How to Prepare for Finishing Your Basement

Finishing your basement can transform a boring, dirty space into a comfortable, liveable atmosphere—but there are a few things to consider before you do so. Basement finishing is a major investment and if your basement isn't ready for it, water and moisture damage could ruin your  below floor space.

The best way to prevent your new space from being damaged is to have it waterproofing. Waterproofing become significantly more expensive after you're basement is finished. So before you start finishing your basement, we recommend the following five steps to help protect against water damage.

Quality Draingage System

If your basement floods after it's been finished, the flooding groundwater can damage the dry wall, fiberglass insulation, and many other wall finishing products. Not only would you need to have the basement waterproofed, you would have to re-finish your basement. A drainage system installed before your basement is finished would protect your walls and floor from water damage.

At Mid-State Basement Systems we recommend the WaterGaurd interior perimeter drainage system. WaterGuard sits below the floor just inside the basement walls along the perimeter. It works by collecting water that otherwise would seep into your basement and directing it to your sump pump. Which brings us to our next recommendation.

Reliable Sump Pump System

Without a reliable sump pump, your drainage system has nowhere to direct the water and it would still end up in your basement. That's why we recommened the TripleSafe, Smart Sump, or SuperSump with an UltraSump backup battery in case of power outages. Any of these sump pumps will ensure that your finished basement is protected against heavy rains. 

The TripleSafe sump pump system includes three pumps in one sump pump liner with a backup battery. This sump pump will not fail you against heavy rains. And to make sure the pump is never able to fail, we come to recommendation number three.

Winterization

One of the most common ways a sump pump fails is when the discharge line becomes clogged with ice or debris. Not having proper discharge drainage puts your finished basement at risk of the sump pump backing up into your basement.

Mid State Basement Systems IceGuard System gives water a secondary way out of your home—preventing the discharge line from freezing.

Seal the Basement Walls

Concrete basement walls are very porous and prone to leaks. Water vapor can build up behind the walls, leading to mold, mildew, and moisture issues. This issue can be addressed by sealing the basement walls with our CleanSpace Wall Vapor Barrier, which holds back water vapor passing through your foundation walls, directing it to your sump pump.

Energy-Efficient Dehumidifier

If you are interested in basement finishing, it is key to have an energy-efficient dehumidifier installed to keep your basement a dry, healthier, and more comfortable space. At Mid-State Basement SYstems we recommend the SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier. 

If you are getting ready to finish your basement, but aren't sure if it's properly waterproofed, give us a call to today for a FREE inspection!