| Useful Resources |
Finishing your basement can increase the living space in your home at a fraction of the price of constructing a new addition. Structurally, the floor, walls and ceiling are already in place. The only thing left is to finish your
unused
space with BasementMax.
Please review some of the information below. This information is provided to you to give a brief explanation as to why Gypsum (Sheetrock) is simply not an option for below grade applications like your basement.
Moisture + Basement = A Potentially Dangerous Situation
There are many misconceptions about using drywall in a below grade application (basement). Please read some of the following statements often experienced by our Design Consultants: |
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Customer |
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We have always known that Drywall has been used for many years in basement applications. |
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BasmentMax Consultant,
This is absolutely true, this is because nothing else was available to the homeowner for finishing their Basement. |
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Customer |
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I know of a drywall basement that has been done for years and it still looks fine. How do you explain that? |
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BasementMax Consultant,
A basement finished with drywall may appear to be “ fine” from the naked eye. However,
it is the inside of the walls where the danger lies. |
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Customer |
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Can I finish my Basement with Drywall for far less then a BasementMax system. |
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BasmentMax Consultant,
This is a big misconception. When comparing apples to apples, if a drywall finished basement were able to offer you all of the features and benefits of BasementMax ( which it can’t ) the drywall finished basement would actually cost more. This is mostly due to
constant
repairs do to damage by mold and other incidents. |
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| Health Problems Associated with Toxic Mold |
If you have family members, residents or occupants who experience any of the following conditions,
it may indicate that mold is present in their environment: |
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| Is Toxic Mold Making You Sick? |
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| How Severe Is The Problem? |
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A USA WEEKEND report ("MOLD: A Health Alert", Dec. 5, 1999) describes how, "people with prolonged exposure to mycotoxins from Stachybotrys and other fungi experienced chronic fatigue, loss of balance, irritability, memory loss and difficulty speaking." The article also mentions several other studies that describe the extent of the problem. In one Harvard study of 10,000 homes, mold was associated with a 50 to 100% increase in respiratory symptoms. A Mayo Clinic Study indicated that nearly all of the 37 million sufferers of chronic sinus infection may be able to attribute it to mold. Other studies mentioned in the article link mold to the 300% increase in asthma over the past 20 years.
In the NEW YORK TIMES (Sep. 12, 1999), Edward Lipinski reported in his Home Clinic column ("The Battle Against Mold and Mildew") that up to 50 percent of homes contain problem molds. Many other prominent health journals and news publications are also reporting on the potential risks from toxic mold contamination. |
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"The key to mold control is moisture control. Solve moisture problems before they become mold problems."
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings,
March 2001 |
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