Basement Finishing

Finishing off your own basement is a major task that will require the help of some good friends. If you are remodeling your basement in your spare time, plan on spending anywhere form 3-12 months to complete the finish. You should also seek the help of a licensed professional for certain parts of the remodel. Plumbing and Electrical are two areas to consider getting professional assistance. If you are planning on doing your own electric and plumbing you should at the very least pull a permit for the project. This will ensure all work is done properly and will not jeopardize the safety of you and your family. A permit is also necessary if you want your homeowners insurance to cover any damages that could occur from the construction during the basement finish.

If you are finishing your basement, you may be required to add an egress window. You should check your local building codes to learn the requirements of your city. In most cases you do not have to add an egress window unless you are adding a bedroom to your basement. Aside from meeting your local building requirements, An egress window will enhance your basement by adding additional lighting to your space.
For more information on installing an egress window visit http://www.egresskansascity.com

In most of the basements we finish, the builder has stubbed out the drain lines for the toilet, vanity, and shower. Unfortunately, the location of the lines are not cohesive with the desired floor plan. As a Kansas City Plumber, we break up the floor on almost every basement we finish. If you have a plumber that is willing to line you out, this portion of the project can easily be completed by most DIY enthusiast. A jackhammer is the best way to break through the concrete floor to access the existing drain lines. Once you have determined the new location for the drain lines you then need to figure out how the basement plumbing should be vented. A studor vent or air admittance valve can make venting the bathroom much easier. When using a studor vent, building code will require you to maintain access to the valve. If you have any doubts, you should hire a licensed plumber to help you out. The reason plumbing in so expensive, is due to the amount of damage caused when things are not done properly. Most DIY projects will not be covered under a homeowners insurance policy.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when finishing their basement is diving into a project right after moving into a house. Even if you have had some heavy rain storms, you should wait at least 6 months before finishing off your basement. This is especially true when living in an older home that does not have a sump pump. It only takes one flood to destroy everything you have worked so hard for. basement waterproofing is a multi step process that will protect your investment of finishing your basement. The first sign to watch out for is water. If water is getting in your basement, their is obviously a problem. Locate the source of the water by going outside the house. The two biggest culprits are poor grade conditions and improper or clogged gutters. This is the first and most important step in waterproofing your basement. If water is coming into your basement, it is likely entering the basement walls through a crack. These can be sealed up with a crack injection system. The final step in waterproofing your basement is to add one or more sump pump's to your basement floor. A battery or water powered backup sump pump system is also a good preventative measure to keep your basement dry. I

1. Check all of the plumbing throughout your house for leaks. If a drain line is not sealed properly, it will leak when the main drain backs up.
2. Run some speaker wire before you drywall to leave an option for a home theater system.
3. If you are planning to add a hot tub in the future, run you electrical service before you finish your basement.
4. If your basement has a sump pump that runs frequently, you should consider adding a back up sump pump system. We have recently switched from a battery powered backup sump to a water powered sump pump. They require far less maintenance and should last for a very long time.
5. Make sure to leave plenty of room for your furnace and water heater to be serviced in the future. Most building codes require 3' clearance from your nearest wall. However, you can also add a single or double door in front of the units to allow for more space.

We have recently expanded our service area to include Olathe basement finishing projects. Olathe is an area that has a lot of homes with unfinished basements. With the market in the shape it is in, many people are deciding to improve their existing home instead of moving. Finishing your basement is a great way to improve the quality and living space of your home, without having to sell your house.

Basement Finishing Contractor
KCHC