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APRIL 10, 2019
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VOL. 100, NO. 15
the most of an old basement Gary Potter, Potter Construction Many of the oldest homes in the great Northwest have basements, but the problem is that they weren’t designed for entertaining or even family use. They were meant for storing coal, canned goods, and farm tools. These basements can be tricky to work with due to their low ceilings and uneven concrete floors, no heat, and with posts every six feet to hold up the center of the house. How should you approach these types of basements to best meet your remodeling vision? Taking on a basement with a low ceiling is not easy. You’ve got to do everything possible to not reduce the ceiling height. A low ceiling is anything under 7 feet.
The building code allows a 7-foot ceiling but if your basement is 6’10” you won’t be required to raise the house or lower the floor. This is because it is considered an existing condition. But will it be comfortable? If you’re working with a sub7-foot ceiling, make sure you can live with the existing height after all the work is done. Even with most of the area at 7 feet, the code allows shorter ceiling height under beams and soffits and at doorways. A typical interior door is 6’8” so you can use that as a guideline. What else should you consider? First, consider the flooring. Uneven concrete is very hard to cover with tile without having to fill in the low spots. Carpet and/or tile can add ½ to 1 inch to the floor. One solution is to roll on a protec-
tive synthetic coating which creates a gleaming floor and no measurable thickness. This material is made for concrete floors, goes on in two to three coats, and can be made to look like a natural surface. Look for companies that specialize in this type of installation. Next, consider the beams that hold up the house. Make them as
small as possible with the longest span allowing fewer posts. You will need to use a structural engineering firm to make sure the beam is sized correctly for the span between posts and the load of the house above. Consider also what material will cover the ceiling. Drywall is typically used on residential ceilings,
which is ½ inch thick or more depending on how much shimming needs to be done to make it look level. Ceiling lights in this instance are usually the recessed type. Set into the space between the floor joists to prevent using precious BASEMENT, Page R7
What’s That Smell? Fragrance may be Toxic for Your Health What is the ingredient “fragrance”?
“Fragrance” is an ingredient - often times multiple ingredients - rolled under the singular-sounding ingredient listing. The ingredient(s) contained within the term “fragrance” do not need to be specifically listed. Therefore, when you see the word “fragrance” in an ingredient list, it is likely a variety of undisclosed chemicals. “Fragrance” is considered a “trade-secret” ingredient. Although the FDA requires products to list their ingredients, they are not allowed to be used to force a company to tell “trade secrets.” “Fragrance” falls into a strange realm of “a complex mixture of many different natural and synthetic chemical ingredients” (of which do not need to be disclosed to the consumer).
If the secrecy isn’t concerning enough, what else is bad about “fragrance”?
The innocuous-looking ingredient “fragrance ” often contains hazardous chemicals linked to negative health effects. “Fragrance” is considered to be among the top 5 known allergens and can trigger asthma attacks. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “fragrance” is the number one cause of cosmetics-induced dermatitis. A report by the Committee on Science & Technology noted that 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, which are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. Phthalates are used to make fragrances last longer, and are usually present in products that have fragrance in them. The phthalate commonly used in products that contain fragrance is diethyl phthalate, or DEP. Research has shown that DEP is confirmed to be harmful to aquatic life. And when tested on rats in a laboratory setting, it has been shown to cause musculoskeletal and neurologic problems. Phthalates are also associated damage to the male reproductive system. I could go on and on, but the idea is to realize that “fragrance” isn’t healthy or safe. Fragrance irritates individuals with chemical sensitivities as well as contains hazardous chemicals that can harm individuals and the environment. FRAGRANCE, Page R7
It’s time to get your utility room clean and sorted Natalie Ivashkina, Eco German Kitchen Utility rooms deserve the same attention that the other spaces in your home get. Utility rooms don’t get enough love. Because these rooms are generally closed to the public, they are often the most neglected spaces in our homes. That’s a shame, because a well-organized utility room makes daily household activities easier and much more efficient. You don’t have to be Marie Kondo to understand the benefits of organizing. Having iron-
ing boards, laundry baskets, paper goods and vacuum-cleaner attachments in easy reach is essential for effectively responding to any cleaning needs that arise. You don’t want to have to scour your house in search of a hand vacuum after you tracked dirt all over your antique rug. The trick to maximizing the utility of your utility room is approaching its form and function with the same attitude you bring to more public-facing spaces in your home. If you start with the idea that the room is as important as your kitchen, the value of keeping it clean and well-organized will be obvious. Take the project
as seriously as you would any other room. Just like a kitchen, the utility room should be tailored to your needs and expectations. Before you rearrange everything, you should start by identifying your most essential requirements. Do you need a depot for small appliances and cleaning supplies? Space to fold and iron laundry? Additional storage for recyclables or amenities? By asking these questions, you will get a sense of the kinds of activities you will need to accomplish in the space, and the varieties of storage suitable to the task. UTILITY ROOM, Page R7