When it comes to doing home renovations and any type of construction projects, there are generally two routes an individuals or homeowner can go – hire a professional, to take on the job from top to bottom, or go at it themselves, and make it a true DIY project. And in many cases, what most individuals should do according to the top construction company in the area, Realty Improvements, is to make their project a mix of both – hiring professionals to take on the harder, tougher jobs that require a professional, and doing the stuff that’s easier themselves. For instance, if it’s something like a room addition or something that actually involves delving into the foundation or skeleton of the home, then its likely you need to hire a pro, but for certain parts like painting or minor flooring work, with the proper knowledge and hard work you can easily make it an amazing DIY project. When it comes to a full home renovation, of the most important, yet difficult aspects of this, is generally basement finishing. And in many instances, you may need to hire a finish basement contractor to take on the more difficult aspects like creating a room addition, or putting in plumbing and electrical work, however, much of a basement finishing job can be done by the homeowner themselves. As long as they’ve got the right knowledge and education on the subject. In this article, we will delve into a few of the most important things one must known for their basement finishing project.
· Avoid Moisture Issues & Keep Things Dry
One of the biggest issues that can often occur in your basement and any of the lower floors, especially subterranean floors of a home or commercial space, is the presence of unwanted water and moisture. When you consult any experienced finish basement contractor, they will tell you this water issue can cause tons and tons of damage – therefore its vital that you check for any water issues in your basement before beginning the planning process. Obvious signs are pools of water or drips coming through the below-grade walls. Check outside to make sure the ground is graded away from your foundation. Also look for cracks in your foundation walls and repair that damage if necessary.
· Pay Attention to Code & Regulations
Once you have identified any possible moisture issues, its vital that you come up with a specialized floor plan and full-fledged plan for your project – a big part of this is making sure that things are done up to code. For certain areas like creating an entrance, a room addition, or putting in a bathroom, these things must be done up to code or it can lead to huge fines and more. it’s important that you make sure to check with your local municipality to see if you’ll be required to get any permits. This is particularly important if you’re planning plumbing and electrical work, which may have to be inspected.
· Insultation and a Vapor Barrier
One of the things you got to understand about having to do a basement finishing project is that ground water and weather considerations must be made, and because you’ve taken into account any moisture issues your basement can totally get screwed up because of certain dampness issues. You’ll need to add a vapor barrier to both the walls and floors prior to framing and finishing off these surfaces. According to an experienced finish basement contractor, adding insulation is a vital part of any basement project, and it’s a good idea to lay down a vapor barrier for a day or two, then check underneath to see if and how much moisture may be coming through before continuing.Insulation will not only help control the temperature inside your basement, it may also add another layer of moisture control, as well as help dampen sound from the outside. Choose an insulation that includes a vapor barrier on both sides.
For more information on basement finishing and more, be sure to contact Realty Improvements today.