Basement Finishing and Family Space

Bob’s third project helps a young family refurbish unused basement space to create new family recreation rooms below ground. They add drainage systems to the interior and exterior, a sump pump, and a complete basement moisture-proofing system to create dry space within the old fieldstone walls. A frame-to-finish basement system then creates living space where once there was none. A mascerating toilet and pump provide the necessary plumbing solutions to add a small bathroom and laundry room to the layout. ...
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	Removing Unwanted Junk and Combatting Basement Moisture Video Clips (BV0209) View show summary

	Tour of Melrose, Massachusetts Bob reviews how suburban real estate values have skyrocketed in the last couple of years and talks about Melrose, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb and the site of this new project. ... Watch video and view full description Reviewing Backyard, Retaining Wall, and Moisture Issues Bob talks with homeowner Sarah Monzon about some of the improvements that have been made to the property. Monzon points out the retaining wall they put in the backyard. The ... Watch video and view full description Removing Unwanted Junk and Debris Homeowner Sarah Monzon explains the project and how they plan to expand the interior of the home by renovating the basement and adding another bathroom. This will allow more space ... Watch video and view full description Removing Junk and Debris Homeowner Sarah Monzon tells how she called 1-800-GOT-JUNK to take away the refuse from their basement, including demolition debris, old appliances, and a heavy stone tub, along with unwanted books, ... Watch video and view full description Fixing the Home's Gutter System Bob reviews how keeping water out of the basement is a central concern in any basement remodeling project. Bob talks with Larry Janesky of Basement Systems about the problem. This ... Watch video and view full description Installing Systems to Keep Water Out of the Basement Larry Janesky of Basement Systems reviews the work being done to cut a drainage trench in the concrete around the perimeter of the basement floor. Water will be channelled through ... Watch video and view full description

	Basement Waterproofing, New Plumbing, and On-Demand Hot Water Video Clips (BV0210) View show summary

	Preventing Water Infiltration in the Basement Bob talks about the need to create dry space when looking to create basement living areas. The Melrose house has water infiltration problems that are commonly caused by clogged downspouts ... Watch video and view full description Installing Basement Drainage Solutions and Sump Pumps Bob reviews two types of water barriers installed in the basement to prevent water intrusion. The water barriers block moisture that comes through the walls and channel it into a ... Watch video and view full description Reworking the Existing Plumbing Bob reviews the work done on the existing plumbing once all the waterproofing and flood-prevention measures are put in place in the basement. Al Leone of Leone Plumbing Corp. first ... Watch video and view full description Replacing Brass Water Pipes with PEX Tubing Al Leone of Leone Plumbing replaces the old brass water pipes with PEX tubing in the Melrose basement project. Leone explains that the water hammer will be removed as it ... Watch video and view full description Installing an On-Demand Hot Water System Bob talks with Dan Driscoll of Rinnai about the new on-demand water heater being installed. Driscoll explains that the heater is a whole-house system sized for a three-bathroom household, laundry, ... Watch video and view full description

	Moving the Oil Tank for New Heating, Cooling, and Air Filtration Video Clips (BV0211) View show summary

	Installing a HVAC Unit in the Basement Bob reviews the work done so far in the basement remodelling project in Melrose, Massachusetts, including the installation of new piping and a system to prevent water infiltration. John Ambrosino ... Watch video and view full description High Efficiency Air Filtration Unit for HVAC System Explained Bob talks to Mark Hagan of Trane about indoor air quality in the basement remodeling project. Hagan explains that the unit installed in the house will filter out particles common ... Watch video and view full description Moving an Existing Oil Tank Bob explains how the family decided to stay with oil heat, especially since their oil tank was recently replaced. Bond-Tite Tank Service moves the tank into the new utility room ... Watch video and view full description Tips on Fixing Squeaky Floors Bob talks with Howard Brickman of Brickman Consulting about how to fix squeaky floors. Brickman first he checks the moisture level in the joists to make sure it is in ... Watch video and view full description Sealing a Concrete Floor to Make it Waterproof Bob talks with Howard Brickman of Brickman Consulting about waterproofing the concrete basement floor. Brickman is putting water down on the floor to make the floor more absorbent for the ... Watch video and view full description

	Basement Finishing System™ and Custom Windows Video Clips (BV0212) View show summary

	Basement Remodeling Recap Bob recaps the work done so far in the basement remodeling project in Melrose, Massachusetts, converting an old cluttered basement into a playroom for the homeowners' two children. A perimeter ... Watch video and view full description Converting an Unfinished Basement into Living Space The crew from Owens Corning Basement Finishing Systems has been at work putting up the framework for the walls and the grid for the ceiling. The first step was to ... Watch video and view full description Owens Corning's Basement Finishing System Explained Bob talks with Frank Palmeri and Suzanne Mitchell of Owens Corning about the basement finishing system that has just been installed in the Melrose, Massachusetts, home. Palmeri explains that the ... Watch video and view full description Structural Repairs on the Basement Stairs Bob explains that the staircase doesn't meet contemporary codes so structural repair was required. Carpenter Cyrus Beasley of Sweenor Builders shows how a portion of the staircase is completely unsupported ... Watch video and view full description Removing an Old Window, Insulating the Frame, Installing a Replacement Window Paul Viliott of PV Builders shows how an old basement window is replaced with a new one. Viliott first pulls out all the stops, cuts the sash cords, and removes ... Watch video and view full description The Benefits of a New Replacement Window Bob talks with Ken Henderson of Harvey Industries about the features and benefits of the new window. Henderson explains that the replacement window installed does not disrupt the exterior and ... Watch video and view full description Benefits and Costs of Systems Approach to Finishing a Basement Bob talks with Suzanne Mitchell and Frank Palmeri of Owens Corning about the basement finishing system. Mitchell explains that the walls are perfect for kids as they are durable and ... Watch video and view full description

	Exterior Upgrades for 1921 Gambrel Video Clips (BV0213) View show summary

	Replicating Old Bay Window Moldings and Replacing Them Bob explains that the house being remodeled was built in 1921 and has never had a real facelift on the exterior. As a consequence, the home's trim, porch ceiling, decking, ... Watch video and view full description The Benefits of Western Red Cedar for Trim and Boards Bob talks with Paul Mackie from the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association about the features and benefits of western red cedar in home remodeling projects. The wood comes from Northwest ... Watch video and view full description Fixing a Rotted Deck Bob checks out the deck of the porch that had deteriorated to the point that it was a dangerous place for kids to play. The homeowner Ricardo and his brother ... Watch video and view full description Replacing an Exterior Door A new door is being installed on the Melrose house. Bob explains that the old door was adequate but had a crack in one of the panels which let in ... Watch video and view full description Newly Installed Replacement Windows Bob moves to the inside of the house to show the newly installed bay windows. He talks with Ken Henderson from Harvey Industries, a regional window company in the New ... Watch video and view full description

	Hardscaping, Removing Rot, and Fighting Insect Damage Video Clips (BV0214) View show summary

	Building a Retaining Wall with Reclaimed Granite Bob talks with Nick Christy of Atlantic View Landscaping Construction about the "hardscaping" work being done in the yard. Christy explains how the granite retaining wall was installed in the ... Watch video and view full description Removing a Rotted Tree Bob talks with Ruth Foster, landscape designer and former Assistant Tree Warden for the city of Boston, about a problematic maple tree in the backyard. Foster explains the tree is ... Watch video and view full description Replacing Rotten Wood Sill and Inserting Natural Insect and Rot Repellent A three-panel sliding door is being installed in the Melrose home, giving a great view of the back garden. Bob explains that before this slider was installed, the back of ... Watch video and view full description Making a Custom Trim Molding for Sliding Doors Bob talks with Lou Sandonato from Moynihan Lumber about the molding for the newly installed sliding doors. Sandonato explains how a piece of the old trim was taken off and ... Watch video and view full description

	Sloping Backyard Fence, Basement Bathroom, and Radiant Floors Video Clips (BV0215) View show summary

	Installing a Fence on a Sloped Site Bob talks with Jay Triandafilou from Architectural Fence Plus about the fencing installed on the side and backyard of the home in Melrose. The fencing was built using white cedar, ... Watch video and view full description Cutting an Exterior Door to Fit Bob explains how the Owens Corning Basement Finishing System has added a lot of warmth to the Melrose basement. A mud room was also installed in the home, with a ... Watch video and view full description Electrical Wiring and Plumbing for a Basement Bathroom Bob explains how remodeling a basement presents owners with options they didn't realize they had. In the Melrose home project, a space previously used as a little paint closet was ... Watch video and view full description Installing Mold and Mildew Resistant Fiberglass-Faced Wallboard Georgia Pacific DensArmor Plus was used for wallboard for the bathroom in the basement remodeling project. Jim Larsen from Larco Wallboard reviews some of the features of the wallboard, including ... Watch video and view full description Heating with Radiant Floor Mats The existing basement floor was a cold concrete slab that will now have ceramic tile floor installed over radiant heat mats. Bob talks with Kevin Murray from NuHeat Inc. about ... Watch video and view full description Plumbing for a Basement Bathroom Basement toilets and showers need special equipment to pipe water and waste up and out to the sewer. Bob talks with Robert Lechner of Saniflo about the macerating toilet and ... Watch video and view full description

	Basement Carpet, Storage, and Closet Design Video Clips (BV0216) View show summary

	Basement Remodel Update Bob recaps the work done so far in the basement remodeling project. The Owens Corning Basement Finishing System has provided the walls and the ceiling for the new basement family ... Watch video and view full description Installing Interlocking Plastic Subfloor to Prevent Basement Water Damage Bob talks with Larry Janesky of Basement Systems Inc., about the equipment being put in place to prevent moisture damage. An underlayment is being put on the floor to prevent ... Watch video and view full description Carpeting the Basement Bob explains that the carpeting pattern in the basement may look like wall-to-wall carpeting, but actually it is Binvetec carpet tiles. Instead of being made up long rolls, the tiles ... Watch video and view full description Storage Cabinets with Plastic Leg Extensions for the Finished Basement Bob talks with Jered Hamlin of Slide-Lok about the built-in sotrage furniture being constructed and installed. Slide-Lok is a garage storage cabinet that can also be used in the home. ... Watch video and view full description Organizing Space in the Walk-In Closet The master closet of the Melrose home was redesigned to maximize storage space. Chloe Durant of California Closets met with the homeowner to draw up plans on redesigning the space. ... Watch video and view full description Repairing and Relining the Chimneys One of the home improvement projects for the Melrose home was to repair the chimney. The chimneys for the furnace and the fireplace were both in need of repair. The ... Watch video and view full description Installing a Gas Fireplace Insert A hole is drilled into the hearth of the fireplace to accomodate the gas line. The gas line is then connected using a straight adapter to the black iron pipe. ... Watch video and view full description Completed Cabinets in the Basement Family Room Back in the new basement family room, almost all of the new storage units have been installed. The units feature drawers, work surface, and space for a small refrigerator. The ... Watch video and view full description

	Low-Maintenance Landscaping, Gutters, and Pantry Video Clips (BV0217) View show summary

	Replacing the Gutters The Melrose home had only one gutter left on the front, which had been neglected and was clogged with muck. In the back of the home, a vinyl gutter had ... Watch video and view full description Limbing a Potentially Dangerous Tree Many of the projects in the Melrose home fall under the category of safety. The big Norway Spruce tree on the left side of the front yard was limbed by ... Watch video and view full description Creating a Low-Maintenance Front Yard In the last couple of weeks, the landscape on the front of the yard has been replaced. It used to be somewhat scruffy and sloped right to the sidewalk. A ... Watch video and view full description Creating Stone Steps with Recycled Granite The side of the home has been fenced in with a white cedar fence from Architectural Fence. This fence has been designed with attached sheds to create a bin for ... Watch video and view full description Hardscaping the Backyard Moving to the backyard, the hardscape material in the backyard changes. Natural flat field stones were used because of the relaxed feeling. The loose retaining wall in the backyard was ... Watch video and view full description Selecting Flowering Plants for the Backyard All the plants in the backyard were from Monrovia, one of the largest plant suppliers to local nursuries in the country, and they grow some very specialized plants. Ruth Foster ... Watch video and view full description Preventing Weed Growth Along the Fence On the other side of the backyard garden Weed Seal was installed along the perimeter of the fence to control weeds along the fence line and around fence posts. Bob ... Watch video and view full description Installing Artificial Grass in the Backyard Bob talks with Greg Goehner of New Grass. Because of the amount of shade in the backyard and the two young boys in the house, the homeowners could never grow ... Watch video and view full description Creating a Lattice-Top Gate Bob talks with Jay Triandafilou from Architectural Fence. An elegant gate is being added to the fence as a finishing touch. The gate features a board bottom and a lattice ... Watch video and view full description Converting a Mudroom to a Pantry The entrance to the back of the house has been modified by removing the small back door and installing a triple-panel sliding glass door that looks onto the newly landscaped ... Watch video and view full description

	Stucco Painting, Exterior Repairs, Shutters, and High-End Decking Video Clips (BV0218) View show summary

	Painting a Stucco and Wood Exterior Bob reviews some of the work done on the house so far. The house was built in 1921 and the exterior stucco walls are in good shape overall. The woodwork, ... Watch video and view full description Installing a Porch Floor Without Face Nails This project initially began as a basement refinishing project and has grown into a project for a growing family. The front porch of the Melrose home was in need of ... Watch video and view full description Constructing a Porch Trellis Western red cedar was used for the porch ceiling and trellises. Eventually a climbing rose will be grown along the trellis and provide a little privacy on the porch from ... Watch video and view full description Installing a Porch Light Bob talks with electrician John Schiavone about the new light fixture being installed on the porch. To install the fixture, first the electricity was turned off in the home. The ... Watch video and view full description Old-Style Shutters for an Older Home Steve Nott of Steve Nott and Son Carpentry reviews the steps involved in installing the window shutters. The old shutter has been removed as it had fallen into a state ... Watch video and view full description

	Basement Moisture-Proofing, Home Audio, Blinds, and Appliances Video Clips (BV0219) View show summary

	Basement Waterproofing One of the key aspects of refinishing a basement is making sure it's dry and warm. Bob talks with Larry Janesky of Basement Systems about the steps taken to keep ... Watch video and view full description Installing Blinds and Window Shades The new windows have been trimmed with blinds from Bali Blinds. In the kitchen, where a new patio door has been installed, the windows have a unique treatment. Dave Wahtera ... Watch video and view full description Installing Whole-Home Audio Bob talks with family friend Andrew Gillis, an expert in the latest audio/visual equipment. The unit installed in the Melrose home is a Bose Lifestyle Whole Home Audio system, which ... Watch video and view full description Appliances for the New Family Space A half bathroom and a laundry were also installed in the basement of the Melrose home. These systems were installed using a pump system because the room is below street ... Watch video and view full description

	Exterior Lighting, Audio, Video, and Décor for the Melrose Home Video Clips (BV0220) View show summary

	Installing Exterior Lighting Although the project in the Melrose home began as a basement expansion and remodel, it soon expanded to include portions of the home that either needed repair or offered opportunities ... Watch video and view full description Choosing Light Fixtures for the Home's Exterior There are many options for lighting fixtures when lighting the exterior of an old home. It is important to find something that is complementary to the age and style of ... Watch video and view full description Creating More Space in a Child's Bedroom The interior of this home, like most of the homes built in the 1920s, had very little storage space. Chloe Durant of California Closets reviews some of the changes made ... Watch video and view full description Installing Wireless Interior Lighting Controls This 1920s-era house had almost no exterior lighting and not even a place to plug in the Christmas lights. Electrician John Schiavone installed new lighting outlets for the exterior and ... Watch video and view full description Interior Decorating to Reflect a Room's Character The house has a lot of architectural character from the nice dark woodwork. The selection of new furniture for the house reflects this character. All of the new furnishings were ... Watch video and view full description A Complete Basement Remodel The new family room is all done and furnished and looks terrrific. Bob talks with Sarah Monzon, the homeowner who also acted as the general contractor on the project, about ... Watch video and view full description

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