Planning comfortable living spaces in the basement begins with envisioning all it can becoming. But before you can make your dreams come true, take the first steps claiming your basement as living spaces. Perplexed about the steps? Here’s a look at the possible problems to consider.
Tips To Improve Basement Environments Before Finishing Control Moisture Control Pests Insulate basements Improve heating & cooling Upgrade Ventilation
Control Moisture ď ą Basement moisture appears in two
forms: condensation and seepage.
ď ą To reduce condensation, run a
high-capacity dehumidifier in the basement. Insulate cold water pipes to prevent condensate drippage, and make sure your dryer and other appliances have vents running to outside.
ď ą Solutions to prevent seepage range
from simple do-it-yourself projects to expensive, professional jobs requiring excavation and foundation work.
Control Pests ď ą The most common entry
points for vermin are small holes along the foundation which should be filled with silicone acrylic caulk.
ď ą For insects in the basement,
pesticide foggers are one option.
ď ą Also fill any gaps where
phone, gas, cable, electric, water and other services enter the house through the basement.
Insulate Basements The exterior is often a better
location for new insulation than the interior of basement walls.
Never insulate a wall that is
not dry and well drained.
Almost all of the issues
surrounding basement wall insulation have to do with moisture and water vapor.
Improve Heating & Cooling ď ą Expand your home heating
system to heat the new space or add a supplementary heat source such as electric baseboard heaters.
ď ą Extending your current
heating system will be a cheaper alternative in the long run since gas tends to be a cheaper alternative than electricity.
Upgrade Ventilation ď ą In basements, air should be
kept moving otherwise high humidity levels combined with still air cause mold growth.
ď ą If your basement rooms are a
part of a whole house, use forced air heating and cooling system to provide adequate air movement.
ď ą If your basement has an
independent heating system, add a ceiling mounted vent fan in every room.
Sometimes all these also seems difficult to deal, at that instance you can ask your basement finishing contractor to check the necessary things.
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