What Every Homeowner Should Check Before Converting an Unused Basement

Transforming an unfinished basement to accommodate a family room, a home office, an extra bedroom, a playroom or even that much wanted pool table can become a reality with enough planning. However, before you start selecting paint colors and furnishing, you need to examine the space. Read below for checks every homeowner should make before finishing up an unused basement:

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1. Moisture

Examine the walls and flooring and notice water stains, a damp floor, musty smell or the presence of mildew. Pay careful attention to your concrete walls to look for powdery white mineral deposits, which may indicate that water is seeping through your home.

Perform a moisture test after a particularly harsh rain to have an adequate idea of what your basement looks like even in the worst conditions. Don’t just use drywall to cover a moisture problem, locate and fix the cause first. If you think it is serious, you may want to get expert advice on basement waterproofing Minnesota or anywhere else across the United States.

2. Foundation Examination

Walk around the basement to check for cracks within the walls and the flooring. While small cracks are typically considered minimal, larger cracks or bowling walls may signify a foundation problem which may be quite costly to rectify so do seek expert opinions about repairs required to be fixed before continuing further.

3. Radon Tests

Radon gas is known to cause lung cancer and tests need to be carried out to detect levels of it before beginning work. Radon is invisible and completely odorless, so tests must be carried out since it can move through your soil, up to your foundation then into your home. It’s cheaper to install an appropriate mitigation system now rather than having to dismantle walls when radon levels have been detected.

4. Check Escape Routes

Confirm the codes for escape and rescue openings to see if the necessary needs are met. Depending on the code required or the area of the room, you may be required to build an egress window and the construction must be completed before the framing of walls.

5. Electrical and Plumbing Installation Examination

It’s essential to identify before covering everything up exactly where your main electrical panel, main water shut off, drain clean-outs, plumbing, sump pump, water heater and all other important systems are located.

6. Consider Air, Insulation and Humidity

Before finishing the space, consider insulation, heating and cooling, ventilation and humidity control. A dehumidifier may be useful in some homes, but don’t assume one appliance will solve every moisture problem. Address the source first, then plan for comfortable indoor conditions.

7. Check Permits and Local Codes

Finally, find out what your local building department requires. Permits and inspections may apply to electrical, plumbing, framing, HVAC, or other work, depending on the project. There may also be requirements for ceiling height, stairs, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and basement bedrooms.

Endnote

Turning your unused basements into usable space is more than just picking out a paint scheme and flooring. You must ensure thorough examination of the basement first before you get started with the converting work.

(This is a collaborative post, for more information about our compensation please read our disclosure policy)