Basement Remodeling – Mold and Mildew Removal
By Robert Burkett

So you have discovered mold and mildew somewhere in your basement. Now you are asking yourself how to get it out of there and keep from coming back. Some of you may even wonder if it is safe to live in your home let alone clean it at this point! Almost every home is going to have mold and mildew present in it at some point. Only those with known medical problems should be fearful of it but I recommend taking safety procedures as we clean it up. Follow along as we eliminate any trace of them from your home.

Before we begin cleaning the mold and mildew we need to make sure its not going to come back. You are going to need to eliminate all of the moisture from the air in your basement to prevent it from coming back. In my other articles we went about removing the water from your basement so if you have followed these steps you should be almost done. For those of you that have found any mold in your basement I would recommend installing a dehumidifier to remove any last presence of moisture in the air. If you have eliminated the moisture then you have controlled your mold and mildew problem. Without they will no longer be able to thrive in your home. Keep the basement warm and dry and you should not have issues with regrowth after we have cleaned the area.

Now on to the clean up of any affected areas. As always you need to wear your gloves,safety glasses,and very importantly a respirator! Once you have donned the appropriate clothing begin by scrubbing the mold with a mold remover of your choice from your local home improvement store. I would recommend these over common bleach as mold has a tendency to come back when cleaned with it. Mix your product as recommended and scrub your walls and floor where needed. It should be as simple as that!

Once you have cleaned the area you will need to seal it for optimal results. The best paints for basement areas and mold prevention tend to be oil based. They help to seal out moisture better and will cling to your masonry walls more readily then a normal latex paint. Ask your local paint department for recommendations. When painting with oil based paints especially, keep the area well ventilated. They tend to cause alot of fumes and many people get headaches from these products. After drying the smells will go away but you may need to leave your home for awhile so be prepared and use a respirator.

You know should have a clean and dry basement that the neighbors could be envious of! In the next article we will move on to radon testing and ways to remove it from your home.

I hope that you have found my articles helpful and that if you need a Guide to a Basement Remodel you will visit my site for more ideas and information.

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Finishing the Basement by Installing a Ceiling
By Angela Glancy

After you have your walls constructed in a basement remodel, you may want to consider finishing off the look of the ceiling. Here are a few options that you can use to add that finishing touch, and there should be a solution here to fit any budget.

Drop Ceiling Installation
By far the most popular basement ceiling solution is the drop ceiling. There are many different styles from which to choose, and they are relatively simple to install. One of the things that makes them so simple to install is that they easily hide all of the wiring, plumbing and ductwork, but the panels can be easily removed for access any time. A drop ceiling is a simple project for a homeowner to do without professional help, and unfortunately they are also one of the more expensive ceiling options. While some tile systems are cheaper than others, they are still at the upper end of the budget spectrum overall.

Drywall Ceiling Installation
Another option when you are installing a basement ceiling is installing a drywall ceiling. This type of ceiling finishes off the look of your newly remodeled basement beautifully, and it is probably the least expensive finished ceiling options. Like the drop ceiling, it can hide all of the wiring, pipes and ductwork housed in the ceiling beams. However, if you need to access anything behind it, you will want to use screws to install your drywall panels. For example, if there is plumbing or wiring behind the drywall, you will want to screw in that section of the ceiling for easy removal. Plan the layout of your drywall ceiling carefully so that you can minimize the number of sections that may need to be removed to make a repair at some future date. Since drywall is heavy, you will want to use lighter quarter inch drywall for any overhead application. Once installed, this surface is easy to clean and paint.

Adding a Coat of Paint
There are times when the basement ceiling is pretty clear of ugly looking wires and ductwork. If this is the situation that you find in your basement room, then you may decide to simply paint the ceiling a single, solid color. Using a single color lets everything blend together, which minimizes the look of any pipes or ductwork that are present. While simply painting the ceiling is not as finished looking as a drop ceiling or a drywall ceiling, it is by far the least expensive ceiling treatment. Depending on how finished the rest of the room is this may or may not be a viable option for your basement ceiling.

Things to Consider
Before deciding what kind of ceiling you want to use to finish your basement space, consider your available budget for this project and consider how your want your room to look when it is finished. Also keep in mind if you are planning to sell your house any time soon, how this project affects the resale value of your home. Then you are ready to choose your ceiling.

Angela Glancy is an award-winning designer and contributing staff writer at American Artisan Art. She offers many practical ideas that add style with floral sculptures and wood wall decor.

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Find a contractor for your next Additions or Remodeling projects. Contractors.com a great website and service of course free

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