Moisture from an Unfinished Basement Can Cause Mold Problems and Decrease Your Home’s Energy Efficiency.

Several Efficiencies to Consider When Finishing a Basement

Many Kansas City homeowners are finding the value in building out their unfinished basement. According to Punchlistusa.com, finishing a basement will give you a return of 70 to 75% of your investment. That means if you spend $10,000 on improvements, the value of your property will increase by about $7,000. Although you may not recoup 100 percent of your expenses, that’s a good return on investment for most home sellers. Aside from the many obvious reasons to finish your basement, we’ve outlined a few less obvious reasons as well: 

·       Fire Escape Route (Egress Windows)

·       Extra Bedroom; Greater Resale Value

·       More Natural Lighting (windows added)

·       Additional Storage Space

·       Opportunity to add additional Spray Foam Insulation (more energy efficient; sound barrier; regulates temperatures)

·       Add an EZ Breathe Ventilation System (reduce humidity)

Yes, there are many good reasons to finish your basement. You will gain more living area, improve the resale value of your home, and make it look much nicer. But did you know that having an unfinished basement may be costing you money? If left unfinished, basements can reduce the indoor air quality of the living areas above, cause moisture-related problems to the structure of the home and increase utility costs.

Excess Moisture Makes Your Air Conditioner Work Harder

Because homeowners typically don’t want to pay to heat or cool unused space most unfinished basements tend to be quite humid. Kansas City homeowners experience the four seasons and can even shift from heat to air conditioning within 24 hours. The excessive moisture in the unfinished basement poses several threats to the home. First, mold thrives in moist places. Secondly, the moisture will attract wood-boring insects like termites that can destroy your home’s structure. Third, where there are insects there are oftentimes rodents. And finally, the moisture seeps into the main level making your air conditioner work harder all season to remove the moisture from the air. This is reflected in your energy bills.

Finishing Your Basement Makes Your Home Feel and Smell Better

Moisture and humidity in the basement are the result of water evaporating from the soil. Besides the general dampness that seeps through the concrete floor and walls because it is in contact with the soil, if you have any cracks in your basement floor or walls, moisture can also enter through those. When you finish your basement, you seal your floors and walls and add insulation and drywall which help to keep the moisture outside your home. This will make your home healthier by controlling mold growth, wood rot and insect infestation. Another benefit is that it can get rid of any musty smells unfinished basements tend to emit. If you have hardwood floors on your main level, it will help prevent the hardwood floors from warping.

RELATED: Case Study: Basement Waterproofing

Sump Pumps and Drainage Systems Keep Your Basement Dry

If your basement experiences severe water problems, you may also want to install a drainage system along the perimeter of the foundation and a sump pump to keep the ground beneath your basement dry. Obviously, any broken or leaking pipes will introduce moisture and humidity and you want to fix those before finishing the basement. Finishing your basement will keep the temperature, humidity and energy bills at a comfortable level year-round. PierMagic offers several drainage solutions, including French Drains, sump pumps, waterproofing, and even crack sealing. 

Call the Professionals at PierMagic for a Free Basement Inspection

If you are considering finishing your basement, it’s best to call one of the foundation professionals at Pier Magic to come inspect it. We solve basement waterproofing and foundation problems every day and we can inspect your basement for free and let you know your best options for sealing it and finishing it and eliminating any future water problems. From installing sump pumps to drainage systems, we know how to keep moisture out of your basement. Give us a call for a free foundation inspection today.