Mistakes to Avoid When Finishing Your Basement

You’ve wanted to finish the basement for years but never got around to it. Now, though, you’re making the project a top priority. Interestingly, many homeowners don’t realize that finishing the basement is completely different than remodeling other spots in the house.

Not only could there be moisture issues with the basement, but you must also work around obstacles such as the water heater, furnace, and sump pump. It all adds up to a project that’s much more daunting than you originally thought. So what’s the best way to go about remodeling your basement?

Here are five things to avoid when finishing this space:

Using wood studs

Wood materials in a moist environment create a recipe for disaster. Unless you want to deal with rotting and/or molding, we recommend steering clear from wood materials altogether. Keep in mind that wood studs in your basement walls are not designed to handle the humid and moist air.

Then what’s the alternative? Well, as opposed to wood materials, metal studs do a nice job of limiting the possibility of mold and water damage.

Installing fiberglass insulation

At first thought, this might seem like a good idea to lock in warm air during the winter. However, fiberglass insulation gets moldy because cold air leaks into the basement and condensates. As you might imagine, mold grows quickly with this condensation in the area.

There are various materials out there that prevent mold growth. Ideally, you will want a product to reflect the heat back into the basement.

Choosing wood-based flooring

Remember what we said about wood studs in the basement? The same concept holds true in regards to wood flooring. Don’t get stuck having to replace hardwood, laminate, or carpeting after just a few years.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I have absolutely no desire to install vinyl flooring in the basement.” Believe it or not, vinyl has come a long way in recent years. You can have the look and feel of hardwood or ceramic tile while still having a basement that’s waterproof, mold-proof, and long-lasting.

When choosing flooring for your basement, you might be tempted to choose the style that’s most aesthetically pleasing. Don’t make this mistake, though. It’s essential to select a material designed for an environment that’s more moist and humid than the rest of your home.

Settling for a poor design and floor plan

It’s easy to spend thousands of dollars and endless hours completing this project. With that in mind, the last thing you want is a poor floor plan and overall design. Before getting too far ahead of yourself, take some time to brainstorm about the end result.

Remember that a basement with a well-organized floorplan and design can make the entire space feel larger and more usable.

Overlooking moisture issues

If you only take one piece of advice from this post, it should be this. Prior to starting your basement finishing project, review the walls for cracks and leaks. Should a foundation wall crack continue to move and the seal on the outside is broken, water can get through and wreak havoc.

Our Basement Waterproofing Services

Let’s say your basement is damp, wet, or has cracked walls. You can’t just ignore this dilemma and move on with your project. The reality is that you need to consult a professional to identify the root of the problem.

This is where the team at Zablocki Waterproofing can help. For more than 25 years, Milwaukee homeowners have relied on our foundation contractors for honest, expert advice.

So what exactly makes us different from our competitors?

Let’s start with the fact that we know this industry like the back of our hands. You can count on us to efficiently find and repair your foundation’s moisture problem. But we also pride ourselves on the little things.

We understand the panic that sets in once you realize your property has some sort of foundation problem. Whereas other local companies might take advantage of homeowners in this sense, we make it a point to educate customers and walk them through our process, answering any questions they may have. The same holds true for your situation.  

From the time you first contact us to the time your basement repairs are complete, we treat you like family. Our crew goes out of their way to cover your furniture, protect area plants, and even safeguard structures surrounding excavation areas. Plus, the Zablocki team provides free estimates and will never resort to selling you unneeded services.

We are here to take the stress out of your basement waterproofing project. Don’t make the mistake of trying to finish this area yourself, but especially if moisture is involved. In no time, we will restore your home’s lower level to a comfortable and dry living space.

Contact Zablocki Waterproofing today.