do working off fat.
The first step is to determine your workout routine and equipment needs. Are you going for cardio or installing a weight room, too? If your space is too confined for a treadmill or elliptical trainer, perhaps a stationary bicycle will do. Is the electrical supply adequate to power gym equipment, new overall lighting, task lighting, alternate heaters, air conditioners, fans, stereo equipment, televisions, water coolers, refrigerators, etc.? A good basement remodeling contractor can help you answer these questions.
You don’t necessarily need a huge basement to consider adding a home gym. Even a small basement can benefit from some fun basement remodeling ideas.
More Basement Renovation Considerations
Is there room, ample electricity, and plumbing to add a bathroom stall or small shower? Or, do you want to add a hot tub or sauna? Perhaps you’ll just put in a small workout room and segment other sections of the finished basement for laundry, a children’s gaming center, or basement office.
After your basement renovation is finished, it’s time to furnish your new space. When it comes to workout equipment, you can always shop for used gear to help cut the overall basement renovation cost. You can add better-quality treadmills or weight sets when you know that you’ll use the gym.
Basement Remodeling from Start to Finish
December 5th, 2009 by admin
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where basements are a common feature, you could have a hidden treasure located just under your house! Whether your basement is currently unfinished or it’s just being used for storage, those that put a little bit of time and energy into this area of their house will only end up reaping the benefits. Not only will finishing your basement increase the living size of your home, but it will also increase the value, making it a better investment for the future. Plus, the only limit to what the basement can become is your imagination: a home theatre, game room, bonus room for the kids, office space, or even an apartment for a member of the family, the possibilities are endless.
Creating a Plan
First is the enjoyable task of deciding what you want your basement remodeling project to be. Once you’ve made up your mind to install that bar and billiards table you’ve always wanted, it’s time to get down to brass tacks and think about what your basement is currently missing and what features you’d ultimately like to add. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll have to keep basics in mind, including electricity, plumbing, heat for the winter and keeping the space cool in the summer, if you need it. You’ll also want to remember to have the floors and walls checked to make sure they are waterproof.
If your basement is already finished but in need of an update, important things to remember will be to have the electricity checked, especially if it hasn’t been used in quite a while. If the space has only been used for storage or has been forgotten for a long period of time, it may not be a bad idea to have the floors and walls checked to ensure they are still waterproof before starting your home improvement project.
Possibly the most important aspect of updating your basement will be finding the right solution for your flooring. Since basement floors are usually made of concrete, they can be uncomfortable and cold, especially in winter. Some ideas to consider include floor heating, adding a layer of insulation under hardwood floors, or choosing an extra-thick carpet to keep you warm and comfortable.
Last but not least, some areas will require certain permits for some home improvements, including finishing your basement. You should be able to confirm what paperwork will need to be completed by contacting your local government or visiting their website.
Hiring a Local Contractor
Finding a home improvement contractor for your basement remodeling project should not be a difficult or intimidating experience for anyone involved. You are certainly under no obligation to hire the first contractor you meet. In fact, it is recommended that you receive three estimates on your project.
In choosing your contractor, be on the lookout for those that try to pressure you into features that you don’t need or want. A good contractor will be one that listens closely to your wishes and will work to get as close as your initial plan as possible. He should be able to provide a written estimate and a written contract before starting and may even agree to take care of all necessary permits.
Large scale home improvement projects, like finishing your basement, can be intimidating, but the long term benefits far outweigh the relatively short amount of time spent on it. In the end, you will have increased the value of your home, so don’t be afraid to start working on creating your new space!
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Basement Remodeling from Start to Finish
Vinyl Replacement Basement Windows for Safety
December 5th, 2009 by admin
Every homeowner has his or her own set of pet peeves when it comes to their home. Some people may have a thing about the gutters being clean, while someone else may not think much about their gutters, but if the driveway is covered with leaves, they blow a gasket. You get the idea. One area of the home that many homeowners overlook though is the basement. Especially if you don’t have a family room or some livable space down there, you may not think much about it. However, there are several good reasons why maintenance in this part of the house is crucially important. For our purposes here, let’s take a look at the vinyl replacement basement windows. Of course, you need well made, durable windows in every part of the house, but the basement windows have several special purposes.
Vinyl Replacement Basement Windows
One of the biggest reasons for considering the idea of having vinyl replacement basement windows installed is safety. It’s a proven fact that the majority of thieves that break into houses do so from the sub or ground floor levels. Failing to ensure that your basement windows are up to common standards is like laying out a welcome mat for these criminals to enter your home whether you are home or not.