Lisa A Just stay off it, John. Waaaayyy too many adults tear ligaments and destroy knees because we're not nearly as flexible and limber as kids.

John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. I'll try

John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. What a view for an outdoor shower!

John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. Love the stone arch concealing the stairs. JW

colorbox Timely article!! I have recently come to realize that in furnishing and choosing a home, it's more about identity and personality than style or trends. To me, it's a lot like choosing clothes...you first have to know your identity/personality to be able to reflect who you are in your clothing choices. The same goes for our home...it's telling the story of who we are through our choices of furnishings, colors and placement of things. It speaks of how we live and function in our homes and says so much about who we are and our journey...as individual as our personalities and fingerprints! Personally, as a recent empty-nester who is currently building a new home, I have had a hard time with all the choices involved as I'm still trying to figure out my identity without
children under my wings and even how we will function differently in a house without kids around.

kroze Me too colorbox!

Nothing But Bathrooms That's one nice giveaway !!!

JANUS et Cie Thank you for your interest in JANUS et Cie products! You can find more information on the Window Barstool at http://www.janusetcie.com/residential/products/seating/barstools/window-barstool

John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. Love the storage feature

John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. As I understand it you are not allowed to undermine a homes footing. Dropping down and away at a forty five degree angle is as much as your allowed to do safely. Any kind of digging is risky and if you have moving water around your home even more so. A change in the soil can lead to soil erosion in serve cases.

We added a floor to our home a few years back. We had to dig in and place new footings under the foundation walls (that had no footing like today's homes). Before we poured the cement a Geo-Technology Engineer was out to inspect the soil and ground strength. Then the structural engineer to check the rebar detail and size. Then the city inspector to check to see that everything was in order - he/she needs the other two engineers letters before the OK is given to pour.

We did this in two rounds to place the least amount of stress on the home. If digging down is being considered plan it wisely and take great care cleaning the underside of the old foundation walls to get a good bond between the old system and the new. We used a vibrator to get out the air and fill the new footings well.

Like Bud mentions seek out the advice of a pro in this field. A poor job can lead to settling issues, cracking and a slue of bad things.

JW

MD Designs Ergodesk- Don't seal a wall that needs to breathe or it will mold! And if the costs exceed value no one will improve basements since all you need is ventilation to prevent the damage in the first place. Since your promoting the tight seal look at how many houses have mold in walls from being to tightly sealed and how many remodels have failed indoor air quality from no fresh air intake. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/hip-basement.html

Ergodesk - Energy Efficient Building Envelopes I'm glade you added the EPA website. RADON another confusing problem that most take to their craves. I believe that RADON Barriers should be included in ALL new homes, and renovations if possible. http://www.epa.gov/radon/

cliffordhome The tub in our bath is a huge jacuzzi that has a leak so we can't use it. I really miss my bathtub- I've used the kids bathtub ( a standard size) and it's just not comfortable. We are just about to do a whole bathroom remodel- will get rid of the big jacuzzi and put in a freestanding soaking tub that has a nice curve for the back and is deep. Can't wait! I only take a bath every couple of weeks or so, but it always feels great.

batgirlrocks YES

John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. I feel for ya. Water migration is nasty and so hard to find. The first step we take in any job detection is re-routing the rain water that comes from the gutters. We use temporary plastic tubing that we connect to the downspouts and then run a good 20-30 feet away from the house.

This first step tells us if it is the rain water leaders that might be cracked or poorly installed just below the ground level usually about 18"

Try this first and see what happens.

Find a company that has a thermal imaging camera and get them over after the next hard rain. These camera's can help so much in finding the problem.

Cross your fingers and cancel summer vacation - 9 times out of 10 this is going to cost you way more than you think. JW

lesleyjacklyn I don't know the exact entry point as we had originally thought it was through the cracks in the foundation. We think its coming through the vinyl somewhere but we don't know where. I will defiantly try the thermal imaging thing. Thanks. :)

John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. I'd read this before making any choice - it might swing the choice one way or the other.

grixtis Thank you all for the replies :)