Regardless of the size of your house, you can have the same square footage added to your livable space without paying for an addition.
In most homes, the basement of your home is as big as the first floor, which means you can double the usable, livable space quickly and more feasible than adding an expensive room or two.
There are 4 things you need to do before starting the project of waterproofing and finishing the basement.
- Start by decluttering the basement first. There are huge amounts of things in the basement you haven’t seen in many years. Things you were saving for an unknown reason, or things you didn’t want to throw away. If you haven’t needed those items in the last year, chances are you won’t need them anytime soon. If there are things you need to keep because of sentimental attachment, put them in a corner to save. Do not gather a big pile of mementos you will forget you have. Reasonably, you can save all other items till the warm weather arrives and you can have a yard sale. You can also donate those items that are serviceable and not too old. You can do the decluttering of the basement with little expense.
- Allow an hour a day to do a cleaning chore in the basement before you settle down in front of the TV. Having a goal in mind, like cleaning and finishing the basement, allows you to prioritize your time and not waste it.
- Set a time to accomplish your goal. The summer months with their long days will allow you to do more with the basement. You can start with small chores till the workload seems feasible.
- Help from family members should be enlisted for your project. Everyone will benefit from the new basement and everyone can put in some hours to accomplish the goal.
After many hours cleaning the basement and accomplishing your goal, you need to ask what’s next?
Waterproofing your basement should be the next step. In older homes, there are many issues that can come up unexpectedly. If you are getting ready to waterproof and finish the basement of your home, these are some of the early easy to spot signs you can see for yourself and begin the process of waterproofing.
- Cracks in the walls
- Cracks along the seams where the walls meet the floor
- Water sitting along the basement walls
- Peeling paint
- Mold
- Musty odor
- Water in any part of the basement
An older house can be a great home for many families, but there is no doubt they can have serious issues that can become expensive. Waterproofing the basement of the home needs to be done professionally if you are thinking about finishing it as well.
These are 6 steps to follow before you hire a basement waterproofing company.
- Call a basement waterproofing company with a long history in the community.
- Check the references they provide and ask them about the work they have done in their house.
- Check the Better Business Bureau-BBB- and check their references as well.
- Ask for a free estimate
- Call 2 more companies to compare prices and services
- Ask questions about the work they plan to do and why.
Waterproofing the basement of your home can be done all year round. If you have problems in the basement of your home, do not hesitate to call us. Many small issues can become big quickly if you ignore or postpone them.
Can you try to do the basement waterproofing by yourself? We do not recommend it. A basement with real issues can become a nightmare if the work is not done properly. Youtube videos do not show the problems that can come up when the work is done carelessly. Contact a basement waterproofing company for a job that you can depend on, and can be guaranteed. A finished basement can be enjoyed by the whole family for many years to come. It pays to waterproof it well.
