Things To Consider When Renovating Your Basement

Basement Development

f you find yourself needing more space for your growing family or changing needs, you can

add more square footage by building outward or upward. However, if you already have an

underused or unused basement, you can transform that into a more functional space.

Because of their location underground, basements can be tricky to renovate. When you’re

planning a basement renovations Calgary project, here are things to keep in mind.

Check for integrity – Before doing any renovation work, determine if the basement provides

adequate support for the upper floors, walls, and roof, especially if you plan to use it as an

additional bedroom. Foundation walls should be checked for cracks. Regardless of how severe,

these cracks need to sealed and monitored for movement or increase in size. Basement

inspection professionals can help you determine whether your basement is structurally safe to

use.

Check for moisture – The presence of moisture is often the factor that disqualifies most

basements as additional living or dwelling place. Before you perform any kind of remodeling

on your basement, make sure there aren’t any water issues that could cause damage. Check

exterior walls for moisture problems and make sure that the ground is sloped away from the

foundation walls. Don’t forget to check downspouts as well. If you have any moisture coming

in through the foundation or slab, do not finish that part of the basement until the source of

the leak is discovered and repaired. If you don’t fix it, you will have molds and structural

problems in the future.

Check for local building codes – Check with your local county or state building officials for any

required permits. You need to meet specific building, egress, ventilation, electrical, plumbing

and fire code requirements when doing a basement remodel. Doing a careful check of your

local building code will prevent you from undertaking the potentially costly task of redoing the

renovation project to fulfill these requirements.

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Basement Development

Add warmth – During the summer, the basement is typically the coolest room in the house

because of its location. During winter, the basement is usually warm since it normally houses

the furnace. Electrical baseboard heating is an excellent way to keep your basement

comfortable during the cold months.

Ensure proper lighting – Because there is limited natural

light, basement lighting is essential to brighten up the

room. However, due to height restrictions, you may not

be able to install any kind of lighting you want. Recessed

lighting is ideal for basement since fixtures hanging from

a low ceiling can be obtrusive or simply awkward.

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