What To Do Before Finishing Your Basement

Having your basement finished can completely transform a boring old space into a comfortable, usable space in your home, but there are some things to consider before doing so.  Basement finishing is a major investment and causes some concern when your basement is prone to water and humidity issues.  The best way to prevent your new space from being damaged is to have it waterproofed.  We have seen just about everything that can happen to a finished basement and waterproofing them becomes much more expensive.  If you are planning to finish the basement, we recommend the following five steps to help protect against water damage. 

1. Install a Drainage System: Finished basements that endure a flood can cost you a fortune.  If your basement floods after it has been finished, the flooding groundwater will damage drywall, fiberglass insulation, and many other wall finishing products.  While we can still install basement waterproofing systems after a basement has been finished, we recommend installing a drainage system before the basement is finished.

2. Install a Sump Pump System: Having a reliable sump pump system installed such as the TripleSafe, SmartSump, or SuperSump, will ensure that your finished basement is protected against heavy rains.  The best sump pumps are ready for anything -- including power outages and sump pump failure. This means that your system should include both a battery backup sump pump and a secondary sump system that can kick on if your primary pump fails.

3. Winterization: One of the most common causes of sump pump failure occurs when these discharge lines become clogged with ice or debris.  When your sum pump fails, your basement quickly becomes more vulnerable to a flood, effectively defeating the purpose of a finished basement.  Our IceGuard™ System, which gives water a secondary way out of your home, prevents the discharge line from freezing. 

4. Seal the Basement Walls: Concrete basement walls are very porous and prone to leaks.  Water vapor can build up behind the walls, leading to mold, mildew, and moisture issues.  This issue can be addressed by seal the basement walls with our CleanSpace Wall Vapor Barrier, which holds back water vapor passing through your foundation walls, directing it to your sump pump

5. Install an Energy-Efficient Dehumidifier: If you are interested in basement finishing, it is key to have an energy-efficient dehumidifier installed to keep your basement a dry, healthier, and more comfortable space.