Finishing a Basement 8 - Heating, Ventilation and Plumbing

Intro - Moisture Proofing - Subfloor - Lay Out Walls - Frame Walls - Corners, Doors & Ceilings - Electrical - Heating and Plumbing - Insulation - Finishing Walls & Ceilings

By Murray Anderson

Heating and Ventilation

Your existing furnace should be able to handle the heating requirements for your finished basement. You may need to make some minor modifications by extending your heat distribution pipe (5" galvanized steel) so the openings are located about 16" from outside walls (if they're not already there). Simply run the pipe to the location, install a boot and after the ceiling is finished, install a register.

Cold air returns will help the air in your basement circulate and keep it feeling fresh. You can add a cold air return to your existing air return by sheeting/closing in the space between two studs and linking the cavity to an existing return with a metal take off and elbows. Cut a hole in the outside part of the wall (between the studs) and cover it with a cold air return register.

Plumbing

If your home has "roughed in" plumbing already, adding a toilet or a sink is something a home handyman can do himself. In these cases, all you need to do is install the fixtures and run the water pipe after the room has been constructed.

If you don't have roughed in plumbing or you want to have more than a sink and toilet (perhaps a shower), you are probably going to have to break some concrete and install an extra drain line. This is messy dirty work, and unless you know exactly what you are doing, you would be well advised to get a plumber in to do the actual plumbing work. Obviously you can still do the construction of the room itself, and in fact you may want to frame the bathroom before you break any concrete so you can position your fixtures properly.

If you want to try to your hand at plumbing, keep in mind that all plumbing needs to have a permit and it must be inspected prior to closing up the walls. A plumbing specialty store may be able to advise you on what the local code is and may even have mock ups to show you what you need to install your basement bathroom.

Intro - Moisture Proofing - Subfloor - Lay Out Walls - Frame Walls - Corners, Doors & Ceilings - Electrical - Heating and Plumbing - Insulation - Finishing Walls & Ceilings

Murray Anderson is an experienced freelance writer with articles published in both the United States and Canada. He has written on a wide range of topics, but specializes in home maintenance and how to's.

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