Most homeowners who have an unfinished basement in their homes usually have a desire to finish that basement and transform it into a more usable area. Remodeling a finished or unfinished basement is a great way to add value, space and comfort to your home. Basements are ideal for casual social activities for the whole family, just for the kids, or just for the guys.
A few weeks back, we featured a blog post on 7 tips for Creating the Perfect Finished Basement or Basement Remodel and today we are going to talk about 6 of the most common mistakes made when remodeling a basement. All of these pitfalls revolve around some degree of water damage, which can easily turn your dream remodel into a nightmare, but each one is unique in-and-of itself.
Below are the six most common mistakes homeowners make in basement remodeling projects:
#1 ? Finishing a Wet, Damp or Flood-Prone Basement
Because of the way they are built, basements are more prone to moisture and flooding, especially in low-lying areas that are below sea level. Basements are essentially a box of porous concrete, buried in the ground. When that ground gets saturated with water, the resulting hydrostatic pressure pushes the water against the foundation walls and will eventually find its way into your basement ? whether through cracks, joints between walls and floors, or infiltrating the concrete through capillary action. In addition, floods caused by plumbing leaks or broken hot water heaters are an ever present risk. Without proper drainage, a reliable sump pump system, and proper dehumidification, no basement is dry enough to be finished.
#2 ? Using wooden studs, fiberglass insulation and drywall.
While these materials are stables of construction for finishing rooms above ground, in a basement they usually spell disaster. Basements are naturally humid, and all these materials ? wood, paper and fiberglass ? have the tendency to absorb moisture. When you combine moisture with organic matter, you create ideal conditions for mold to develop. Basement walls should be finished with 100% inorganic and waterproof materials that will survive a basement flood or water accident.
#3 ? Using wooden subfloors, hardwood or cork floors.
As we mentioned above, anything that is made with organic materials is a bad idea for basements. Manufacturers might tell you that these products are chemically treated to be mold resistant or may contain something called a vapor barrier (more on that below), but read the fine print before committing to anything. Look for basement flooring solutions that are specifically engineered to wit'stand all sorts of basement moisture conditions.
#4 ? Improper use of vapor barriers.
?If you attach poly sheets over the studs and the fiberglass, and then attach the drywall, you can pretty much use any type of finish you want, because the ?vapor barrier? will protect the materials.? This statement is a complete fabrication and will only lead to compounded problems down the road. According to the US Department of Energy?s Building America Best Practices recommendations, moisture from basement walls and floors should be allowed to evaporate and dry to the interior. This kind of ?vapor barrier? will only do one thing: trap the water vapor between the concrete and the barrier, where it can condensate, and can cause mold to grow.
#5 ? Not having a backup sump pump.
Every year, millions of dollars are spent on basement flood cleanup, restoration and replacement of flood-damaged property. To make matters worse, the damage is never covered under homeowners insurance, and even special flood insurance establishes coverage limits when it comes to basements. Even if your basement is properly waterproofed and has a good working sump pump, without a battery operated backup sump pump, you are at risk for a basement flood. Keep in mind that the same storms that have the potential to flood your basement can also cause power outages. No power means no pump. Battery backups are also useful in case of a primary pump failure or other electrical malfunction.
#6 ? Disregarding moisture control.
Although proper waterproofing and good basement finishing choices can greatly improve conditions in the basement, in some cases they will not suffice to control the moisture in the basement. Basement moisture levels tend to be higher because of temperature differences between the basement and the areas above ground. When basement moisture levels go above 60% mold will start to develop, especially in organic surfaces. Even if you Don't see it, if the basement smells musty, mold is most likely present. Basement moisture levels should be closely monitored and a dehumidifier should be used to keep RH levels at or below 55%.
Although these pitfalls all fall under one large umbrella, they are commonly overlooked and can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to your home. By taking the necessary precautions in dealing with water and its potential damage, you will save yourself time, money and frustration later on. MDV Remodeling can take a look at your basement and let you know where to begin. We will also let you know what potential pitfalls you could incur during the creation of your dream basement. Contact us today for a free estimate.
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