|
News & Info
|
 |
 |
Seller Signup...
Quality Service, Seller or Tradesperson? Sign Up Now!
|
|
Home & Garden Articles
Keep the Damp Out of a DIY Basement
Sun 30 Aug 2009 - 10:46
Keep the Damp Out of a DIY Basement
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Casey_Torren]Casey Torren
If you are planning a DIY basement, one basic element you should not scrimp on is the waterproofing. As everyone knows, a wet or damp basement presents many hazards: molds, rot and decay, and damage and rust to equipments in the basement. Prevention of dampness and its destructive effects will ward off a lot of headaches and a great amount of money spent to repair the damage and replace broken appliances.
One way of waterproofing is to see to it that the earth surrounding the basement is higher by about 20 feet than the rest of the grounds. This means grading the landscape away from the house so that a sloping effect is achieved with the house being elevated as a result. Then check the downspouts; they should be captured by a drain tile which will lead the water as far away from the basement as possible. Try for a fall of about one fourth inch per foot of run and continue with the drain pipe until it reaches the nearest drainage ditch.
A DIY basement is designed to mirror your personal style and taste as well as meet your needs. Whatever its use, it is a good idea to move out an entire wall to make room for pipes instead of letting them run horizontally near the wall's base and boxing them in. To prevent moisture from seeping in, use a concrete sealant of good quality to seal off the areas where the floor and walls adjoin. Use treated lumber for the base of the framing which is nailed into the concrete. Treated lumber can withstand dry rot and mildew and is more resistant to termites and other pests.
Never underestimate the importance of waterproofing when you begin work on the D I Y basement. As the years pass and the basement's durability tested, you won't regret the time and money spent on it!
Need [http://www.basementremodelingideas.org/basement-design.html]basement design ideas for home remodeling? Discover more [http://www.basementremodelingideas.org/]basement ideas online.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Casey_Torren http://EzineArticles.com/?Keep-the-Damp-Out-of-a-DIY-Basement&id=2828644
Looking for information on General Home Improvement, Find a supplier at HomeWise.ie
back to General Home Improvement articles
back to all home & garden articles
|
|