Basement Remodeling and the Need For Waterproofing
Practical homeowners are finding new ways to improve their homes, whether their purpose is to improve living spaces or if they are planning to increase their home values for a potential future sale. In either case, home remodeling projects would be the very thing that they need and this may involve one or more sections or areas of a house.
One area that has gained much popularity among modern homes is basement remodeling. Home improvements involving the basement have two primary reasons. The first one is to improve the basement as a safe a viable area for storing valuables and other items in the home that are not needed at that particular moment. Another primary reason for basement remodeling is to increase living spaces by trying to convert the basement as another usable room which can be used as a hobby or game area. It can also be used as another bedroom for a teenaged kid who has outgrown sharing rooms with other siblings.
However, one of the most pertinent problems that homeowners encounter with their basements is with regards to water damage. Basements, due to their special location in the home and in most cases underground, are basically surrounded by open ground or soil from all directions. Rains and outside moisture can dampen this soil, and in turn can seep through the walls of the basement causing potential water damage and all the other problems associated with it.
This is why a basement remodeling project should first and foremost consider proper waterproofing before trying to convert this room to other useful purposes.
The Need for Waterproofing in Your Basement Remodeling Project
As described earlier, the perennial problem with basements is moisture and without proper waterproofing any basement remodeling work would be rendered useless. Moisture or water that can seep through the walls and flooring of the basement can cause tremendous water damage to the structure. On top of that, moisture in basements can start a rash of mold and mildew infestation that can attack all organic materials that you are keeping in this room.
In modern homes, waterproofing the basement is already part of the design process and custom home builders would incorporate all the necessary methods and materials that basements would need to achieve proper waterproofing. This is imperative for areas that are prone to heavy rains or even flooding.
Before any basement remodeling work is done, it is important to have proper waterproofing activities be done first or incorporated as part of the renovation work. This move would assure the homeowner of a safe basement environment that would protect all and any home improvements that they will undertake here.
Incorporating Waterproofing in Your Basement Remodeling Project
The type of waterproofing that you will need for your basement would depend on the current conditions that your basement is in right now plus a study on potential sources of moisture that could affect your basement. Work with qualified general contractors for this purpose so you can be assured of an effective and favorable result for your remodeling project.
Some of the modern waterproofing techniques that are employed for basements include the use of special watertight sealant on all surfaces in the basement including walls, ceiling and floors. A method called tanking can also be used and this involves coating not only the interior walls of the basement but also the outer walls using a highly water-resistant material. After the walls and flooring is sealed, a layer of waterproofing insulation is added before putting an external layer of plywood or other preferred building material.
Improving the home may involve utilizing extra or unused spaces like the basement and convert them into usable living areas or utility rooms. Basement remodeling can be a very productive and exciting project; however, there is a need to incorporate appropriate waterproofing techniques to ensure the effectiveness of such improvements.
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