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Finishing your basement

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Basement Finishing
When creating usable living space, the basement often becomes the most inexpensive approach to converting comfortable living space. Today, more and more old damp musty basements are being converted into dry usable space.

Walls that are being sheetrocked should follow the basic basement finishing instructions on Waterproof.com

Never drive nails into the floor. Horizontal base plates of 2" x 2" should be attached to the wall several inches above the floor with adhesive and masonry nails to hold in place while the adhesive sets.

Vertical 2" x 2"s should be attached to the wall in the same manner. Run all 2" x 2"s from the top of the wall down to meet the horizontal base plate.

Bead board insulation is ideal for basement walls

Sheet rock from the top of the wall down to the lower edge of the horizontal base plate. There should be a clear space under the new wall preventing water damage to the sheet rock.

Mill work is now attached to the wall with finish nails driven into the horizontal base plate.

Floors that are being carpeted should not have a history of water seepage up through floor cracks. Take appropriate waterproofing measures to remedy any history of water seepage.

Choose a carpet that will allow the floor to breath, such as jute back or Berbers. Foam back carpets should not be used in the basement.

Two face carpet tape and tack strips are commonly used in the carpet installation. Be sure that the tack strip is NOT nailed to the floor. Use adhesive back tack strips.

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Basement Waterproofing
Copyright 2012