4 Important Steps to Take Before Finishing a Basement
A basement offers additional storage space, an extra bedroom, or another recreational area. When building one, many homeowners opt to leave it unfinished to save money and time because they believe it will be a tedious home project. This means it has no heat, finished floors and walls, accessible stairway, or electrical system. Although completing this task takes a lot of work, it is a worthwhile investment in the long run.
Once you decide to push through with the project, thorough planning and preparation are necessary. You have to consider your budget, the age of your house, and more. You also need to check the structure and address all issues to ensure aesthetics, safety, and functionality.
Here Are The Steps to Take Before Finishing a Basement
1 - Examine the foundation
Basements are prone to cracked walls due to their location. These cracks weaken the concrete and can lead to foundation issues. Since these are common, assess the condition of the foundation first before doing any construction in your basement and seek foundation repair when needed. This is crucial because it affects the safety and stability of your entire house. Some serious foundation problems you have to watch out for include:
- Stuck windows
- Soft concrete
- Horizontal cracks
- Cracked, curved, or bulging walls
- Cracks on floors
- Bowing or slanted floors
2 - Deal with water issues
Besides cracked walls, your basement can experience leaks, which can cause rot, mold, and foundation shifting. Address this by examining the walls, floors, and ceiling for signs of water damage, fixing leaky pipes, and eliminating other water issues before putting in insulation and sheetrock. This way, preventing severe and costly problems will be easier later on.
3 - Insulate
Just because you spend less time in your basement does not mean you can skim on the insulation. Failing to insulate the basement can cause expensive energy bills, foundation problems, and home structure issues, so make sure to insulate.
Some insulation options to consider are fiberglass batts and spray foam. If you prioritize creating a more energy-efficient house and budget is not an issue, opt for spray foam insulation. It can be more costly, but it provides financial returns since it effectively fills in all the gaps and holes.
4 - Start your design process
Once you confirm that your basement is ideal for finishing, it’s time for the most exciting part of the project: creating your design. First, determine the purpose of the room. For example, you may want to transform your basement into another bedroom to accommodate your growing family. Maybe you like to turn it into a rental apartment to make more money. Regardless of your reason, this will dictate what you will have to do with the design.
You can always hire a contractor to help you. They will consider the weight of your basement, determine if you need to knock down a wall, and ensure the support beams can stabilize your house without affecting your design plans.
Conclusion
Every basement is different. Some can be candidates for finishing, while others require structural work before plumbing, walls, and other essentials can be installed. If the structure of your house is old or poorly built, take the important steps listed above before finishing your basement. Afterward, search for “basement finishing services” to start enjoying your new additional area.
Whether you need basement finishing,
basement waterproofing, or mold removal, you can count on Advanced Basement Waterproofing. We serve Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut, and we specialize in foundation sealing, crack repair, and
french drain installation.
Contact us for a free quote!
