Lots of people conduct basement renovations to make this part of the house suitable for living. Such changes in the living arrangements add new space to the house, nevertheless, before you take up the project, you have to know for sure that the basement is a good candidate for a renovation. Unless the basement is high, dry and sound you can't start work. Here are some issues that should help you evaluate your basement correctly.
If there is a duct or a beam that makes you stoop when entering the basement, the place may not be suitable for living, unless you make pretty extensive changes. Check then for traces of mold and moisture on the walls and floor. In case you have clothing and objects stored in the basement, check them to see if they have caught a persistent musty odor. Cracks in the walls and floor should also be repaired because they become gateway for deadly gases inside of your house, such as radon.
Should you intend to alter the initial structure of the house with the basement renovations, you have to obtain a building permit. This becomes a necessity for changing the occupancy such as adding a self-contained apartment, for increasing the size of windows or for adding exterior doors. The documents you file for receiving the building permit, help you maintain minimum safety and health standards. For instance, a basement cannot turn into a good living place unless they allow for ceiling fixtures and fans to be installed and still leave 6 feet beneath, which is enough space for a tall person to be inside.
In most municipalities the main regulation is for 6.8 feet between finished floor and ceiling in order for the basement renovations to qualify for the building permit. There may be heating duct bulkhead and beams within this space, but only some jurisdictions allow for it. Make sure you check these details with the building official to determine which are the minimum heights required.
Then, don't ever start basement renovations without correcting dampness leaks in floor and walls. Excessive moisture often causes mold, as well as cracks and holes in the foundation, ruining even the most expensive of renovations. The exterior face of the walls should be damp-proofed really well, and there should be good draining for footings and walls. Using site grading with a minor slope towards the foundation keeps your house safe from water infiltrations in the basement.
If there is a duct or a beam that makes you stoop when entering the basement, the place may not be suitable for living, unless you make pretty extensive changes. Check then for traces of mold and moisture on the walls and floor. In case you have clothing and objects stored in the basement, check them to see if they have caught a persistent musty odor. Cracks in the walls and floor should also be repaired because they become gateway for deadly gases inside of your house, such as radon.
Should you intend to alter the initial structure of the house with the basement renovations, you have to obtain a building permit. This becomes a necessity for changing the occupancy such as adding a self-contained apartment, for increasing the size of windows or for adding exterior doors. The documents you file for receiving the building permit, help you maintain minimum safety and health standards. For instance, a basement cannot turn into a good living place unless they allow for ceiling fixtures and fans to be installed and still leave 6 feet beneath, which is enough space for a tall person to be inside.
In most municipalities the main regulation is for 6.8 feet between finished floor and ceiling in order for the basement renovations to qualify for the building permit. There may be heating duct bulkhead and beams within this space, but only some jurisdictions allow for it. Make sure you check these details with the building official to determine which are the minimum heights required.
Then, don't ever start basement renovations without correcting dampness leaks in floor and walls. Excessive moisture often causes mold, as well as cracks and holes in the foundation, ruining even the most expensive of renovations. The exterior face of the walls should be damp-proofed really well, and there should be good draining for footings and walls. Using site grading with a minor slope towards the foundation keeps your house safe from water infiltrations in the basement.
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