Many homeowners are waiting for home values to climb back up before selling or moving up into a new home. So, the smart homeowner is making improvements to their home now, increasing its value, while enjoying the improvements until the time for selling is right. Not a bad idea! So what improvements can a homeowner make that can improve their home's appeal and value at the same time?  One significant improvement is the basement remodel. While a remodeled basement adds significantly to the interior living space, there are some precautions that ought to be taken before you start.

Basement 1-2-3

1.  Be sure to install a sub-slab perimeter drainage system in your basement if you do not have one. This system typically has a drainage system below the concrete floor and has a channel of some kind at the perimeter that captures any water penetration that may seep through the foundation walls. This drainage system also contains a sump pump to discharge the collected water to the exterior or approved discharge point. If there is no channel at the base of the foundation wall to capture water seepage, the basement is not adequately protected. Far too often I have heard from customers who thought they were safe to finish their basement, only to later experience water damage or mold as a result of water penetrating the foundation walls.

2.  Be sure that you have a proper means of egress. An egress in this context is a means of exiting the basement in the event of a fire or some other emergency. There are specific guidelines with respect to egress windows for basements. See this link for details on the IRC guidelines: http://www.basementanswers.com/basement_egress

 

3.  If you do not want your sump pump to run more than it should, it is advisable to make sure that your roof's drainage system is functioning as it should, and that the exterior grading is sloping away from the foundation. Gutters and downspouts should be pitched properly and free of debris to allow for proper drainage. Also downspout leaders should be extended sufficiently to prevent water from recycling back underground to the foundation. This usually requires a discharge point of 3 to 4' or more away from the foundation. If it makes sense to pave the exterior perimeter of your home with concrete, then that option would be even better. Just be sure that the concrete is in a downward slope away from the foundation.

 

If you have questions or concerns about ensuring that your basement will be dry, or you want to obtain the best advise for your home's specific scenario, it's always best to talk with a professional that is familiar with building science and the way water affects your home. The best person for this type of consultation is none other than an experienced home inspector. The next step is to make sure you pick the right contractor for the job, and ensure that the job is done right. And I have some great advice on that too....but that will have to wait for another newsletter....

 

Basement Wall Before

Basement Wall After