Totally off-topic thread.

Thanks to everyone who helped me with the leaky basement. 4 cubic yards of top soil, clean gutters and a new roof solved the wet basement problem! Luckily, I did not have to excavate around the foundation. The new roof helped because the old roof didn’t have enough overhang and the rain often fell between the roof and the gutter, according to the roofer. I also planted 8 shrubs.

So, I’ve mastered my wet basement, and I’ve mastered the bat in the house issue. I’ve learned how to patch and paint walls. I’m now attending to fixing up the basement and I have questions!

1. I still plan on using a sealer before the paint. Is this a good idea?
2. Can I paint the Oil tank, the waste pipes, and possibly the furnace? What about the duct work? If so, do I use rustoleum?
3. I’ll need additional electrical outlets and a couple more lights. Should I have the electrician come first?
4. One half will be for play and projects. The other section will have laundry, furnace, hot water heater and oil tank. It’s all one big room, but I don’t see putting in a wall. Any ideas?
5. Oh, and finally, I need to fix one half at a time. Any ideas on how to best execute this type of situation?

GG,
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> 4. One half will be for play and projects. The other section will have laundry, furnace, hot water heater and oil tank. It’s all one big room, but I don’t see putting in a wall. Any ideas?
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Screens....those 3 section ones....easy to move, you can buy them already decorated (Pier one had them last year, reasonable priced), or make them yourself.
We have a great room and they are ideal. Sometimes they are up, sometimes they are folded away in the closet.

Sounds like a fun project!

I would call an electrician first. Expain what you want to do and he can tell you how far to go before he starts any work.

You can paint the ductwork itshould be galvanized so rustoleum wouldn't be necessary, but I wouldn't try painting the furnace or oil tank. If they are old, the oil residue on them will make it tough for the paint to stick. You would be better off if you can just close them in with something.

Has anything been painted before?(Floors, Walls, etc...)

Painted before???
No. Never. Cinderblock walls, concrete floors.
I will be consulting with my favorite Paint store. I'm there best non-profession customer for 2004! Thanks for the advice.

Get yourself some good penetrating concrete sealer. Moisture will destroy the paint on the block walls and it looks terrible.

If you don't believe me, I have a painted basement to prove it(well STBX does)

Hey, serves her right, right?

I saw in a magazine last night an enamel paint for concrete and wood floors guaranteed to stand up to scrub brushes, water, and wear. And in great colors from Sherwin Williams.

I personally am a Benjamin Moore girl, much like I'm an Essie nail polish girl. Nail polish... Paint.... I see the connection.

I'm seeing lots of color. And flowers for the basement.

Colors and flowers???

My girls called our basement "Daddy's Laboratory"

Work Benches and Peg Board walls.

Couldn't picture it with Colors and Flowers