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4 Challenges Of Remodeling A Finished Basement

21 April 2023

Diego Rojas

People who discuss basement remodeling often focus on converting a basement to a more involved purpose. While it's a less popular discussion, renovating a finished basement also presents some challenges. If you're preparing to remodel a finished basement, you may need to address these four issues. 

Mismatched Purpose

Just because a basement is finished doesn't mean that it necessarily matches your proposed purpose. If the basement used to be someone's game room, for example, it might not have sufficient electrical lines and power types now that you want to use it as a workshop or craft room. A big part of this sort of basement remodeling is refitting the space to serve your purpose. Someone who wants to add a guest room might need to run water and sewer lines to support a small bathroom with a shower.

Bear in mind the challenge of running new lines often arises from how basements work. The utilities in the basement run to all the other parts of the house. You may need contractors to make significant changes to the utility lines to enable the basement's new purpose.

Outdated Appearance

A finished basement is usually the last room to get an update. While the bathroom and kitchen may look modern and gorgeous, there's a good chance the basement is outdated. Even if the basement's current purpose supports your plans, you'll likely need to remove old materials and bring the room's appearance into this century.

Lighting

Basements aren't precisely famous for their abundant natural lighting. Adding windows can help, but you may need to approach the problem from several directions. For example, solar panels connected to fiber optics can act as collectors to send natural light to areas with little light in a house. You also can install LED lighting systems that mimic natural light better than many older setups.

Moisture

A basement is still a basement no matter what you do with it. Ideally, the vapor barrier between the foundation and the surrounding soil is sufficient to keep the humidity level under control. However, the barrier likely is as dated as everything else you'll be remodeling. You may need to implement newer systems, seal the walls and floors, and upgrade the home's HVAC system to ensure that the renovated basement will stay dry. Even if there aren't mold issues, it's a good idea to address these potential problems now rather than wait for them to appear.

Contact a local basement remodeling service, such as Wilson Residential Construction, to learn more. 

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