There are a number of famous basements that appear in movies and TV shows. Many of these basements end up having some problems for one reason or another. What are those problems and how might you be able to fix them? Here are some examples of how to fix movie and TV show basements.
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Stranger Things: Foundation Damage and Electrical Issues
The paranormal elements of Stranger Things lend themselves very well to some basement issues. You can see these basement problems in the basement of the Wheeler household. Not only does a demon break one of the walls, but there are also clearly some power problems with the lights. To fix it, an expert would want to check for foundation damage, then fix the broken drywall. It would also be a good idea to upgrade the breaker box to avoid lighting problems.
The Goonies: Stonework Problems and Sinkholes
The major problem in the basement in The Goonies occurs when Chunk and Sloth end up chained in a basement. By working together, they’re able to break free, causing damage to the stonework of the basement. Later in the movie, they accidentally cause an underground cave-in, which causes a sinkhole. An expert would want to tackle the stonework problems, then fill in the sinkhole from the top so it’s not a hazard.
Ghostbusters: Foundation Damage and Electrical Concerns
In an extremely important scene in the Ghostbusters movie, the containment unit on the lower level of the Ghostbusters’ building explodes after an EPA inspector orders an electrician to cut the power. This could lead to severe foundation damage. A fix would require that an expert repair the foundation damage, ideally with piering and wall stabilization. Plus, the Ghostbusters may want to install a backup generator to avoid this happening again.
That ‘70s Show: Smoke and Residue
Because That ‘70s Show takes place in the ‘70s, as its name would suggest, there is plenty of smoke floating around the basement. Notwithstanding any other potential health impacts, one issue that could definitely cause is lasting smoke damage in the basement, which can lead to secondhand smoke problems. A thorough deep clean could remove the lingering smells and smoke, making it good as new.
John Wick: Foundation Damage in the Basement
At one point, John Wick buries a cache of weapons in his basement, hidden under the concrete. When it’s time for him to dig them back up, he does so using a sledgehammer. Assuming the concrete he digs up is actually the basement foundation and not an additional slab on top, this could lead to some very serious foundation damage. An expert would have to assess the foundation, then repour the concrete.
Ozark: Basement Moisture Problems
When the family at the center of Ozark moves to Missouri, they room with an individual named Buddy. Buddy lives in the basement of the home, while the rest of the family lives in the top floor. However, the damp, moist basement exacerbates his terminal illness. To fix this problem, an expert would have to assess why the basement is so moist. A fix would probably require waterproofing and a dehumidifier to remove moisture for good.
Spy: Pest Infestation
Spy mostly takes place at the CIA headquarters in Langley. However, it’s definitely not as high-end as someone might think at first. The basement where Susan Cooper works is actually pretty run-down, and there are rats and mice all around the area. The first step would be to hire an exterminator, but a foundation repair expert could help address the areas where the pests are entering.
Conclusion
You might not want to take basement repair advice from a movie, but that doesn’t mean you can’t analyze these interesting movies. Every time you see a basement with problems in a movie in the future, think about how you would fix it if those problems were present in your basement. It might surprise you how many movies have basement problems that come from real issues.
To read more on topics like this, check out the House category
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