The house was originally built in the 1920s, and the basement had been added about 40 years later. Back then, homes weren’t build as waterproof as they are today, so for the past 20-25 years water has seeped into the basement. The homeowner has taken care of the problem on the inside, but it didn’t stop the seepage from the exterior. So we’re going to address the problem from the outside to stop the water from penetrating the basement wall. By opening up the outside of the house and addressing the issue from the outside, we’ll make sure this leaky basement is taken care of the right way and that the homeowner will never see this problem again.

Examining the problems

The basement wall had been leaking for some time and was covered in mold and mildew.

Inside the basement, water intrusion along the entire concrete wall has left stains and a perfect environment for mold and mildew. You can see the water seepage especially in the corners where you see the cold joint, a joint that occurs as result of pouring a foundation at two separate times. This happened at this house when the basement was added years after the original house was built. Water proofing on the outside of the house will eliminate the water seepage at the cold joint.

When we inspected the outside of the house, we noticed that the window frame had rotted from constant exposure to water. The wood frame of the window abutted the concrete and had dry rot.

In this basement, the concrete has absorbed a lot of the water and much of it wicked up into the window frame causing dry rot. So we replaced the frame with pressure treated wood, replaced the window, and placed a block outside to keep the water from running down to the window.

Digging the hole

Outside, we dug a deep, narrow hole, about six or seven feet deep to access the wall. As with any project where you dig, it is important to call the utilities and have the area pipes marked. In our work zone, a gas pipe runs right through the area. We used machinery driven by professionals to dig the bulk of the hole and then dug out the area around the gas pipe by hand for maximum safety. Then we could begin addressing the water issue.

Keeping water out of the basement

A drain, drain rock, waterproof board, and a tar-like waterproofing sealant on the wall all contribute to making this one basement that should be leak free for years. See the video for how we got to this point.

The easiest way to resolve the issue of the wet basement is to keep the water away from the house in the first place. A downspout situated near the window and basement was feeding the problem. First we directed that water away from the house. Second, we installed a vapor barrier on the outside of the basement wall. In this case we used a tar-based material to keep the water from coming through. Next we added a drain board to deflect the water away from the wall. When water does hit it, the water will drain down where we want it to go.

Finally, we added drain rock, a drain pipe, and pump to remove the water from the house. Any water that comes down into the area will run down the wall and be pumped away from the house.

What you can expect to pay to fix a leaky basement

When you consider tackling a basement waterproofing project, expect to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 for waterproofing, excavation, and materials. It may seem like a lot of money for a repair that you really won’t see on a day-to-day basis. However, the cost to not resolve an issue with a leaky basement could be much greater. If water keeps entering the basement, it will lead to foundation repair that will cost substantially more to repair. Breathing in the mold and mildew that has built up on the walls inside your home can lead to health consequences.

It is best to try to get leaky basement projects done in the dry season, but if necessary you can accomplish the waterproofing you need in the rainy season. With the cooperation of Mother Nature, the team at Fazzolari Custom Homes and Renovations was able to complete this project in about two and a half days. Check out the video for more details and start-to-finish photos.

When we first met Becky and Denny at the Clark County Tour of Remodeled Homes, they had planned to remodel only the kitchen in their Vancouver, WA home.  But with both their children out of the house they soon realized that there were a lot of good reasons to do an entire remodel of the Glenwood / Brush Prarie area home, which they built in the 1980s.

“I wanted to update the kitchen and as we were planning that we realized we were going to be here a long, long time, so we might as well go for it.” Becky says. “After 23 years living in this house we found a lot of things we wished were a little different.”

That’s what started this project, which required the couple to move out of the house for six months while Fazzolari Custom Homes & Renovations updated, refurbished, changed, or reconfigured almost every area of the house, inside and out. Here are some of the highlights (you can also check out the slideshow below or video):

House before addition

House with remodel in progress

House after addition

Kitchen before renovation

Kitchen after renovation

Slideshow: Click the photo to see all our before and after photographs.

Renovated kitchen details

Fireplace and living room before

Fireplace and living room after

Stairs before

Stairs after

Stair after detail

Living room before

Living room after

Master bath before

Master bath after

Master bath before detail

Master bath after detail

Master shower after

Master sink after

Master shower after detail

Master closet before

Master closet after

Master closet doors

New laundry and workout room

The old master bath was transformed into a laundry room and workout space.

The Kitchen
This is where it all began. The 1980s honey oak cabinets were removed and replaced with new walnut cabinets in a rich stain to complement the “seafoam dark” granite counter tops. We also replaced the old tile and wood floors with grey tiles which make cleaning up the paw prints from the couple’s two dogs a lot easier.  To create a better flow, we moved the access to the back yard deck from the family room to just off the corner of the nook/kitchen.  Not only did this make access to the backyard more convenient from the kitchen, it eliminated the need to walk through the fully furnished and carpeted family room to access the backyard.

We added more cabinet space, moved the cook top from the island to the wall, and installed a new beverage cooler placed for easy access to the eating nook and deck. We installed new appliances, including an induction stove top that will not burn your fingers, a stainless steel refrigerator and a microwave. We also added an “appliance garage” to help hide the toaster and coffee pot.

Right off the kitchen we converted the old laundry room to a walk-in pantry and mud room that leads to the garage. It includes the same cabinet and counter top styles as the kitchen and contains a built-in prep sink.

Family Room
The family room, which is located in the same “great room” as the kitchen, was treated to new windows, mouldings and other finishes (as was most of the rest of the house).  We saved the existing carpet, as it had been recently replaced and had plenty of years left in it.  This is sometimes a challenge in a construction environment, but with proper cover and careful attention during construction the carpet survived and is like new.

We also utilized the existing brick fireplace, but updated it with a new black insert and wood mantle – which matches the cabinets.  Replacing the brick and fireplace would have been expensive – whereas a simple mantle to break up the large expanse of brick on the wall really updated the look.  Check out the before and after photos to see how this minor change really made a difference.

Another great update, visible in the before and after photos, is the stairway.  We simply replaced the railings with updated metal balusters and a new wood railing and newel post, and replaced the outdated oak cabinets with a built on site white wood cabinet made to match the new trim work throughout the home.  Again – check out the before and afters to see this change.  This type of change is my favorite, as we really interact with client “on the fly” to design and come up with solutions that are both cost effective and beautiful.

Bedrooms / Laundry Room
This is where we did most of the reconfiguring and additions. The area of the home that contained the master bedroom and bath was gutted to make room for a new laundry room (moved so it was closer to the bedrooms), master bedroom and additional master bathroom.

The new laundry room, which was once the old master bath and part of the master bedroom, became a large space with room for Becky to work out, do the laundry and house the dogs during rainy nights. “That’s getting to be my favorite room of the house,” says Becky “It’s just so workable.”  One of the keys to this modification was adding access to the back yard directly from the laundry room – something that Becky uses every day.  It sure beats running the dogs across the carpet in the family room to bring them inside.  And the tile floor makes cleaning up paw prints a snap.

Master Bedroom and Bath / Addition
Meanwhile, in order to make space for the new master bedroom, bath, and closet we designed and built a 16 x 24 ft addition to the home.  In this addition, the new master bedroom saw unused French doors removed and walled off and replaced with doors to a new patio. It got new hardwood floors as well.

The new master bathroom contains a large walk-in shower without any doors, travertine marble tile floors, a heated floor that turns on automatically every morning, mocha cabinets, light quartz counter tops, a large soaking tub in the middle of the room, and a large U-shaped closet with two doors, which is about 75% hers.  If I remember correctly – it may have actually been the master closet that was the real trigger in starting this remodel – not the kitchen … right Becky? 

Exterior / Landscaping
Outside the house, we replaced a large portion of the exterior siding and painted the house and front door.  In addition to that, every exterior door (except the entry) and window was updated to newer energy efficient model which Denny and Becky will receive a tax credit for.  We also added a new large concrete patio in the back as well.

It’s basically a brand new home and one Becky and Denny are looking forward to living in for years to come.

“We completely moved out and got rid of a lot of clutter, so it’s like starting over,” Becky says. “We still have cabinets that are empty, which is great.”

If you want to see more, check out our renovation before and after page. If you would like to know more about how we transform homes or how we can help you build a new home, visit us at www.fazzhomes.com.

First, this owner of the two-location Northwest Personal Training wanted to update her master bathroom, which came with some pretty standard finishes from the builder of her home.

Second, she wanted a multi-purpose and low-maintenance backyard that was equally friendly for her two young children and for her busy schedule.

“All we had in the back was just swampy, wet, and moist,” she says. “In the bathroom, everything was always cluttered. We never had any storage.”

Master Bath Before

Master Bath After

Yard Before

Yard Before

Yard After

Our team stepped in to recreate the backyard space. We replaced the old concrete slab with a new stamped concrete patio, then added solar lighting, a gas line for a grill, a built-in fire pit, and a few modifications to the sprinkler system. The hardest part of the job was removing and then reinstalling the hottub for the redo. (If you’re thinking of doing something like that yourself, think again!)

The changes resulted in a space that’s easier to maintain and better for entertaining. “Now we do way more outdoor parties and we have outdoor movies with the kids,” says McMillan.

For the bathroom remodel, we worked with a friend of Sherri’s on cabinet design, which greatly improved storage in the small space. We added lighting to the vanity and downlighting in the cabinets. We also made one simple, but hidden, improvement to the bathroom cabinets. We installed plugs inside the cabinets, so items such as hair dryers can be plugged in and stored in the same space.

We also helped Sherri find a remnant granite slab to upgrade the look from the old laminate tops. A new copper-colored specialty sink, new tile, and shower glass finished the space.

“There are so many pieces to the puzzle.” McMillan says. “It’s nice to have someone to project manage it and make the process more efficient.”

If you want to see more, check out our renovation before and after page. If you’re looking for help with a remodeling job in your home, big or small, you are welcome to call us at 360-571-7027 or fill out our form for a free consultation.

So when it was the kitchen’s turn, Liz Luce knew she wanted to scrap the “1980′s Pacific Northwest style” in favor of a more “plain English look.”

“I wanted something that wouldn’t ever go out of style,” said Luce.

Vancouver Heights Kitchen Remodel Photo Gallery

1980s Kitchen Before

Classic English Kitchen After

Close-up of Sink and Cabinets

Refrigerator Sticking Out Before

Refrigerator Flush With Cabinets, Pantry Next to It

Sink and French Doors

Faucet Detail

Pantry Slide-out Detail

Kitchen Storage Detail

French Doors Detail

Paneling Detail

Hardware Detail

Dubois Park Neighborhood Home in Vancouver, WA

She wanted to replace the Formica countertops and dated oak-trimmed white Formica cabinets, purchase new appliances, make room for a larger refrigerator and gain storage. And she wanted to make these changes without altering the layout of the space, moving walls, or disturbing the hardwood floors and adjoining rooms.

After a five-week remodel, which included demolition, plumbing changes, installation of French doors, installation of custom-made cabinets and paneling, installation of new appliances, and painting, the kitchen was reborn.

The transformation leaves the space with a simple and elegant look. Luce chose classic English-style cabinet doors with single panels. That classic look was echoed throughout the kitchen remodel with paneling on the remaining exposed walls and one covering the refrigerator.

For the new countertop, Luce preferred a dark grey soapstone with a matte finish, which adds drama to the look without being flashy. “I don’t like the sparkly stuff in granite,” she said.

But the biggest surprise for Luce was that, behind their simple paneled exteriors, the cabinets offered so many modern storage features:

• Large lazy susan turntables in corner cabinets take the chore out of storing items in the dark recesses of the cabinets.
• Under the sink, the plumbing was moved to the side of the cabinet, freeing much needed square footage.
• Other cabinets received multi-level slide-outs, again to make retrieving items easier.
• Finally, the pantry cabinet received a large slide-out, increasing the depth of storage and making it much easier to find hidden spices.

“By keeping the footprint exactly the same, I got all this incredible storage I didn’t have before,” said Luce.

Luce also was impressed with the level of craftsmanship and professionalism from the members of the Fazzolari Custom Homes and Renovations team.

“Everybody who came into this house got along with one another and they all looked out for each other to make sure everything was finished the way we wanted it,” she said.

In fact, the most difficult part of the project was simply getting started. “It’s like when you go to the hospital when you’re pregnant to see the birthing facilities,” Luce said. “You know you need to do it but you don’t really want to, because it’s too scary. But when you’re done, you’re ecstatic.”

If you want to see more, check out our renovation before and after page. If you would like to know more about how we can transform your dated kitchen or help you build a new home, visit us at www.fazzhomes.com.

“The very key thing was functionality,” said Julie. “There was one small closet in the master and the very small laundry room was in between the living room and the kitchen. I wanted to knock the washer and dryer space out and turn it into a butler’s pantry and put the washer and dryer upstairs.”

Salmon Creek Renovation Cover Photo

Kitchen Before

The kitchen needed a face lift to change its facade from the 1970s.

Kitchen After

We ended up with a classic look with black-and-white floors and subway tiles for the backsplash.

Kitchen After 2

Command Center

This space used to be a closet and an area that contained the hot water heater.

Command Center 2

Living Room Before

Living Room After

Living Room After 2

Office Before

Office After

Entry After

Bedroom After

So they brought in our Fazzolari Renovations team to spruce up the kitchen and remodel that washer-dryer space so it could be more of a “command center” for Julie.

In order to maximize the space we opened up the old laundry room by relocating to the upstairs both the washer and dryer AND the hot water heater that was installed behind them in the old “closet” to the hallway closet upstairs by the bedrooms.  We then added built-in cabinets, a small sink, ice maker, and a desk area to transform the room to a prep and pantry area for the kitchen and a space where Julie could set up her computer and work.

Our team also gave the old kitchen a face lift by painting the existing cabinets (yep – those are the same cabinets as in the before photos), updating the hardware, installing black-and-white floors, new countertops and subway tile. Then throughout the downstairs of the home we added some built-ins and, for aesthetics, custom moldings in the entryway.

“We wanted to bring the home out of the ‘70s,” said Julie. “But the idea was not to put it into 2009-2010. We’ve probably pushed it back to the ‘20s now.”

With only a couple of days before Julie and Joe wanted to move in, they decided to change some paint colors, add six recessed light fixtures in the kitchen and move some heating vents in the kids bedrooms.  Our team was able to get these last-minute changes done hours before Julie and Joe moved into the home.

That’s one of the values to using a general contractor. When we have to, we can leverage a relationship with our subs to make some of these things happen at the last minute.