Five Steps to Take Before Finishing Your Basement

Concrete floors and walls leave much to be desired, but your basement can become your new favorite room with some time and effort.

If a finished basement is on your to-do list, now is the time to get started on the project. Below are five steps you should take before starting your DIY basement renovation.

Photo credit: Unsplash

You should seal up visible cracks in the foundation or walls of your basement before getting started on the job. You can do this yourself, but it might not work as a permanent solution. Calling a company to perform a foundation crack repair will ensure the job is done properly.

Failing to find and repair damage can halt the project in its tracks or ruin it once it’s finished. Don’t wait until you notice water marks along the walls or someone has a flair up with their allergies before investigating.

Before you can finish the floors and walls, you need to have a safe and clean space to start with. Once all repairs are made, you can clean out any unwanted junk in the space. You don’t want bulky items to get in your way as you work on this big DIY project.

This means donating, dumping, or calling a junk removal company to eliminate all unwanted furniture, large appliances, and any old boxes. If you call a junk removal company, all you have to do is call them with an estimate of the size of the job. They’ll send you a quote before picking up your items on the scheduled day.

Performing a moisture test in your basement will help you determine if you need to waterproof the basement before the renovation. If you get started without checking, you could run into the problem of a surprise leak.

If you find moisture, it’s important to find the source to fix it. Three of the best ways to moisture-proof your basement is to:

• Redirect the downspouts away from the foundation.
• Use a waterproof coating or paint on the interior walls.
• Add a drain that leads to a storm drain or sump pump.

Once you have taken care of any leaky walls, run the test again to guarantee you have fixed the problem before starting your DIY basement renovation.

One of the myths about basement waterproofing is that you should only cover damaged areas. However, you should actually waterproof the whole basement just to be safe. Any unprotected areas could spring a leak later on down the road.

You might need to apply for building permits before you start working on your basement. Research the local building codes in your area to see if there are any rules about ceiling heights and the number of exits required for safety.

If you realize your basement isn’t up to code before you start filling out the forms, you might have to alter your plans for the renovation. Once you have made some changes to your DIY plan to meet the appropriate codes, you can fill out the forms for the permit and get to work on the basement.

The type of tools and the number of materials will vary depending on the size of your basement. Measure your basement before purchasing anything to ensure you get everything you need before you get started, including the finishes.

Consider that you will need insulation for the walls and the floors if you choose to create a subfloor. You can also use drywall on the wall or even on the ceiling if wanted.

Once you have completed these steps, you can start turning your unfinished basement into a room for relaxing or entertaining. Go ahead and start shopping for decor so you can start making memories in this space.

Published in: Home advice | Author: Lynn