Tips for Basement Remodelling

It’s the time of the year when you have the extra funds to make a difference to your basement. When you think that you need more space, you can always look inward and see if you can build a cosier room or a gym in the basement that you can use for casual activities.

There are several tips that you need to know about before starting the project. For one, you need to measure everything with regards to height and most building codes and regulations often require people to have a height of at least seven feet or more. Other tips that you should find helpful are the following:

Seal the Leaks and Holes to Control the Moisture

Finishes in your basement are often done to control water and moisture that can result in moulds and mildew. If there’s high humidity, know that you may not be able to proceed in building a cosy bedroom or living room down there.

Fortunately, minor issues can often be resolved with water-lock paints and some cracks may be sealed with the help of caulking. You can also contact the experts for basement remodeling where they can handle the finishes and the waterproofing, so you’ll get a long-term solution for your needs. Dehumidifiers are also going to collect a great deal of moisture that may condense on the ceilings and walls so you might want to try them out first.

Know the Purpose of the Space

Be specific about the looks and the primary reason for the renovation. As many homeowners have realized, the basement is dark and cold and it requires lots of light. When the entire family prefers the sunlit rooms, you might be hard-pressed to invite them to have a movie with them in a basement that’s been converted to be a theatre. However, they can also become gyms or spaces where people can practice yoga because they are often peaceful places.

Plan the Walls and the Entire System Carefully

Consider the water lines, drainage, electricity, and receptacles. For these reasons, walls are installed in a basement, and they can also provide a more aesthetically pleasing space for the homeowners. They can also help control temperature and prevent too much dampness in the space.

However, because of the inherent problems that moulds and rainwater have with concrete, you might instead prefer steel studs because they have the best dimensions, and they don’t tend to rot. You can also add foam insulation because the fibreglass type can be home to a lot of fungi if you’re not careful. See information about moulds on this page.

An electrical plan that’s going to be compliant with the codes is also a must. If you’re planning to install a bathroom, you need to make sure that the drainage goes in the right place to prevent floods. You might also want to call the professionals so they can handle the electrical work so you can have electric fans, lights, and charging outlets inside.

Know the Current Worth of your Home

Most homeowners may be paying for their mortgage and their bills and there might not be enough disposable income to build a new bedroom and bathroom in a basement. However, if you have some extra, it can help to convert your basement into a livable space where you can get a lot of sleep and be free from the hubbub of the family above ground. Invest just enough to make sure that you can get your expenses back when you decide to sell the home in the future.

Ask real estate agents about the basement remodel and get a figure that can be enough to increase the home. It would make sense to compare the other homes in your community and know their prices, especially after they’ve remodelled their basements.

However, go ahead and spend that money on things that matter the most to you. When you want your forever home to have the comforts and luxuries that it deserves, then it can make sense to spend something suitable for the lifestyle of the entire family. Also, there are neutral fixtures that are going to be less-risky investments like well-sealed granite countertops and vinyl plank floors so you might want to consider them as well.

Assess the Structure of the Property

When you have a very old property, its current structure’s integrity should be checked thoroughly. Know that they also need some TLC and when you see signs of pooled water or rotting wood in the basement, it might be a sign that you’ll have a lot of work to do to strengthen the home's foundation.

Examine every nook and cranny and see if you can safely live in the basement for a very long time. The experts should examine any signs of leaks, puddles, sagging ceilings, electrical issues, and floods.

Maybe it’s the best time to do an upgrade and this is when you might need to fix your drywall or rip out the ceilings. You can also decide to replace your HVAC, plumbing, and wiring because they might cause electrocution if they are not addressed properly. See info about heating, ventilation, and AC in this link: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/62059.

Set a budget and talk to a contractor first to make sure that you’ll have adequate funds throughout the project. Make sure to apply waterproofing to the ceilings, walls, and floors, and choose the best fixtures that can withstand daily use.

Know the Kind of Water You’re Facing

When the basement is partially or fully below ground, you’ll have to deal with some kind of moisture in the future. Most of the concrete slabs are pourous and they sit on dirt. A moisture meter can help you check the existing furnishings and help you determine if the air feels clammy or stuffy. Also, you might need to rethink your drainage and diver the water away from the house so it will be less likely to cause leaks. You should also consider installing sump pumps so you can prevent flooding during the rainy season in your area.