SKyactivmanny's OTHER Build thread

[SKyactivmanny]

DISCLAIMER
This is not a ride thread...there may be a few pics of the heff juan fiddys but thats about it.

This thread is dedicated to what i really hope is to become a staple in the york region area.

Some background: i moved out on my own when i was 19, a mix of bad relationships, all out freedom and total anarchy sent me spiralling out of control, it ended with me having to return to my parents home at the tender age of 23. The problem with that is my parents downsized, a facking lot. So because they thought i left the nest for good i basically had to make do with the space they provided, which I'm eternally grateful for but im not going to sugar coat it....Its small, real small, cluster phobic small. Last week i needed to grab some boxes from the unfinished basement. As i walked down the stairs all i could think if was how much space, privacy, and fun i had at my old places and more over in my basement apartment in my old old house. Then it hit me. Like a 2oz shot of grappa on an empty stomach... Why the hell did i not think of it before? I have an entire basement just waiting for me to unleash my creativity and lay my hands on it gently like no other contractor could. So, after brain storming with the gf, i designed a basement apartment that will not only give us everything we need but more. No need to rent a place designed by a guy that drives a beige camry, no generic angles and lines. Everything we want the way we want it. So with the help of my awesome dad i plan to make this basement a masterpiece of design.

Now you may be asking yourself, wtf does this have to do with tm3 And how does this shit benefit me? Well you see, back in my old old house with my basement apartment i gained a reputation of throwing the greatest, wildest, most unforgettable parties. And im curious to know if i still got it in me.....

Ill keep updating this thread as i progress through the design stages. Once everything is complete shit is gonna hit the fan. SKyactivmanny's Inaugural/basement warming/one more time for old times sake/tm3/(possibly birthday) super sloshfest.

I can already feel the hangover

This is gonna get interesting......

-Manny

[Aitch]

So you're building a frat house in your parents' basement? :P

[SKyactivmanny]

So you're building a frat house in your parents' basement? :P

Lmao yes and no, you'll have to wait and see

[loki]

Basement rape

[The Wolf]

http://youtu.be/aQyXeLSL0II

[SKyactivmanny]

http://youtu.be/aQyXeLSL0II

Lmao that was damn close to what it was like.

[Kiewan]

Levels. Its all about levels.

[SKyactivmanny]

Some progress shots

Yesterday:

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/863F77F6-9DC2-4F26-B40B-D0B6FD6F3DC7_zpsx0heiwao.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/91EEA13B-085F-4116-A7ED-BF0CBC401F08_zpsm8ybl2pi.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/0180412E-161E-43C7-800F-1A7CC0B32A35_zpstykndgib.jpg

Today:

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/40FEDA49-5C42-42F5-97E5-AF9178CE1B5B_zps3emuw9qt.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/1659E6CB-A844-4DDB-B30A-1FC025EB4CB1_zpsrtmxkkxm.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/40E01F39-2E30-4D88-8B61-B6D06CD3A1FA_zpsosumhrcx.jpg

[Shinglez]

I remember my first party

[jaimie08mazda3]

Hey a basement party is always a good time. Some of the drunkest times of my life.

[Reddie1337]

This won't benefit my life, but I am interested in how this turns out. posting to subscribe...

[SKyactivmanny]

I didn't get much time to work on this thorough the weekend.
Got the framing of the walk through closet done as well as the framing for the windows. Im gonna start electrical tomorrow, pot lights and LEDs.. Lots of them.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/Mobile%20Uploads/E2CCD2F3-533F-46D5-9768-0433963D3918_zpsm19vx34u.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/Mobile%20Uploads/A6633E23-2A5F-444E-B7E3-798310DD9444_zps5khezltc.jpg

Running out of material :( time to get the f150

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/Mobile%20Uploads/FE59A72A-9AE0-4987-80D7-DF5244971DA6_zpsri8n4lvd.jpg

[seb_dz]

SKyactivmanny look whos hereee Maaannnyy!? LOL The 1 person on this planet who truly understands and can visualize everything explained in your post. Reading about your old old house and the basement [parties] gave me goosebumps! Can't wait to see the new cave brother.

(I laughed so f**king hard reading your post LOL)

Hope to see you Sundays for those tints!

[SKyactivmanny]

Been real busy with work for the last few months so i havent made any progress. Got my holidays off so i got back on the grind.

Had everything drywalled, taped and plastered a while back, all it needed was a good sanding and on the primer went.
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/B49BEB2B-BD94-495E-A700-2B443148B971_zpsoyxmtvs8.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/E0F1C614-318F-4A50-8B3A-585B5C2CFAAB_zpsk5fk1av6.jpg

My dad and I did all the electrical, got the pot lights working as well as the power outlets. 3 different switches, one for one set of 4 pot lights for the walkthrough closet and window. One for another set of 4 pot lights hooked up to a dimmer. The last one is hooked up for something special.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/A5C2693F-4128-46EB-A1C1-4C176789CFF3_zpsgh0hqwkh.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/D184565F-EC36-42D0-B465-8720A7136CAC_zpsxynbui47.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/1B33DEB2-AED2-49B8-8DCA-8E5723182765_zpsgxuawnxh.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/F07200FD-DA4E-4130-B3B8-DC033149052C_zpspalinysw.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/A4406342-568B-4FF4-BE5D-4E7E98823765_zpsfsod6ibr.jpg

Got everything sanded and primered.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/989BE146-94A0-46DF-BA98-C0FA8BBBDCDA_zpsgejneznm.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/3836196D-D7AD-462F-ADE1-C0BDD34411B0_zpsebvtbmbr.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/3DBD7D49-2CAD-493F-BFFE-8AB44454AF48_zpsitwzehck.jpg

The walls that are not primered in the bedroom are going to be covered by something else. Something woody to compliment the fireplace and the flatscreen thats going to hang on top.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/2D73C5A0-F254-47B8-A17B-11E45467B9CE_zpsgyo8lwr6.jpg

This is where I'm building the closet unit complete with a desk.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/32291B80-1B31-4B68-AADA-F5D4618C773A_zps2t7duyoq.jpg

Dimmer works like a dream.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/74671302-D7A1-49D4-BBFE-0851AB66D056_zpsijggiu9d.jpg

This will become seating area with a large flatscreen hung up in the centre.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/54DE9D5C-E1A0-4E4C-A83C-8ED57C79B83C_zpsnrqke6jm.jpg

This is going to be the most visited place. The bar.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/0BDBDC48-7B5F-4C92-8F25-0B174FCC9935_zpsyhii0yuh.jpg

This rather large space will be the bathroom, i wanted to move it as far back towards the coolroom as possible but it was going to be way to expensive to dig and repipe and shit so it will have to stay there.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/986A7300-A5F5-4B3E-B31F-05FFD9C26779_zps18qcpz3z.jpg

[SKyactivmanny]

Closet wall almost done, Tv wall finished! Looks cozy doesn't it? But not cozy enough...

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/B84A3732-5D1B-43E0-8082-E6CB18EAEDC2_zps55dzpnvy.jpg

That should do it.

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/8EAD7E7E-B4BC-49BA-8025-195EF8085192_zpsugyheyja.jpg
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/9A877C7F-D080-4237-A21E-F1A794C04867_zpschzf7a6n.jpg

[r4BBiT]

Good job, but couple things I would do differently. I would use subfloor to isolate concrete floor from your actual floor with something like dricore, which will protect your flooring from moisture and also make the floor warmer. Another thing is that if you don't use the subfloor you supposed to use plastic (water) barrier under the bottom plate of each wall; the concrete absorb moisture and will rot the wood over time.

Another thing I see the exterior walls are not fully insulated, you should insulate them before the drywall with something like extruded polystyrene, which acts also as vapour barrier. I don't know if this is code or not, but it might be.

As for the drywall I hoped you used paper tape on the corner joints and mesh on the straight joints. I can't tell by the pictures, but in my basement someone used meshed on the corners and that stuff can be damaged so easily its not even funny.

The last thing I would do differently is to sound insulate the ceiling with Roxul (crashed rock insulation). I hate working with fiber-glass.

[SKyactivmanny]

Good job, but couple things I would do differently. I would use subfloor to isolate concrete floor from your actual floor with something like dricore, which will protect your flooring from moisture and also make the floor warmer. Another thing is that if you don't use the subfloor you supposed to use plastic (water) barrier under the bottom plate of each wall; the concrete absorb moisture and will rot the wood over time.

Another thing I see the exterior walls are not fully insulated, you should insulate them before the drywall with something like extruded polystyrene, which acts also as vapour barrier. I don't know if this is code or not, but it might be.

As for the drywall I hoped you used paper tape on the corner joints and mesh on the straight joints. I can't tell by the pictures, but in my basement someone used meshed on the corners and that stuff can be damaged so easily its not even funny.

The last thing I would do differently is to sound insulate the ceiling with Roxul (crashed rock insulation). I hate working with fiber-glass.

Thanks! Yea the drywall has paper in corners and mesh in seams, there is clear 6mm vapour barrier on the sill its just tucked in behind the drywall. We were thinking about the subfloor but right now im on a tight schedule and budget, it turned out to be a little more expensive than projected. It would be nice to put subfloor tho. There is polystyrene but its behind the walls now. Im hoping its enough to keep the areas warm since there wont be subfloor. Thats one reason we got the fireplace.

[m_bisson]

Dricore is a joke. It hides moisture problems, doesn't fix them.

If your floor is wet/damp/sweaty then you can only fix that from the outside. Dricore on top will only give the mold a place to grow and hide.

If your floor is fine, then put carpet or whatever right on it. Let it breathe.

[SomeGuy]

Dricore is a joke. It hides moisture problems, doesn't fix them.

If your floor is wet/damp/sweaty then you can only fix that from the outside. Dricore on top will only give the mold a place to grow and hide.

If your floor is fine, then put carpet or whatever right on it. Let it breathe.

I have it in my basement, previous owners had put it down and I was able to salvage it all and reuse it...it's not there to solve moisture problems, it's there to keep the floor a bit warmer and if say my washing machine overflowed or there was a mild backup of the floor drain my entire basement wouldn't be ruined (it's not in the utility room).

As to above pics, some of your framing/insulating at first glance doesn't look quite up to code. I'd be equally worried about your electrical. 9 times out of 10 a DIYer doesn't do things right.

Like this, passing wire behind joists rather than drilling through, lazy...
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/A5C2693F-4128-46EB-A1C1-4C176789CFF3_zpsgh0hqwkh.jpg

Or this ugly nest:
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/D184565F-EC36-42D0-B465-8720A7136CAC_zpsxynbui47.jpg

Hard to say if everything is actually done to code. Less than 12 devices per circuit? Stapled in all the right spots? Connections made properly in every box?

Glad that's not my basement.

[m_bisson]

SomeGuy that's correct. That's what it's SUPPOSED to be for. But if you have a flood you still need to remove the flooring/dricore to make sure the water gets cleaned up properly.
A lot of people will buy it BECAUSE their floor is wet and they still want to use their basement. As for making the floor warmer? Unless you've got ceramic tiles, it should be warm enough. My parents have hardwood in their basement, with that thin foam stuff that lets it "float" and its plenty warm. I have carpet in mine and it's actually warmer now with the subfloor gone.

[SKyactivmanny]

SomeGuy that's correct. That's what it's SUPPOSED to be for. But if you have a flood you still need to remove the flooring/dricore to make sure the water gets cleaned up properly.
A lot of people will buy it BECAUSE their floor is wet and they still want to use their basement. As for making the floor warmer? Unless you've got ceramic tiles, it should be warm enough. My parents have hardwood in their basement, with that thin foam stuff that lets it "float" and its plenty warm. I have carpet in mine and it's actually warmer now with the subfloor gone.

It really depends what type of water is involved in the flood but yea many times that shit has to be removed. I did a job a few days ago where they put all of those things in, shitty thing is (literally) they had a sewer back up months ago but never noticed because it all sat at the bottom and rotted the subfloor from the concrete side. Also the subfloor acted as sponge when a water line broke, what should have been an easy 1 day claim became a 3 day fiasco. If there was no subfloor, only 10% of the floors would have been damaged. But they did it to code and because of that, 100% of the floor went to shit. Aided by the 6 month old backup and the entire old vinyl floor that sat at the very bottom of everything. Mind you one of the top contractors did this basement. I will not mention any names.


I have it in my basement, previous owners had put it down and I was able to salvage it all and reuse it...it's not there to solve moisture problems, it's there to keep the floor a bit warmer and if say my washing machine overflowed or there was a mild backup of the floor drain my entire basement wouldn't be ruined (it's not in the utility room).

As to above pics, some of your framing/insulating at first glance doesn't look quite up to code. I'd be equally worried about your electrical. 9 times out of 10 a DIYer doesn't do things right.

Like this, passing wire behind joists rather than drilling through, lazy...
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/A5C2693F-4128-46EB-A1C1-4C176789CFF3_zpsgh0hqwkh.jpg
Or this ugly nest:
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/D184565F-EC36-42D0-B465-8720A7136CAC_zpsxynbui47.jpg

Hard to say if everything is actually done to code. Less than 12 devices per circuit? Stapled in all the right spots? Connections made properly in every box?

Glad that's not my basement.
i am willing to bet my car that if i rip your walls down, you will find no difference between your house's electrical/insulating/whatever and this basement. I tell you this because i do it everyday. I built this basement to MY code, as in what i know will be beneficial. For instance, no fiberglass insulation on the bottom because if anything were to happen that insulation acts as a sponge and whats worse is that it becomes a home for mice and a nice feeding area for mold. There will be no subfloor because as mentioned it becomes a royal hassle when it catches moisture. Barrier is tucked in areas most likely to catch moisture. The entire basement is kept at 35RH low GPP. With 2 air changes a day. I built this thing so if ever anything happens i will not be raped by the damages + insurance. By the way, the Code has been criticized for being innefective. As in its put in place to insure the lifespan of a home. That life span is about 15years. If you can find me a builder that has done everything to code and can warranty their homes for 30 years then congratulations you've found the only one in north america. There is a reason why there is insurance companies, restoration companies, and why a builder will only warranty a house for 6 months. The code is shit and old.

[SomeGuy]

Just because you think it's right and do this everyday doesn't mean it is actually right.

[midnightfxgt]

I know for a fact my houses electrical is run through the studs. I don't understand the correlation between building to code, and a 30 yr warranty. The Tarion warranty is the same for every new house.

[SKyactivmanny]

Just because you think it's right and do this everyday doesn't mean it is actually right.

Meh, i haven't been wrong in 10 years so i have that going for me.

[SKyactivmanny]

I know for a fact my houses electrical is run through the studs. I don't understand the correlation between building to code, and a 30 yr warranty. The Tarion warranty is the same for every new house.

For the top floors yes, for basements Not really. It depends on the builder and the time allotted to the house. It also depends on the clearance between the concrete and the studs, 1 feet in my case. Let me reiterate, the code that houses are built by, ties in with what the insurance company wants and what is beneficial to the builder. Do you really think someone thought "gees this place is really cold in the winter, but really hot in the summer. organic material will not last in this conditions, I Know lets build a house out of wood! Lets insulate it with a mould trap and then decorate the inside with paper and gypsum! Im sure i will last a long time" no, you could kick a hole through the drywall, insulation, vapour barrier, OSB, and brick. Its sad, houses here are built to benefit those directly involved. City, insurance companies, builders, banks,
Tax, and more. The owner is the last person involded. Do you really think you can buy a little slice of heaven without having someones tight grip on your balls? Not up here.

[Aitch]

No need to get personal folks.

[SomeGuy]

For the top floors yes, for basements Not really. It depends on the builder and the time allotted to the house. It also depends on the clearance between the concrete and the studs, 1 feet in my case. Let me reiterate, the code that houses are built by, ties in with what the insurance company wants and what is beneficial to the builder. Do you really think someone thought "gees this place is really cold in the winter, but really hot in the summer. organic material will not last in this conditions, I Know lets build a house out of wood! Lets insulate it with a mould trap and then decorate the inside with paper and gypsum! Im sure i will last a long time" no, you could kick a hole through the drywall, insulation, vapour barrier, OSB, and brick. Its sad, houses here are built to benefit those directly involved. City, insurance companies, builders, banks,
Tax, and more. The owner is the last person involded. Do you really think you can buy a little slice of heaven without having someones tight grip on your balls? Not up here.

Insurance doesn't want to pay out...they want the house built safely so there aren't problems with it down the road. Hence why there is a building code, so shit gets done to a minimum standard.

Also, you say all the products and such are bad and yet you still use them. Use Roxul for insulation, use blue wood for studding, insulate it better, seal things up properly so critters don't get in, use a good vapour barrier to stop air movement in places it's not supposed to be, use plywood instead of OSB, put down a subfloor to keep moisture where it belongs. There's lots of options to build a better home while sticking within code. You did none of them.

[r4BBiT]

Insurance doesn't want to pay out...they want the house built safely so there aren't problems with it down the road. Hence why there is a building code, so shit gets done to a minimum standard.

Also, you say all the products and such are bad and yet you still use them. Use Roxul for insulation, use blue wood for studding, insulate it better, seal things up properly so critters don't get in, use a good vapour barrier to stop air movement in places it's not supposed to be, use plywood instead of OSB, put down a subfloor to keep moisture where it belongs. There's lots of options to build a better home while sticking within code. You did none of them.

I totally agree with that. I watched once a Mike Holmes show where he went to help out with the most recent Alberta flood and once of the houses was built by a builder that shares beliefs similar to Mike's and he went above and beyond the code (just like Mike) using pink and blue wood, green drywall, etc.

Guess what, every other flooded basement had to be completely torn down and replaced except this one house, where they just got it down to the blue studs. The studs were fine and the framing didn't need to be removed. Also green drywall had a lot less of mould on it.

As as side note the builders do a bare minimum to meet the code and that is the problem. If you want it to last you have to go above it.

I also agree with SomeGuy about your electrical. You would never pass inspection with electrical wire tucked in behind the studs and not stapled. The wire supposed to be stapled every foot if I remember correctly. I'm not trying to attack you and I'm by no means an expert, but I've done my share of electrical and I've been screwed by a previous owner's electrical work like my dishwasher was 3 electrical wire connected together lying on drop down ceiling (not stapled), which was fire hazard waiting to happen, or hidden junction boxes.

[SKyactivmanny]

Insurance doesn't want to pay out...they want the house built safely so there aren't problems with it down the road. Hence why there is a building code, so shit gets done to a minimum standard.

Also, you say all the products and such are bad and yet you still use them. Use Roxul for insulation, use blue wood for studding, insulate it better, seal things up properly so critters don't get in, use a good vapour barrier to stop air movement in places it's not supposed to be, use plywood instead of OSB, put down a subfloor to keep moisture where it belongs. There's lots of options to build a better home while sticking within code. You did none of them.

Yea they dont want to pay out but they sure make a hell of a proffit out everyhome owner/leaser whatever. And the reason for that is fear, no body wants a flood or fire or anything happen to their house but eventually it will. It will happen because the materials are not meant to last a long time. Houses south the us border are made from concrete and restoration companies dont exist. Backups, floods and things like that RARELY happen. I have to use the materials because i would have to rebuild the entire house to make it as long lasting as possible. I know i didnt do any of them, i said that a few posts ago.

[rajin929]

its nice your parents are cool with you moving back home, and your dad is helping you convert their basement into an apartment for you.
hope all goes well.

i know my parents would have only allowed me to sleep on the couch in basement covered in bedsheets until I got my shit together and the funds to get my own place asap. lol

[SKyactivmanny]

I totally agree with that. I watched once a Mike Holmes show where he went to help out with the most recent Alberta flood and once of the houses was built by a builder that shares beliefs similar to Mike's and he went above and beyond the code (just like Mike) using pink and blue wood, green drywall, etc.

Guess what, every other flooded basement had to be completely torn down and replaced except this one house, where they just got it down to the blue studs. The studs were fine and the framing didn't need to be removed. Also green drywall had a lot less of mould on it.

As as side note the builders do a bare minimum to meet the code and that is the problem. If you want it to last you have to go above it.

I also agree with SomeGuy about your electrical. You would never pass inspection with electrical wire tucked in behind the studs and not stapled. The wire supposed to be stapled every foot if I remember correctly. I'm not trying to attack you and I'm by no means an expert, but I've done my share of electrical and I've been screwed by a previous owner's electrical work like my dishwasher was 3 electrical wire connected together lying on drop down ceiling (not stapled), which was fire hazard waiting to happen, or hidden junction boxes.

Yea i know, the ones with the wire behind are stapled into the back the inner walls have the wires going through them. Remember those are pics with out the wiring being completed.

[SomeGuy]

Yea i know, the ones with the wire behind are stapled into the back the inner walls have the wires going through them. Remember those are pics with out the wiring being completed.

How hard is it to drill some holes?

[m_bisson]

How hard is it to drill some holes?

HAARRRDDDDDD

[Flagrum_3]

Yea i know, the ones with the wire behind are stapled into the back the inner walls have the wires going through them. Remember those are pics with out the wiring being completed.

I'm hoping by saying it is not 'completed' you mean to fix those issues, for you and your family's safety sake. Forget anything else, the codes are there for a reason. You are starting from scratch, do it right the first time...As for a subfloor, my impression is they are more trouble then not unless you have proper drainage...stick to tiles and use placement rugs throughout, if not.

Looks like it's coming along nicely tho. :)

_3

[The Wolf]

Yea they dont want to pay out but they sure make a hell of a proffit out everyhome owner/leaser whatever. And the reason for that is fear, no body wants a flood or fire or anything happen to their house but eventually it will. It will happen because the materials are not meant to last a long time. Houses south the us border are made from concrete and restoration companies dont exist. Backups, floods and things like that RARELY happen. I have to use the materials because i would have to rebuild the entire house to make it as long lasting as possible. I know i didnt do any of them, i said that a few posts ago.

They make houses with the materials they do for a number of great reasons. Wood is almost impossible to beat when you consider weight, durability, strength, and cost. Almost all builders take shortcuts on every stage to squeeze as much profit from each job as possible. That's why, just like when it comes to working on your car, it's always better to DIY when you know what you're doing.

I can't speak for your wiring as I'm not an electrician, but there is nothing wrong with running wires behind the studs when your have that much space between them and the concrete.

[BlueStreak]

Like this, passing wire behind joists rather than drilling through, lazy...
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/skyactivmanny/A5C2693F-4128-46EB-A1C1-4C176789CFF3_zpsgh0hqwkh.jpg

Studs. Those are studs.

These are also studs...
http://www.abeatingheart.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/cal-2.jpg

[fywdyl]

Studs. Those are studs.

These are also studs...
http://www.abeatingheart.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/cal-2.jpg

Why no picture of David Ribero?

[SomeGuy]

Studs. Those are studs.


Right...lol