Building a Better Basement

This course looks at two of the more complicated components of basement construction including problems with how many basements are built today and how to build them better with proper capillary, air, water, and thermal control layers. Finishing an existing basement is even more challenging, and we’ve all seen examples of how badly it can fail. This course provides a best practice solution to finishing existing spaces, so they are as durable and efficient as possible. 

Course Outline

• Introduction
  • Establish key fundamentals of the session
  • Basements: New and Existing. Walk outs and full basement
• Goals
  • Keep it dry
  • Keep it healthy
  • Make it comfortable
  • Make it efficient
• Basement – New Construction
  • Typical below grade wall built to code today
  • Review of each part and its function
• Control Layers
  • Review control layers
  • Thermal, water (capillary), air, Moisture
  • Purpose of each layer
  • Reflection of each layer in the wall and slab components
• Pen Test
  • Identify control layers in standard wall assembly
  • Identify weakness/intersections in control layer
• Best Practice – Basement wall and slab assembly
  • Walk through drawing of assembly
  • Pen Test on control layers
• Best Practice – Existing basement wall (multiple) and slab assembly
  • Walk through drawing of assembly
  • Pen Test on control layers

Learner Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

•    Recognize the purpose of each component in a below grade wall assembly.
•    Name what the four control layers are.
•    Recognize how to identify the control layers in the assembly and discover potential problems.
•    Identify best practices for a new construction below grade finished basement assembly.

Testimonials

"Absolutely essential for anyone building or remodeling a basement." Jeremy Berg

"This one one of the better courses I’ve taken on basements. I picked up a lot of very good information." Brian Paradis, Paradis C & R LLC

"The course was great!" Brian Crask

“I've been attending classes for many years, and this course is one of, if not THE best one I have taken. The instructor is very knowledgeable, very clear, and very eloquent. It is the best treatment of how to manage basement details I have seen.”

"Clear and concise information. I highly recommend this course."  Jon Rose, CASp Experts LLC

"Helpful information in proper new and existing structure basement finishing guidance. Beneficial material to preform best practices." Tony Gustafson, Gustafson Home Improvements

"The course was well presented and the graphics were very helpful." Sean McLoughlin, Sean's Renovation Inc.

"Great explanations and drawings on why and how to build the systems. Especially like the comparison between new construction and remodeling." Jim Davis, SES Renovations

"Very informative and will influence my future basement finishing practices. The instructor provided really good ideas in mitigating/preventing problems in basements related to water damage to wall assemblies."

"A good introduction the current building science regarding basement walls." Jon    Buyck Buyck, Construction Services LLC

"It's awesome to have a source to get information for proper procedures to know you are serving your customers in the best ways and not setting them up for failure in the future." Michael Kisner, Michael Kisner Construction LLC

"Great presentation, fun to listen to." Kevin Buck, SERVPRO of the Twin Ports

"The information was helpful and the presentation was on point." Mark Longtin, Kandiyohi County

"Very informative with great visual aids." Kristian LeCapitaine, GreenLight Builders

"The course is concise and clear with a best path for new and good reasoning for all steps." Andy Wallace, Andrew M Wallace Construction LLC

"Very good course." Daryl Ray, Daryl Ray Construction

"The course was very informative and gave me a new set of tools for addressing problems in the future." Carter Gjevre, Under Wood Construction, LLC

"Excellent course with a very knowledgeable and likable instructor." Conrad Herrmann, The Caliber Group

"I highly recommend this course and have learned a lot. Great presenter, too!" Timothy Rose, Rose Construction

"Great course." Ryan Schultz, Creekwood Construction

Quiz Info

In order to receive continuing education credit(s), you will need to take a 10-question quiz following the course. To pass the quiz, you will need to achieve a score of 70% or higher. If you are unsuccessful, you will have an opportunity to repeat the quiz. Once you have successfully completed the quiz, you can download your continuing education certificate(s) showing the credit(s) that you have earned.

Credit Info

This course has been approved for one hour of MN residential contractor, remodeler, and building official continuing education by the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry and includes the required Energy credit, and one hour of WI Dwelling Contractor Qualifier CE by the Wisconsin Dept. of Safety & Professional Services. 

If you are eligible to receive continuing education credits, your information will be electronically reported to the appropriate agency within 3 business days of course completion.

Access Info

Your online course is accessible 24/7. The course will be available to you for 180 days from purchase date.

Questions and Comments

Questions and comments related to the curriculum for this course may be submitted to the instructor at education@housingfirstmn.org.