Questions about unfinished basement

Submitted by turbodoggy t3_zvuupk in DIY

SOLVED Edit: I have a plan. Thank you DIY

I would like to make my basement a bit more comfortable to do projects in and I come seeking DIY's wisdom.

I am thinking about drywalling over the insulation but there are non-protected wires in a number of spaces. What can I do to protect these or prevent anyone from screwing into them? Example of wire on joist: https://imgur.com/a/rsLToIw

More of the ceiling: https://imgur.com/a/kgiyDT7

Most of the basement walls are concrete: https://imgur.com/a/ubsVMJg but there is a crawlspace section: https://imgur.com/a/U77De3V . On the left side of this crawlspace section is another room that has dirt exposed. Is there a way to cover this dirt so it is not slowly leaking onto the floor? https://imgur.com/a/8VOHMOw

Thanks for any advice!

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Comments

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Rowf t1_j1r9an7 wrote

I have a similar project I’m considering, and I’m thinking about running furring strips perpendicular to the joists. It’s added expense and more work, but it allows space to run power and other cabling to wherever I need it.

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unfinished_diy t1_j1rcryi wrote

Is that wiring? Based on the crisscrossing it looks like it’s just holding the insulation in place?

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turbodoggy OP t1_j1rd4ji wrote

Replying to unfinished_diy (#1,078,645)

There is insulation twine crisscrossing the joists to hold up the insulation but this is not what I am referring to.

There is a white wire that is running parallel to the joist. The wire sleeve is an off-white almost the same color as the insulation.

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TARacerX t1_j1si7bm wrote

Great question!!! And keep thinking like this..

They are called "nail plates"

The wire, by code, should be nailed 1/2 way across the 2x4 if both sides drywall, or against the back if non used or brick.

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Big-Spend-2915 t1_j1t6hg5 wrote

If possible, can you move the wiring so it is more out of the way?
For the dirt, you could build a green treated wall to hold it back.

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thebluelunarmonkey t1_j1tvagd wrote

Move wire to side of joist and use wire U-clips every 4 feet along the length of the wire to tack the wire *at least* 1 1/2" from the bottom of the joists.

Use furring strips perpendicular to joists to make drywalling easier. Will make straight lines for you to screw drywall to and give you a 3" width instead of trying to screw two meeting edges of drywall within the 1 1/2" width of your joist which may be bent/flexed and no longer perfectly straight.

Use correct length of drywall screws so there's no penetration (thickness of furring strip + thickness of drywall)

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