A finished basement can be the perfect addition to your home. Many homeowners choose to leave their basements unfinished, but a finished basement is perfect to create more bedrooms and to create more space for entertaining. Before refinishing, however, there are important considerations to keep in mind such as those that are found in the information below.
1. Inspect for Water Concerns
Basements are prone to flooding, and even if you have never noticed flooding before, you need to look out for water damage. The water damage can show up on the walls, on the ceiling, or even in the flooring of your basement as cracks in the concrete. Water can slowly drip into your basement from a leaky pipe, water sprinklers, or even rainfall and cause damage over time. If this has not been noticed, you could have a bad foundation or even mold in your basement that can lead to health concerns.
Fix these water issues before you do anything else for your basement, and repair where there has been any water damage in your home. Use basement waterproofing products to seal any cracks or any areas where you may think that water is coming in from, even if it is coming in slowly. Repair any cracks that are in the concrete or in the walls of your basement before there is serious structural damage if it is not there already. Hire a specialist to remove the mold from your home as well once you have fixed the water issue that is present.
2. Check the Foundation
After you have fixed the issues that come from water, you should start checking the foundation of your home. Look for any cracks in the walls or for any leaks that may be coming from foundation issues rather than water issues as mentioned above. The cracks come from stress on your house, which leads to a weakened foundation over time that may even eventually collapse if left untreated. Act as soon as you notice a problem so that you do not put your entire home and your family in harm's way.
There are several symptoms that you can look for other than cracks in the wall that indicate that you are in need of foundation repair. These include bulging or curved walls when you look at them from the outside and concrete that feels soft to the touch when pressed on. Your doors will not close as they should and your windows will have difficulty opening if you notice that you have foundation issues as well. Eventually, the issues will start to spread and you will notice that your floors are cracking, are starting to bow in, and are starting to slant under your feet.
3. Add Insulation
In order to be a comfortable place to live in, your basement will need a proper amount of insulation. Many homeowners neglect to add the ample amount of insulation as they feel as if not that much time will be spent downstairs. You can actually save a significant amount of money on your electricity bill every month if you add insulation to your finished basement though. Without it, your HVAC system has to work extra in order to make up for what is lacking due to a lack of natural heat or cool air.
There are many types of insulation for you to choose from to install in your basement depending on the type that you need and your budget. The most efficient type is spray-foam, and it is actually the most budget-friendly to install in your home as well. You will not need to make it custom-made as it will fit anywhere that you need it so that there are no drafts in your basement, especially if you have bedrooms downstairs. Though at first installation it costs more, it saves you money through the electricity bill that you have coming each month.
Final Thoughts
Refinishing a basement can be an exciting project for you to take on if you need more space in your home. Take the time to ensure that it is safe and comfortable to live in for everyone's benefit. This will ensure that the refinishing is done in the best way possible too.
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