Want To Turn Your Old Wet Basement Into A Great Space? Who To Call
Posted on: 30 January 2017
If you live in an old home with a lot of moisture and flooding in the basement, and you would like turn it from a dungeon to a usable space, there are contractors that can help. If the air always feels moist, you can smell mold or mildew, and water pools around the drains and in the sump pump crock, then it's time to make changes. Here are the things you want to do, to see what potential the space has.
Get a Contractor Estimate to Finish the Space
You want to know how much it will cost to have drywall added where it's needed, flooring put in, plumbing changes, and anything else that needs to be completed. Whatever rooms, trim, lighting and other features you want added, you'll have to get an estimate for. Once you know how much it will cost to finish the space, you can determine if you want to invest the money or not.
Dry Out the Materials
The basement first needs to be dried out. You want all the water and moisture removed from the building materials and structural materials, like the wood, drywall, concrete, insulation, flooring and anything else that has been affected by the moisture. A basement restoration company can dry the space out with heaters and commercial sized fans and dehumidifying systems, and they can also use a vacuum to pull out water.
Test for Mold and Bacteria
Mold and other types of bacteria can be in the basement or other areas around your property because of the moisture. Have the house tested to see if mold is in the air, along with other microorganisms that could start growing in the moisture.
Sterilize and Seal
The basement should be sterilized to kill the mold and bacteria in the space. You should also have the basement treated for pests in case there are insects or rodents in the space. Once you have everything treated so it's clean and the health hazards are removed, you want to have the space sealed.
Once the basement is dry, treated for mold or pests, and then sealed, you'll want to finish the space. Know how much money and time it will take to complete the project, and look into what changes you can do on your own like remove the old materials. Get estimates from a home remodeling contractor, a water damage restoration company, and any other experts you may need.
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