08 May, 2007

Soon to be 4 br 2 1/2 ba w/ finished basement




Last Thursday and Friday, PJ and his friend from work, Paul, took off work and framed in the family room in the basement. Previous posts somewhere show what it looked like before- Wood paneling, and original linoleum tiles. Since then, PJ took down the paneling, we put in some can lights (or rather the electrician did) and had it waterproofed. The waterproofing consists of taking a jackhammer (yes, jackhammer IN the basement) and digging into the floor around the perimeter of the room. Then they put in what they call a tile, or what I have heard referred to as a french tile, which is basically a pipe to allow any water coming in through the ground to be fed out. Then they re-cement the floors, and install a plastic sheeting on the walls, so again, if any water comes in thru the walls, it goes behind the plastic sheeting, into the ground under the new cement, and out thru the tiles. We only had the family room portion waterproofed as it appeared the previous owner had some of the utility room water proofed and a sump pump installed (for those in the sw a sump pump takes any water OUT that has come into the basement). Next we had new basement windows installed, and last Tuesday the gentlemen from Home Depot delivered a bunch of wood on their flatbed (along with soil and mulch for the yard). Ava got to see the men unloading the pallette with the soil and mulch on it with a forklift, and was mighty excited to know that Papa drives one for his work. Wednesday PJ went and rented a power nailer, and then Thursday they got to work. That day the boys made a bunch of progress. Out of the 3 walls that they needed to do, they got one of the short ones and the long one done. On Friday, it was a slower start because we were trying to figure out what to do with the old cleanout and the old gas pipe (we think that's where the stove used to be which is now where the fridge is). We decided the easiest thing would be to hide it all in a closet, which is good because we can put shelves in there and it can be good usable storage. So then they had to figure out how to frame it in. Also we wanted to re-use the closet doors from our bedroom as the closet will eventually be rebuilt in there, so they had to have the measurements just right. They got it done a little after lunch on Friday, and it looks great. As soon as the car sells, I will find a drywaller to get some walls up. Then, we'll save some pennies and get some carpet and move some furniture! They worked hard, and also had a great time. PJ really enjoys Paul's company, so I think the days went by fast even tho they were really working. Here are some pictures. It's hard to get good photos down there, so bear with me!

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