Adding Living Space To A Basement | Double Tap Blog

September 26, 2012 ? 8:20 am

One of the home improvement projects that is growing in popularity is basement excavation to add more living space. There are limited options for expanding the floor plan of most homes and additions can be expensive. A basement offers special opportunities that can result in valuable new room. Many times they are not finished or even completely dug out. Even if they are, they are often shallow. Having the basement floor excavated will lower the floor enough to make plenty of head room. Experienced professionals will be able to reinforce the foundation to support the newly lowered floor and it will be ready to improve.

Decorating the basement will depend on the type of area it is and what it will be used for. Hanging drywall, carpeting, and trimming the room out will give it a finished look and feel. This is how many recreation rooms have been made, as well as downstairs bars, and home theaters. This can be a difficult project, even for those who have the right knowledge and skills. Having the right tools and the training to use them safely is the best way to avoid problems.

There are some other times when basement lowering will be necessary. Homes that are having problems with the foundation are a good example. Areas that are subject to extreme weather may notice they have some problems. Seasonal freezing and thawing can cause a home's foundation to weaken as it shifts. Sometimes this can cause cracks that are easy to see. Other times the basement will get damp as leaks develop from cracks that can not be seen. These problems can be fixed if they are caught in time. Early repairs will be more affordable than if the problem goes through another seasonal cycle,

The dampness in the basement, that is usually a sign of a problem with the foundation, should be of particular concern. Fixing any cracks and waterproofing the walls should prevent any more water or moisture from getting into the basement. However, the damage is often already done. When damp conditions exist in the basement, there is a major concern about mold growth. It may go unnoticed for some time but can have drastic health effects. Many people report having breathing and respiratory problems in homes where there is mold growth. Cleaning the mold up will improve the conditions and make it easier for the residents to breath again. Checking the foundation and making sure it is in good condition is a good way to keep the rest of the home healthy and safe.

Source: http://www.doubletapblog.com/123/adding-living-space-to-a-basement

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