Before Basement Finishing
Before You Finish Your Basement Near Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Spokane, and neighboring areas!
Ensure the longevity of your investment by safeguarding it against moisture damage
Maximize the utility of your one-story home by converting its full basement into valuable living space. However, before embarking on this transformation, it’s essential to undertake some preparation to safeguard your investment.
Transforming your basement into usable living space
Converting an unfinished basement into livable space offers a promising opportunity to expand your home’s functionality. With existing outer walls and utility lines in place, the groundwork is laid for construction. Plus, the natural insulation provided by the earth around the basement presents a climate advantage, though it requires insulation and HVAC adjustments for optimal comfort throughout the year.
Flooding In A Finished Basement
Preserving a newly finished basement from the perils of groundwater flooding or plumbing mishaps is paramount. Proactive measures taken before such disasters strike can avert damage and safeguard your home. This involves identifying and rectifying existing and potential sources of flooding, as well as tackling any humidity-related concerns in the area.
The Challenge Of Basement Finishing
Homeowners grappling with a wet basement often hesitate to undertake finishing projects, fearing potential water damage that could compromise their investment.
Nevertheless, with careful preparation and the installation of a reliable, warrantied basement waterproofing system, your basement can be safeguarded against moisture damage, ensuring the longevity of your newly finished space without concerns about harm to drywall, insulation, or belongings.
Before embarking on your basement finishing project, reach out to us for expert guidance and assistance!
Our team of experts specializes in drying basements and preparing them for remodeling projects to maximize your investment. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary quote for your basement upgrade. We proudly serve the Idaho and Washington region, including Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Post Falls, and surrounding areas.
Take These Nine Steps to Prepare for Finishing
At Premier Basement Systems, we have extensive experience dealing with various issues in finished basements, and waterproofing is a common task we handle regularly. Repairing and waterproofing a finished basement can be significantly more costly.
If you’re considering finishing your basement, we advise taking these steps to prepare it in advance. Even if your basement is already finished, many of these precautions can still be implemented.
Warrantied Wall Anchor System Installation Steps
Implement a Drainage System for Maximum Effectiveness
Should your finished basement experience flooding, groundwater infiltration poses a risk to drywall, fiberglass insulation, and various wall finishing materials.
Restoring a flooded finished basement necessitates removing the affected wall sections, fiberglass, and studs to facilitate the installation of a drainage system. Once installed, you have the option of utilizing our drywall repair system or engaging a carpenter for restoration work.
Yet, the optimal decision lies in installing the drainage system before completing the basement finishing. This proactive approach is favored by numerous homeowners, even those whose basements have remained flood-free thus far.
Implement a Comprehensive Sump Pump Setup
Installing a sump pump system guarantees efficient water discharge during heavy rainfall or plumbing mishaps. If a drainage system is already in place, incorporating a sump system is highly recommended.
Optimal sump pump systems are prepared for all scenarios, encompassing power outages and pump malfunctions. Hence, a complete setup should encompass both a battery backup sump pump and a secondary sump system for redundancy.
At Premier Basement Systems, our installed systems also feature an alarm mechanism, alerting you promptly in the rare event of pump failure, enabling swift response.
Prevent Frozen Discharge Lines with Proper Protection
Having a sump pump system usually means directing water outside your home, preventing pooling around the foundation.
However, a primary cause of sump pump failure is clogging of discharge lines with ice or debris.
This blockage can lead to water backing up into your finished basement.
To mitigate this risk, incorporate an open discharge line extension like our IceGuard™ System into your drainage setup, providing an alternative exit for water.
Secure the Basement Walls with Proper Sealing
Combat moisture infiltration by applying a vapor barrier system to your basement walls, such as our ThermalDry® Radiant Heat and Vapor Barrier System.
By creating a barrier for water vapor, this product safeguards your finishing materials while channeling any water towards your perimeter drain. Moreover, its radiant heat barrier reflects heat back, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency within your finished space.
Implement a Cozy, Moisture-Free Flooring Solution
Just as with basement walls, moisture can permeate upwards through a concrete floor.
To safeguard against damage to flooring materials such as carpeting, wood, chipboard, or glue caused by mold or moisture, installing a vapor barrier beneath is essential.
Our ThermalDry® Sub Floor™ offers an optimal solution, not only providing a durable subfloor but also elevating your flooring from the cold concrete, ensuring a warmer surface underfoot.
We offer a diverse range of finished basement flooring options, spanning synthetic wood and tiled designs available in carpet, as well as stone tiles.
Enhance Your Basement Windows for Improved Performance
Revitalize Your Basement Windows for Enhanced Appeal and Functionality
If your basement windows are worn-out, rusty, and offering an unattractive view of a deteriorated window well, it’s time for an upgrade.
We suggest opting for energy-efficient glass and vinyl-framed windows to improve insulation and aesthetics.
Additionally, ensure protection against adverse weather conditions by installing covered basement window wells at each window location.
In addition to insulation against the cold, the covers will effectively prevent dirt, leaves, and other debris from accumulating in the window well, thereby inhibiting weed growth and maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Implement a Ducted Dehumidification System for Optimal Moisture Control
Maintaining a dry basement is crucial for cultivating a healthier and more comfortable environment within your home. By reducing humidity levels, you can effectively manage issues such as mold, mildew, and rot, while also potentially lowering heating and cooling expenses.
An ideal dehumidifier operates discreetly, with self-draining capabilities and the option for ductwork installation. This enables efficient air drying throughout your living space, with the unit conveniently stored in a closet or utility area. Our SaniDry™ XP Dehumidifier offers user-friendly operation via a digital control panel, akin to a home thermostat.
Whenever feasible, opt for an ENERGY STAR® Rated dehumidifier to optimize savings on your utility bills.
Execute Essential Exterior Maintenance Tasks
Regular exterior maintenance is essential for ensuring proper water management around your home.
Consider this: just a 1″ rainfall can deposit approximately 500 gallons of water on your roof, which, without adequate drainage, can seep into the soil surrounding your basement.
To mitigate this risk, extend your downspouts and keep gutters clear of leaves and debris, preventing potential damage such as ice dams during winter. Additionally, ensure that basement window wells are cleaned regularly to remove leaves, debris, and weeds, ideally twice a year.
Furthermore, assess the grading around your home to verify that water flows away from the foundation. If needed, regrade the soil to create a slope away from the foundation, preventing water accumulation.
Implement Plumbing Leak Safeguards for Added Protection
If you’ve taken significant measures to safeguard your basement from external flooding, it’s prudent to allocate some resources to protect against potential plumbing leaks from within.
As water heaters age, they become prone to significant leaks. Installing a ring around the water heater that connects to the existing perimeter drain system, especially if already in place, is a straightforward measure to mitigate this risk.
Allow Us to Assist You in Preparing Your Basement for Finishing!
Allow us to assist you in preparing your basement for finishing! We specialize in drying your basement and ensuring the walls, floors, windows, and plumbing are ready for a finishing system. By protecting your basement from moisture, we guarantee that your remodeling efforts remain valuable and aesthetically pleasing for years to come.
Schedule a free basement quote with us today! Our specialists will visit your location to measure your basement, provide recommendations, and address any inquiries you may have. During this consultation, we will develop a customized plan for your basement and furnish you with a written cost quote—all at no charge to you.
Our experts are proud to offer free quotes to residents in the Idaho and Washington areas, including Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, and nearby regions such as Cheney, Hayden, Sandpoint, Rathdrum, Deer Park, Mead, and Veradale.
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