Your Home Doctor

Six Tips on How to Build a Basement Bar in Your Home

Many of you may have a little basement in your home. Some use it as their laundry area. Some use it as their mini gym. Others use it as an extension room for house guests. But what if none of these ideas draw your attention? Yet you cannot get over the fact that your basement is not being used to its maximum potential. Then you realized that whenever you have huge celebrations at home, your living room is just not enough. Then you start thinking why not convert your vacuous basement into a bar? Bingo! So here are a few tips for you on how to build a basement bar in your home.

1. Visualize – Visualize your idea of a basement bar in your mind. This should be a good starting point on how to build a basement bar. Before anything else, you got to imagine how it is going to look like. Draw it on a sheet of paper. Go down to your basement and figure out which corner you want to put the bar.

2. The Plan – Make a basement bar checklist. After you got a basement drawing in your sketch pad, you should be able to imagine the materials and tools to use in setting it up. Other than wood, you should be able to see things like electrical wiring, lighting fixtures, framing, plumbing, and all other things you can see through in your sketch.

3. Inspiration – Check out your friends’ basement bars. Supposing you still do not have a clear view of what needs to consider in this project. You may want to visit your friends who have basement bars. And do not ever forget to ask them pointers in how to build a basement bar. That is probably one of the most reliable help you could get. For sure, your friends would be more than willing to share their experience.

4. Basement Bar Photos – Check out home design magazines. This medium is another source of ideas in how to build a basement bar. The thing is that your plans of realizing this project only happens when you have your concept clear. These types of magazines help you imagine what you hope to achieve with your basement bar because they show pictures. This is a big advantage especially if your grades in art class were very low.

5. The Right Materials – Materials to use. Yes of course you got to know this. In the planning stage, materials and labor cost are usually what determines a project’s cost. At this point, it is not enough to just know the basics how to build a basement bar. Extra knowledge is a very important factor as well.

6. Supplies and equipment. Common sense and experience will tell you that when you see a bar, there is always liquor and most often music. Although this can be thought of in details when your bar is almost finished, it may help to include this in your preparations. Maybe know a little bit about what brand of wine, brandy, or whatever liquor you know that can suit your taste. Perhaps your preference has a lot to do with the mood you set in your bar. Then of course knowing a little bit about music equipment can lead you to understand what type of speakers you need to install. Acoustic insulation is also a consideration if you want music piped in to your basement bar.

Now that you have the design plan listed out for your little project, it is time to work on it. The good thing about this is that you can do it yourself. If you have no background in carpentry or interior designing, this is a good time to learn. Then maybe, in the future, you might want to share your experience. You might want to return the favor by giving your personal tips on how to build a basement bar.

-article by Casey Torren, EzineArticles.com

If you would like to speak to a basement remodeling and home theater installation specialist please contact Select Basement Waterproofing and Better Homes and Basements toll free at 877-548-3889 at your convenience.

Ready to Finish Off That Finished Basement? Not So Fast!

Congrats! Your newly remodeled basement is finally done. You’ve painted the new walls (or paneled them), laid the carpeting (or hardwood floors), and you’ve installed the home theater (or new gaming system). It’s all done, and now it’s finally time to start enjoying it.

But wait. Don’t crack open that new DVD yet. Don’t start popping that popcorn. Before you start enjoying your newly finished basement, you’ll need to make sure it’ll be safe from the kinds of moisture-related problems endemic to basements. The last thing you want is to run downstairs with a new game for your Wii and find a soggy carpet or flooded floor.

In point of fact, many of the suggestions listed here should be taken to heard before you even begin remodeling your new basement. If you’ve already begin, it may not be too late to enlist the services of a professional basement waterproofing firm.

So before you start, you’ll need to make sure your basement is healthy enough to handle such a project. Of course, you’re not planning on throwing up some plywood walls and tossing down a carpet. But a substantial part of planning your remodeled basement is making sure it’s free of leaks, condensation and potential leaks. Failing to do this is inviting trouble in the future.

If your basement project is DIY — that is, do-it-yourself — you may still want to procure the opinion of a professional basement waterproofing contractor. That contractor will be able to spot any hidden or potential leaks, find hidden black mold, and recommend ways to draw water away from your foundation if that’s a potential problems. Remember: Leaks don’t go away if you can’t see them.

Leaks can come from an extensive variety of places. If you have poorly-installed window wells or clogged rain gutters, water can pool outside your foundation. This causes a phenomenon called hydrostatic pressure, which can create cracks or make existing ones bigger. Leaks can also prosper if your property has improper drainage — for instance, if it sits at the bottom of a hill where water can collect. And water vapor can condense on the inside of your basement’s walls, making it easy for black mold to thrive and eat away at your porous surfaces. If there’s any chance any of these problems are present, you’ll need to address them before remodeling.

When the project is finished, it’s just as important to keep any eye on the basement. Making sure there are no leaks in your basement walls is an ongoing task.

-article by D. Michael Kirby, EzineArticles.com

If you would like to speak to a basement remodeling and home theater installation specialist please contact Select Basement Waterproofing and Better Homes and Basements toll free at 877-548-3889 at your convenience.

Ideas for Fixing Leaking Basement
It’s common to see cracks in basement walls for any house that is older than two year due to drying shrinkage, thermal movement, and other causes. Other causes usually are minor and result in few problems. But over time, even minor cracks can grow larger and cause big headaches, such as loss of structural integrity or, more commonly, water leakage. Poured concrete foundations often crack simply because of settling. If the crack grows or the foundation wall is deflected, the advice of a structural engineer may be required.

Common areas for a shrinkage concrete crack to develop are under a basement window, in the middle of a long wall or where the foundation steps down. Once the concrete cracks it is possible for water to leak into a basement through the crack.
Several suggested methods are:

• The most effective is to perform an injection of polyurethane foam into the basement crack. Polyurethane foams are injected into the basement crack in a liquid form. This allows a gentle and slow filling process of the basement crack that will completely fill the crack. After a few minutes the polyurethane will begin to react with the water in the crack to begin foaming.

• In most cases homeowners can now have these cracks fixed permanently without the need for costly, disruptive excavation using low-pressure injection of epoxy or polyurethane foam repair materials. Even if a crack is not leaking now, eventually water will find it, said by a manufacturer of epoxies and polyurethane foams for all types of foundation crack repair. In the Midwest, crack injection has been an accepted way of tackling these repairs for many years, and more and more foundation repair contractors around the country are adopting the technique because it is cost-effective, reliable, and permanent.

• Another very good method to fix your basement leaking program is DryTrak, which is designed to remove seepage from the floor-wall joint. Epoxy seals DryTrak to the top of the basement floor. In a baseboard system, weep holes are drilled into the floor-wall joint or directly into the wall if it is a block wall. A system of hollow, durable vinyl baseboard is then epoxied to the floor. Please note that DryTrak is not recommended for basements that may have leaking floor cracks, unleveled floors, or severely cracked floors.

-article by Andrew Leung

If you would like to speak to a basement remodeling and home theater installation specialist please contact Select Basement Waterproofing and Better Homes and Basements toll free at 877-548-3889 at your convenience.

How to Choose Cabinets for Basement Wet Bars
By The Basement Remodeling Weblog

The cabinetry and styles utilized for constructing basement bars often have more personality than cabinetry utilized in other rooms of the home. The homeowner feels free to create a more dramatic space in which their personal style can be expressed without the resale fears present when designing a kitchen or other predominant space in the home. The cabinetry style typically falls into one of the following three categories: traditional, contemporary, or transitional family friendly.

Traditional cabinet styles and finishes are often used to create a pub style bar. Typically a designer would suggest a door style with lots of detail and applied moldings in a darker wood species and stain for this style. One way a homeowner can add their personal touch to this style is by ordering the cabinets with distressing or in a rustic wood species. These options give the cabinetry an older more authentic appearance with use of sand through, worm holes, and dents. Decorative wood overlays are another way the homeowner can add their personality to the bar. The overlays make cabinetry appear handcrafted; their intricacy makes the cabinets appear that they are custom built by an artisan. Homeowners should also consider the type of storage they will need in their basement bar.

Typically in a traditional bar you will find stemware holders displaying wine glasses and lighted cabinets with glass doors displaying liquor bottles. A basement bar found in a contemporary home is typically thought of as very simple; design flair and personality are not added necessarily by the intricacy of the cabinets, like in the traditional bar. These qualities are added by the accessories and cabinet finishes. Vertical lift door cabinets are being offered by most mid-level and up cabinet companies. This type of cabinet hinging is considered a more contemporary alternative to the typical hinging. Integrated appliances fitted with matching cabinet panels, creates a seamless and simplistic design—the bar may house a clear ice maker and the appliance would appear to be just another cabinet.

Putting a dramatic finish on a contemporary door style will also create style and personality—cabinet manufacturers are offering bolder and a larger selection of paints and finishes. Although, a homeowner may fall in love with Washington Red Cherry paint, she may feel apprehensive about using it in her kitchen, but in a basement bar she can use the color that she loves.

A family friendly basement bar is possible with some of the options that cabinet manufacturers have. Typically family friendly cabinetry serves a dual purpose: storage for adult items as well as children’s items. The cabinets will often have roll trays and other interior accessories for games and children’s snack items. The adult cabinet storage available consists of locked liquor cabinets, as well as a safe out of reach cabinets for glass stemware. The most popular cabinet styles in family basement bars are simple in style so they are low maintenance and require little cleaning.

There is a great kitchen design book that can help you to design your space. Its Design Ideas for Kitchens (2nd edition) This book talks about layouts, cabinet types & styles, energy efficient appliances, hot new countertop ideas, and more. There is plenty of useful information that you can apply to the design of your new wetbar.

Most basement remodeling and waterproofing professionals like Select Basement USA offer free estimates and tips on remodeling your basement bathroom. If you are located in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware areas and would like a free estimate please visit Select Waterproofing USA online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

Basement Cabinetry

How to Fix a Leaky Basement Floor

Unfortunately for homeowners across the country, it is estimated that over 60 percent of homes have a part of their basement that has leaking issues making a wet basement one of the most frequent complains by homeowners. If you are not one of the lucky people in the 40th percentile, there is something you can do about it.

When you have a damp basement, smell musty odors, or see white powder (efflorescence) and minor water leakage, it is recommended that you fix it now before the problem gets worse and more expensive to fix. If you think a part of your house may be at risk to mold or mildew and would like to speak to a mold remediation specialist like Select Waterproofing USA please visit them online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

It is estimated that once a basement starts leaking you can face up to $14,000 in exterior basement waterproofing or $6,000 for interior basement waterproofing, which will generally include the installation of both a French drain and sump pump.

Below is a checklist of common problems along with solutions:
• Cracks in poured concrete walls- Fill the cracks permanently with Foundation Crack Repair Kit. Seal the walls with Concrete Sealer.
• Cracks in block walls- Repair the cracks permanently with Epoxy Crack Filler Kit mixed with sand. Seal the block walls with Concrete Sealer.
• Leaking floor to wall joint- Route out 1/2″ deep with a grinder and fill with Epoxy Crack Filler. Or inject with Foundation Crack Repair Kit.
Seal the wall with Concrete Sealer.
• Wide gap between the floor and walls- Stuff with foam backer rod. Fill with Epoxy Crack Filler, which is flexible.
• Leaking cracks in concrete floor- Fill the cracks with Floor Repair Kit.
Seal the floor with Concrete Sealer.
• Leaking expansion control joints- Fill with Epoxy Crack Filler, which is flexible.
• Water seeping through concrete or block walls- Waterproof the concrete with Concrete Sealer.
• Water seeping through clay brick walls- Waterproof the brick walls with Concrete & Brick Sealer.
• Water seeping through basement floor- Waterproof the concrete with Concrete Sealer and/or Masonry Color Sealer.
• Leaks around pipes or penetrations- Fill the opening with PipeTite Gap Filler Kit.
• Seeping wire ties in concrete walls- Inject with PipeTite Gap Filler Kit.
• Sump pump or power failure- Install our water- or battery-powered backup sump pump.

For additional information regarding mold removal and mold remediation please contact Select Waterproofing USA with any questions. If you are located in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware areas and would like a free estimate please visit Select Waterproofing USA online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

cracks in foundation walls

• 

Keep Rainwater Away from your Foundation! Part 1

If you think the tremendous amount of rainwater and melting snow has left your basement or crawlspace at a risk for water leakage there are basic rainwater diversion measures that can protect your foundation and prevent leaks. If you think a part of your house may be at risk to mold or mildew and would like to speak to a mold remediation specialist like Select Waterproofing USA please visit them online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

Rain Gutters
Homeowners should maintain gutters at least twice a year, which includes repairing damages from snow loads and cleaning out leaves and debris. You can also add extensions to the downspouts so rainwater is diverted further away from your foundation.

Grading
The soil closest to your homes foundation should slope away from the house on all sides of the perimeter at least one inch per foot for a minimum of four feet. This may require a truckload of soil to re-grade the settled ground.

Window Wells
If your window wells drain poorly you should look into installing window well covers, or digging out and installing drain pipes down to your footing drains.

Asphalt Driveway
If there are visual cracks in your driveway you should patch each crack using a cold-mix asphalt patching compound

Concrete Sidewalks, Patios, and Driveways
Is it quite common for concrete structures to crack or split with age. You should waterproof the concrete using a concrete sealer or masonry color sealer. You can repair cracks with a concrete floor repair kit. If you have to replace anything make sure the new concrete slopes away from your foundation.

For additional information regarding keeping rainwater away from the foundation of your home, please contact Select Basement USA with any questions. If you are located in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware areas and would like a free estimate please visit Select Waterproofing USA online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

Install Window Wells

• 

Keep Rainwater Away from your Foundation! Part 2

If you think the tremendous amount of rainwater and melting snow has left your basement or crawlspace at a risk for water leakage there are basic rainwater diversion measures that can protect your foundation and prevent leaks. If you think a part of your house may be at risk to mold or mildew and would like to speak to a mold remediation specialist like Select Waterproofing USA please visit them online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

Grass
If your basement still continues to leak you can remove flower beds, vegetable gardens, bushes and trees from around the foundation perimeter and replace with grass.

Swales and Berms
You can go one step further on the grass step above by digging inconspicuous shallow swales or building low berms to lead rainwater away from your house.

Curtain Drains
You can go another step further by excavating a trench along the perimeter of your home and filling in with gravel to stop surface water from penetrating the foundation walls. Adding a French drain with a perforate PVC pipe wrapped with filter fabric is an optional add on.

Dry Wells for Rainwater
A dry well may also be installed. This is a 3 or 4 foot deep hole wrapped with landscape fabric and filled with gravel that sits at least ten feet from your house. 4 inch underground pvc pipes lead runoff rainwater from the downspouts to the dry well.

For additional information regarding keeping rainwater away from the foundation of your home, please contact Select Basement USA with any questions. If you are located in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware areas and would like a free estimate please visit Select Waterproofing USA online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

Drywells for Rainwater Runoff

• 

Keep Rainwater Away from your Foundation! Part 3

If you think the tremendous amount of rainwater and melting snow has left your basement or crawlspace at a risk for water leakage there are basic rainwater diversion measures that can protect your foundation and prevent leaks. If you think a part of your house may be at risk to mold or mildew and would like to speak to a mold remediation specialist like Select Waterproofing USA please visit them online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

Clean the Footer Drains
Footer drains, which are crucial to relieving the water pressure on your foundation, may get clogged by silt or tree roots. Hire a drain cleaning contractor to clean them with an auger snake or by high-pressure water jetting.

Interior Gutters
While not the most prevalent method you can install a plastic channel system (hollow baseboards) by gluing around the perimeter of the floor to collect water seeping through the basement walls and route it to a sump pump. As opposed to keeping water out of your home, it collects immediately after it penetrates your foundation walls.

Floor Perimeter Drainage Gap
A floating slab design leaves about a one inch wide gap around the floor to drain any seepage through the walls. This is only recommended along with certain other waterproofing measures that are taken.

Sump Pump
Perhaps the most common method of basement waterproofing, a sump pump relieve excess water pressure by draining the gravel bed underneath your basement floor slab. You should install a batter backup in case your power goes out.

For additional information regarding keeping rainwater away from the foundation of your home, please contact Select Basement USA with any questions. If you are located in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware areas and would like a free estimate please visit Select Waterproofing USA online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

Footer Drains Installed

• 

Mold Cleanup – How to Get Rid of Mold for Good

If you have been following Better Homes and Basements blog regarding mold remediation you already are aware of the impacts that mold can have on both human health and the structural integrity of a home. If you think there is mold or mildew growing anywhere in your home you should take immediate actions that include removal, sanitization and future prevention.

Mold Remediation is Essential

The type and degree of mold or mildew will determine whether you as the homeowner can handle the removal and sanitization steps yourself or need the assistance of a mold remediation professional. If you think a part of your house may be at risk to mold or mildew and would like to speak to a mold remediation specialist like Select Basement USA please visit them online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

When a Homeowner should Handle Cleanup
According to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Disease Epidemiology, a homeowner may hand small mold cleanup jobs of ten square feet or less. That is slightly larger than a 3 foot my 3 foot square. However, you should see your physician to ensure that you are not sensitive to mold exposure.

Cleanup and remediation jobs that are of a larger scale should be handled by mold remediation professionals. One way to find a qualified mold removal specialist is to ask for references from your insurance company. Be sure to request to receive a list of past clients and testimonials from each company. You can also seek information from professional training and certification organizations like the American Indoor Air Quality Council and the Indoor Air Quality Association.

Does my Insurance Cover Mold Removal
In order to determine if your homeowner’s insurance policy covers mold remediation and cleanup services, you can carefully review your policy or ask your insurance agent. Because mold removal in some cases can be expensive, insurance companies are beginning to institute coverage limits or charging an additional fee for a mold rider.

For additional information regarding mold removal and mold remediation please contact Select Basement USA with any questions. If you are located in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware areas and would like a free estimate please visit Select Waterproofing USA online or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

I would like to take the time to write you guys a thank you letter. After smelling a foul odor and discovering a small amount of mold in my finished basement I was immediately concerned and bothered. I did some research, and I did not like what I was reading. I am the father of 2 young boys, and the basement is their play area and my Football Sunday room. I began to look on-line for some type of direction. The first company that came up was yours. Within a few minutes of reading up on your company, I immediately felt comfortable. I made the call to inquire what the first steps were to proceed to get this problem solved immediately. The gentleman that answered the phone was professional and courteous. I am sorry I did not retrieve his name. After asking a few questions, he advised me that one of the owners would be calling me to set up an appointment. By the end of the day a gentleman by the name of Mike Winberg returned my call and after a short conversation we had both agreed to set up an appointment for the next business day. I told my boys to stay away from the basement until we knew what was going on.

The next day arrived not soon enough, and I met up with Mr. Winberg who actually was early, not too common these days. I showed Mike what we had discussed over the phone.  He removed some type of equipment from his bag and began to do some readings on different locations within the basement. After a short time, he advised me that it was good that I called, because the basement was above the level of humidity that it needed to be, and the problem could be corrected. I had asked Mr. Winberg how bad the humidity and the mold was.  He explained from 1 to 10 polling, 10 being the worst my problem was a 1. I was relieved.  At that time we discussed when he could correct the problem.  After Mr. Winberg made a couple of phone calls, he asked me when I would like the job done. I replied back as soon as possible. Mr. Winberg stated that he would call me back by the end of the day, possibility the next day. After a short time I received a call from Mr. Winberg stating that the crew would be on site the next day. Mr. Winberg went on to state that he always has one of the owners present and that his partner would arrive with the crew.

The crew along with the other owner Mike Klukiewski was on site at 9:15 am and worked throughout the day to complete the job. I had arrived home from work that day at approx. 4:30 pm and the crew and Mr. Klukiewski were just about complete. I spoke to Mr. Klukiewski for some time to go over exactly what he and his crew had done, which he showed me in detail. I felt very satisfied and happy that the job was complete as quick as it was. As a husband and father, my priority is my family. I would like to take the time to thank all of the members of Select Basement Waterproofing for your promptness, efficiency and professionalism.

I will recommend your company to all my family and friends.  Thank You very much!!

Sincerely
Bill Morgan
Toms River NJ

Toms River New Jersey