Hello,

I have 1700 sqft basement that I intent to finish.

I was wondering if one of you experienced people will put some light on this.
I got this list of things to do from this forum.
JOB STATUS
== ======
1. Draw a plan. DONE
2. Solve moisture problems. Have put 6mil moisture barrier after putting drylock on cracks.
5. Reroute any ducts, pipes, cables. DONE
9. Frame exterior walls. DONE
10. Frame interior walls. DONE
12. HVAC rough-in. DON'T Understand what this means
13. DWV rough-in. DON'T Understand what this means

a)Taking care of the beams in the ceiling, How do I box them and save headroom, Any details would be great.
b)three poles which are load bearing vertical in the center of the basement, Can one put a round drywall around it.
c)How to do the venting for the bathroom like both for the fan and toilet.
d)regarding running wires can I just make holes all around the basement in the studs and run them through it to their destination or can I just run them with plastic U's arong the ceiling joists.
e) meaning of Frame soffits.

f) when I want to make a water pipe joint for attaching pipe to a sink, i think I shut the water and how do I empty the pipes before cutting or is it okay for water to fall through the joint before you can solder a "T". AT what point should I do it, since the basement kicken cabinets & sink would be last thing to do. Should I create the connection and then put a cap on it at the end close to the place of making the sink connection

g)when to add the insulation, Is it after all electrical is done and all plubming is done from running the copper & pvc pipe standpoint.

20. Drywall ceiling.
21. Drywall walls.
22. Tape/mud drywall.
23. Prime and texture and prime drywall.
24. Hang doors.
25. Install trip. What does this means
26. Paint.
27. Finish bathroom.
28. Install flooring.
29. Electrical trim-out. What does this means
30. Plumbing and electrical trim-out. What does this means


Thanks for all the help.

 

HVAC is your heating ducts. Consider how you are going to distribute heated (and cooled) air throughout your basement. Consider where the duct for return air should be.

DWV is your drain/waste/vent system. It doesn't apply unless you are going to add a bathroom or other plumbing. "D" and "W" usually aren't too hard, and not too hard to understand. It's the "V" that is less understood, often the hardest part, and often overlooked.

a) What you do about the beams depends on whether you plan to drywall the ceiling or install a drop ceiling. There are many different techniques for building soffits. Most good basement finishing books give you several ideas.

b) There are also a number of different techniques for dealing with posts. You can buy special wraps for them, you can paint them, you can box them in and drywall them, etc.

c) You need an exhaust fan for taking moisture out of the bathroom. The vent usually exhausts out through a hole in the rim joist.

You also need plumbing vents for all bath fixtures (toilet, sink, tub). This vent must be dry all the way (i.e., a drain from the floor above is not suitable), and must go up through the roof. Hopefully your builder supplied one. Otherwise it is much more difficult.

d) There are literally hundreds of electrical codes you must know to wire your basement. Either take the time to learn them, or have it done. If your city allows Romex wiring, you may run it through bored holes in the joists or studs.

e) Soffits are the boxes you build around beams, pipes, ducts and wires in the ceiling that you cannot relocate to within the joist cavities. These boxes then support your ceiling finish material.

f) There are also quite a few plumbing codes you need to learn. Venting is the most complex. Rough-in plumbing is usually done just after the framing and HVAC, and before the electrical. You can only solder dry pipes. Even a fraction of a drop of moisture anywhere in the pipe can do you in. If you shut off the water and cut the pipe, and open a few faucets upstairs, the pipe will drain (have a bucket handy). However, it may take all day to get dry. Most books on soldering pipes will tell you how to execute the "bread trick" for dealing with a small amount of remaining moisture.

After running the rough pipes, you will solder a cap on them for the rough-in. When the day comes to do the trim out, you will cut the cap off.

g) Most important of all, insulation is done after the rough inspection!!! Insulation is the very last thing you do before drywalling, after all the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-ins.

Have fun, and don't guess, especially when it comes to electrical.

 

Hello John Nelson,

Thanks a ton a great piece of information, It was really helpful.
As you asked It's going to be false ceiling and I was wondering about way to effectively cover beams in order to save headroom.

I have one more question.

I have three windows in basement of size 32'' by 15''.
While I am framing the walls. How should I frame the window.

My layman thought process says :
I mean just a border of 2x4 would be okay and then drywall it with a little small hole to make it look better and then probably add a trim around it just like a door .

Please advice.

Thanks again.