Complete Makeover

[PressurePros]

Project: Take 1960's basement and turn it into usable space and office

Initially I palnned on just painting the walls and laying a new tile floor. Then, after replacing water heater, I decided a storage area would be a nice addition. The room was decorated in the 1960's with red vinyl covering support beams and tons of pine paneling. After I built the storage room and did some painting I learned that the ceiling was asbestos tiles. After tearing that out (properly done and properly disposed) I decided the electrical system was not really up to par and the room lacked light.

and so it began.. they say a picture is worth a thousand words. here is my chronicle.

The first three pictures show after I started painting, measuring out for a new storage area and the new area framed out (which not only had about ten different heights to frame around venting but had to have a 3' section that had to turn 45 degrees as not to interrupt foot traffic into basement.

[PressurePros]

Demolition began on ceiling, ripped out the bar and trophy cases, brought in waterproofing contractor to install underground sump system.

I rewired the whole basement with 12-2 Nomex, installed a 60 amp sub-panel, installed two pendant lights, new ceiling light, two zones of recessed lights and installed an electric eye on the steps so that the basement lights as you come down the steps. At the bottom of the steps are three dimmer switches which allow the mood to be set.

Some demolition pics. I saturated the ceiling with water and then dressed in full chem gear and respirator to remove the asbestos ceiling. The one picture shows the drywall installed around storage area and you can see where the wall takes that bend.

[PressurePros]

I upgraded the project along the way a few times. I am recarpeting the steps (not finished yet), put in better doors, new outlets everywhere etc.

Here are some more "in progress" pics with my main guy Kevin helping out. You can see the new drywall going up in background.

[McMoo]

Lookin good! also looks like a lot of work. let us see it when its complete.

Had a Florida Boy looking over my shoulder and he wants to know "whats a basement"?

[PressurePros]

Here is where I am at today. Upgraded floor to travertine tile (installed 3/4" plywood subfloor), painted one wall with a faux venetian plaster finish and installed floor and ceiling trim. I also built a bookcase in place of the original trophy cases. (don't ask about the white trim, that is getting changed out) I stil have to finish some quarter round along the baseboards and put carpet on steps. Christine insists on checking out furnishings if you are wondering why the half ass decorations are floating around. The wal in the last picture is getting an electric fireplace and mantel.

[PressurePros]

Couple of oddball pics. The bookcase before it was finished and one showing the tedious drywall work around the vents. The pictures don't do justice as there were at least six different drop heights for venting I had to deal with. Go easy on my bookcase..master carpenter, I'm not.

[EnviroClean]

TGS 4 Life

[Barry M]

Originally Posted by EnviroClean

I am assuming that you, applied for proper local and federally mandated removal permits, used amended water, fully encapsulated the work area, posted caution signs, had at least one negative air machine ruining the duration from begining to reciept of clearance with hepa's, did continuous air monitoring, designated separate entrance and exit areas including a full decontamination area, contained all ACBM's in approved and marked glove bags, Conducted a thorough cleaning using hepa vacs, had clearance samples analyzed at an EPA approved Laboratory,sent material to a proper disposal facility using a registered transporter, and are keeping manifests on file?

Now that's funny I don't care who you are. Me, I would of just ripped the crap out, stuffed it in contractor garbage bags, and the garbage men wouldn't of known what they were taking. Nice job Ken, makes a nice addition to the house. I really like the idea of the lights getting triggered when you walk down the stairs, brilliant.

[PressurePros]

Does shoving bags of soggy tile into rash bags and throwing them into the creek count?

It was a job I would never do again. It cost almost two grand to have them taken away.

[Beth n Rod]

Ken it looks great!
Beth

[PressurePros]

J, the EPA is watching. Or in your case, its the DEA.. but they ARE watching. Next time we talk I'll be sure to trigger an NSA satellite by asking about your plans for the presidential assination when you are pretending to fly to CA

[Jarrod]

Nice work Ken! We are almost done with our basement too. What a lot of work!! Unfortunately for me, I suck at building stuff, so I had to hire it all out. You do great work!

[Paul Kassander]

Nice job, don't you miss the old bar in the corner though?

[JFife]

Good job Ken, I feel your pain on framing/drywalling a basement, especially one that old. Having done it, I appreciate all the rediculous work it takes to frame around ductwork, etc. At least I'm sure most of it was quite level/square

What are you going to do to decorate in the beam-supporting poles?? You could discuss with your wife having them gold-plated, add some additional lights and have an in-house stripclub. Or are you just going to build a shell around them?

[PressurePros]

It was definitely interesting. Can you say two tubs of mud?

I ordered frames that come in two pieces. I have to cut them but that's why God made finish trim.