Home Improvements In The Basement: Flooring For A Damp Basement

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Home Improvements In The Basement: Flooring For A Damp Basement

Monday, December 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

The basement is typically a spot to store the washer and dryer and often not much else. In fact, most basements act as a storage area for items that are unwanted or don’t have space in the house. However, the basement doesn’t need to be a cluttered storage space that you only visit reluctantly when you have to look for something. In fact, the basement can be anything you want it to be and the possibilities are endless. In fact, if you’re considering a home improvement project in your basement you can let your imagination will run wild.

Before you begin your project it is important to know that your basement is dry. Beware that it might take weeks or months for a house to completely dry out. A damp basement is commonly caused by moisture migrating through a concrete foundation and can provide an inviting environment for mold growth. Mold grows the fastest in your basement when there is lots of moisture.

A damp basement is likely to occur due to rainwater being diverted towards the foundation instead of away from it. A damp basement will at first simply give out a musty and unforgettable oder but, as dampness increases mildew will form and will damage flooring quickly. It’s important to remember that a damp enviroment anything can decay easily.

You should test your concrete slabs moisture content before you start your flooring project. Moisture damage can quickly destroy your new flooring materials. Moisture can mysteriously find its way in, and concrete is no barrier!

A system of polypropylene tiles known as ThermalDry provides suitable flooring for a damp basement. The tiles are attached using a tongue and groove system and includes a plastic membrane that is water and vapor proof. The grid design on the bottom of the tile creates an air space to insulate the floor.

Some Basement Renovation Possibilities

Consider how much space you have. If you have a large area, you can literally turn your basement into any room you want. For instance, you could turn your basement into a games room, complete with a pool table, a dart board, a ping pong table, or whatever else you’re into.

Or, you could use your home improvement to turn your basement into a home gym. You can set up mirrors on the walls and carpet the floor and set up a weight bench or some cardio equipment and you could literally have your very own fitness center.

Or, if you’re in need of office space, a place where you would like to get away to get some work done every now and again, the basement is perfect for creating a home office.

How Much Money And Time Are You Prepared To Invest?

These are just a few of the possibilities when it comes to home improvement in the basement. There are so many others, it just depends on what you’re into and how you want it to look. The bottom line is that it’s your basement so what you want goes. It all depends on how much money you want to spend and how much time you are willing to put into it.

As with any home improvement project, home improvement in the basement doesn’t need to be completed all at once. That way, it won’t seem overwhelming. You can do it in pieces and, when done that way, before you know it, you’ll have the basement of your dreams in no time at all!

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