Basement partition wall

I am in planning stages of finishing our basement. Plan to place a bathroom, storage room and lg open play/TV area.
1st: What is required for a permit? Do cities usually require plans from a do it yourselfer? Detailed versus rough sketch?

2nd: I am going to start with a partition wall to divide the storeroom from the rest of the basement. Do I need to leave a gap for expansion at the top of the partition wall or can it be framed with no gap. Some have stated that the basement floor can heave enough to lift floor above.

Info: Basement is the free floating floor type. House is 3yrs old and has a sump pump in place.

Thanks for any info.

 

CRNAKS,

With regards to permits, it is required that permits be obtained to ensure your safety as well as the structural integrity of the home. Not all basement remodeling projects involve structural changes but the issues of safety are always at hand. This would include smoke detectors, electrical, plumbing and heating issues and most important is egress requirements.

Municipalites do require some sort of drawings, since this is usually a small area and if you are doing standards improvements, hand drawn drawings are accepted if done with clarity.

I have attached a link regarding floating walls. These can be done to float at the bottom or top, depending on what is going to be built at floor level. Remeber, movement up and down will effect how you install something. this should answer most of your questions if not all and if needed your building official can assist.

http://www.asktooltalk.com/home/qand...ring-walls.htm

Hope this helps!

 

CRNAKS,

I came upon this and thought maybe I should send this to you as well. It may provide some good basic info for you. Please not the link within the document at bottom on drawing simple sketch which may help.

http://www.co.larimer.co.us/building/basement.htm

Hope this helps!

 

thanks for the info, at least has me on the right track. Still checking on the floating wall thing!

 

The Colorado front range is famous for expansive soils, and floating basement walls are pretty-much standard in most areas there. However, I doubt that Kansas has a problem with heaving soils. Ask your building department if floating walls are recommended -- I very much doubt it.

Make as good plans as you can. The don't need to be professional, but you should show measurements and details of the placement of the utilities. Your building department will tell you if they need more. But details are at least as much for your protection as theirs. If you expect them to tell you about problems before you build it, you'll need to have the details in your plans. Most building departments are willing to sit down with you and your rough drawings before you even do the formal application.

Take special care with your bathroom plans. There are a lot of very specific electrical, plumbing, and layout codes that apply.

Other typically fussy areas are firestopping, insulation, smoke detectors, bedroom egress, bathroom GFCI, and furnace fresh-air supply.

 

CRNAKS,

Isn't it strange, the link I provided gave you all the information you need, seems that we have "repeaters" in the mix. I hope that you get your answers regarding the need for the floating walls but I agree with John that I don't think it will be needed.

Let us know how it's going!

 

not so strange

 

Amazing how life can get in the way of starting projects.
Back to my story, after a lot of debate I decided to get the permit for finishing my basement from the city of Shawnee KS (Kansas City Area). Getting my permit was easier than I thought.

Had to have two sets of plans, simple application and a check ($56) for project valued at $5500.

I actually was able to spend 20 min with one of the city engineers who was very helpful.

As far as floating walls, Shawnee does not require them. However, the next town over (Overland Park) requires a 1" float. Meaning the wall should be able to rise 1" and not put pressure on the joists above. So, I am taking the time to float the walls at the top 1".

Will try to post some pics of how I do this when I get a chance.

Thanks for the help so far,
Paul

 

Paul,

Thanks for the update and I'm glad we are helping. It's nice to know what you had to do and how it is progressing. The pics would be nice.

If you need anything, just ask!

 

My partition wall is 3/4 done. My first framing job, so steep learning curve.
I am satisfied with my floating ceiling solution and will get pics sometime this week.
Will have some framing questions coming up related to a some utilities that drop down and a steel I-beam.
A full weekend of work, but feels good to be making progress.