Turning That Musty Basement Into Living Space - Basement Conversion Basics

If you have all that space down there, it's a shame if you don't put it to use.  Besides have a brand new addition to your house without any building, converting your basement will add value to your home.  It's like discovering a room that you never knew was there.  Of course, a few things will need to be done before you move in - utilities, waterproofing and a few other things.  Here are some things to think about...

Have An Escape Plan

First and foremost, before you start the project, make sure you provide some way to escape in case of an emergency.  Check with your local building codes to see what the minimum requirement is.  Usually, a few easily accessible windows will do the trick, but it differs from one area to the next.

What's The Plan?

One thing you'll want to think about before you start is what you want to do with the downstairs.  If you're thinking about property values, adding bedrooms down there won't do much to increase the value of your home.  On the other hand, turning the basement into a rumpus room, fun center or family entertainment room might be a better idea.  What you plan to do with the space will determine what changes you'll want to make.

Before you do anything, visualize how you want that basement to look when you're finished.

How's The Air Down There?

Here's a major consideration - will there be enough air down there?  You have to make sure your basement has good ventilation.  It's even more important down there than in the rest of the house, because poor ventilation can lead to nasty smells and mold infestation.  You can deal with the musty smell if you just go down there once in a while, but it you plan to spend time down there, it's something you'll have to take care of.

Fans are a good way to ensure there's plenty of air, especially reverse fans.  These can help the air get out of the basement and recycle it.  There's not much you can do with basement design to increase ventilation; it's underground, after all.  But there are accessories like air exchangers that can help keep air circulating.

Let There Be Light

You may not realize how much of your house's lighting is actually natural light from outside until you decide to move downstairs... then you realize how dark that basement is.  For your basement, you'll have to rely almost completely on artificial light.

This means that you'll need some place up high to mount lights.  Look for shelves or other places lights can be placed.  Also check for electrical sockets.  Basements often don't have enough, and you don't want to get halfway through your conversion job only to realize there's no juice.

Waterproofing – Keep It Dry

This is probably the most important consideration.  Basements are notoriously leaky, and this is a problem when you use your basement for storage space.  But when it becomes a living space, it can be a real problem.  Pools of water on the concrete floor become wet patches of carpet, and playgrounds for mold.

Good waterproofing is essential.  Use either a membrane waterproofing sheet or a liquid rubber waterproofing product (these can be spray-on), and do a thorough job so that you know it will last.  If you are not sure how to do it, seek professional help.  This is a job you want done just right.

Aqua Seal USA is a company that specializes in waterproofing, especially basements. With a variety of environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art waterproofing products, and professional, knowledgeable installation, Aqua Seal USA is a great choice.  Once your basement is dry and well ventilated, you can start decorating, the fun part.  Watch that musty old dungeon turn into a whole new part of the house you never knew you had!