Basement Finishing Tips

For many homeowners who think about home improvement a lot, the basement is one place that rarely gets the attention it deserves. That’s because most don’t consider it as valuable space for living. But when you actually plan on working on a finished basement, it definitely will become a very nice addition to your home. As a matter of fact, what you get in return is a spare area where you can do a lot of good things. So if you want to carry on a basement finishing project, consider these tips: [caption id="attachment_300" align="alignleft" width="375"] This usually is how the start of a basement finishing project looks like.[/caption] 1 – First things first, make sure every corner in the basement is dry. This is very important because majority of basements are usually covered in standing water due to leaks. Therefore, before even thinking about giving your basement the improvement it needs, you must do a comprehensive inspection, the purpose of which is to figure out if there are any water issues, whether it is a minor or major one. If you see some dripping or pools of water, those are the two most obvious signs that a water problem indeed exists. Should there be any cracks in the foundation wall, they need to be fixed first. 2 – Once you’ve taken care of the water problem and cracks, the next thing you need to do before putting your basement finishing plan into action is to go to the proper local authorities to inquire on the needed permits. Keep in mind that if you are incorporating electrical as well as plumbing work, both need to be inspected. 3 – If you think you can do the finishing yourself, be sure you know what you’re doing, considering that any kind of basement work is quite different to typical home improvement projects. For instance, there’s a bit of masonry needed that includes the use of cement and bricks. You also might need to be working with fasteners and anchors for the walls. If you aren’t sure how to handle them, seek help from a professional. [caption id="attachment_301" align="alignright" width="300"] This meanwhile is insulation in the basement.[/caption] 4 – Basement finishing also means adding vapor barrier, the purpose of which is to prevent any likelihood of moisture issues later on. It may be true that you’ve handled the water problems earlier, but it doesn’t mean moisture won’t be coming back. The fact is the basement is very prone to excess moisture and dampness and if you want to be successful at basement finishing, deal with this problem head on. 5 – Figure out a way to keep the cold out of the space and bring in warmth in exchange. The key is insulation, which is responsible for controlling and regulating temperature inside. Through an improved insulation, you actually are adding another layer of moisture control. 6 – Meanwhile, you probably aren’t aware of it but recessed lighting is actually a great option for the basement. The reason is because this type of lighting won’t need a lot of overhead space to be effective, which is in stark contrast to a regular or normal light fixture. Likewise, you can even install it on your own on a drop ceiling.  

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