Since I've never done this kind of construction before, I needed to figure out exactly how to get started. I could have just started nailing boards and running wires but I wanted to make sure I did it right. The City of Winnipeg provides easy to understand brochures that describe framing, electrical and plumbing. For example, because of the potential for basement floors to shift, it's required to leave at least a 19mm gap above or below partition walls. It's easier to leave the gap on top because otherwise, I'd have to hang the partition walls from the joists. There are requirements for doors, the number of outlets and light fixtures on an electrical circuit and it's necessary to install an exhaust fan in the washroom because the only thing separating you from various noxious sewer gases is a little puddle of water in the bottom of the toilet bowl!
Armed with this information, I was able to set out with a real plan of building my basement. Coming up next .... pictures of some of the framing including the finished Dricore installation.
