Basement Renovation: Windows and Framing

This week we tightened up and finished off a lot of loose ends. We started out by moving all of the water lines from the middle of the room, where they were below the ceiling, to inside the drop. We were able to reuse some of the old copper but also had to buy new for a few places. 

As you can see, no more pipes in the middle of our ceiling! Yay!

We also had to move the a/c line into the drop. We were thankful that when we unscrewed the bracket holding the a/c line in place it moved on its own far enough to fit under the drop. This meant that we didn't have to hire someone to move the line for us, which saved us money!

The last line to move was the gas line. In order to do this, we had to turn our gas off. Trust me, you work fast with no heat when it's 40 degrees outside! Instead of re-running the gas lines to fit under the drop we just decided to run the line through the floor boards in the ceiling. I found out you are able to cut holes in the MIDDLE of these boards but not in the BOTTOM, that would compromise the integrity of the ceiling.

Moving the gas line required buying new iron lines and also re-threading old ones that we were able to reuse. Re-threading the line requires a special tool (threader) that my dad had. It's a tough job that took two people with strong muscles! After they were reconnected and sealed (with iron cement), we turned the gas back on. We placed a mixture of soap and water around each place the pipes connected to see if it was leaking. Bubbles would form if there were any leaks. I thought this was clever!

We unexpectedly realized that one of our pipes was in the middle of the window so we had to move that, too (below). 

After everything was moved to it's proper place it was time for the new windows to be installed. We decided on block windows. These are typical for basement windows because they are very save. They do not open, although there is the option to buy block windows with a vent that will allow fresh air in. We didn't get any with a vent, just regular block style windows. 

The windows that we used to have were extremely...flimsy...for lack of a better word. They would pop in and out from the inside or outside which was extremely unsafe. When the installers came to put in the new windows, he was telling us that he does so many homes that have been broken into with the same "flimsy" windows we had. Anyways, the new windows are much more attractive than the old ones and they were installed with concrete. So, no one is getting in our basement! Also, I think they let in a lot more natural light. 

Once all of this was done we were able to finish all of our framing. We finished framing the drop, the two side walls, the HVAC room and the door for the playroom. As well as framed in all the (new) windows. Then I cleaned, which involved a lot of dust-sweeping and coughing. It wasn't fun...

Here is a lovely montage of all the completed framing. 

(Above) If you can see the bump out to the right, that is going to be some built-in glass shelving and wine racks. 

(Above) The drop that extends the length of the basement. 

(Above) The HVAC room and a little of the hallway.

(Above) The door to the playroom.

(Above) This is the playroom (and all the extra wood we are returning, yay). The closet is in the middle-left of this picture and the very left is the other door. 

(Above) This is also the playroom (different angle). You can see (from left to right), the door to the bar area, the HVAC access & the door to the stairs.

(Above) The stairs with the new landing.

(Above) The hallway.

Although this week was about finishing up everything, it took longer than I thought. It was a good 2 full days of work to get all that done. It's really exciting that it is actually looking like the individual rooms now! 

The last thing we did this weekend was tape off where the bar will go and where our couches will go. This was so we could decide where we want the lights and outlets to go. We were told to put more lights in than we think we need. You can always turn them off, but if you don't put them in you can't make it brighter. Most of our lighting, we decided, will be can lights. Also, the playroom will be wired for a fan/light, just in case we decide later we want a fan in there. The only other lighting will be a track light in the bar area, some stair lighting, and some small lights in the built-ins and near the TV.

This Weeks Costs

PVC - $45

Copper pipes  - $74

Gas line pipes, unions & couplings -  $85

Solder (welds the copper pipes together) - $30

4 Glass block windows & installation - $376

Free Things that were we already had

Nail gun

Nails

Table saw

Hand saw

Level

Square

Threader

Vice grips

Drill & bits

Hammer

Some  of the Copper pipes

Tape Measure 

Sledge hammer

Labor

This weeks total - $610

Project total - $1,966

Things I learned this week - When you turn your gas off, you also turn your hot water heater's pilot light off. When you turn your gas back on, the pilot light needs to be re-lit. If you don't re-light it, and then you need to take a quick shower to get ready to go out, the water will be cold and it doesn't get warm quickly. This means that you take a very cold shower, trust me, it was painful! It takes a good 4-5 hours for the hot water heater to start producing hot water again. So, plan accordingly.

This weeks plans: This is more like the plan for the next two (or three?) weeks.... 1) We have to prepare for dry wall. This requires nailing in blocks (small pieces of wood) on corners and ceilings so the dry wall has something to be nailed to. 2) Return all the extra wood we have. This requires carrying it all BACK up the stairs... I can't wait. #sarcasm 3) Start running electric (lights and outlets). 4) Run the two heat ducts we are putting in. 5) Run the water lines that will go to the toilet, sink and bar. 6) Decide on our plan/design for the secret bookshelf-door and frame it. 7) Anchor the new copper pipes and the a/c line so they don't rattle.

I am not a professional and all my advice and tips are purely from my own experiences.