Is living in a basement dangerous?

Is living in a basement dangerous?

Some health risks to people who live in basements have been noted, for example mold, radon, and risk of injury/death due to fire. Presence of mold can lead to “respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma”, as well as personal belongings being contaminated by mold.

Can you have a shower in the basement?

In a home where the main drain is above the basement floor level or in a basement with no basement drain provisions, you can still add a shower without breaking any concrete. The answer is installing an up-flush drainage system. Such a setup pumps the water from the shower into your home’s main drain.

Can a toilet shower and sink share a vent?

(Sinks, tubs, showers all have 1.5 fixtures units each). As a general rule, you will just be able to vent 2 fixtures on a toilet wet vent. The toilet drain should be 3″, the sink drain is 1.5″, the shared sink drain/toilet vent area should be 2″, and the vent going up should be 1.5″.

What is best flooring for basement?

5 of the Most Durable Basement Flooring Options

1. Luxury vinyl tile. Luxury vinyl tile, also known as LVT, comes in planks or squares.
2. Marmoleum. We love recommending Marmoleum for basements.
3. Ceramic or porcelain tile. Tile can be a great option for basement floors.
4. Carpet.
5. Concrete.

What is the cheapest way to finish a basement floor?

Cheap Basement Flooring Ideas

1. Epoxy and Concrete Paint. Paint is generally your cheapest basement floor option.
2. Concrete Stain and Sealer. Concrete stain is another inexpensive option.
3. Linoleum or Vinyl.
4. Ceramic Tile Flooring.
5. Rubber and Foam Mats.
6. Traditional Carpet Flooring.
7. Laminate or Engineered Hardwood.

What is the best waterproof flooring for a basement?

Two of the best options for waterproof flooring for basements are epoxy paint and sealed concrete. Not only are both affordable, but they are durable and allow for adequate waterproofing. Epoxy paint dries thick and hard, providing the necessary durability that goes hand-in-hand with maintaining a basement floor.

Should you put a subfloor in a basement?

Subfloors are not always necessary. They only come into play when you want to expand downward and make your basement a warm, livable space. Concrete or tile-over-concrete are acceptable floors for uninhabited basements. To install any kind of floor covering—engineered wood, laminate, carpeting—basement.

Is sleeping in basement bad?

Lack of Ventilation While stuffy air below-grade won’t affect anyone living upstairs, it can trigger asthma attacks or other respiratory problems in those who spend time in a basement bedroom or rec room.

Can water seep through vinyl planks?

You may already know that vinyl planks are waterproof. However, water can still manage to seep through or around the vinyl planks, especially if a flood occurs. If the water is not cleaned immediately after spilling, water may remain in the cracks, crevices, and edges of the floor, causing mold to form underneath.

Does Drylok kill mold?

You can even paint the walls using a masonry waterproofing material called Drylok. Paint does not kill mold, and it will not stop the source of the mold. Mold will continue to grow under the paint, and you will see visible signs of mold again.

What if water gets under vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl flooring can either be glued to the subfloor or it can float on top of it, and either way, moisture underneath it causes problems. Moisture weakens glue bonds and causes the edges to lift and bubbles to form in the middle. It also deteriorates and softens the vinyl and promotes the growth of mold.

What lasts longer vinyl or laminate?

Vinyl has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate. Don’t forget to factor in your budget, however. Vinyl flooring may be more expensive than laminate flooring, especially if you choose luxury vinyl flooring.

Is Carpet good for basement?

Carpet is a great floor covering option for a finished basement, for several reasons. Carpet is warm, soft, and cushioned, making it ideal for covering the cold cement floor. A common concern is regarding higher moisture levels that are often found in basements, as compared to above-ground living areas of the home.

What are the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring?

Some disadvantages of vinyl flooring include:

• Cannot be repaired.
• Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Shorter lifespan than wood floors.
• No impact, or negative impact, on home resale value.
• Difficult to remove, especially if adhesive is used during installation.
• Not eco-friendly; difficult to recycle.

Does vinyl plank look cheap?

All in all, vinyl floors do not look cheap, but they are of varying grades. The exquisiteness of any floor type will depend on the grade you choose. Also, with proper maintenance and protection from sunlight, they will retain their shiny look for a long time.

How long does vinyl planks last?

10-20 years

Can you put heavy furniture on vinyl plank flooring?

In short, yes, you can place heavy furniture on vinyl flooring but it does require that you implement some additional protection in order to prevent damage. Heavy furniture can very easily leave scuffs, marks and cause harm to your floors from the furniture legs.

Does vinyl plank flooring increase home value?

Although it won’t boost your home’s value as well as true wood flooring because it’s not as durable, sheets of vinyl flooring only cost from $0.75 to $4 per square foot, plus installation, and can last from 10-20 years.

What should you not use on vinyl plank flooring?

Do not use detergents, abrasive cleaners, or “mop and shine” products, because these can leave a dull film on the floor. Do not use paste wax or solvent-based polishes. Do not use ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning solutions on vinyl flooring; these can break down the material and cause cracks in the flooring.

What is the best mop for vinyl plank floors?

What is the Best Mop for Vinyl Plank Floors to Buy?

• Best Overall: Bona Premium Spray Mop.
• Best Microfiber Mop: Turbo Microfiber Mop.
• Best Budget Mop: Black Diamond Microfiber Mop.
• Best for Scrubbing and Mopping: BISSELL Spinwave Mop.
• Best Steam Mop: Shark Steam Pocket Mop.

Can you use Mr Clean on vinyl floors?

Not only safe for sealed hardwood floors this cleaner can be used on tile vinyl even carpet. Brooms are great for large pieces of debris such as the apple peels that escaped from your baking project last night but are much less effective against smaller particles like the flour.

Can I use Murphy’s Oil Soap on vinyl plank flooring?

Can I use Murphy’s Oil Soap on luxury vinyl floors? Yes-Murphy Oil is a great choice for vinyl floor cleaning since it’s clear and 98% derived from natural ingredients.