DIY Network

Basement Finish: Rough Electrical and Insulation From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-105

Anne and Dave Husted framed out a floating wall system for their basement. General contractor Adam Berlin helps the Husteds improve their basement by running new electrical and putting up energy-saving insulation.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Electrical/Insulation Tips:

• Never install telephone or cable TV wires in the same holes or in line with 120-volt electric lines. Power going through the high voltage lines can sometimes create interference in the low voltage lines.

• Basement spaces usually require minimal heating and cooling unless the space has a wall that is totally exposed to the elements (such as with a walk-out basement).

• Check cold water pipes to be sure condensation won't cause water damage to your new ceiling. Insulating the pipe may help prevent such damage.

• Insulation can also be used to dampen noise transmission between interior walls.

Safety Alerts:

• Consult with a licensed electrician before starting any electrical work.

• Consult your local building codes before performing any electrical work.

• Always wear protective eyewear when working with power tools.

• Always cut power before working on an electrical circuit.

Electrical/Insulation

• To help make sense of their power situation, Anne and Dave consult with a licensed electrician who removes any excess wiring and gets them started by cleaning up existing circuits.

• Next, Dave attaches new gang boxes directly to the wall studs (figure A). He makes sure to comply with any local building code requirements.

• To run and support new wire to the gang boxes, Anne fits a power drill with a spade bit and bores holes through studs around the basement (figure B). Because the new wire only needs to be supported every 4.5 feet, she doesn't drill through every stud.

• Next, Adam lends a hand by running a new wire circuit from an existing overhead light and through holes in the studs. Then he runs wire from outlet to outlet, daisy chaining and leaving about one foot of excess wire tucked in for later hook-ups (figure C).

• Before moving on to insulation, Dave and Anne support and protect the wiring by hammering on brackets and nail plates to the studs in front of the wire (figure D).

• With rough electrical complete, Dave and Adam tuck batts of R13 insulation into all the spaces between wall studs and joists of the exposed ceilings (figure E). In addition to cutting down on energy loss through the foundation, the insulation provides excellent noise reduction.

• To completely insulate their basement, the Husteds trim and staple a plastic vapor barrier over the framed walls (figure F). Keeping the basement free of moisture reduces the musty condition commonly associated with some basements.

RESOURCES :

Maverick Home Remodeling, Inc.
Website: www.maverickhomeremodeling.com

Lumber Liquidators
Website: www.lumberliquidators.com

More Space Place
Website: www.morespaceplace.com