Addressing both condensation and real water leaks

To ensure that your basement stays dry you will need to address both condensation and real water leaks.

While many people enjoy the extra living space provided by a basement remodel, they should be aware that there are potential problems as well. Untreated basement water leakage will turn your extra square footage into nothing but problems.

To ensure that your basement stays dry you will need to address both condensation and real water leaks. While most homeowners are concerned about the real problem of water leaks, many are unaware of the potential dangers of high humidity in their basements.

Humidity
Your basement is naturally cooler than your above ground living space because it is below ground. Air shrinks in volume as it cools upon entering your basement from either outside or upstairs. The result of this shrinking is high humidity, or condensation. A foul order is often caused by the absorption of this extra moisture by porous surfaces in your basement. You can remove this extra moisture with the use of a dehumidifier. You should definitely include the installation of a dehumidifier in your plans to remodel your basement, whether you have water leaks or not.

Water Leakage
Prior to beginning you must find and repair any water leakage problems permanently. There are several common places to begin your search for the source of the problem, including broken or clogged gutters, improperly placed downspouts, improper grading of your yard so that it does not slope away from the home, and window wells without covers.

Your first step should be to fix all of these potential sources of your problem. Your next step should be to inspect the inside of your basement to find areas that are leaking. If you notice a particular area that has problems go back outside and reexamine the gutters and downspouts in that area. You can repair many of the cracks in the walls with hydraulic cement or crack injection. Those with water coming from a particular area may benefit from installing a sump pump below ground level to lower the water table and reduce the hydrostatic pressure. You will probably need the services of an engineer or professional building inspector if your problem appears widespread or if you are unable to locate the source of the leak. There are many services that are available to assist you with eliminating the leak. Most of these services will require that you hire a professional and include outside excavating, interior or exterior drainage systems, and grout or epoxy injection just to name a few.

Basement Remodeling Begins
Most contractors prefer to use 2 x 4s to stud out the walls, with 2 x 6s giving you added room for insulation if you have the available space to accommodate them. Do not ever nail furring strips onto the walls. This will put additional holes in your walls and make it more vulnerable to water leaks.

To adhere your bottom wall plates to the floor it is best to use construction adhesive instead of nails or screws. When attaching the upper wall plates it is fine to nail them to the upper floor joists.

Since your basement carpet will eventually need to be replaced it is best not to glue it down to your floor. If carpet is glued down it will be very difficult to remove later. The best way to have your basement carpet installed is with carpet tack strips which have been attached to the perimeter of the basement floor with construction adhesive. Your installer should never drive nails directly into your basement floor.

Summary
You can turn your basement into that great additional living space you’ve been dreaming of as long as you keep the following things in mind: humidity control, reliable waterproofing, and good construction techniques.

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