Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Problems: Basement Level

Post one of four detailing the problems found that I want to fix, before I can get to anything on my wishlists. In the basement, I need to:
  • Replace the Bilco doors - Right now the outside bilco door is made out of a plank of wood with a handle. Not so secure, and the water it lets in gives me nightmares. I have a feeling the broken steps and the crumbling liner are also due to the water involved. This one needs to be done before I leave for LV, so I'm currently looking at contractors to do this piece.
  • Replace the inner door behind the Bilco - It's rotting out at the bottom (see the water above), and has a secure but not easily accessible from the outside lock. I'd like to replace this with a nice sealed, weatherized door before the LV trip, but the realistic side says that's not going to happen.
  • Replace the sump, liner, and cover - Stupid standing sump in the middle of the floor. Also, a battery backup would be nice, with the water that the basement accumulates.
  • Electric - The basement is split between two circuits: the dining room and the kitchen outlets. The kitchen circuit has the stove, fridge, washer and dryer on it, and a stand freezer in the future. The plan is to have one circuit for the basement, and get rid of the outlets for the first level rooms.
  • Dehumidify - Yay, bought a dehumidifier. I'm going to declare this one done once I clean out the dryer venting. Comfort-Aire BHD-651D - I'm liking it so far, but it we'll see how it does over a humid summer.
  • Clean clean clean - About half of the basement is vacuumed, and not behind anything. Also, there's going to be a washing day for the foundation walls with some mold removal soap in my future.
  • Weatherizing - With the direct vent furnace, I can seal off the basement and crawl space. Block the vents in the crawlspace, cover with a vapor barrier, insulate the addition. In the main basement, only a little small sealing once the door gets done, and sealing and insulating the forced air system.
  • Water Heater - Yeah, we need a new one. I'm looking forward to the switchover to gas, and actual hot water.
  • I think there may be a piece of asbestos over the furnace. I have to get it checked out before I can really do anything to it...
Just the basics, really. Right?

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