Category Archives: Basement Ideas

Water Buildup Under Your Home Try A Seattle, WA Crawl Space Repair

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Seattle, WA crawl space repair for water buildup underneath the home requires removing the water and then fixing any damage to the foundation, floor boards, or framing of the home. Plastic sheeting for a vapor barrier should also be put in place over the floor of the crawl space to stop harmful fumes from penetrating into the home. You may not give the crawl space of your home much thought, but it could become an important concern if water tends to flow and remain underneath the house. When moisture accumulates in a basement, it can result in mold formation and the same is true for a crawl space. If a home does not have the proper drainage, it can flow under the home and result in many structural problems for the house and health issues for those who live inside.

Once you notice that water is remaining under your home, a Seattle, WA crawl space repair service can come to your house and diagnose why the water is accumulating there. It could be an improper grade around your home that does not drain rain water away from the house. As rain water empties from your down spouts it should run off away from the home. If you notice water pooling up around the foundation after a rain storm, you will probably have water seeping under the home as well. If it is determined that the grade surrounding your home is causing the water to pool and seep under the home, the ground will need to be sloped properly for better drainage.

Once that has been addressed, you will need to have any standing water pumped out from the crawl space. Sump pump installers can normally do the job. A sump pump may also be installed permanently if it is determined that the slope around the home is fine but water still accumulates under the home. Crawl space repairs may also include fixing damage to the foundation as a result of the water buildup. The water can weaken the concrete over time and cause it to crumble or crack in places. If your foundation suffers too much water damage, it could compromise the integrity of the entire structure. Cracks and crumbling areas of concrete should be repaired, and any insulation or floorboards should be examined for mold. Mold develops when it has a chance to sit in a warm, dark area for a period of time. It can grow quickly into insulation, drywall and floor boards.

Once the water is removed and the concrete fixed, the next job is to get rid of the mold. If there is a lot of mold found, it may take the efforts of a hazmat unit to remove it properly. If not much mold is located, it can be removed as long as masks or the appropriate breathing devices are used. Sections of subfloors may need to be replaced as well as drywall and insulation if it has been damaged by the water. A Seattle, WA crawl space repair service may also place a plastic sheeting over the ground in the crawl space. The sheeting is a vapor barrier to keep fumes from the ground filtering up into the home. The vapor barrier also stops any moisture in the soil from traveling into the framework or insulation of the home and causing damage. This plastic sheeting also makes it easier when a person has to crawl under the home to investigate a problem in that they can crawl easier over the plastic than the dirt. Keep your home safe and free of damage from water in the crawl space.

Dealing with Mold in Your Basement

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When you have a basement in your home you should be sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you can be smart about checking the basement for mold.  There are a lot of people that get plagued with mold in their basement because they do not check often enough.

Taking care of the mold removal is not hard, there are a few things you can do about it.

First, you should make sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you are going to detect the mold.  Be sure that you know what you should look for and how you should start checking throughout your entire basement. Usually, people start to smell the mold before they ever see it.

Once you start to smell the mold you should now do a thorough search of your basement so you can be sure that you are able to find where it if it is. There are a lot of people that have a hard time understanding that while they are searching they will want to move everything in their basement.  Make sure that you move all of the furniture and other belongings away from the walls.You should be sure that you can look over all the entire walls thoroughly so that you can inspect every inch of them.

While you are searching, you also need to make sure that you have a good light with you  to aid you in this inspection and search. Take your time in your search so that you make a thorough job of it not missing any signs of mold. As you look for the mold you should be sure that you can look to see any raised, black, blue or even white spots on your walls. When you see these spots you want to make sure that you get close to them but you stay safe.

You should not bend closer to smell thses spots, but instead you will want to be sure that you wear a mask to ensure that you can keep yourself safe. Be careful and make sure that you take all the time that you need ensuring that you do not breathe in the spores.  There are a lot of people that breathe in the spores and end up getting sick because the spores get into their respiratory system.

Second, you should be sure that you take the time to learn how you are going to clean it effectively.

There are a lot of people that have a hard time identifying the source of the mold.If this is the case when you are looking for the source of the mold you want to make sure that you find a professional to help you in your search.

If you just quickly fix the topical problems of the mold you need to understand that you are going to be cleaning the mold again in the future! As you are cleaning up the mold you have to fix the whatever the problem that caused the mold first.  So make sure that you take your time and discover how you can fix the problem that caused the mold before you start scrubbing away at the mold.

If you are working with a professional you need to listen to all their advice on the mold and it’s removal. You need to be clear in your mind and completely ‘savvy’ about removing and killing the mold.

Sometimes people that have a hard time understanding how important it is to kill the mold.  You cannot just wipe off the mold with water and expect that you are in the clear with your mold problem. You take the all the time that you can to make sure that you find the right mixture of chemicals that will kill the mold.

That said, be sure that you have a mixture that is going to help you and not hurt you.When you are using a mixture of cleaners to clean up the mold you may be creating a dangerous concoction.  You should be sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you can be smart about the way that you clean so you do not hurt yourself or your household.

Mold can be dangerous to work with.  When you think that you have a mold problem be sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you can be sure that you deal with it safely and severly.

Basement Ideas – Make Better Use Of This Valuable Space

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Do you have a basement? Are you making use of it or is it just a dumping area? There are so many good basement ideas that are really underused, today the property market is in decline, houses are difficult to sell, often people just need a little more space in the home but to move can be so expensive.

So space is limited, you can’t afford to move, and right beneath your feet is that dark spider filled room nobody uses. You are not alone many people would rather move, build an extension or convert the loft or garage before they consider the basement. It is sad really because the basement could be anything that you want it to be, there really is no limit to its uses from playroom, games room, bathroom, home cinema, bedroom, bar, kitchen, office, workroom, the list is endless.

So why do you need to move, do you need more space for the teenagers or a home office, your basement could really solve this dilemma. First you need to clear and clean the entire space and see what you have to work with. If you are hands on type of people then this is a great project to start. One of the main problems depending on the area that you live; will be dampness, moisture even possible some flooding but all these can be resolved to create a great living space.

If there are any structural changes other than basic remodelling its always best advice to get a professional involved, never take any major decisions without having first taken advice or enlisting the aid of a professional builder or even architect. I personally had a photographic studio in a basement for many years in an area prone to damp and mild flooding, with the aid of professional advice and help, this was never a problem and the basement studio worked perfectly.

Another point to consider in your basement renovation will be the lighting as in the main there will be very little or no natural light in a basement so good lighting will be essential and perhaps different for different uses. One very popular way to light basements is to use spotlights recessed into the ceiling, this will give an even light without having any dark corners in the basement. It can be a little extra work as they need wiring throughout the ceiling but if you are creating a new ceiling as part of the project this will not be a problem. Another really great idea is to fit a few lights into the floorboards this can really look really modern and fantastic as well as being practical by lighting any dark places, a really great basement finishing touch.

Basement Colour Ideas

The colour of your basement is also important depending on what the use will be and obviously teenagers etc will usually love those dark colours, but for most purposes the best basement colour idea would be to use light warm shades that help make the room look bright, working in harmony with the lighting, creating a gentle warm feel, that you will enjoy being in and not some kind of austere windowless office space of the last few decades. Whilst on this colour and lighting subject, good use of mirrors on the walls or perhaps even some form of mirrored furniture could be included, mirrors are a great way to increase to light levels in any room and could work really well in your new basement room by reflecting the light back into the room.

Basement bar Ideas

So what is your new basement room going to be? Many men will think entertainment, games, cinema or bar. These are all great ideas, if you are social people; what could be better than inviting friends round and having a purpose built room to enjoy a game of pool, or convivial chat and a drink,or maybe relax on a sofa and watch a movie; all whilst not going out but staying at home without disturbing the children in bed or even the need to hire a babysitter?

Perhaps you are not that frivolous person, you are a serious studious person; it could be a reading room, study, library or home office, a haven away from the world enabling you to write that book, complete home study assignments, check tax accounts or create a new business from one of the new home business opportunities, having the chance to concentrate on the task in hand all safely tucked away from family interruptions but still on hand seconds away if needed for household problems or emergencies.

Basement Bathroom Ideas

Now if you are the lady of the house you will really have a different set of plans for the new basement room which will it become? What about that idea for an extra bathroom. Not a boring functional family bathroom, the luxurious one with spa facility and subdued lighting maybe even recessed candle alcoves, not forgetting those wall mirrors or mirrored furniture they could reflect the candles and their light and multiply the lighting effect making for a really relaxing, completely luxurious bathtime.  The place to escape from the chores, kids and husband or wife for a short time, a little bit of you time that we all know you deserve, a tranquil place far enough away to relax but close enough to resolve a new dilemma in the household.

More Basement Ideas

This is a great opportunity so don’t waste it with a boring utility room that is really joyless, it’s a real chance to enhance family life one way or another but if it’s difficult to decide why not try to make it a dual purpose room? A bedroom and games room, a gym and cinema, an office and workroom, a bathroom and guest bedroom, a safe play and sleep over room, a hobby room and studio. I am sure that you can add to this list with your own thoughts, but as you can see this dark, insect filled hole in the ground could really be the room that changes family life for a long time, so why not start today, make a plan of how you will change your basement and really improve your house; get a budget together and don’t stop until you see that basement finishing line!

Please don’t waste this opportunity to enhance family life now, use and enjoy the basement renovation to the full. Then if and when in the future you finally want or need leave the property, you will have really enhanced the property value, this will surely be a feature that can easily add a lot of value to the property and a helpful selling point. It will make the house all the more saleable and attractive to buyers, after all you only have to start talking about all the good times, the usefulness, the benefits to the buyer of your basement, and your joy will start to be infectious the buyer will want to experience a home with this special basement, and when it comes down to choosing which property to buy yours will be a property head and shoulders in front of normal boring homes.This really would be an excellent use of your basement asset.