7 Things to Do Before You Finish Your Basement
Are you thinking about finishing your basement? Before you start, it’s important to make sure it’s waterproof.
If you skip this, you could end up with a lot of problems later on, like mold and water damage. Here are seven things you should do to waterproof your basement before you finish it.
1. Install a Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier is a special material that helps keep moisture out of your basement. Installing a vapor barrier on your basement walls has many benefits:
- Prevents Mold and Mildew: By keeping moisture out, a vapor barrier stops mold and mildew from growing, which keeps the air in your basement healthy.
- Protects Your Finishes: Moisture can damage walls, floors, and furniture. A vapor barrier helps protect these investments.
- Improves Comfort: A dry basement is more comfortable to use, whether it’s for a living area, office, or storage.
2. Set Up an Interior Drainage System
An interior drainage system helps capture and move water away from your basement. The benefits of installing a drainage system include:
- Prevents Flooding: Directing water away from your basement reduces the risk of flooding, especially during heavy rains.
- Reduces Dampness: Less water means a drier basement, which helps prevent musty smells and damp conditions.
- Protects Your Home’s Foundation: Proper drainage inside your basement helps protect your home’s foundation from water damage.
3. Install a Sump Pump
A sump pump is a device that is installed at the lowest point in your basement and removes groundwater before it can flood inside. The advantages of having a sump pump are:
- Keeps Your Basement Dry: A sump pump quickly removes any water that enters your basement, preventing flooding.
- May Add Value to Your Home: Homes with sump pumps are often more attractive to buyers because they are better protected against water damage.
- Provides Peace of Mind: Knowing that your basement is protected from water damage helps you feel more secure, especially during storms.
4. Repair Basement Walls
Checking your basement walls for cracks or leaks (and then repairing them with wall repair tools like wall anchors or carbon fiber reinforcement) has several benefits:
- Prevents Water Infiltration: Sealing cracks keeps water from seeping in, protecting your basement from moisture and potential damage.
- Improves Structural Integrity: Repairing cracks helps maintain the strength and stability of your home’s foundation.
- Enhances Aesthetic Appeal: A well-maintained basement with no visible cracks looks better and is more inviting for finishing.
5. Check and Maintain Gutter System
Your gutters and downspouts play a big role in keeping water away from your basement. Having ineffective gutters can lead to water damage, so maintaining them provides the following benefits:
- Directs Water Away: Properly functioning gutters and downspouts ensure that rainwater is directed away from your home, reducing the risk of basement leaks.
- Prevents Foundation Problems: By keeping water away from your foundation, you help prevent cracks, the “clay bowl effect (more info on that here), and erosion that can lead to major structural damage.
- Reduces Maintenance Costs: Regular maintenance of gutters and downspouts can save you money by preventing costly repairs to your basement and foundation.
6. Use a Dehumidifier
A high-quality basement dehumidifier removes excess humidity from the air in your basement. The benefits of using a dehumidifier include:
- Reduces Humidity Levels: Lower humidity levels make your basement less prone to mold and mildew growth.
- Improves Air Quality: A dehumidifier helps keep the air in your basement fresh and healthy to breathe.
- Protects Your Belongings: Reducing moisture in the air helps protect furniture, electronics, and other items from damage.
7. Install an Anti-Freeze Discharge Line Attachment
If you live in a cold climate, an anti-freeze discharge line attachment is essential for your basement. The benefits are:
- Prevents Freezing: This attachment helps prevent the discharge line from freezing, ensuring drainage in your basement works properly even in the winter.
- Avoids Water Backup: By keeping the discharge line clear, you prevent water from backing up or flooding into your basement.
- Maintains Drainage Efficiency: Ensuring your drainage operates smoothly year-round helps keep your basement drainage functioning at its best.
What Happens if You Don’t Waterproof Your Basement Before Finishing It?
Waterproofing is crucial if you want your finished basement to stay dry and comfortable. Here’s what can go wrong if you skip the waterproofing process:
- Damaged Valuables: Mold, pests, and leaks can ruin the décor or valuable items in your basement.
- Wood Rot: Wooden materials in your finished basement can start to decay and rot if moisture is present.
- Wet Flooring: Water infiltration can ruin hardwood or carpeting, causing wood rot or mold even if it looks dry.
- Wet Drywall: Waterproof paint alone won’t work. Moisture can cause water bubbles, stains, mold, and even peeling of your new drywall.
- Mold and Mildew: Mold and mildew thrive in dark, humid spaces, often forming behind storage spaces, objects, bathrooms, or closets in an un-waterproofed basement.
- Nasty Smells: A pungent smell of mold can spread through your home if your basement isn’t waterproofed, ruining your new space with an unsettling stench.
Keep Your Basement Dry with Groundworks
Your home is your most important asset. Protect it with reliable basement waterproofing from Groundworks. Our solutions come with nationally-backed warranties and long-term protection plans.
Start your basement project right with waterproofing. Contact us today for a free home inspection and no-obligation quote. Our experts will assess your home and find the best solution for your needs.
Keep your basement dry and safe with Groundworks, the nation’s leading provider of foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, and concrete lifting.
Basement Waterproofing FAQs
A dehumidifier should be placed in the middle of the basement. Avoid positioning a dehumidifier directly against a wall or furniture and maintain a minimum distance of six inches from these surfaces to prevent obstruction of vents. Contact a professional for tailored recommendations for your home’s specific needs.
We discourage DIY sump pump installations, as big-box store options are often expensive, temporary, and difficult to install. Don’t risk your home’s safety; trust your local Groundworks company to recommend basement waterproofing solutions customized to meet your needs.
Any amount of water in your basement, whether it’s a few inches, a puddle, or a damp wall, is a warning sign. Water intrusion can lead to mold growth, health issues, damaged belongings, and even foundation deterioration.
