TOTAL BASEMENT FINISHING

TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND

When looking for additional square footage, if a home has a basement, there is potential for space right under your feet. If you choose to finish your basement, we want to ensure your home is protected and is done the right way the first time around. To help out, we have a few tips to keep in mind. 

Handle Moisture Issues First

The most important thing you need to do, it ensure your basement is dry and damage-free before you start your projects so your investment is not just wasted or destroyed by moisture throughout the years. Look for any obvious signs of moisture or water that may be present. Check walls and the floor for dark areas or damp spots, cracks or condensation. If needed, install drainage, a sump pump and a dehumidifier (or any combination of the above) before you finish the space.

Check outside as well. Your downspouts should be discharging and flowing away from your foundation and your gutters need to be clean and connected properly. Moisture and water accumulation along the exterior of the foundation will eventually saturate the soil and that pool of water will work its way into the foundation.

Protect Your Investment From Flooding

Water intrusion can happen suddenly even if you've never had problems before. I've seen 2-3" of water flood a finished basement when the owners have never experienced flooding in 30 years.  It can be the result of neighborhood construction, insect tunnels or unusually high rains or snow. Protect your investment by installing WaterGuard, an award-winning product with a Life-Time Warranty and a TripleSafe Sump system to make sure your basement stays dry.

Check Your Local Codes

Once you have gotten the space ready and know that it's dry, check your local codes to make sure you know what you are allowed to do and what you aren’t. What type of permits do you need to get for your basement ideas to become a reality? The last thing you want is to finish the work and have to tear it apart to have it inspected. If you have water heaters, HVAC units and such in the basement, check their codes since they have their own set of codes for spacing and framing.

Use Waterproofing Materials

Even with these measures in place, you should utilize waterproof finishing supplies whenever possible. These solutions are versatile, and stylish and ensure that moisture does not become an issue for you in the future. Installing a vapor barrier to the walls before your finishing products will help keep your new products stay dry. We recommend installing drainage mats on the cement floor prior to carpeting, or products such as Thermal Dry Elite Plank Flooring. 

Consider things such as drop ceilings so that you are able to easily access your wiring and piping in the event that it needs repair at any point. Start out on the right foot by placing insulation prior to finishing products so that you are maximizing your energy efficiency. Seal the rim joists, as they are a primary source of heat loss in the basement. This can be done with rigid foam insulation in the joists and caulking to make them airtight. You can also utilize spray foam insulation cans to fill this space and leave it airtight. Seal around pipes and wires with caulking or spray foam material; this reduces heat loss, fire risk and sound transfer.

Think About What You Are Using The Space For

Using warm colors and a variety of lighting will make the space more comfortable and a little less dungeon-like. Are you entertaining in there, or is it a theater? Are you going to need some type of soundproofing for the walls or is it just for utility, storage and laundry? Knowing these things will help with your overall design and planning. This can help you find things on clearance or consolidation that you can pick up for less and hold onto until you hit that part of your project.