Planning comfortable living spaces in the basement begins

with envisioning all it can becoming. But before you can make

your dreams come true, take the first steps claiming your

basement as living spaces. Perplexed about the steps? Here’s

a look at the possible problems to consider.

Tips To Improve Basement Environments Before Finishing

Control Moisture

Control Pests

Insulate basements

Improve heating & cooling

Upgrade Ventilation

Control Moisture

Basement moisture appears in two forms: condensation and seepage.

To reduce condensation, run a high-capacity dehumidifier in the basement. Insulate cold water pipes to prevent condensate drippage, and make sure your dryer and other appliances have vents running to outside.

Solutions to prevent seepage range from simple do-it-yourself projects to expensive, professional jobs requiring excavation and foundation work.

Control Pests

The most common entry points for vermin are small holes along the foundation which should be filled with silicone acrylic caulk.

For insects in the

basement, pesticide foggers are one option.

Also fill any gaps where phone, gas, cable, electric, water and other services enter the house through the basement.

Insulate Basements

The exterior is often a better location for new insulation than the interior of basement walls.

Never insulate a wall that is not dry and well drained.

Almost all of the issues surrounding basement wall insulation have to do with moisture and water vapor.

Improve Heating & Cooling

Expand your home heating system to heat the new space or add a supplementary heat source such as electric baseboard heaters.

Extending your current

heating system will be a cheaper alternative in the long run since gas tends to be a cheaper alternative than electricity.

Upgrade Ventilation

In basements, air should be kept moving otherwise high humidity levels combined with still air cause mold growth.

If your basement rooms are a part of a whole house, use forced air heating and cooling system to provide adequate air movement.

If your basement has an independent heating system, add a ceiling mounted vent fan in every room.

Sometimes all these also seems difficult to deal, at that instance you can ask your basement finishing contractor to check the necessary things.

For more details on basement finishing, visit http://www.vistaremodeling.com/