What You Need to Know to Finishing a Basement

Your basement might not look as though it has potential. You may look at the damp or dark concrete space and wonder how you can make it into an amazing living space. There may be little natural light, and generally, space may not be the most inviting. But basements often offer considerable floor space, which can not only provide you with an additional room, it can also add substantial value. Finishing your basement remodel could net you an additional 10-15% if you did decide to sell your home. So, how do you go about changing your neglected and cold basement into a part of the home that you’ll love spending time in? In this article, we’ll discuss how you can create a great finish on your basement.

Plan Your Basement Finish Layout

Your basement finish may be quite simple in terms of layout. You may not be adding in any partitioning walls or changing the shape of the space; however, you will need to give consideration to how space will be used.

Think about placing social seating areas near to your source of natural light. If you are going to use the basement as a bedroom, then you’re going to need to put in an additional means of escape. If there’ll be a TV, you might want to put this in the area of the room that gets the least light.

Check Local Building Codes

Before you start working on your basement, you may need to apply for a permit or planning permission before commencing work.

Check the local building codes before you commence work and find out if there any restrictions on room height and any other regulations you need to know about.

Carry Out Inspections

Before you do any work in your basement, you will need to carry out some inspections.

One of the most important things to check for is dampness. You can do this by taping pieces of plastic sheeting onto your walls and floor. Leave them attached for two weeks. When you remove them, if there is any moisture, it is a good sign that your foundation has not been sealed.

You should probe your joists and look for rot and for sagging. You should also have a plumber and electrician check over any plumbing and wiring already in the basement to ensure it is safe to use.

Remove Dampness and Dry out Your Basement

If your basement is damp, you will need to address this before you do anything else.

There are two ways that you can do this: by repairing all of your gutters and downspouts, and by grading the soil to slope away from the foundation.

If these methods are not successful, you will need to install an exterior drain tile that will empty into a sump with a pump and also waterproof the walls.

Once you have made these changes, you can work on removing all of the moisture from your basement by using a dehumidifier.

It is essential that you remove all of the dampness from your basement before commencing work.

Seal Your Rim Joists

If your rim joists have not been properly insulated, then you will lose heat through them.

One way of sealing your rim joists is with extruded polystyrene. Cut your pieces to size and fill in the small gaps with caulk and the larger holes with expanding foam.

Before you carry out this task, it is suggested that you check your local building codes to check any specific requirements.

Install Egress Windows

Check your local building codes and find out the requirements for fire escapes. If you are planning on renting your property out or using the basement as a bedroom, then there may be requirements for you to fit egress windows.

An egress window will allow light into your basement, while also opening enough that someone can climb through it in the event of an emergency.

Waterproof Your Walls

Using waterproofing coatings, paint your walls. Start off by making sure your concrete or masonry walls are bare. You may need to strip off any pre-existing paintwork using a wire brush.

Once the walls are clean, you can set to work covering the wall with the waterproofing materials to create a membrane. You will need to complete two coats.

Insulate Your Walls

There are serval benefits to insulating your walls. They’ll help prevent condensation and help you to retain warmth in your basement. This, in turn, will save you money on your heating bills.

It is essential that any problems with dampness are fixed before you install wall insulation as it will create pockets for mold to form if moisture is not addressed.

Install Flooring

As long as your concrete subfloor is free of moisture, then you can install your flooring.

Decorating and Finishing Touches

Once you have your walls and flooring in place, then you can start making the new room feel more like home.

Start off by decorating the walls as you like them. You can either use wallpaper, or you could paint them.

You’ll want to install some lighting. You may also want to have an HVAC professionally installed by an air-conditioning engineer.

Once the finishing touches have been made, you can start bringing furniture in and making your basement into your new living space.

Take the Stress Out of Your Basement Remodel

If you’re not in a position to carry out all of this work on your own, or you’d like to take the stress out of the basement remodel process, then you should call in the professionals.

Evergreen Construction is a company with years worth of experience carrying out basement finishes.

Get in touch today to speak to us about the needs of your basement and to get a quote.

Get a Free Quote