Goodnight, Irene: It Is Time to Reduce Your Basement
Our thoughts and prayers go out to relatives, friends and everyone else affected by Irene, a storm which left devastating flood in its wake. If that includes you, here are a few ideas for getting that water from your basement and getting on with your own life — plus some inspiration for making the basement better than it was.
First, prior to doing anything, make sure it’s safe to venture back into your home and down into your basement. Get in touch with the regional authorities, utility companies and your insurance company before trying any cleanup and recovery.
Bud Dietrich, AIA
What Irene lacked hurricane force she made up for in size and rain.
Bud Dietrich, AIA
The storm surge has caused rivers to overflow and roads to flood. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done until after the storm waters recede. This may require a couple of days. Meanwhile be careful not to endanger yourself or cause more harm to your property by remaining in your home if you don’t have to.
Bud Dietrich, AIA
When the storm waters outside have receded, it is time to eliminate the water in your basement. Do not try to pump water out before the ground water outside is closer to normal problems. Water pressure on the base walls may cause serious structural damage if you pump the water out inside when there’s still water outside.
Bud Dietrich, AIA
Once you’ve gotten all of the water out, it is time to clean out the debris, muck and damaged personal belongings.
Toss everything, such as carpeting, wall finishes and furniture that’s too far gone. Subsequently strip out all the water-damaged basement structure, such as drywall and timber framing. Anything left that’s been waterlogged can be the origin of future mold growth and each the issues that can cause.
Bud Dietrich, AIA
Dry out the basement using portable fans and dehumidifiers. Be sure everything is dry prior to trying any recovery. Use cleaning agents like bleach to eliminate any water stains and mold spores.
When the basement is dry, check for air quality and some other evidence of moist areas and potential mold spores. Use bleach or something very similar to clean up any remaining areas of concern.
Bud Dietrich, AIA
Even though there is not anything that would prevent the type of flood caused by Irene, there are a number of basic things which may be done to keep a basement dry 99.9percent of the time. It entails taking a”belt and suspenders” approach — not just 1 drain tile system, but two.
There is a little underground”roof” to shed soil water away from the base (see diagram). And there is ensuring the sump pumps are on a backup power system like batteries or a generator.
Peregrine Design Build
When the emergency has passed it can take some time to get life back to normal and replace some essentials your basement once held. If budget permits, you might even start dreaming of the basement game room, spare bedroom or home gym you have long wanted.
Perhaps add a couple windows or make the ones that you possess larger. A neat basement window product is your Bilco Scapwell.
Continue reading for some basement design ideas to get you started — whether you would like to jump on a job or are still just dreaming for now.
LDa Architecture & Interiors
Create a nice seating area for your big-screen television and discuss light between rooms to keep the basement light and bright.
Beaugureau Studios
Create your own private casino.
Synergy Design & Structure
And what is a basement playroom with no pool table?
Case Design/Remodeling, Inc..
There is always the omnipresent water meter, electrical panel, etc.. So integrate built-ins with these requirements to get a custommade, seamless appearance.
Cara Woodhouse Interiors LLC
Oh, yes. Definitely a baseball area for the kids to practice. Just make sure the walls are padded and soundproofed.
From House to Home
Future creative genius here. Hope nobody tells him to quit writing on walls.
Designing Solutions
Does not every home have a basketball court in the basement. All that’s required is a little more digging!
Synergy Design & Structure
Bar, pool table and bigscreen TV. I believe I’d never leave this basement.
Birdseye Design
Forget the finished ceiling. Expose the structure to give the illusion of additional height.
Dunlap Design Group, LLC
Like peanut butter and jelly, Oreos and milk, basements and pubs just naturally fit together.
Gramophone
Did anyone say home theatre?
And yes, an exercise area that’s mild and comfortable and, most important of all, a place I will really need to work out in.
Birdseye Design
A nice sauna or steam shower could be great if we’re done exercising.
Cornerstone Architects
Consider adding a bedroom. Just make sure you have enough lighting along with an egress window to satisfy building codes.
Giulietti Schouten Architects
Basement windows may be little but they can sure bring in a great deal of light if grouped together.
Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc..
Or perhaps the light comes from above.
Nic Darling
And make the way to the basement enjoyable and intriguing with another sort of railing.
Tali Hardonag Architect
Or a few bright, bold colors.
John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA
Insert a bathroom so the revelers in your Superbowl party don’t have to go upstairs.
Case Design/Remodeling, Inc..
And also make the room nice and functional, a place in which you don’t mind doing clothing if your laundry is in the basement.
More: Read more basement designs