Design A Healthy finished basement For many years and counting, basements have been considered a home within a home. A lot of treatment goes into the basement flooring as well. This is the reason many homeowners install organic materials (such as dry walls and wood studs) to furnish the appearance. However, flooding is one major problem that affects the longevity of these materials. As an addition to the living space in your home, the basement deserves some preferential treatment. The first reason is that humidity is an inherent part of basements. About 40% of air quality in the home comes from the basement. But the increase in moisture has a tendency to affect this percentage. Also, some homeowners convert their basements to storerooms. Food items may have poor quality because the humid environment promotes the growth of moulds. Thus, it is important to control the moisture conditions. Finished basement contractors can help convert the space into a usable area. Some of the conversions made are condos, apartments, living room, and so on. Since these rooms are mostly inhabited for one use or the other, air quality is imperative. Professional inspection of basement As the first step in finished basement, a professional inspection of the basement cannot be overemphasized. First, you have to hire a project manager. The manager’s job is to detect possible signs of flooding in the future. Then, he will come up with solutions to tend to the foundation issues and for moisture management. A full waterproofing system is important in basements that are converted into storage areas. This is most important if the expensive equipment is to be stored in this space. Thus, a full waterproofing system includes:  Full interior perimeter drain  Full wall protection vapour barrier  Sump pump system with a battery back-up pump  Floor drain near any openings  Sliding doors  Bulkheads, or water tanks  Dehumidifier You do not have to wait for a major flood before you install this system. It costs between $10,000 to $100,000. However, this may cost more should in case you experience a flood. Also, with the current state of the economy, you never can tell how high the price will be when the need for it arrives. In addition, do not wait for insurance companies to come to the rescue when there is a flood. It only works when huge systems like the waterproofing system have been installed initially. So, property managers must take note that insurance only covers houses with in-built systems.

Just because basements are humid, it is important to install materials which cannot get damaged easily by moisture. Such materials are called inorganic materials. Inorganic materials and moisture-resistant materials are also considered in the finishing process. This is because they save time during the installation process. Cost of labour is also reduced. The most important part is the safety they bring to investment. Such materials are ceiling tiles, inorganic floorings, metal studs, and moisture-resistant drywall and so on. These materials are good replacements for wood or drywall which are easily attacked by mould and mildew. In the long run, the basement environment may pose serious respiratory problems. Therefore, inorganic materials are highly recommended as basement material. Article Source: