Finishing a brownstone basement

I’d like to finish my basement to have a workshop there, maybe a workout/gym area. Currently it’s your typical turn-of-the-century cellar with beautiful exposed rock masonry walls, crumbly brick columns and, unfortunately, a small wall of asbestos tile. I was thinking of insulating the ceiling and waterproofing the walls and painting the floor with a good enamel. The garden level bedrooms over the basement are a bit chilly and there does seem to be some moisture in the basement. I was wondering if anyone has had experience in this area and might have good recommendations or things to avoid. Thanks.

madstuy

in Bath & Kitchen 12 years and 3 months ago

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madstuy | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Thank you Matt! I’ll look into the Ames Blue Max.

mazzonetv | 12 years and 3 months ago

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While it’s always best to fix the moisture issues at the source, and waterproof from the exterior, this is easier said than done in Brooklyn! Definitely check out the items mentioned above. With that being said, take a look at a product called Blue Max by Ames. In your instance it seems that the best method would be to spray on two coats at a rate of 100 sqft per gallon. This product will hold back @ 6-8 times what dry lock will. It also comes in white (called block and wall liquid rubber). It is literally like putting a sheet of highly adhesive and flexible rubber over your walls. The product will also form a vapor barrier so it will stop air infiltration where applied. This will go along will go a long way to solving moisture issues. For your floor you have several options. You could use a regular floor paint or you could use an epoxy. Epoxy, of course, will hold up better and be more expensive. Good luck Matt

madstuy | 12 years and 3 months ago

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thank you apop. I’ll investigate thoroughly!

BSDOD | 12 years and 3 months ago

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If this is a new house, I would live through a season or two of weather just to see how things perform in the basement.  The summer after we bought our house, there was an 8 inch rainstorm and water came through the basement floor and the foundation walls were moist…this is after we finished the basement.  We decided on an internal french drain to relieve the hydrostatic pressure from the ground and then refinished the basedment several months after the drain was installed to make sure all was dry.  This is an expensive enterprise, so take your time and do a good amount of investigating.

madstuy | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Ah,….that could be the problem! The area that is most affected is right around where the downspout goes into the waste line. I’m going to start ripping down ceiling sheetrock and see what’s what. I have two bricked in windows that I’d like to restore also and get some light in there. Of course, to get to the windows, I first have to get the walled off debris and old oil tank removed. Yes, the idiot contractor walled off all the house rubble instead of hauling it away.  We should trade house tours. Good luck

nalusurf | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Hey madstuy, just bought in Stuyvesant East.  I have the EXACT same issue as you.  Unfortunatley I do not have any tips to offer you but I do plan on doing the exact same thing.  As I have been told and it is obvious, these old cellars are not meant to be finished in the traditional sense as I believe it is near impossible to make them completely water proof.  But finishing for a gym/work room is certainly acceptable.  I need to take down my ceiling to check condition of floor joists, I also have two cellar windows that were filled in and crumbling so they need to be redone.  If you have a roof drain that ties into your sewer check that, as I have this scenario and it leaks from one of the elbow joints.  I agree, repointing all walls and columns will make for a nice dust free area, but very timne consuming.  Keep me posted with your efforts as I will with mine.  Good luck.

madstuy | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Thanks, I agree about finding the source of the moisture. We’re in for another heavy downpour this Friday, so I’ll see if water is coming throught the walls into the basement.  Did you insulate your ceiling?

mousta | 12 years and 3 months ago

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I would do my best to find the source of the moisture and fix that. If you don’t you will always have problems. Also repoint the columns and if your masonry walls have loose joints fill them with new concrete. Without that the dust and debris will always be present. I recently did these things, it was a huge pain but I am very happy with the result. What you do from there is up to you. since it’s a cellar and they tend to take on moisture whatever you do get a dehumidifier and run the water to your waste line.