Basement do-over

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04-10-03, 05:32 AM

ChipJ

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Basement do-over

My basement with poured foundation walls is currently semi-finished, which was done before I bought the house. The basement is dry, never had any water probs (only exception is when a pipe burst-ugh). Among other things, I want to add insulation to the exterior walls. Currently the walls are sheetrocked. Under the sheetrock is styrofoam insulation, approx 1" thick. I believe that insulation is pretty much useless. I have 2 questions, the first regarding the insulation. Can I put up a new wall and insulation, without removing the old wall???

Second question involves the ceiling. Currently it has a drop ceiling, with no insulation. The noise from the basement carries right up to the upper level. Since there is a lot of plumbing and electrical in the joists above, I am wanting to stay away from sheetrocking. I was thinking of insulation between the joists, and going with an acoustical drop ceiling. Good idea? Bad idea?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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04-10-03, 03:05 PM

Jack the Contractor

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Yes, you can do both. It is your basement, and you can make this as big a project as you like. Strip the walls and start over.
That is what I would do. However, you will have to take down the dropped ceiling. When the walls are done, insulate between the joists and re-install you new dropped ceiling. Do not lay your insulation on your dropped ceiling. Good Luck

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04-11-03, 04:33 AM

ChipJ

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Thanks for the info Jack. I know I have to staple the insulation to the floor joists, and not lay it on the drop ceiling. I also know that I have to remove the old drop ceiling. Just 1 question on the wall. I would like to avoid taking down the old sheetrock walls, as disposal would be a pain. Is it a real bad thing if I leave the old wall behind the new wall? Or is there an advantage to taking down the old wall?

Thanks again!

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