I'm helping a friend restore their basement, and I'm looking for advice on the correct order of operations for the renovations. We're planning to redo the floors, paint the walls and ceiling, and replace a sink and drain. Here's my current plan: 1. Remove the drain and sink. 2. Grind down the floors. 3. Seal any gaps between walls and the floor. 4. Paint the floors with primer and latex paint suitable for basements. 5. Install the new sink and drain. 6. Paint the walls. 7. Finish with the ceiling. I'm especially concerned about how long the sink will be disconnected. Would this be a good approach, or is there a better way to go about it? Any tips would be appreciated!
4 Answers
Make sure to plug the P trap when you take the sink out to prevent sewer gases from coming in. And be careful when grinding the floor; a good respirator is a must! I’d stick with the epoxy floor idea too.
I’d suggest using an epoxy finish for the floors instead of latex—especially if it's a high-traffic area, as latex tends to peel. Also, start with everything overhead (ceiling, walls) so any drips don’t ruin your floor work. Once everything's painted, that’s when you should install the sink and drain. And take your time with the prep work; it's super important!
Agree, starting from the top and working down is the way to go! You want to save that fresh paint on your floors for last.
Thanks for the advice! Any specific epoxy kits you'd recommend?
Before you get started, make sure to assess the drain situation. Is it a perimeter drain that’s backing up? You might want to address that blockage first; it could be important for your overall plan. And just a heads up, caulking between the slab and foundation may not help much; it could cause issues later with movement. I would also suggest sloping the new floor towards the drain when you level it.
I’ll look into the drainage situation and slopes. Thanks for the heads up!
What type of drain do you think this is, then? Do you have any suggestions on how to fix the clog?
I’m not a pro, but I always paint from the top down. It avoids drips ruining your freshly painted walls or floors. Better to let any accidents happen on surfaces you plan to redo later!
That totally makes sense! Thanks for pointing that out.
Thanks for the tip! I had a bad experience once and definitely learned my lesson.