When Finishing Your Basement You Absolutely Need 2 Things

Finishing a basement has so many advantages, it makes you wonder why more people don’t do it.

• A lot more living space
• Increased property value
• Lower energy costs due to insulated walls and floors

One reason for not finishing a basement is that it is not a small job. If you have a large enough budget, you might want to hire a basement finishing contractor.

Whether you do-it-yourself or find a professional, there are two things you absolutely must have before Finishing your basement.

1. A Plan
Not just a general idea; you need to draw a layout of your proposed finished basement, to scale, with all the rooms you want to add.

You need to carefully consider each room you want to add:

Family Room/Entertainment Centre

• Think about the rooms above
• Consider television or computer placement and power points.
• Will you use panelling or drywall?

Games room

• If you will have large table games, like billiards, make sure the room has enough floor space.
• You might want to consider seating and/or a bar area.

Bathrooms/Laundry rooms

• Both should be located near water heaters and drains.
• The more details you put into your plan, the better.

2. A Waterproof Basement
Even with the best basement plan ever, if you finish your basement without waterproofing it first, it could all go to waste.

Concrete basement walls and floors are bound to crack at some point in their lifetime. When they do, the moisture in the soil around your basement can get in and that’s when the damage starts:

• Wood rot
• Mold and Mildew
• Rust on metal equipment
• Water damage to floors, carpets and personal belongings

Waterproofing a finished basement is expensive and probably involves taking apart your finished walls and floors.

The basement waterproofing specialists at Clarke Basement Systems can make sure your basement is waterproof and help you plan a basement that you will enjoy for a very long time.

Clarke’s knowledgeable and courteous representatives can also make recommendations for your walls and floors that will keep your finished basement warm and dry.

Contact Clarke Basement Systems today and arrange for a free inspection and estimate to waterproof before finishing your basement. Make sure you ask them to help you out with your plan and get all the benefits of a well-finished basement.