# Starting Basement Renovation: Let see how long this takes me... **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [September 4, 2009, 8:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063 "2009-09-04T08:14:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SilverGT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@SilverGT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SilverGT)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 8:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/1 "2009-09-04T08:14:27Z")
Well I came to a idea of redoing my basement for extra living space, I want a finished basement…but dont even know where to start…i read alot of stuff on how to finish your basement but everything is different. Her is a rough lidea of what my basement is like… here are some pictures. also Basement is about 1000 sq ft of usable space. Walls are Cinderblock Nothing is bowing or significantly damage. I have Drain Tile all around the permeter of basement. The question is this…How would i be able to put up walls right up agianst the cinderblock wall? i heard people use vapor barrier and soem use straight drylock paint…lol The basement does damp smell. but it does not look wet anywhere or anything like that. This was before the shelving i built ![http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l212/silverdroptopgt/House/001.jpg](http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l212/silverdroptopgt/House/001.jpg) ![http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l212/silverdroptopgt/House/002.jpg](http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l212/silverdroptopgt/House/002.jpg) ![http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l212/silverdroptopgt/House/003.jpg](http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l212/silverdroptopgt/House/003.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 8:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/2 "2009-09-04T08:36:54Z")
if you finish the basement. like walls, run electrical, insulation, drywall etc … i would sealer those walls with the BEAR basement sealer. heard and seen horrior stories of people saying “ahhhh its dry, no leaks” and down the road it gets bad ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/3 "2009-09-04T08:37:15Z")
So will you be taking the shelves out? You should seal the bricks and floor regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Eazy716](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/eazy716/32/7443_2.png) [@Eazy716](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Eazy716)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 8:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/4 "2009-09-04T08:45:12Z")
+1 for sealing before doing anything. ---
**Author:** ![JustinH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JustinH](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JustinH)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 8:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/5 "2009-09-04T08:45:34Z")
I would use the drylok paint. It comes in grey or white for about 20 dollars per gallon. A gallon goes a long way, I did one coat of the entire outside of my foundation bricks with one gallon. ---
**Author:** ![SilverGT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@SilverGT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SilverGT)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 8:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/6 "2009-09-04T08:58:06Z")
> [@travisn](#): > > So will you be taking the shelves out? You should seal the bricks and floor regardless. yes shelving will come down then probably reassembled/reused, So which one would i use? Bear or DryLock Sealer? What goes on after that? this will be a fully finished basement, Drywall, electrical, insulation flooring etc. ---
**Author:** ![Eazy716](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/eazy716/32/7443_2.png) [@Eazy716](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Eazy716)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/7 "2009-09-04T09:00:41Z")
If it were my house, I would use either Drylok I recently re-coated my entire basement with it. Stuff works wonders. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/8 "2009-09-04T09:01:53Z")
How long have you been in the house? Ever have ANY water? Once you seal it it’s just like any other room. You can turn the studs sideways if you want for the exterior walls to save space if you think it’s important. But I would think that would make running wires and mounting outlets a pita. ---
**Author:** ![SilverGT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@SilverGT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SilverGT)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/9 "2009-09-04T09:11:33Z")
> [@travisn](#): > > How long have you been in the house? Ever have ANY water? > > Once you seal it it’s just like any other room. You can turn the studs sideways if you want for the exterior walls to save space if you think it’s important. But I would think that would make running wires and mounting outlets a pita. We have had the house for 2 years. The only ever water issue we have seen is a leaky toilet and pipe that is currently being fixed. Beside that there is absoluetly no puddle or spots of water anywhere. I did notice this. I had a cheap particle board down in the basement and it seems like there was mold that formed on it. would taht affect the studs and drywall? the particle board is not soaked in water but it looks like and seems like the air is moist down there is that common? ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/10 "2009-09-04T09:20:16Z")
Well thats common because its a basement. cool, moist air collects in the basement. you need a dehumidifier asap. ---
**Author:** ![SilverGT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@SilverGT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SilverGT)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/11 "2009-09-04T09:23:03Z")
> [@travisn](#): > > Well thats common because its a basement. cool, moist air collects in the basement. you need a dehumidifier asap. Would the Drylok Help with this moist air problem? if i finish it would i still need a dehumifiier? ---
**Author:** ![greenbull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@greenbull](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/greenbull)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/12 "2009-09-04T09:33:10Z")
You should have a dehumidifier regardless. I’d drylok the walls and put up a vapor barrier. If you turn the studs sideways i believe you MUST use that flexible metal electrical conduit. Ugh, i wish i could move onto this project in my house. So much other garbage first. (tree removal, rebuild garage roof, copper piping, fix some crazy water seepage, 6 panel doors) ---
**Author:** ![Xander](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xander/32/7597_2.png) [@Xander](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Xander)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/13 "2009-09-04T09:39:59Z")
Treated lumber for anything that touches masonry. Stone, concrete, etc. sweat when the temp changes, and it will rot out the wood. X… ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/14 "2009-09-04T09:40:04Z")
> [@SilverGT](#): > > Would the Drylok Help with this moist air problem? if i finish it would i still need a dehumifiier? the drylok will help a little. but most of it comes from the upstairs. as the warm/humid air from upstairs comes down into the basement (doors, cold air return) the moisture condensates out of the air as it cools, creating a moisture problem. Is there a sink/drain in the basement? I would look into getting a dehumidifier that automatically drains so you dont have to remember to empty the collector. ---
**Author:** ![Spam16v](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spam16v/32/5287_2.png) [@Spam16v](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Spam16v)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/15 "2009-09-04T09:43:32Z")
> [@travisn](#): > > the drylok will help a little. but most of it comes from the upstairs. as the warm/humid air from upstairs comes down into the basement (doors, cold air return) the moisture condensates out of the air as it cools, creating a moisture problem. > > Is there a sink/drain in the basement? I would look into getting a dehumidifier that automatically drains so you dont have to remember to empty the collector. or plumb it into the sump pump area, same principal. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/16 "2009-09-04T09:48:31Z")
The sump pump wouldnt really work because hopefully his sump pump never runs (but test it occasionally please!) so the water will just sit there and get re-absorbed by the dehumidifier negating its effect really. it has to be able to _go_ some where. you could put it on a shelf near the washing machine, so it uses that drain. Its gotta be a gravity drain. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/17 "2009-09-04T09:51:55Z")
Plan of attack: -empty the basement -scrape the walls of any loose paint (or use a blow gun) -sweep vacuum all the walls & floor -let the dehumidifier do its thing for a few days/week (Drylok probably doesnt adhere well to a moist surface) -drylok the walls and floor (read the instructions!) -vapor barrier inbetween walls and studs -build! In the meantime before its painted you can get plans drawn out, work with different floor plans of what you want etc. What type of floor will you be using? I would stay away from carpet. Tile is good. or just paint the concrete ugh I cant wait to own a house ---
**Author:** ![SilverGT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@SilverGT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SilverGT)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 10:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/18 "2009-09-04T10:03:33Z")
> [@Xander](#): > > Treated lumber for anything that touches masonry. Stone, concrete, etc. sweat when the temp changes, and it will rot out the wood. > > X… Great Drylok,vapor barrier [is there any type i have to go by?], pressure treated lumber, then drywall right? > [@travisn](#): > > the drylok will help a little. but most of it comes from the upstairs. as the warm/humid air from upstairs comes down into the basement (doors, cold air return) the moisture condensates out of the air as it cools, creating a moisture problem. > > Is there a sink/drain in the basement? I would look into getting a dehumidifier that automatically drains so you dont have to remember to empty the collector. No the bathroom is upstair but the basement is plumbed with drain for a bathroom which would make it a 3 bath house if i do it which i plan on. ---
**Author:** ![greenbull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@greenbull](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/greenbull)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 10:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/19 "2009-09-04T10:14:28Z")
Don’t forget insulation! ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063/20 "2009-09-04T10:18:19Z")
Be aware that if it is new construction you “could” run into permit issues. Finishing a previously unfinished basement requires another means of exit. Most people add a large egress window. Depends on your town/city though. Call them and ask what the code requires. It never hurts. It should not be that difficult. Do you plan on drywalling the ceiling? [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/starting-basement-renovation-let-see-how-long-this-takes-me/73063.md?page=2)