Is it possible to add a basement

Maintenance costs, he says, also are lower. Any parts of the system that become wet or damaged can be removed. Despite its practical advantages, the system does not look like a typical wall and might be a tough sell esthetically in some parts of the country.

When it comes to flooring, just about any material will work — tile, carpet, vinyl or laminate. Fewer contractors, however, choose conventional hardwood flooring because moisture in the slab could cause the wood to swell and buckle.

Remodelers should apply a masonry sealer before installing any finish floor. Eldrenkamp uses a fairly elaborate system of polyethylene, rigid-foam insulation, sleepers and tongue-and-groove plywood to create a floating-floor system — that is, a floor not directly attached to the slab.

It makes for a warm, dry finished floor, but built-up floor systems such as this may not be possible in basements with extra-low ceilings. Basements in homes whose lot is sloped to allow walkout basements can have abundant light.

But when illuminated only by small, ground-level windows, basements can be dark and uninviting. A first step is to clear away shrubbery from existing window wells to make the most of what natural light is available. If the basement is served by a steel bulkhead, a door with glass lights can be installed at the bottom of the steps and the bulkhead doors left open, at least in good weather.

Similarly, replacing any solid doors in the basement stairwell with glass doors also may help to increase the amount of natural light. Yet these steps are rarely enough, and remodelers usually add several basement lighting circuits. In basements with plenty of headroom, track lighting can be attractive, even if it used only as accent lighting.

But when the ceiling drops to the 7-ft. Fluorescent fixtures can be recessed into a drop ceiling, but they can give a basement an overlit office look. As a result, builders frequently turn to recessed incandescent lighting. Lighting by itself uses relatively little electricity, but other amenities may be power hogs. A sauna or steam room may require 40 to 50 amps, quickly maxing out main electrical panels that are marginal to begin with.

Musty, damp air may be something that you can tolerate in a basement you visit only occasionally. But once the basement becomes a true living space, some form of ventilation is crucial in controlling air quality.

Eldrenkamp likes to use a reversing fan made by Vent-Axia. In the winter, it draws in fresh, dry air from outdoors the volume of air is low enough so the basement doesn't feel like an unheated shed.

In summer, moist air can be pumped out of the house. Hyman's company often uses a wall-mounted air exchanger made by Humidex, which vents cooler, damp air to the outside.

If the house already has a forced-air heating system that includes air-conditioning, the basement can be added as another zone. Air-conditioning naturally lowers moisture levels in the air. Yet another option is to add dehumidifiers, but there are several drawbacks to them. They are more expensive to run than a ventilation fan, and unless a dehumidifier is plumbed directly to a drain line it will have to be emptied periodically. And, as Heim points out, dehumidifiers tend to be noisy.

Fresh air is just as important to boilers, furnaces and gas-fired water heaters as it is to people. These devices often are enclosed in a small mechanical closet. But in doing so, builders will have to add a source of fresh combustion air.

Enter once again the code-enforcement officer: It's a good idea for you to check local code requirements for providing combustion air for those devices. There's a lot to think about when converting a basement into a bright, inviting living area. But once the work is done, you'll never want to leave. But you also need to think about more permanent fixtures of your home. The same goes with landscaping, shrubs, or trees. When you have your home lifted, the construction might affect more people than you and your family.

You will want to check with your neighbors to make sure they are comfortable with their property being disturbed while the project takes place. Safety is top priority throughout the house-lifting process. Your lifting contractor or general contractor will usually make the calls to your public utility companies and mark out the ground before they begin digging.

Have this conversation with them beforehand just to be certain. But you carry the responsibility of marking out your private utilities. Screen Name Selection. Only letters, numbers, periods and hyphens are allowed in screen names. Please enter your email address so we can send you a link to reset your password. Your Comments. Sign In Sign Out. We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Standards.

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Ever dreamed of escaping the rat race and opening a cafe? Here are five potential properties. Tax change to see clampdown on bank of Mum and Dad. Category: home and garden home appliances. Yes, it is actually possible to excavate and build a basement under an existing house. Construction of a basement addition can involve the excavation of a portion or all of the crawlspace or digging under the slab to create an entirely new area.

Can I excavate my own basement? Can you turn a crawl space into a full basement? How much does it cost to finish a sq ft basement? How much does it cost to dig out a foundation?

How much does a walkout basement cost? Daylight or Walkout Basement Cost. Is a basement cheaper than a second story? How do you dig out a basement? Can you sleep in a basement? How do you attach new concrete to old concrete? How can I strengthen my existing foundation? How do you attach an old concrete slab? Can you reuse a concrete slab? Should concrete patio be attached to foundation?

Do I need permit to finish basement? How can I fix my basement cheap?