Basements -- -- Newsday.com

August 25, 2005

House Doctor: When finishing a basement, do it the right way

Finishing a basement is no big deal. For years, American homeowners have been expanding their living space by turning basements into recreation rooms, kitchens and even bedrooms.

October 7, 2004

House Doctor: Better subfloors make dry basements no sweat

No matter where you live or what the climate, moisture should be the major concern when remodeling a basement.

September 2, 2004

House Doctor: Drying out a musty basement

Q. I want to dry out my basement so that I can use it to store items, including clothing. My husband looked into an air-exchange system by Humidex. The Humidex machine pulls moisture from the basement air and expels it through a vent in the wall, much like a clothes dryer vent. The unit then pulls dry air from the rest of the house into the basement. According to Humidex Atlantic of Oceanside, the exclusive U.S. distributor, the unit runs about $1,050 installed and uses the electricity of a lightbulb. We'd prefer this system over having to empty a dehumidifier two or three times a day, but will it work? -- Jo-Ann Oakes, Bay Shore

March 18, 2004

House Doctor: Making a bathtub window maintenance-free

Q. I live in an old house in which the bathroom window is over the tub. The woodwork on the window eventually peels off. I have tried painting the wood with boat enamel, but I still have the problem. -- Marie Johnson, Floral Park

February 19, 2004

Gary Dymski: Drench Warfare Down Below

No sooner did I step through the doorway of the tool rental department at The Home Depot in South Setauket than the man behind the counter said: "If you're looking for submersible pumps, we're all out."

June 21, 2001

House Doctor: Finishing a Basement Floor

Q. I have an unfinished basement with a concrete floor that is level, clean and in pretty good shape. Until last week, I never knew that people could paint their basement floors. We are getting the basement finished soon and will be putting in a commercial carpet with padding. The basement does not leak. Would you recommend painting the basement floor before we install the carpeting? If so, could you recommend a particular product?

December 28, 2000

House Doctor: Basement Mildew

Q. I am interested in finishing my basement, approximately 750 square feet. My problem is a constant dampness and musty odor. I was advised to use bleach on the walls to remove the mildew and musty odor, then paint over it with an exterior latex paint with a mildewcide. The walls were painted by the previous owner, so I guess I cannot use a "drylock" paint unless I strip the walls. Do you have any suggestions on what I can use to treat the walls?

June 21, 2001

House Doctor: Drying Out a Basement

Q. I have a problem in my basement. When there is heavy, constant rain, water leaks in by the chimney. Over time, this has not only ruined the carpeting but has caused the old vinyl floor tiles to loosen. Underneath the tiles is a sandy residue over what looks like tar. This surface is hard but everything is unsightly. The house is 50 years old.

April 25, 2002

House Doctor: Mildew Odor

Q. I am going crazy trying to get rid of a mildew odor. I called a plumber, but he found no leaks. I changed the bathroom exhaust fan and have spent money on air fresheners. The odor is coming from a panel in my kitchen that provides access to the motor of the Jacuzzi bathtub in the bathroom. I've sealed all the tub tile walls, too.

May 18, 2000

House Doctor: Drywells Help Keep Basements Dry

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE to worry about water in your basement every time there's a heavy rain. And you might not have to break the savings account to keep your basement dry.

January 27, 2000

House Doctor: Frozen Pipes: Prevention and Cure

HOW ARE YOU making out in this bitter cold? Better yet, how's your house making out?

June 27, 2002

House Doctor: Busting Concrete Dust

A few days after we moved into our new house in January, 1997, my two youngest sons took over our basement. They made it their own personal hockey arena. By kids' standards, it was near-perfect; an 18- by 52-foot rectangular area with high concrete walls and a smooth floor. Indoor street hockey. In our house, for our boys, a dream come true.