Can you finish a basement in an old house?

Can you finish a basement in an old house?

In my experience, most “finished” basements under old homes are musty, dungeon-like spaces with delaminated paneling and moldy, sagging drop-ceiling panels. Today there are new products that, combined with proper planning, preparation and implementation, could create a pleasant, more useable space under the house.

How do you make an old basement look good?

12 Finishing Touches for Your Unfinished Basement

  1. Lay Down Foam Mats. 1/13. Most unfinished basements have a poured concrete floor.
  2. String Some Lighting. 2/13.
  3. Throw Down Area Rugs. 3/13.
  4. Install Storage. 4/13.
  5. Paint Your Cinder Block. 5/13.
  6. Hang Curtains. 6/13.
  7. Create an Art Studio. 7/13.
  8. Craft a Canopy for Your Ceiling. 8/13.

What is the cheapest way to remodel a basement?

Here are nine project ideas that will make your basement livable on a budget:

  1. Focus on the ceiling, floor and walls.
  2. Improve part of the basement.
  3. Paint the ceiling and walls.
  4. Make room for storage.
  5. Light up the space.
  6. Create a space for crafts and activities.
  7. Add easy-to-install flooring.
  8. Paint or stain the floor.

Do basement walls need to breathe?

It behaves as a moisture trap and can also hide structural problems and cracks in the foundation. Bottom line: basement walls need to breathe too. Once the moisture gets in and stays, mold growth, and eventually rot, are inevitable. So keep wood, drywall, carpet, carpet padding, tack strips, etc.

How can I finish my basement cheaply?

What kind of paint do you use on basement walls?

There’s a reason that Epoxy paints tend to be many people’s number one choice for concrete basement walls. Highly resistant to cracking, peeling, and blistering, easy to clean, and available in a good variety of colors, Epoxy paints are a great option for basements.

Do I need mold resistant drywall in basement?

Nor will it prevent mold in the case of flooding, when water saturates the drywall and the organic wood framing behind it. But in rooms that experience frequent humidity and are often subject to mold and mildew, such as bathrooms or basements, mold-resistant drywall is a good choice.

Do basement walls need vapor barrier?

If basement wall systems are designed and constructed to dry to the interior – regardless of where insulation layers are located – interior vapor barriers must be avoided.

Is it worth it to finish basement?

While an unfinished basement works great as extra storage space, your basement could be used much more effectively if it were finished. Besides expanding your home’s functional space, finishing a basement can give the property’s value a major boost.

What is the best waterproof paint for a basement?

Best Basement Waterproofing Paint 2021

  • Liquid Rubber Foundation and Basement Sealant.
  • Rubberseal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing and Protective Coating.
  • KILZ Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint.
  • Drylok 28613 Extreme Latex Masonry Waterproofer.
  • AMES BWRF5 Water Base High Strength Elastomeric Liquid Rubber.

Will Flex Seal stop basement wall leaks?

Flex Shot and Flex Seal Liquid are great options for attacking a basement wall leak. Pour the Flex Seal Liquid into any larger cracks, then you can use a roller or brush to cover larger areas.

What is the best basement waterproofing method?

Waterproofing a foundation from the outside typically involves using polymers and membranes to coat the exterior of the walls, installing a trench drain underground, or a combination of both methods. When done properly, exterior drainage is generally considered to be the most effective way to waterproof a basement.

Is it OK to use regular drywall in basement?

If your basement is mostly dry, you foam or foam board the walls to prevent condensation and you run a dehumidifier during the warmer months you should be ok to go with regular sheetrock. The fiberglass sheathed panels don’t prevent mold but greatly deter it since the glass is not a food source for mold.

Is painting basement walls a bad idea?

DO NOT PAINT YOUR WALLS, even with Drylok or waterproofing paint. Also, do not attach insulation directly to the foundation walls. It behaves as a moisture trap and can also hide structural problems and cracks in the foundation. Bottom line: basement walls need to breathe too.

What can I use instead of drywall in my basement?

Consider the options below for alternatives to drywall that looks good and holds up better.

  • Wood Planks.
  • Plastic Panels.
  • Plywood.
  • Veneer Plaster.
  • Pegboard.
  • Lath and Plaster.
  • Wahoo Walls.
  • Textured Wall Panels.

Does Flex Seal work on basement walls?

Apply Flex Seal Products Flex Shot and Flex Seal Liquid are great options for attacking a basement wall leak. Pour the Flex Seal Liquid into any larger cracks, then you can use a roller or brush to cover larger areas. Be sure to apply several coats and cover the area as much as you can.

What kind of treasures were found in basement?

Two small containers were found hidden in the basement ceiling. The containers held old newspapers and $45,000 in total. 7. Linoleum doesn’t always have to be hideous. This futuristic design was found underneath after the carpet was pulled off. 8.

Why are there no walls in the basement?

Often there are no walls around it, and some are accompanied by a crude basement shower apparatus and a large sink (or no sink at all). These toilets are sometimes referred to as the “Pittsburgh potty” because of the abundance of them in that city.

Why do old houses have random toilets in the basement?

Standalone toilets in the basement are an outdated concept. Why were they necessary in the first place? It looks misplaced, even comical, but a random toilet in the basement of an old house once served a purpose.

What’s the best way to waterproof a basement?

Waterproofing a basement may be as straightforward as repairing a few leaky gutters, or as complex and costly as installing a subsurface drainage system. The best approach for waterproofing is to remove or control the source of the moisture, not to try to stop it at the last line of defense.

How often should I paint my basement room?

I paint my room every 5-6 years with the basic grey basement paint. It scratches, you mop with hot water or bleach, it peels. Not too bad but after a few years it doesn’t look perfect, but certainly better than the dirty, rusty concrete that was there before it. And I have a full squat rack and 800 pounds of weights.

What kind of paint can you use on a basement floor?

oil based paints – have had great results with these in rentals. People will say they aren’t environmentally friendly… but it works. Throw down oil based paint on a basement floor it will far outlast any other type of paint including epoxy.

Do you put down epoxy or paint in basement?

Eventually, we will put down flooring in most of the basement (although some parts will remain unfinished). Originally, we were going to put down two part epoxy but also considering paint to save money. Are there advantages of using epoxy over paint? We will be using the unfinished basement as a gym and craft room until it is finished.

Where do I dispose of my old paint?

It’s important to properly dispose of unsalvageable old paint. To find out what to do where you live, check the website of your municipal or county government, or call your local department of public works. Go to Earth911 for more details on the disposal of leftover paint.

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