Your home is a beautiful place made of different parts and rooms. Home maintenance is critical to keeping the property in the best condition possible. However, most homeowners ignore the basement state, thinking it does not matter as it is not visible to the public. Forgetting about this room is a grave mistake. If you fall under that category, you need to gather all the information about basement remodeling projects, as explained in this article.
Deal With The Water Issue First
The basement is one room that is prone to severe water damage, especially during the rainy season. That is because it is located below the first floor, which means floodwater can freely flow into the basement. If you have not been taking care of this part of your home, you may realize that the damage caused by leakages into the room can be pretty severe. Therefore, before you touch anything else, you need to ensure that you get rid of all the water in the room. Dealing with flood water means indulging in projects that help you achieve basement waterproofing.
Besides the floodwater, you should also be concerned about the moisture that may seep into the room, considering that most basements are constructed on a concrete slab. The water seeping in from the ground can lead to an increase in the room’s humidity. Sometimes, it can also cause inch-depth puddles on the basement floor. Cracks on the walls and weak seals around the doors and windows are potential entrances for water into the basement. Those are the places you need to fix first to ensure the room is waterproof.
Work On Electricity And Lighting
You must be aware that water and electricity cannot ride on the same boat – many things can go wrong. Therefore, once you get rid of the water from the room, you can peacefully work on the lighting fixtures to ensure that they work effectively. Your basement needs proper lighting, whether you use it as an extra bedroom or a storage space, considering it may have no windows or its windows are high on the walls. Your utility bills may force you to spend substantial amounts every month. One of the critical contributors to high bills is energy expenses. You may be using energy-saving bulbs and lighting fixtures in the rest of your home. Still, if those in the basement are old and outdated, they may be the main reason why you have to cough out substantial amounts in monthly electricity expenses.
Electrical remodeling projects in the basement can be tricky and challenging, especially if you do not have the skills to handle them. In such cases, the best decision would be to procure professional services from a qualified electrician. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of electrical contractors available in today’s market, meaning that you can never go short of the options you have when choosing such an expert.
Ensure The Floors Are In The Best Condition
If you want to see the results of your hard work on basement remodel projects, you must ensure that the floor is in the best possible condition. You might have realized that the most common basement flooring is wood, although some have concrete floors. Whatever type of floor you have in your basement, you are the one to give the go-ahead to have it remodeled and renovated. You can procure standard concrete paving services from the many experts offering them. Flooring projects can be heavy, costly, and challenging, but besides making the room more aesthetically appealing, they can save you substantial amounts both in the short and long run. The best tip at this point is to consider working with experts specializing in such projects. There is a wide variety of flooring companies and individual contractors out there that can help you with any floor-related renovations.
It is advisable to make some considerations to ensure that the contractor you work with suits your needs. When hiring such an individual or company, the significant factors to consider include their expertise and professionalism, how much they charge, their reputation, and experience in the flooring sector. It is also recommendable to work with a contractor who can offer extra services, such as carpet flooring installation.
Check The Plumbing And Drainage Systems
Transforming your basement into an extra bedroom is one of the best ideas, especially if you receive many visitors in your home. You create additional space in your home to ensure that the place is not congested. However, creating such an extra room means you have to include a kitchen and a bathroom to make it comfortable for the occupants. One of the significant challenges you may have is to get the sewage and wastewater to the central drainage system. Fortunately, there are several ways to direct the wastewater and sewage from the sinks, tubs, shower, and toilet to the main sewer line. However, one of the best methods you could consider is installing a macerating bathroom pump in your basement.
Such a pump is a technological unit that switches on automatically to send waste contents to the central sewerage system in your home. The machine can even fit behind the toilet and serve its purpose accordingly, making it appropriate for saving space in your basement. Nonetheless, a professional must install the pump to ensure that it is well-fixed for the job ahead. On the brighter side, most professional plumbers know how to install these macerating bathroom pumps properly. Therefore, you do not have to worry about getting an individual to help you with such an installation.
Work On The Outside Of The Basement
Basement remodeling is not over until you ensure that the outside, too, looks great and is in good condition. Basement remodel projects allow you to work on other parts of your home. You can grab this chance to have the pavement leading to the basement renovated to ensure you realize its full potential. Most basement renovators are equipped with other skills, and they can even offer you concrete paving services. That means, besides the remodeling, such professionals are skilled in the installation of concrete pavements. While you are at it, you can consider carrying out maintenance on the systems installed near the basement. That may include your HVAC system, which is responsible for temperature regulation, air conditioning, and ventilation in your home.
The good news is that there are many HVAC contractors available today, some of whose services are within your budget and suit your requirements. It is also easy to find any contractor you may need today, thanks to modern technology and the internet. Most of these professionals have social media accounts and websites where you can get all the details about the services they offer. Additionally, it is easy to identify a contractor near you, considering that all of them indicate their addresses, contacts, and locations on these online platforms. Therefore, you can contact, communicate, bargain, and even hire an HVAC expert right from the comfort of your couch as long as you have a reliable internet connection.
The Benefits Of Renovating Your Home’s Basement
Increased Living Space
Remodeling the basement means making it look and feel better for whatever use you want to put it into. One of the significant ways you can use your basement is for storage purposes. This allows you to declutter the rest of the house and store all items not regularly used in this underground room. Renovating the basement will enable you to rectify anything wrong with it to ensure the safety of the things you store there. Another excellent use for a remodeled basement is turning it into an extra bedroom for your visitors or even family members. You can even turn it into your home gym, home bar, home office, or a playing room for your children. In such cases, the rest of your home will feel less congested.
Achieve Energy Efficiency
As mentioned before, the basement is one of the most forgotten rooms in many homes. You may have upgraded the rest of the house, but it can be hard to achieve the desired energy efficiency if you do not give the basement a touch-up. One of the most disturbing bills you may have to deal with in your home is energy expenses, which contribute significantly to high utility bills. Therefore, if you want to reduce your expenses, the first place to check is the energy efficiency of the appliances and lighting fixtures you use at home. Changing the bulbs in your basement and bringing in energy-saving appliances are some of the best ways to achieve energy efficiency. It is also essential to work on insulation to ensure that your heating and cooling unit does not consume too much power to keep your home warm or cool during the cold and hot seasons, respectively.
Make Extra Monthly Income
As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to decide how to use your newly-remodeled basement. However, if you yearn for additional income at the end of every month, you can choose to rent the room out as long as the remaining space in the house will be adequate for your family. One thing you should never forget when renting out your basement is that you are probably bringing a total stranger into your home. As such, you need to be vigilant to ensure that the person who rents the room does not present any risks to the safety and security of your family and belongings. That is why it is essential to consider conducting detailed background checks, interviews, and inspections before handing the room to anyone who poses as a prospective tenant.
Boosted Property Value
There comes a time when a need to put your home on the real estate market arises for different reasons. You may be moving into a bigger residence, relocating to a new place, or urgently need the money. Whatever the reason, your priority should be to fetch the highest return on investment on your residential property when the time to sell comes. The best way to achieve that is by indulging in remodeling projects, including improving the status of the basement. Most buyers look for a well-maintained home because it helps them avoid more expenses once they settle into the house. You may not find it necessary to renovate the basement, but that is among the parts of the property that prospective buyers check out first.
Enhanced Curb Appeal
A well-made and remodeled basement contributes to the overall appearance of your home. A beautiful home gives you peace of mind and boosts serotonin production in your brain – the hormone responsible for your positive moods and happiness. Additionally, when your home is exquisite, only the best buyers will be attracted to it when it comes time to sell the property. On top of that, it gives you a bargaining edge over prospective home buyers.
Promotes Safety In Your Home
You may not have realized it, but the basement plays a significant role in ensuring the structural integrity of the entire house. Therefore, if it is shaky, cracked, or weak, the house could be at risk of collapsing. This is why professionals in the construction industry advise that you embrace regular inspection, maintenance, and renovations to ensure that the basement is always strong to support the weight of the house above it. Thankfully, there are many experts to help you with such undertakings.
It Saves You Money
When it comes to home renovations, the saying ‘the earlier, the better’ plays out very well. Remodeling the basement allows you to identify and repair any issues before they develop into severe problems. It could cost you a lot to make considerable repairs in the future.
A basement is an essential part of your home. Nonetheless, if you do not keep it in good condition, no one will come to do it for you. Additionally, basement remodeling helps you avoid spending substantial amounts down the road, and it comes with all the other benefits explained in the second part of this article. It is also essential to follow the information in this piece to ensure that you know all that you should about handling basement remodeling projects.