4 Things to Know Before Finishing a Basement

If your home has an unfinished basement, you have a great potential space in which to build a home theater, game room, exercise room, or home office – the possibilities are endless! But before you begin the process of finishing your basement, first read these tips from Callen to ensure that your basement finishing in Greenfield, WI goes smoothly.

Check for MoistureBasements are notorious for having moisture problems. Before you begin planning your basement upgrade, first look for drips or pools of water that may be coming in through below-grade walls. Check the exterior of your home as well to make sure the ground is graded correctly, meaning it slopes away from your foundation. Then examine the foundation for cracks and arrange repairs if necessary.Put Up Vapor Barriers Even if there are no noticeable moisture problems in your basement, it can still become damp without the right barriers. It is essential to damp-proof the walls and floors before framing and finishing by adding vapor barriers. These will help keep your basement dry by preventing moisture from diffusing through the walls and floors.Get the Right FastenersBasement floors and walls are usually made of cement or some other type of masonry, so a good old hammer and nail isn’t going to work when attaching framing. Before you begin work, make sure you have the right kind of fasteners and anchors for your type of wall. A shotgun fastener, which uses charges to fire fasteners into concrete, is a good choice that can be rented at your local home improvement store.Warm Things Up with InsulationBasements can be chilly places, so make sure you put in the right kind and amount of insulation to keep in the warmth and help with temperature control. It can also work as a sound barrier to muffle outside noises, as well as provide an extra layer of moisture control, so choose one that has a vapor barrier on both sides.For top-notch basement finishing by the best remodeling company in Milwaukee, call Callen at 414-765-2585. No matter what you choose to do with the space, we will make your basement retreat a comfortable and attractive addition to your home.