Basement Finishing

There are lots of great reasons to finish your basement.

For one thing, it can give you some predictability if you ever decide to sell your house. The home market changes every few years. Sometimes it’s a buyer’s market, and sometimes it’s a seller’s market. When it’s time to sell your home, do you know what the market will look like? In any case, one of the best things that you can do before you sell is to boost your home’s market value now, and one of the most effective ways to do so is to finish your basement.

Of course, there are other reasons to finish your basement. Even if you never sell your home, you can get a lot of value out of the project. You might want to add a new home office or playroom to your house, for example.

Whatever your reasons for your basement remodel, you probably have a lot of questions about the process. Here’s what you need to know about finishing your basement.

Basement Finishing in Massachusetts

First, before you remodel your basement, you may have to waterproof it. Most basements weren’t designed to be living spaces. If your household is like a lot of other Massachusetts households, then your basement is a dark, cold place where you store your washing machine and last season’s clothes. It may be hard to picture right now, but you can absolutely transform that basement if you take the right steps.

Can Your Basement Really Be Finished?

At Drycrete Waterproofing, we’re often the first step for those who need a basement remodel in Massachusetts, and a lot of our clients are skeptical. They may have a vision of turning their basement into a playroom or home office, but it’s hard to imagine that vision coming to life. When you have bare walls, concrete floors, and leaks every time it rains, you may think that it’s impossible to turn that basement into something bright and usable.

However, even the most skeptical clients become believers once they see the pieces come together. They keep their vision in mind, but they also see the refinishing process finalizing one step at a time. With each step comes renewed confidence that their basement can turn out wonderfully.

Basement Finishing

What Every Finished Basement Needs

What’s the first step toward a good basement remodel? Waterproofing. Waterproofing is important for any basement because it prevents mold, helps homeowners save money on their energy bills, and keeps big problems such as dampness and moisture from occurring later. Without waterproofing, basements become susceptible to flooding. Electrical items in those basements can short-circuit, and boxes can get soaked. Waterproofing removes those risks so that homeowners don’t have to worry about them.

Basement Finishing

We Guarantee That Your Basement Will Stay Dry

As important as waterproofing is to an unfinished basement, it’s even more important before a basement remodel. Water damage is hard enough to deal with in an unfinished space, but water damage can be even more damaging in a basement that has carpeting, painted walls, and serves purposes beyond storage.

That’s why you need to start with a waterproofing service that can guarantee that your basement will stay dry. Drycrete Waterproofing, for example, comes with that guarantee. We promise that our methods will keep your basement dry so that you can enjoy your refinished basement for years to come. In fact, we provide a lifetime transferable warranty.

Basement Finishing, Basement Waterproofing Guide

Imagine the Possibilities

Start your basement remodel process by looking for basement waterproofing in Massachusetts. Once you finish that first step, you’re ready to move on to the rest of your project. Waterproofing may not be the most fun part of a basement remodel, but once you take care of this step, it becomes much easier to imagine the possibilities for your basement. What kind of vision do you have for your basement? Does your vision include a playroom? How about a home office?

Basement Finishing, Basement Waterproofing Guide

“I wish I had done this years ago!”

What’s the one thing that we hear most often after customers finish their basements? It’s “I wish I had done this years ago!”

A lot of Massachusetts homeowners put off refinishing their basements because they assume that it can’t be done. Between water damage, cinder block walls, and unregulated temperatures, Massachusetts basements don’t provide much to look at. It’s tough to picture a gym or office space in most of these basements. However, when homeowners realize just how much value they can get from that space, they often wish that they had pursued the refinishing option years ago.

Reasons to Remodel Your Basement: Add Space Without the Expense

Still trying to decide if a basement remodel is the right choice for your home? That’s understandable. Many homeowners we’ve worked with stayed on the fence for a long time before finally deciding to remodel their basements. Again, most of those homeowners remark that they wish they had taken the plunge sooner.

There are several reasons and benefits when it comes to basement finishing in Massachusetts. Let’s say, for example, that you would like your home to have more space. The need for space is one of the most common reasons people start looking for new homes. Families grow, kids get older, and the need for space changes over time.

Unfortunately, buying a new home isn’t always a feasible option, particularly in Massachusetts. Massachusetts homes are expensive, especially in the Boston area. As Brandon Cornett said in an article for the Home Buying Institute, “Low inventory has something to do with this trend. Like many real estate markets across the US, the Boston area is currently suffering from chronically low supply.”

In other words, the Boston metro area has a lot of people who want to buy homes but very few homes on the market. Thanks to supply and demand, the prices of the available homes have skyrocketed.

The article goes on to point out that the Boston area isn’t the only area suffering from a tough housing market. The same situation applies in several areas all across New England.

The good news, however, is that you don’t have to buy a new home to gain more space. If you have a basement, you have plenty of available space already. Compared to buying a new house, refinishing your basement provides a much more cost-effective option. Furthermore, basement finishing in Massachusetts is more cost-effective than building extra rooms onto your home. A lot of people wonder whether they should put an addition on their homes or finish the space they already have. Finishing the existing space costs less money than building an addition, and it generally takes less time and effort. You and your family can breathe a little easier and enjoy some extra stretching room, and you won’t have to spend exorbitant amounts of money to do it.

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Your Basement as a Destination: The Potential of Unused Space in Your Home

An unused basement is a lot like a blank canvas. It’s full of possibilities. Your basement can be more than a place where you store winter gear. It can be a destination.

 

Basement Finishing Options and Ideas

Once you refinish your basement, you’ll have an entire world of possibilities. From gym to home office to everything in between, a finished basement comes with many options. You may already have a vision for your finished basement, or you may be open to ideas. If the latter sounds familiar to you, then take a look at these possible choices.

Home Office

2020 and 2021 made the home office more important than ever. Working from home can be a great thing. In fact, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people discovered that they quite enjoy working from home.

The problem is that when people mix leisure spaces and work spaces – by working from the couch or the kitchen table – they can also blur the lines between work and leisure in their minds. Work becomes less productive because people now associate it with their leisure spaces, and leisure becomes less relaxing because people associate it with their work spaces.

If those issues sound familiar to you, you may need a home office, and the basement is the perfect place for it. With a home office, you can work from home while still setting clear boundaries between your work life and your personal life.

Playroom

Children have also spent a lot more time at home lately, and without their usual energy outlets, they can experience cabin fever. Even outside of a pandemic, though, children need spaces to play. Massachusetts weather can be beautiful, but at other times, it’s less than ideal. During cold and rainy times when children can’t play outside, a basement playroom can provide the perfect solution.

Media Room

Is there anything better than watching a good movie in your living room? How about watching a good movie in surround sound from your brand-new media room?

If you choose basement finishing in Massachusetts, your basement can become the perfect space to enjoy the full movie theater experience, no matter what happens with the weather or outside circumstances. You can add a big movie screen and a projector to your basement, along with ultra-comfortable seating and even a popcorn machine.

Entertainment Space

Once it’s safe to entertain guests again, your finished and waterproofed basement can provide the perfect space to do just that.

Have you ever wished you had more space while entertaining guests in your home? Your basement likely has the perfect amount of space for you to entertain your guests comfortably. How you use that space is up to you.

For example, you might host movie nights with a big screen television and comfortable seating. Or you might add a refrigerator and some bar space so you can have guests over for snacks and drinks.

You can customize your entertainment space as you see fit. As long as you waterproof and finish your basement first, then you have all the freedom you need to make the space fit your personality and your guests’ needs.

Home Gym

Gym memberships can get expensive, and not everyone has the time to go to the gym. Working out at home is much easier and less expensive than working out at a gym, but most people don’t have a lot of extra space for exercise equipment. A newly-finished basement can become that space for you. You can enjoy all of the benefits of exercise without all of the hassles of a gym membership.

Basement Waterproofing in Massachusetts

Can you picture the possibilities for your finished basement? Great! But before you can enjoy that home office, playroom, or entertainment space, you’ll have to make sure that you complete each appropriate step in the finishing process. If you’re thorough from the start and you avoid cutting corners, you can make sure that your new basement lives up to its full potential for many years into the future.

Waterproof Before You Remodel

If you want to finish your basement in Massachusetts, then your first step is to find basement waterproofing in Massachusetts. Whether or not your basement has any visible leaks, waterproofing can help you make sure that your vision lasts. When it comes to water, prevention is far more valuable than reaction. This is true for unfinished basements, but it’s especially vital for basements that have been converted into usable spaces. After you’ve finished your basement, the last thing you’ll want to do is rip up your newly-purchased carpets to find the leak in your floor.

Waterproofing Methods

What’s the best method for basement waterproofing in Massachusetts? The best method always starts with a professional and experienced waterproofing company like Drycrete Waterproofing. Once you find your ideal waterproofing company, your specialist can take a look at your basement, get an idea of your basement’s condition, and then use that information to choose the right waterproofing method. Your basement may need just one waterproofing method, or it may need several. Here are some of the options that your specialist may suggest.

Basement Finishing

Interior Basement Drain

One effective option is the interior basement drain. This system works particularly well for basements that deal with water seepage or puddles on the floor. It’s a good choice for basement waterproofing in Massachusetts because it removes the pressure that comes from having a high water table, and a lot of Massachusetts homes sit on top of a high water table.

The interior basement drain, also called a French drain, is a covered trench that surrounds the foundation of the home. This trench guides water away from the house and into a sump pump basin, where it is then pumped away.

Basement Finishing

Sump Pump System

Speaking of sump pumps, another effective waterproofing choice is the sump pump system. If you don’t have a sump pump for your basement, your waterproofing specialist can install one by digging into the basement floor. Once they’ve installed the sump pump, they will then cover the pump with new concrete. The best sump pump system is a dual pump, which includes a main sump pump and a battery backup pump that will take over in case of a power outage.

Even if you already have a sump pump, you might consider replacing it with a new one. For one thing, sump pump warranties expire, and your old sump pump may not work as well as it could.

For another thing, today’s sump pumps use technology that the sump pumps of the past didn’t use. For example, today’s sump pumps can be monitored with wifi, so you can always keep an eye on your basement’s waterproofing system. This way, even during a flood or other major storm, you can keep some peace of mind about the state of your basement.

Basement Finishing, Basement Waterproofing Guide

Moisture Control System

Not all moisture looks the same, and it’s not always visible water that causes the biggest problems. For example, a lot of Massachusetts homes deal with basement humidity. This humidity can cause just as many issues as leaks, including mold and odors. Plus, humidity also causes discomfort, which won’t work if you want to use your basement often.

Thankfully, when it comes to basement waterproofing in Massachusetts, one of your options is installing a moisture control system. You can use this system alongside your other waterproofing methods to keep your basement dry, odor-free, and comfortable.

Basement Finishing

Foundation Wall Wrap

You can also have your basement waterproofed using something called Flexi-Seal. Flexi-Seal is a moisture-proof membrane that can be wrapped around your foundation for extra protection. It’s a heavy material with a bright white finish that seals away moisture and ground vapors. Flexi-Seal turns damp, unusable space into clean, dry areas fit for a home office or anything else you may want to do with your basement.

Other Reasons to Waterproof Your Basement

For a lot of homeowners, basement finishing in Massachusetts is the answer to all of their space-related problems. However, even if you’re not ready to remodel your basement just yet, it’s still a good idea to waterproof your basement. For one thing, if you waterproof your basement now, you won’t have to waterproof it again if you ever do decide to finish the space. For another thing, basement waterproofing will prevent all of the issues listed below. After doing the added work of remodeling and redecorating, the cost and burden of waterproofing become much greater. It’s better to finish your basement before you move forward.

Flooding

Out of all possible natural disasters in the United States, floods are the most common. They can happen in any part of the United States, including Massachusetts. However, some places face more flood danger than others. As the lowest area in the home, your basement faces the most danger during a flood. Flood water can push itself up from the ground and into your basement, leaving you with several inches of standing water. Waterproofing methods such as sump pump systems and foundation repair can keep flood water out of your house.

Mold and Odors

The right waterproofing methods can also prevent mold and musty odors. Mold thrives best in damp, dark areas, which means that basements provide mold with the perfect breeding ground. Mold can cause health problems, especially for those who have allergies, asthma, and mold sensitivities. If anyone in your household has one of these conditions, then one of the best things you can do for their health is to prevent mold growth.

Fortunately, basement waterproofing does just that. Mold requires moisture to grow. When you remove the moisture, you make it more difficult for mold to make its home in your basement.

Protect Your Home’s Structure

By choosing to finish your basement, you can also protect your home’s overall structure. Basement waterproofing can prevent cracks in your foundation, which is vital because those cracks can impact your entire home.

Save Money on Heating and Cooling

Basement waterproofing can also help you save money on your heating and cooling bills. Many waterproofing methods, such as foundation crack repair and moisture barriers, add a certain level of insulation to the home. Not only do they prevent water from reaching the basement, they also prevent outdoor air from getting inside. When you waterproof your basement, your air conditioning and heating systems may not have to work so hard to keep your home comfortable. As a result, you may notice lower numbers on your utility bills.

Increase Your Home’s Value

Finally, even if you don’t remodel your basement, waterproofing in Massachusetts can still increase the value of your home. Because having a damp basement will decrease your home’s market value, getting rid of that dampness has the opposite effect. If you ever plan to put your home on the market, then you’ll need to make sure that your basement is clean and dry.

Extra Storage Space

You can’t store much in an unfinished basement – at least not without risk. Without waterproofing, anything you keep in your basement becomes susceptible to mold and other moisture-related damage.

However, if you finish your basement, you can use it to store things safely. For example, what about the seasonal items that take up space in your house? After waterproofing, you can move those items to your basement. If you have a college student, you can use the basement to store their dorm supplies over the summer.

Start Your Basement Refinishing Project With Drycrete!

Whether you want to finish your basement or you just want to prevent flooding, Drycrete is here to keep your basement dry. We offer several waterproofing options, including dual sump pumps, moisture control systems, and many more. No matter the size and shape of your basement, our experienced team can give you the dry, usable basement that you and your family deserve. Get in touch with us now to get started. We’ll help you decide which waterproofing system will work best for you.

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