4 Things to Do Before Finishing Your Basement

 

It’s about that time of the summer when you’re probably wishing your house was bigger. The kids are climbing the walls, it’s too hot for the dog to play outside for too long, and you’re only just getting over the invasion of holiday weekend visitors all up in your space.

 

How great does a finished basement sound?

 

Finishing your basement is the fastest and cheapest way to add living space to your home. It’s far less expensive and complicated than adding an addition, and you don’t lose storage or yard space - you only gain usable space.

 

There might be some problems holding you back. Maybe your basement is wet, or there’s a wall crack that makes you really uneasy. It can be stressful to think about creating a rec room, man cave, or even bedroom in a space you don’t fully trust. Here are some things you should do before considering basement finishing.

 

Check for Water

 

One of the biggest holdups to finishing your basement is the presence of water. While it’s smart to get a free inspection with us, we also want to make sure you know the signs of water problems. 

 

Staining on the walls and floor can both indicate incoming water. If you can’t see any water, use your nose to identify any musty smells - that’s also a sign. Finally, check your ceiling beams for warping or even mold.

Check for Cracks

 

Take a walk around your basement and keep an eye on the walls. You may notice vertical, horizontal or, if you have block walls, stair-step cracks. Now do the same for your floor - see any cracks?

 

There are multiple reasons for cracks to form in your basement walls and floor. It could be as simple as hairline vertical cracks that naturally occur when concrete walls cure, or it could be something more serious that requires stabilization to make your foundation safe and secure.

 

Plan Your Space

 

Think about what you want to use your finished basement for. Do you want a big open rec room or multiple rooms? Want it completely dark for a theater, or would you like to let natural light in? Could you use an extra bedroom for visitors? A home office? A music studio? The possibilities are endless.

 

It's good to plan out what you want to do before starting your project because you may need to install one or more egress windows (great for natural light - literal building code requirement for bedrooms).

 

Call Us

 

If you notice signs of water or structural concerns, you should call us to schedule a free inspection. One of our System Design Specialists will do a full inspection and sit down with you to explain any problems that might be occurring and make sure you feel good about our plan to solve them. Even if you don't notice anything, it's good to have us out for your own peace of mind.

 

Don’t despair if there are problems - this isn’t the end of your finished basement dream, it just means there are a few steps to take first! We have a full array of waterproofing and foundation products to create a custom solution that will make your basement better than new. We even have “fun stuff,” like flooring that will make your basement floor beautiful and comfortable and that is water and mold-proof (unlike carpet).

 

Finishing your basement can drastically increase the living space in your home without the hassle and expense of building an addition. Call today to schedule your free inspection and make sure your basement is safe and ready for finishing.