Finishing your basement is integral in making it attractive and ready for everyday use. However, there are many things you might do or which you might have done wrong as well. If you want to stop future damages, remember these common mistakes to avoid when finishing a basement.
Picking the Wrong Wall Materials
The underground location of basements makes them quite humid. Because of this, you should carefully choose the wall materials differently than you would for other parts of your house. Fiberglass insulation, wooden studs, and the paper coating on drywall will all absorb moisture. As this water sits and festers, those materials will degrade, and mold will grow inside them. You should instead use only inorganic materials that will hold up, such as spray foam insulation.
Using Improper Flooring
In the same vein, you should consider your flooring choice with moisture in mind. For example, wood flooring is not ideal because prolonged exposure to water will warp and ruin it. The same goes for the carpet, which will soak up water. Vinyl or ceramic tile could be smarter choices because you won’t need to replace these should any moisture touch them.
Failing to Waterproof
With much of the basement concerns surrounding moisture, it should be no surprise that one of the most detrimental mistakes you can make when finishing a basement is to overlook waterproofing it. In addition to using materials in the wall and floor that water can’t destroy, you should also put in a drain tile system that will redirect water that collects around your basement. A professional can install this inside your basement by having a professional put a perforated pipe network in the floor in which water goes and then travels to a sump pit. Here, a sump pump will push the water away from your house.
If you are in the process of finishing your basement and need waterproofing basement services, call The Real Seal today! We specialize in making your basement completely dry and safe from water.
