Category Archives: Basements

Basement Decorating

Simple basement decorating tricks may be all that you need to transform your storage space into usable work space. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind prior to decorating your basement. First, your basement is the most likely place to have water damage. When you are decorating downstairs, make certain that you keep all valuables away from where they may be exposed to water damage. If your basement is known for flooding and leaks, you should make the efforts to resolve these problems prior to doing any basement decorating.

Next, it is important to realize that basement decorating will not transform an unfinished basement into habitable living space. At most, you can change an unfinished basement into workspace for hobbies that involve building things, such as wood working, painting and some forms of art. Unless you go ahead with a complete remodel, you should never try to use an unfinished basement as a bedroom or entertainment area. While basement decorating can make this space more presentable, unfinished basements tend to be colder and less comfortable to be in.

However, if you quickly need to make a dry basement habitable, there are some decorating tricks that you can use to help. First, placing rugs over concrete can make a huge difference in how cozy an area becomes. The rug helps prevent the cold concrete from directly hitting the feet. While the rug will be a little chilly from the concrete beneath it, it will be much warmer and easier to walk on than the concrete. If you are intending on using rugs to help with basement decorating, large wall to wall rugs may be your best option. These are easier to deal with than carpets, which need proper installation. Depending on where you purchase the rug and the size of the room, the rugs may be cheaper than carpeting as well.

If you have concrete walls in your basement, you can decorate with wall hangings to quickly hide the plain or unattractive walls. However, hanging floor to ceiling hangings can be quite expensive, and you may wish to just paint over the surface. Painting over concrete can give an interesting texture to a wall. However, if you wish to hide the fact that it is a concrete wall, you may want to use textured painting styles, such as stucco, to mask the concrete. This can add an elegant look to your basement for a cheap price.

Do not be afraid to use bright colors in your basement. These colors can distract from the fact that your basement is incomplete and can make your rooms downstairs look more warm and inviting.

Basement Waterproofing

If you have leaks in your basement, it is important that you first correct the problem and then invest in basement waterproofing. Due to the high level of expense typically associated with basement leaks and foundation problems, many people try to push off basement waterproofing as long as possible. However, this is the worst possible thing that you can do. The accumulation of water in a basement can result in several serious health risks, the most common of which is mold. Mold forms in damp, dark places, such as basements and within walls. When you have a water problem in the basement, mold is a likelihood. Unfortunately, mold can cause a large variety of different issues, including flu like symptoms, agitation of asthma and pneumonia.

However, basement waterproofing should not be the only thing that you should do. If you have experienced basement leaks, or currently have a leak, you cannot waterproof until the issues, as well as the mold formed from the issue, is resolved. While you could perform the basement waterproofing, you would only succeed in locking in the moisture and mold, which can still work into the air system of your home. Making certain the surfaces that you are having waterproofed is totally clean and mold free prior to the waterproofing will make a significant difference.

If you want to do a basement waterproofing, it is important to remember that a proper waterproofing job does work both inside and outside of your home. Sloping the land away from your home so that water cannot accumulate against the foundation of your home is a significant part of waterproofing and landscaping. In addition to this, making certain all cracks in the foundation are properly sealed is vital. Because there is so much involved in basement waterproofing, you will need to have a professional contractor assist you with the work, especially around the foundation. While you can do the work on your own, if you make a single mistake around the foundation, it can cost hundreds of dollars, if not thousands, depending on the type of damage that you accidentally do.

Basement waterproofing is meant to protect your basement from water seeping in from the outside. What this form of waterproofing will not help against is burst pipes in the ceiling above your basement. This is a different form of water damage and is not covered by the typical basement waterproofing project.

Finish a Basement

For those new to home ownership, there is plenty that must done in order to finish a basement. Finishing a basement  is a multi-faceted endeavor that involves repairing your current basement to remove leaks and ensure waterproofing, deciding upon a design for your basement, and completing the renovations.

The initial step when looking to finish a basement is to eliminate any problems that currently exist in your basement. This includes any leaks, wiring problems, drywall problems, mold or rotting problems and plumbing issues. In order for a basement project to be a success, it is important that you begin with a good foundation. If you prepare properly and identify any issues your basement may have before construction begins, many problems can be resolved as a part of the renovation process. In the case of leaks and moisture, you may need to do work on the outside of your home in order to ensure that water will not continue as a problem in the future.

After you’ve eliminated any existing problems in your basement, the next thing you need to do in order to finish a basement is to decide upon a design for the basement. Depending on your needs, this can be extremely complicated. Many renovation companies will suggest an interior designer to help you select the best viable design for your needs. The interior designer will take into account all aspects of your space and help you make the most of it. While this can be done on your own, an interior designer can provide images of similar projects so that you can get a better visual of what your basement will look like when it is finished.

After you’ve settled on the design, in order to finish a basement, you must decide whether to do this work yourself, or hire a professional to do it for you. There are advantages and disadvantages to doing this sort of work yourself if you are fairly handy. Most people, though, are best off hiring a contractor do the work. There are numerous reasons why we would advise hiring a contractor, includinjg peace of mind that all wiring and plumbing changes are done proplery. Correct installation of wires and pipes can prevent fires and water damage to your newly finished basement.

Before you take any steps to finish a basement, make certain that you have a large enough budget for the entire project. Basement remodeling is often costly, plus with all the added features many homeowners end up wanting, it is very easy to go over the initial budget.