Basement to a Waterproof Livable Space

Basements have been traditionally used as a storage space that is often overlooked. People tend to throw all their extra stuff down there as dust, cobwebs and the like accumulate. Instead of simply using your basement for a storage space, consider giving your basement a total makeover. Depending on your particular needs, basements can be used for a number of reasons such as home theatre, man caves, play rooms, and wet bars just to name a few. However, before turning your basement into a useable space, there are a couple of things to consider. 

One of the most important things that you will need to do is make sure that your basement is as dry as possible. To do this, your basement must be waterproofed or sealed. Some ways to help ensure that your basement remains dry is to slope the ground outside of your home away from the foundation; this will allow for water to run away from the house. In order to properly seal your basement, you can also apply special coatings to the foundation of the exterior of your home. You can also apply special waterproof sealants to the inside of the basement as well. For extra precautions, consider installing a drainage ditch next to the foundation wall or a pump for emergencies that will help keep water out of the basement. A good hint as to whether or not your basement is waterproofed is if there is a musty smell coming from the basement. This is usually a good indicator that there is moisture somewhere in the basement. Before you turn your basement into a useable space, you must ensure that the basement is dry, as over time, mold will begin to grow.  Aside from the health risks that mold poses, doing renovations on your home when there is mold will be a waste of time and money as, if the mold gets bad enough, you will have to knock away everything and start from scratch in order to properly remove all of the mold. Once the mold is gone you must know how to properly maintain your basement.