Before & After: A Flooded Basement Kicked Off a Family’s Whole-Home Renovation in Montana

Basement flooding can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from severe weather events like hurricanes to internal issues such as burst pipes or leaking water heaters. Regardless of the cause, a flooded basement poses significant risks, particularly electrical hazards. Before attempting any cleanup, it is crucial to prioritize safety by turning off the electricity to prevent electric shock, especially if water has reached outlets. In cases of extreme weather, monitoring local news for evacuation orders is also advised. Upon discovering water in the basement, identifying the source of the leak is the first step. If the flooding is due to an internal problem, such as a burst pipe, immediately shutting off the main water supply line is essential to prevent further damage. Homeowners should know the location of their main water shut-off valve, which is often found in the basement or crawl space near the front of the house or by the hot water heater. For external sources or issues like a malfunctioning sump pump, water removal can commence using tools like shop vacuums for small amounts on hard floors, or floor squeegees and push brooms to direct larger volumes towards floor drains. It is recommended to store belongings on shelving with at least a two-inch clearance and to use plastic storage bins instead of cardboard to protect items from moisture. If furniture is getting wet, placing aluminum foil or wooden blocks under the legs can prevent water absorption. Once it is safe, setting up fans to dry the area can help mitigate mold growth and potentially reduce repair costs. A flooded basement can lead to several problems even after the water is removed. Water vapor can lead to mold formation in areas like drywall, with mold growth capable of starting within 24 to 48 hours. Floodwater may also contain bacteria, and the structural integrity of the home's foundation can be compromised. These factors underscore the importance of contacting a professional remediation company promptly after a flood. Preventative measures are key to avoiding basement floods. Regularly inspecting the basement for cracks in walls or the foundation and sealing them with waterproof sealant is crucial; larger cracks may require professional attention. Installing a sump pump, ideally with a battery backup for power outages, can provide protection against water accumulation. Waterproofing exterior walls with masonry sealers adds a protective layer against water penetration. Proper landscaping that grades the lawn away from the home, potentially incorporating French drains, can redirect water flow. Finally, consistently cleaning gutters and downspouts prevents blockages that can lead to overflowing water and subsequent damage. Regarding insurance coverage, if water enters from outside the house, flood insurance is typically required for a claim. Many homeowners lack this coverage, despite a significant percentage of flood claims occurring in non-flood zone areas. However, if the damage is caused by an internal issue, such as a leaking water heater, many standard policies may cover the damage. For those with flood insurance, documenting damaged items with photos, serial numbers, model numbers, descriptions, and values is essential for the claims process. Close-up and wide-angle photos of items and any serial numbers should be submitted to the insurance company. #BasementFlooding #WaterDamage #HomeMaintenance #FloodPrevention #EmergencyPreparedness #MoldPrevention #HomeInsurance #SumpPump #Waterproofing

A Falls Church family embarked on a comprehensive gut remodel between 2022 and 2023, converting their 1950s-era, 1,522-square-foot, three-bedroom rambler into a 3,052-square-foot, five-bedroom, two-story residence. The motivation for this extensive renovation was the need for expanded living space and increased storage to accommodate their growing children, coupled with their strong attachment to their existing neighborhood. Batu Homes + Remodeling, a design-build firm, was responsible for the architectural planning, while Juli Brocato, founder and principal designer of Brocato Design + Co., oversaw the interior design aspects, including material and finish selections, custom feature designs, and ultimately, the furnishing of the home. The homeowner's primary objective was a cohesive and functional living space for the entire family, characterized by a unique style and personality. The remodel included replacing the original single bathroom with multiple en suite bathrooms. The rear of the house was reconfigured to prioritize a large kitchen, pantry, and mudroom, with the dining and family rooms designed to be open to the kitchen, fulfilling the family's desire for an expansive kitchen and pantry area suitable for communal cooking and ample storage. The design incorporated a quiet autumnal color palette, featuring greens and warm wood tones, with a specific midcentury-modern aesthetic in mind. In the kitchen, the design team opted for clean-lined inset cabinetry in green, complemented by a contrasting black-and-white tiled wall. A custom white oak island, providing significant storage, was paired with white oak herringbone flooring. The island's textured granite countertop contrasts with the quartzite used for the peripheral countertops. To soften the rectilinear nature of the kitchen, Brocato incorporated curved plush counter stools and repeated arched motifs in the backsplash tiles. This arch motif is consistently applied throughout the home, appearing in four custom-designed bookcases in the adjacent family room and in other furnishings. Wallpaper is utilized extensively, with a watercolor-style covering on the upper landing and a moody botanical pattern adorning the ceiling of the wife's home office, adding a feminine touch that balances the more masculine lines of the midcentury-modern furniture. Each space was tailored to the family's specific needs, exemplified by the mudroom's individualized cabinets and baskets for each family member, including their dog, alongside a command center for organization. The family room's custom bookcases include lower storage for games, crafts, and puzzles, and a durable concrete dining table was chosen for its suitability for children's projects, reflecting a preference for practical, unfussy elements. Most furniture pieces are low-profile and clean-lined, upholstered in performance fabrics such as boucle and plush velvets. Tan leather, seen in the dining room chairs and a family room ottoman, also features prominently. A custom-designed fireplace wall and hearth, with a gas fireplace and a chunky white oak mantle, anchors the family room. Area rugs and light fixtures are strategically used to define distinct zones within the open floor plan. The color scheme leans into shades of green, with metallic accents like brassy gold and wrought iron, and varying wood tones contributing to the overall aesthetic. The front staircase wall showcases slatted wood, adding texture and warmth while ingeniously concealing a shoe storage drawer, highlighting the blend of function and design. This slatted wood motif extends to the main bedroom's tray ceiling and even appears in the bathroom, where a faux tile mimics a wooden look within the shower and on the vanity wall. A variegated tile wall behind the floating bathtub incorporates the favored green hues, and polished brass fittings enhance the home's restrained luxurious feel. The homeowner expressed satisfaction with the house's stylish yet functional design, crediting the builder for the floor plan optimization and the designer for injecting the midcentury-modern flair into the fixtures, furnishings, and décor. This transformation effectively met the family's evolving needs while maintaining a desired aesthetic. #HomeRemodel #FallsChurchHome #MidcenturyModern #InteriorDesign #FamilyHome #CustomCabinetry #KitchenDesign #FunctionalDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation

This article details the renovation of a 1950s ranch-style home in Mountain Brook, Alabama, undertaken by Katie Bee and Seton Marshall with the help of local architect Anna Evans. The family, expecting their second child, sought additional space and a more inviting environment that connected to the outdoors. The renovation aimed for a "leaner, taller, and cleaner" aesthetic while honoring the original ranch design. The exterior updates played a crucial role in transforming the home's functionality and appearance. A new paint job, an expanded entry, a wide front terrace, and tall, light-filled doors at the rear of the house significantly brightened the space and improved the natural flow between indoor and outdoor areas. The new front design, featuring 19-foot-wide stairs that extend to the edge of the house, balances the facade by filling the void beneath a wide window and creating the impression of a traditional front porch without altering the straight roofline. This expansive front area has become a neighborhood gathering spot, facilitating social interactions and providing a space for watching children play. The entrance was made more welcoming with the replacement of a narrow single door with new pecky cypress French doors, which are centered and more visible. The front terrace, measuring 10 by 12 feet, was designed to function as an outdoor living space, accommodating a love seat, two chairs, and a coffee table. This addition was deemed essential for a community that values outdoor socializing. To address the issue of mismatched exterior materials—brick on the front, shingles on the side, and siding on the back—the entire exterior was painted Timid White by Benjamin Moore. This uniform color scheme modernized the house and cohesively unified the different surfaces. Thoughtful landscaping, including neatly manicured boxwoods, was implemented to complement the home's refined appearance, filling gaps under windows and defining the backyard patio. Improvements were also made to the window treatments. The architect addressed the common issue of improperly sized shutters by removing them from two windows and replacing them with an operable, properly sized pair on the far-left window to visually enlarge it. Inside, the typically cramped feel of ranch homes with 8-foot ceilings and limited natural light was overcome by installing three new sets of 7-foot-tall French doors. These doors significantly brighten the interior rooms surrounding the patio and enhance the ease of movement between indoor and outdoor spaces, ultimately fulfilling the family's desire for a more spacious, brighter, and connected home. #HomeRenovation #RanchHouse #ExteriorDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation #OutdoorLiving #HomeMakeover #PaintColors #LandscapeDesign #BeforeAndAfter

The decision of whether to finish a basement during the initial home construction or to undertake it as a renovation project later is a common dilemma for new home buyers. This choice involves weighing various factors, including cost, convenience, design flexibility, and potential impact on the home's warranty and resale value. Builders often offer to finish basements as an upgrade during the new home purchase, which can present a seemingly straightforward solution, integrating the basement into the overall home design from the outset. However, this option might come with a premium price and less room for customization down the line. Finishing the basement as part of the initial build can offer several advantages. Firstly, it often means the work is completed by the same construction crews and sub-trades who are already on-site, potentially leading to efficiencies in labor and materials. The design can be seamlessly integrated with the rest of the house, ensuring consistent aesthetics and functionality, and avoiding potential issues with mismatched styles or building codes that might arise from a later renovation. Furthermore, incorporating the basement finish into the initial mortgage can simplify financing, as the cost is rolled into a single loan with a generally lower interest rate compared to a separate renovation loan. This also means homeowners can enjoy the full functionality of their new home, including the basement living space, from the moment they move in. Conversely, choosing to finish the basement at a later stage also has its merits. Waiting allows homeowners to better understand their needs and preferences, and to save up for the renovation without adding to their initial mortgage burden. This delay provides an opportunity for more personalized design choices and the freedom to select specific contractors or even undertake a DIY project, potentially saving money on labor costs. However, renovating a basement later can be more disruptive, involving noise, dust, and inconvenience while living in the home. There's also the risk of encountering unforeseen issues, such as moisture problems or structural challenges, which might increase the overall cost and timeline. Additionally, a future renovation might be subject to new building codes or permit requirements that were not in place during the initial construction. An expert, Tom Welling, general manager of renovations at Renova Homes and Renovations, and a former new home warranty inspector, emphasizes that he frequently receives inquiries about this very decision. Having experience in both new home construction and renovations, Welling has witnessed both the positive and negative outcomes of each approach. His insights, though not fully detailed in the provided excerpt, would likely delve into the practical implications, potential pitfalls, and best practices for both scenarios. The decision ultimately depends on a homeowner's financial situation, immediate needs, long-term plans, and comfort level with managing a construction project, whether integrated into the initial build or as a standalone renovation. #HomeConstruction #BasementFinishing #HomeRenovation #NewBuilds #HomeOwnership #RealEstate

The article 'Tile Style' showcases four distinct home renovation projects in New Orleans, each born out of the necessity and opportunity presented by Hurricane Katrina's devastation. The first project details the Terry family's Lakeview home, which suffered over 6 feet of flooding. Instead of a simple renovation, they opted for a complete redesign to create their dream home, prioritizing a comfortable and attractive space for cooking and entertaining. Interior designer Susan Scheinuk, in collaboration with Henry Simon of Top’s Appliances & Cabinetry, transformed their kitchen with high-end appliances, honed limestone countertops, black-and-tan backsplashes from Stafford Tile & Stone, and travertine marble floors, complemented by contemporary natural wood elements and floor-to-ceiling storage. This redesign reflects the family's active lifestyle and Scheinuk's vision for a sleek, modern, yet functional space, representing a significant accomplishment in rebuilding after such widespread destruction. The second project features the Fabacher family’s kitchen in Old Metairie, rebuilt on a higher elevation after Katrina. Their design was inspired by the renowned Southern architect A. Hays Town, incorporating Spanish, French, and Creole influences. The kitchen boasts antique French lanterns, old cypress interior doors, and brick and pine flooring, achieving a truly Southern architectural feel. Susan Scheinuk also assisted the Fabachers, who were deeply involved in the design process, ensuring the kitchen was centrally located with easy access to the backyard, outdoor kitchen, sitting area, and family room. Key features include custom cabinets from Marchand Creative Kitchens, a Kohler French cast-iron sink, granite countertops from Intrepid Stone, and a custom-built cypress-molded hood over a Wolf range. The design emphasizes a flowing, comfortable, and inviting space, culminating in a home that the Fabachers describe as fabulous. The third section highlights interior designer Natasha Shah's sophisticated bathroom makeover. Motivated by a necessary plumbing overhaul, Shah transformed her 1960s-era bathroom into a timeless sanctuary using a black-and-white color scheme, drawing inspiration from famous New Orleans restaurants. The design blends traditional New Orleans architecture, such as an exposed brick wall, with contemporary elements. An oval black-and-white footed tub serves as a focal point, complemented by silver fixtures from Kohler and black tile from Ann Sacks Tile & Stone for the stand-up shower. Black marble countertops from Tuscan Stone Imports complete the clean, sleek aesthetic, with a minimal pop of color from yellow flowers. Shah’s design emphasizes balance in materials, fixtures, and space planning, creating a sophisticated and relaxing environment. Finally, the article presents Andree Batt’s master bathroom, conceptualized as an 'everyday luxury' spa-like oasis in Lakewood South. After their previous home was flooded, the Batts built a new house, and with architect Tim Terrell, created an open-space master bathroom. Batt custom-designed the room with a unique pebble flooring extending throughout the space, aiming for a tranquil, spa-like feel. The color palette is inspired by sea and sky hues, incorporating natural-colored stone and green tile accents in the large walk-in shower and over the sink, with assistance from close friend Beth Kohnke of Beth Kohnke Designs. Furnishings from Hazelnut, co-owned by Jay Batt’s brother, Bryan Batt, were carefully selected to enhance the peaceful and calming atmosphere, culminating in a truly tranquil space. #HomeRenovation #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign #NewOrleansHomes #PostKatrinaRebuild #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalStyle #LuxuryHomes