Can I save my flooded basement?

[@moniquebrown18]

We fought water in our basement FOREVER. We did everything to waterproof and while it definitely got better we still ended up with water seapage down there at least once a year. We quickly realized that we needed to use miracle wet board not drywall on bottom half of walls and we left 4-6 inches open at bottom and covered with a large baseboard. That way if we did get water, drywall wicking was not an issue. Also switched to wood plank ceramic tiles. Learned over a few years and had to correct a lot. Hoping this works for you! Good luck!

[@diyhuntress]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Hoping that investing in the foundation waterproofing and the French drain will be a big help! 🤞

[@patriciaann850]

⁠@@diyhuntressI had just the internal French drain installed around the perimeter and never saw water again! So if you did both then you will hopefully have success too ❤

[@cnmlzrm]

What do you mean with leaving a gap and then covering with baseboard? Thanks for the help!

[@Anberel]

Paint the pole the same color as the walls and you might not even notice it anymore.

[@EdwardIglesias]

I like the pole wrap thing. If it is going to be a gym perhaps it could have hooks for jump ropes, elastic bands etc.

[@diyhuntress]

Love!

[@jacm4629]

@@diyhuntress jumping on to this comment: the pole is sticking out because it is the only thing that is done in that dark wood treatment right now. If you were to bring in one or two more things in the dark-stained wood, it would look less out of place - a bench or table, maybe a sliding door in front of the little closet to the right of the pole, stair treads and handrails, as trim around a mirror. Those could all be ways to make it more cohesive... I want you to keep the dark wood because I personally love the look!

[@Tinkery]

If you want the pole to go away, paint it white to match the walls. If you want to have fun with it, paint it an outrageous color so that it pops against the neutral white of the wall and dark floors. A third option would be to wrap it with an acrylic mirror in order to have a floor length mirror in your gym. Nice work!!

[@diyhuntress]

Ohhh. A mirror!

[@jlammetje]

@@diyhuntress I think a lightwash on the pole would be pretty as well. So you still get a hint of the wood, and it's not exactly the same as the walls. I definitely think the dark stain was a mistake, sorry ;-)

[@loissaedder2214]

I thought white for the pole too.

[@williamellis8993]

That space looks great, Sam. I would recommend that you install a battery powered backup sump pump system, too. If you have a power outage during a storm, it would keep the basement from flooding (again) and would pay for itself the first time you need it. Don't ask me how I know. Bill

[@cam-tv5rb]

I love that you're using Flooret!! Not too long ago I ordered free samples from a ton of companies and, because we have multiple dogs, I tested them AGGRESSIVELY. Flooret was the only brand that stood up to my tests.

[@judymcinnis]

Sam, I am happy to see you are feeling better. I missed my Saturday double feature with you and DIY Danie. I am just starting the planing to finish my basement and I am going to look into the flooring - perfect timing.😀 It looks amazing so far. In my opinion I think that the pole would look better painted the same as the walls. It will have a more cohesive look. Right now it looks like "one of these things is not like the others."❤️🌺

[@diyhuntress]

So happy to be back! Love the input on the pole - thank you!

[@jessicahites871]

Now this is a transformation!! Looks awesome Sam!!

[@diyhuntress]

Thank youuu! 😭

[@zelavie]

I only recently found your channel, and oh man. I'm absolutely going back and watching everything you've posted. You are crazy talented and are straight up GOALS but I also love how quirky you are. It makes you so much more relatable when you take a random dance break or impulsively quote a movie. Thank you for sharing all of this with us!

[@diyhuntress]

Wait… thank you for this. 🥺 So stoked you’re here!

[@amzinglyawesomeness]

I love that the new stairs opened up the space so much as well!! Looks amazing Sam!!!

[@ColleenJohnson-yz3zx]

You could turn the pole into a narrow version of stall/wall bars. You can then use it for working out attaching a removable bench to it, using ressitance bands, a pullup bar or rings. Very functional and very DIY

[@mojoholo9529]

I’m sooooo glad you left your catwalk in your Dexter suit in …. Highlight of the vid …

[@mythcrab6047]

So impressed by how you get a job done quickly without sacrificing the quality while dealing with the challenge of making a video and always staying positive and within your budget.

[@kenziehiatt4318]

Careful with your new stairs. Mine was like that, and i slipped on a sock, fell and broke my tail bone. I wish i would have listened to my contractor when he said to angle them to have a landing. Soo now we're replacing them 😂🤦‍♀️ stay safe!

[@kimpaynter]

Omg omg omg are you kidding ❤❤❤❤ it’s ok to ask for that help😊 the white paint the dark floors, getting rid of pony wall, opening up the stairs, changed the basement completely❤❤❤ It’s awesome.

[@laurasmith9726]

Totally off subject Sam…just wanted to give you a keep in mind moment, health wise. I have been having boughts with bronchitis since I was a baby. I take/took pretty good care of myself cholesterol and salt etc. I never smoked, I exercised etc. I was constantly on the go. Until one day, in my 50s, I crashed! I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t keep my eyes open etc. I ended up being life flighted. I didn’t know this but the bronchial virus can grab your heart. It put me into Cardiomyopathy/Heart failure. So here’s my point. Slow down gurl. The basement will still be there next month, so will all the other projects. If you can’t breathe you can’t do any of your projects. Take care, things are looking good

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you for this and for looking out for me. 🥺

[@Beruthiel45]

Good to hear that you're feeling better, and wow, what a transformation! ☺️. No worries about getting the pros to do some stuff, it's wise to know when it's the best solution for a situation. Drywalling on top of a bad bronchitis is a huge no no! I'm looking forward to what's in store coming up. Take care girl. 🤗💖xx

[@alee9961]

Great transformation! Glad that you asked for assistance in tackling this huge project! Well done. Looking forward to seeing your next video. Happy you are feeling better. 😊

[@susanm8957]

You continue to amaze me😊 You make it look so effortless❤ I love the ease of installing that flooring. What a dream to clean also. Nice work, glad you are feeling better!❤

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you. 🥹

[@SwampWampa]

For our basement pole, i actually just spray painted it black and my dad did a little custom round quarter round trim for it using a router on a wood round and a lot of sanding. To fit it around, he cut it in half and installed magnets on each piece so it clicks together around the pole. If youre up for the project, it really looks great and doesnt take up any more space!

[@ariannaschafer3326]

So happy you're feeling better and blessing us with a video!! sure have missed you. Welcome back and try to stay healthy. The basement looks awesome. Can't wait to see the final!

[@diyhuntress]

So happy to back! Promise to stay healthy!

[@marycoffee7366]

Nice to have you back❤️and healthy 👏👏👏

[@moda78z]

Sam, it’s amazing! And so big! 😍 When can I move in? I promise to do all the laundry 😁❤️🇸🇪 Ps. I’m happy you’re feeling better, and tell dad we said “hi” ❤️

[@mrsdscraftdesk]

What about adding rails to the stairs?

[@diyhuntress]

On the list! We have a bunch of big stuff we have to move downstairs first. 😊

[@brigittabrandt5466]

Great Work!🎉 Please dont you worry too much... Your true subscribers will be back and watching!

[@ELCADAROSA]

Lookin' great, Sam! A question ... obvious cost aside, was there a reason the basement leak wasn't handled from the exterior? One option for the column ... wrap it in Schedule 40 piping, then wrap that in rope. Finish with a paint color the same as your wall color. Or wrap the piping with a wood veneer.

[@Etjecours]

Apply white stucco on the pole!!! 😁 Redoing the basement, we kept the one made in the '70 by previous owner. Reeeeally kitsch but what a conversation piece!🙂 Shouldn't be an eyesore but a big statement of who you are! Go bold!

[@lucybradshaw6154]

Wow - Sam the basement looks spectacular! Sorry you've been so sick, but glad to hear you're better. Pace yourself, please don't over do it ♥ Looking forward to your next video.

[@kimwelch1113]

About your support beam…. I was watching a show on Hulu called High Hopes. Episode 4 at about 7:30 you see a support beam painted white with what looks like graffiti all over it. Worth a look.

[@we3ms69]

As always your this project, like every other project you do, is just amazing! You inspire me to take on more projects myself. I look forward to seeing the transformation to your basement ❤❤

[@kimbanyc]

So you didn't put stud walls up along the cement, right? looks like you put the boards broad ways like wide furring strips.

[@L.J.H.-sg6eb]

Sam! I know it is the middle of the night, but I woke up from a cool dream I had! I imagined you had flooring you were going to put in but wanted to do something artistic to make a statement for that area. So, you took a long strip of wood that had knots in it, took out the knots and filled them with epoxy rescin with all different colors. This strip could go anywhere, but I pictured it in front of your washer and dryer. Just had to share!!!! 🎉❤❤❤ OH, and when I mean in front of, I mean a piece put into the floor. Wild right!?

[@suzy1676]

I actually laughed when you strutted away and turned back real quickly to do your "fashion model" pose! 😅😂❤

[@WoodcraftBySuman]

"i actually am floored by the..." you did not just make that joke 😂

[@diyhuntress]

😏

[@dawnliphard9591]

What about wrapping the pole box in flooring? It would obviously match, then just add the white trim top and bottom.

[@kandydyle7574]

I like what you did to the basement is really cool. What you do for you I’m happy for you.❤❤🎉🎉😊😊

[@bronc1749]

Such an amazing transformation! So glad you are feeling better! Looking forward to more videos ❤

[@eja0516]

Love how the basement turned out! Did you get the signature planks or the base planks? Thanks so much!

[@JaskaranSingh-rn7sk]

Good lord that's a BIGG Transformation 💯 SOO damn sleek 💯

[@Zillah82]

I wondered what happened to you. I'm so glad you're ok. Don't do too much right after being sick because in my experience that bites you in the ass. The basement looks so good! I like the pole the way you handled it but you could just paint it white if you want it to sort of go away.

[@suzy1676]

Take GOOD care of yourself!❤ Your good health is Priceless!!

[@BreaksMend]

Way to go! Don't know if you already thought of this and decided it wasn't worth it/wasn't the style, but could the ends of the tread cover piece be mitered in at 45degrees and then have two more pieces of the tread cover for the sides? It looks like the top part of the tread cover is the same width as the exposed bit of tread? So just having small pieces that are the same length as the width of the top of the cover (instead of the full length of the tread) could work? The front lip of the tread cover pieces for the sides would have to be cut to match the angle of the stringer, but it would cover the exposed bit of tread? Also, don't know if that was explained in a way that makes any sense:)

[@itsmefabrice]

Just paint that pole pure white and just create a small wooden box/baseboard at the very bottom to fit the flooring. It'll be less "in your face" and way more natural that way imho.

[@KristyBurchcrafts]

What about faux brick or rock around the wrapped pole? Really enjoy your channel and projects.

[@scarlettehaynes4819]

The basement is looking amazing! I like what you did around the pole, but if you don’t, you could try the wood pole wrap. It makes a cool look

[@mattcampbell7873]

more work, but sand the stairs and just clear coat them to pull out the natural tones. Like your master bedroom slats. Contrast the black and flooring. Would look amazing.

[@alexusmarie3605]

I seen some comments about painting the pole white, I agree. I think it would right would tie in with the walls well. I was thinking about dry wall and the trim at the bottom to match what u did with the walls but I don’t know if that’s a thing to do for a center pole/beam. I’m by no means a handy person or contractor😂😂😂😂 I just like things to match lol

[@jeremyspecce]

NO shame in having someone come in to do the drywall, it is THE WORST!

[@Stephanie-y4y1o]

They have a product I think called pole wrap. I've seen Lone Fox use it to make some furniture a year or so ago. Looks like wood.

[@mmcnama4]

For the stairs, you could do faux stringers to encase the metal sides/tops and thus cover up the edge of the flooring on the treads.

[@marcelaweber8752]

Incredible! I think matching the trim on the pole to the baseboards and ceiling trim/molding would help the pole be more cohesive. That might be enough to make it feel right, without changing the color from the brown stain.

[@Amyndrael]

You can probably paint the wood covering the post the same color as the walls. It would blend in far better. Or maybe a different color as an accent?

[@NicVanD]

Wow it looks beautiful!!! I would pair the pole box/cover white so it blends in with the walls (optical illusion) and doesn’t stand out. What an amazing transformation!!!!

[@memecats5698]

I’ve had dark flooring and the only problem with it is it shows every speck of dirt or dust or lint or pet hair on the floor. If you can get past that it’s beautiful but it is more work.

[@tonyathomas66]

It looks spectacular. You did a fantastic job and it looks amazing. 😻

[@bghall1643]

encase the header over the pole with the same wood/stain as the pole so they look synonymous and purposeful (think amish pole barn)

[@valerieann2751]

The pole covering looks fine. It will make a difference once you put furniture in the room. You won’t notice it as much then

[@kaitlin.88]

Loved this! Can you wrap the pole in the same Flooret flooring?

[@myrahogan3110]

Nice job. Looking forward to seeing how you finish it out. Rest up! ❤

[@michaelmeans9187]

Pole in basement: Keep the pine and live with it for one year. If you don't like it after one year, change it.

[@Dragonited]

If you want to make the stair threads work you could just put on a wooden trim board on top of the metal stringers to cover the sides of the stair threads.

[@katieallen3927]

Flooding in a basement is my worst scenario nightmare. I've been very lucky to avoid that in my house. I hope this solution fixes the problem permanently.

[@diyhuntress]

Me tooo.

[@justbelit]

The pillar casing would have looked better in the wall colour as it would have not been so noticeable. Otherwise it looks good

[@Nosferatuklown]

But....if you finish the basement, where do you put the bodies now?

[@AliceJaimie]

Are you doing an Ikea greenhouse with that Rudsta Sam? 👀🌱

[@woodbyrd]

my basement is jealous... glue some wood trim to the top of the metal stringers to hide the side of the lvp treads?

[@Hollafax]

Great transformation! For the pole, I would paint it white so that it blends in as part of the structure.

[@debbydhill]

pole wrap stained black. Edit: glad you are better!

[@melissasecondo4288]

i think the post looks good tbh like yeah the location of it is kinda annoying but i think much better than your upstairs caving in 🤣

[@allasheifer7288]

You did a phenomenal job 🎉🎉🎉 What color did you use on the walls?

[@MorningBonner]

I think the pole wrap is a little too large and I think it would look better in cedar with a char on it. But it doesn't look bad as is.

[@procrastinathi]

the way you said 'i'm floored' while showing b-roll of the floor

[@melynbiend760]

Please think about painting the pole wrap white. Just a suggestion.

[@melynbiend760]

You do great work. Teach us ladies how to ! I will pay for your class.

[@roxiepoe9586]

I like the pole as it is, but I can also see it as the world's skinniest library. :)

[@andreamalik2961]

Maybe paint the pole white? It will make it less of a jump out feature xx

[@ECole-le7we]

Paint the poll wrap the same color as the walls. It will disappear - for the most part.

[@naturalgalwilliams]

Beautiful! Just beautiful work Sam❣️

[@kristineolsson751]

I would keep the original pole but paint it black as the stairs.

[@martinebangs6520]

Hi Sam, great progress, looks awesome. Where did your huskies go to ?....Take care...cheers !!!

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you! They’re family pups! They’ll be making an appearance soon though. Don’t worry!

[@MariaHernandez-lb8gk]

Your basement looks great. You really did a great job 💯

[@glennstankevicius9895]

Why not add a trim piece to the top of the stringers that is tall enough to cover the tread ends?

[@alycynde5237]

Hoping the basement company fixed the walls first, seeing active water coming in is not a good sign. Beyond that, the flooring. It looks quite good and looked easier to install than you'd think. Love that it looked flexible and easy enough to cut. I wasn't considering flooring for my basement reno but seeing this i may be changing my mind.

[@diyhuntress]

Yep! They did a full foundation waterproofing system?

[@kimberlyakers5923]

looks great. maybe try a black stain over the brown to darken it.

[@RadioMaven518]

Also, “FLOORED” hehehehe ….I’ll leave.

[@Andr3wE]

Maybe a dumb question, the flooring doesn't require any adhesive? I would think you would be able to feel it smoosh down when you step on it if it wasnt secured somehow.

[@Andr3wE]

It looks so great!! Well done! From your title, I was afraid you were gonna find a leak mid renovation or something! Im glad that was not the case.

[@donnatitmus4574]

Maybe paint the pole wrap the same colour as the walls ❤❤

[@Ubi123]

Amazing Transformation as always Sam ✨️

[@xomarz5873]

Add picture moulding to pole and paint it white!

[@vibe2248]

I don’t even know what to say. You definitely did your thing. I love watching your videos & transformations. Definitely locked & always watching 😊

[@katieallen3927]

I would cover the pole box with mirrors.

[@UnknownCreaturegr]

The most neat basement transformation I've ever seen

[@Kdude216]

This looks so great, Sam!!! And I really like the wrapped pole actually. Saw somebody say maybe you can hang gym equipment from it, and I think that’s a great idea.

[@CybrJames]

WOW, what a transformation. You nailed it. I love it all. You have some serious talent my friend. Always enjoy your videos. Great job. I hope your feeling better.

[@Tina.bina.]

My house flooded recently too 🥲 we lost the cheap laminate flooring the previous owners installed in the kitchen and still haven't had time/budget to replace it yet. Thankfully underneath the laminate is perfectly functional linoleum 😂 we're hoping to tile with actual water resistant flooring that will last for the future.

[@allywarner7685]

Use pole wrap! It was made for basement poles!!

[@lauralee2248]

Can you run a 2x6 or even a 2x4 up the metal stringers and that will cap off the ends of the treads so you can use your original idea ?

[@diyhuntress]

That’s a great idea! I’m probably going to replace them with nicer, oak treads in the future and then custom stain them to match the flooring. 😊

[@valerieann2751]

This is exactly why I don’t want a house with a basement anymore. I hope your waterproofing works well for you. I think the French drain probably is the best idea. It’s usually caused by landscape issues.

[@agresticumbra]

Looking good! Familiar with basement work. We recently redid most of ours, and it was a process that involved many professionals. A lot of it was not DIY, due to having piers run under the basement, walls and ceilings sealed, radon mitigation, etc., before the remodel could actually take place. Your basement floor looks similar to the on in our basement theatre room. We chose a floating cork plank, and it's an off black: Amorin Wise Identity Nightshade. Your floor looks a bit warmer than ours, but really quite similar. As the name implies, there's a purple/violet note in the dark grey (soft black?) hue. The hall and offices are in Identity Chestnut, to compliment the wood trim. Other than sealing in floors and walls, and the pipe for the radon mitigation, the utility room remains untouched. Our water heater, and furnace need to be replaced, and our washer is acting up. Gotta tackle those really soon, because I don't want to wait until they fail. When we address those, we'll look at how we'll spruce up the space a bit. We were thinking of maybe putting in a garage floor epoxy/sealer, but we've gotta see what our budget can handle.

[@sharonclarke8683]

It looks amazing sam well done love it❤❤

[@rusticcharmwoodshop]

So many awesome things going on in one video. Great job on everything. Love that you asked for help when you needed. No shame in leaving some things up to the pros.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you so much. 🥹

[@rusticcharmwoodshop]

And I’m glad you’re feeling better too ☺️

[@jeremyspecce]

Loved Aero peeking up about dinner 🥰