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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 drain was dug and a triple pump installed in the basement to prevent any moisture problems. A vapor barier was also put in place over the foundation walls to channel water into the drainage ditch. A waterproof coating was applied to the concrete floor as well. Old plumbing fixtures were updated and the oil tank, heating ducts, and kitchen drain were all moved to make way for the playroom. The water tank was replaced with an on-demand hot water system that is more efficient. A Trane furnace and air filtering system were installed to maintain air quality in the home, which should help combat colds, allergies, and other illnesses. The old windows were also replaced with Energy Star-rated windows.

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Chapters from this episode

Benefits and Costs of Systems Approach to Finishing a Basement Now Playing

Benefits and Costs of Systems Approach to Finishing a Basement

Removing an Old Window, Insulating the Frame, Installing a Replacement Window Now Playing

Removing an Old Window, Insulating the Frame, Installing a Replacement Window

Structural Repairs on the Basement Stairs Now Playing

Structural Repairs on the Basement Stairs

Owens Corning's Basement Finishing System Explained Now Playing

Owens Corning's Basement Finishing System Explained

The Benefits of a New Replacement Window Now Playing

The Benefits of a New Replacement Window

Converting an Unfinished Basement into Living Space Now Playing

Converting an Unfinished Basement into Living Space

Basement Remodeling Recap Now Playing

Basement Remodeling Recap

Clip Transcript For:

Basement Remodeling Recap

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" It's a great day in her basement finishing project where we've been converting what was once very dingy and junk filled space into a great playroom for a couple of kids. But this 1921 house needed a lot of work before we could even consider putting up these walls. First we wanted to be sure any moisture problems are things that the path we dug a perimeter drain and installed a triple pump inside then put a vapor barrier over the field stone foundation walls to be sure any moisture that gets through them stays away from the finished space. And gets channeled right into the drain. We even added a special waterproof coating to the slab. To be sure no moisture gets through the concrete. Next we tackled the outdated plumbing and mechanicals. We have to move a few things to make room for the finished space like the oil tank heating ducts and the kitchen drain. Our plumber Al Leone did a great job updating the cast iron waste stack and running pex tubing for all the water lines in the house. We got some space back and saved the homeowner some energy dollars by replacing their forty gallon water tank. -- instantaneous water heater and Trane came in to install a state of the art furnace and air conditioning system with the latest in air cleaning technology."

" So not only is this going to make it up much more comfortable house to live in during hot steamy Summers and our cold New England winters. But when you think about the health implications of replacing. All the old junk in a basement. All the old ductwork from ancient heating equipment. With new equipment you're getting rid of so many. So many moldy agents that really affect the quality of indoor air and that's what leads to allergies and colds and all those other illnesses. And then of course the other thing that we done this very important is to get rid of the old drafty leaky windows that were here the original single. -- sash from the 1921 house and replace them with -- an energy star window will learn more about that later."

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Running HVAC Ductwork in a New Colonial

Bob meets with Peter Merianos and the crew from Coastal Heating and Air Conditioning who are fabricating the AC ductwork on site. With the Kenmore air handler already installed in the attic, the crew begins assembling the ductwork using five-foot lengths of pre-crimped sheet-metal ducting as the basic material. The sections snap together and are secured with sheet-metal screws and foil tape. To add a new line off the main trunk, the crew cuts a hole into the the trunk with a special tool. A starting collar from which the new line will extend is then inserted into the hole. The ductwork is insulated using vinyl wrap, which is a one and a half-inch vinyl-coated fiberglass blanket.

Installing a Drop Ceiling to Hide Ductwork

Bob walks through the Manhattan Brownstone floor-through apartment with project manager Chris Vila, looking first at the ductwork that has been run in the ceiling for the forced air heat. He then joins John McEvoy of Thorough Construction for a look at the drop ceiling installation they will be using to hide the ductwork and mechanicals in the ceiling. This Chicago bar system allows the crew to hang a perfectly level drywall ceiling instead of following the uneven pattern of the existing joists. First an anchor is screwed into the joists. A pencil rod is then fitted into the hole in the anchor and bent to hang from the joist. A lasar level marks the exact position for the kelly clips that will hold the main stays or block irons in place. The Chicago bar is then clipped to the block irons with a spaghetti clip to create a grid for the new drywall. The drywall will be screwed directly into the suspended Chicago bar.

Installation of the HVAC System

Bob joins Paul Costello and Lou Mazzini in the old dairy building to discuss the SpacePak high velocity hydro air HVAC system that's being installed in both the house and dairy. The system will provide both heating and cooling. In the winter a boiler delivers hot water to coils over which air is drawn. This heated air rises and is distributed at high velocity through plenum ducts running around the perimeter of the structure and on to room outlets through to 2" diameter sound attenuating tubing. The systems uses insulated fiberglass ducts which are coated on the inside to prevent mold and other growth. The system creates a pressure center in the room with a differential of two degrees between floor and ceiling. Cooling is accomplished by the same system only the air passes over different coils cooled by a refrigerants from 5-ton American Standard condensers situated behind the dairy. Domestic hot water will be provided by a very efficient indirect hot water system. The SpacePak system is particularly well-suited to restoration/renovation projects where space for ductwork is at a premium.

Reviewing the Home's High-Velocity, Mini-Duct HVAC System

Bob looks at the HVAC units in the basement of the Medford home. There are 5 SpacePak units that, with their state-of-the-art foil-wrapped ductwork, deliver conditioned air at high speeds throughout the house. The brand new RBI gas fired boiler provides the BTUs�the hot water�to the five different zones to heat the house and the hot water heater is a new John Wood water heater.