Basement & Unfinished Space - Finishing / Construction Tips

I am looking to finish my basement. Currently, there is insulation on all the concrete walls wrapped in plastic that the builder had put on. Do I need to remove all the insulation before framing or can I start framing just inside of the insulation?

Alex,
Why not consider doing the job the way I describe it all of my basement-remodeling columns?

Greetings. We have a nice basement with walk-out glass doors to our patio. We want to finish it for additional living space. The problem is that it is very cold down there. What will solve this problem?

Thanks.

Tim,

I am considering doing the job as described but I'm not sure what to do about the current insulation that's on the walls... do I take it off or leave it on and frame right in front of it? Because of the insulation and wrap that's on the insulation, I can't tell what the wall condition is either.

We are finishing a basement on a new house. Regarding insulation; would you recomend blown in insulation as a cost saving factor? I'm told it would require holes in the drywall at the top and bottom of most open spaces, blowing in the insulation and then plugging the holes with styrofoam plugs. How do you install and finish off the plugs?

Thanks so much, Carolyn

Ann,
You need to stop air infiltration and insulate the walls. You also need to inject enough Btus of heat to offset the hourly heat loss as calculated using Manual J. Read all about Manual J in many of my past columns.

Alex,
I would remove it and use it in the new walls if the insulation is in good shape.

Carolyn,
How could the drywall already be up if you are just starting the job???????

I would never blow it in. I want the air space between the back of the wall and the foundation.

You tape over the plugs after you tap them in so they are recessed.

I am lookng to refinish my basement. Currently, libe in northeast and the top 36" of basement walls(poured concrete) are insilated .
I know I need a vapor barrier. Can this be done with 4 mil poly from top to bottom .
1. Does the poly have to be secured in french dain gapping ? How ?
2. When running poly vertically in sections, do the sections need to be connected ? How ?
Thanks

AsktheBuilder:
Looking to finish my basement and I have a couple questions on insulation.
-Do I insulate the ceiling, to reduce noise and heating costs of my house?
-Is there a benefit to use Foam insul on the walls and faced R13 in the walls?

Regards,
Rob

Rob,
The insulation in the ceiling will not save any money. Read all of my Sound and Noise Control columns. As for the walls, it is all about R-value.

Our house was built in 1925 and has a step or shelf basement. What are the options for removing the step so that we can have more floor space?

Thanks

David,
Assuming you hit the lottery or a rich relative has passed, you call in a residential architect and a structural engineer. It might be interesting to call in a house-moving company as well to get a bid on supporting the part of the house you will be digging under.

Hello,

We are building a basement but just before start of construction we have been told there is a main sewerage line that goes parallel just where the back will has to be on the building plan.

Is it dangerous or harmful for the basement in the long run? What necessary steps/replanning needs to be done?

Regards,
Ahsan

I am pulling up wet carpet from a basement area and below I have found a tile of some sort on top of the concrete. Is there any way to remove the nails that are left after removing the tack strip?

Our house is two years old and I can hear the water running down the drain so loud while the shower or flush is being used upstairs. Are we missing some kind of sound barrier or is there something I can do to reduce the noise. I feel so embarrassed when guests are around.

Denver area, contractor-finished basement (wood studs, gypsum wallboard wall & ceiling, carpeted) in 1999 but appears it may not have been insulated. Never any moisture, musty smell of any kind, stays cool in summer and nominal house heating bills in winter. Upon sale, house inspector says may not be insulated. If so, can walls be insulated without tearing the place up? Thanks! Bob

Tim,

Some of your recommendations really have me concerned. Is it really wise to install wood in a basement? Even with a vapor barrier installed on the other side, they can still be damaged by the flooding you'd mentioned. Wood buckles and grows mold when it's wet, and it can be a real problem!

Additionally, I'd be very worried about installing fiberglass on a basement wall. Fiberglass and cloth absorb moisture like a sponge, and it contains Urea- an organic material that will grow mold (I've seen it!). I also strongly disagree with your recommendation of drywall. Drywall paper grows mold very easily and even paperless drywall can be ruined in a flood. Regardless of which type of drywall used, you're not going to see a warranty for mold that lasts for more than three years, and even that's void if there's a flood.

I actually have an article written by Home Energy magazine from March-April 2002 that cites a study of 27 drywall installations in basement walls. Of the 27, 16 showed detectable mold, with all of the mold samples showing at least one species that is potentially harmful for humans. The presence of the walls did not protect homeowners from these allergenic spores. Additionally, 18 walls - not necessarily the same walls as the other 16 - showed moisture damage.

Why would you recommend these products in a basement? I don't understand.

Regards,
Jacques

Jacques,

I think the simple answer is that it is a common sense issue. If someone has a damp basement or one that has real water infiltrating it, then I would expect that person to take care of the water, then finish the space. Many water problems can be permanently solved with one of my Linear French Drains that I discuss in multiple columns in my Drainage category.

Furthermore, all of the houses I built had totally dry basements so installing all of these materials is a non issue. My own basement has wood-framed walls. fiberglass batts. drywall and there is *no* mold anywhere. The reason there is no mold is covered in all of my Mold columns. Bottom Line: I have NO water in my basement.

I am trying to refinish my basment and have issues with the low ceiling - there are some sewer, gas pipes and hvac that are below and accross the joists - this is just in some areas - I do not want to drywall or use drop ceiling as I would lose height in the entire ceiling. I have heard that some people drape fabric ar like a bamboo mat accross the ceiling - can you offer any help in using alternatives to drywall or drop ceiling - I am also concerned about lighting if I use a draped fabric. TY Marc