Six Silly Mistakes to Avoid When Finishing Your Basement

Six Silly Mistakes to Avoid When Finishing Your Basement 1

Finishing your basement is different from handling the upper home needs. The basement environment is usually a damper, creating numerous issues with moisture. Plus, it is located where the mechanicals of your home (such as water heater, furnace, sump pump, etc.) are placed, developing endless obstacles with wiring and piping. Combining such factors makes it harder for a homeowner to try out the DIY procedures, and hence, necessary to take help from professional basement renovators.

Basement

Remember, if the job isn’t done right in the first place, your finished basement can immensely deteriorate your house’s value. So, to provide armor to your financial investment, the following is the list of mistakes you have to beware of in all circumstances:

1.Using Wood Studs

A basement is probably the second moistest area of your house (after bathrooms), and using wood studs here is a big no if you want to safeguard the area from rotting, warping, or growing mold. Wooden materials are not designed to handle high humidity. Thus, it is best to resort to metal-based products that will help you curb the possibility of water or mold damage.

2. Installing Hardwood Flooring

House experts don’t recommend using solid wood flooring in the basement area. They suggest going for something that is scratch-resistant, completely waterproof, and can withstand flooding. That is where laminate flooring works the best. It has an exceptional ability to handle high moisture and easily fit with any décor choices.

3. Overlooking the Design and Floor Plan

Knowing what type of basement space you want is one thing, but understanding how to put it all together is another story. Hence, it is essential to evaluate the design and floor plan of your finished basement in detail. Always think about your current lifestyle and needs first to develop the best design and a functional layout.

4. Not Planning for Insulation

The basement areas are usually more susceptible to dampness and winter chills than any other part of the house. So, it is vital to insulate them with the right materials like spraying foam insulation to combat moisture and fungus development. The best part is that these materials will not only take care of your basement but will also make it soundproof.

5. Ignoring Moisture Issues

Amidst the other major decisions, homeowners often forget to review the cracks and leaks in the basement walls. That causes the water to seep in through the walls and drip incessantly until fixed, further leading to more severe problems. Therefore, keep a close eye on moisture build-up and water leaks and repair them before starting with your basement finishing project.

6. Forgetting to Waterproof

As mentioned already, basements are highly prone to water damage. The clogged drainage pipes or burst plumbing lines cause more nuisance than you can even imagine; so, to prevent that from happening. Besides, place a humidifier to help you tackle the excessive condensation during the winters and keep the mold at bay.

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