Cincinnati, Ohio is a lovely area to own a house. Some houses are older and need home remodeling. If you have an older home that needs to have a basement remodeling project performed, then you
have come to the right spot! In this short guide, you will be informed of the top six tips to prepare your basement for finishing.
- Install a sump pump
If you are going to all the work of finishing your basement, you do not want a leaky water heater or washing machine to ruin all the hard work and effort you have expended. You can remedy this by using a sump pump. A sump pump is a pump that eliminates water in your basement due to dampness from a water table that is higher than the foundation of a home. It will assist in protecting your basement remodeling from flooding and will keep your basement dry even in times of power outages from severe storms. Sump pumps have battery backups to keep them functioning in the case of a power outage.
- Relocate any belongings until the project is complete
When starting your home remodeling project in the basement, make sure to move and relocate any personal items that could be damaged, get paint on them, or have dust covering them. Remodeling can be a messy project, but it always cleans up nicely, and you don’t want your existing materials to be damaged in the middle of a construction zone. The best place for them is in a spare bedroom until the time comes to start furnishing the basement. At that time, you can decorate the final project with your stored items.
- Make sure the foundation is sound
An essential tip in preparing your basement for finishing is to check the foundation. Over time, land can shift and settle, and this can cause issues to the foundation of your home. Be on the lookout for any cracks or signs of water damage. Both can cause excessive damage to your home’s foundation and will need to be repaired immediately before the home remodeling project can go any further.
- Verify windows are up to code and in good condition
Basement windows need to be a certain size and width to allow for an exit in case of a fire or other disaster. If your windows are not up to code, the basement remodeling project can and will be put on hold by a city examiner until the windows have been brought up to code. In addition, windows that are rotting, moist, or rusty may indicate water leaks. Make sure you verify you do not have a water leak around your windows before proceeding.
- Use finishing vapor barriers when painting
Another great tip when painting your basement walls on your finishing project is to use a vapor barrier, which will keep moisture from seeping in from the exterior walls. If seepage happens, dampness and humidity can occur, which can assist in the proliferation of mold and mildew as well as cause your new paint to crack and peel. Use a vapor barrier to keep your basement walls dry.
- Hire a professional
Just as you would call for a professional to perform HVAC maintenance, chimney repairs, power washing, roofing fixes, cleaning of the gutters, or exterior painting, you want to do the same when performing simple remodeling such as finishing your basement. This is especially true if you are not comfortable with the task or run into any obstacles. Remodeling can be stressful, and if you come across any issues with the project itself, you should call in the professionals. A local and professional handyman can perform the work if they are licensed and have insurance.
As you can see, there are multiple tips to finish your basement remodeling project. If you follow our advice on home remodeling and the top six tips to prepare your basement for finishing, you will have the nicest basement in all of Cincinnati!
