basement remodeling

Basement Remodeling in Woodbridge NJ

Posted by Jerome Fokas on

Basement Remodeling in Woodbridge NJ

The housing market has been on the road to recovery for the past few years. There are many homeowners who are now looking forward to selling their homes for good value. Those who are smart are taking a step further by investing in basement remodeling to further increase their profit margins.

Creating a living space in the basement is a great way of increasing the value of your home. It is an easy and inexpensive way of increasing the square footage of living space in your home. You can turn your basement into practically anything including an extra bedroom, an apartment, a home office or even a media room.

However, basement remodeling doesn’t always go right. In fact, many homeowners have found that remodeling their basements resulted in an overall reduction of value to their homes instead of increasing the value of their homes. How?

Remodeling your basement can hurt the value of your home if the remodeling does not meet building code. It can also hurt the value of your home if the remodeling isn’t done right.

What does it take to get good value from basement remodeling? The following are some steps to consider taking.

  1. Know your code

It is important to understand building code and ensure that your plans meet the standards of the code. This is especially important if you’re planning to convert your basement into a living space such as an apartment.

  1. Hire a professional contractor

It is important to consult with a professional contractor from the beginning. Let them advise you in planning. They should oversee the implementation of your plans and ensure that your construction is in line with the requirements of building code.

  1. Invest in waterproofing

If you want to ensure that your investment is for the long term, you should invest in waterproofing. This will ensure that the space is not prone to leaks and other moisture problems that can otherwise undermine the value of your home.

  1. Consider demand

Consider the demand in the area. What are buyers looking for in a home? Do people want an apartment that they can earn some extra money from? Are buyers looking for luxurious spaces? Base your design and choices for the basement renovation on what potential buyers would want in their homes.

Ensure that your basement remodeling project is a success by hiring an experienced contractor to guide you through it.

basement waterproofing

Basement Waterproofing For Finished Basement

Posted by Jerome Fokas on

Basement Waterproofing

Is your basement finished? That’s great. You have an additional living space that can be used for just about anything. Finished basements are a great way to add to the floor space of your home without investing heavily in construction.

But what’s this? You’ve spotted signs of water seepage in the basement. This can seem like a nightmare. Finishing a basement may be cheaper than constructing an extension of the home, but it is still a significant investment. Water seepage in the basement can seem like a big setback.

How to Waterproof Your Finished Basement Without Tearing it to Shreds

The fear that most homeowners have when they hear that they need to invest in basement waterproofing is that they will lose their investment in their finished basement. However, there is good news for you. An expert waterproofing contractor can help you waterproof your basement without having to tear it apart.

In many instances, seepage into the basement is a result of water penetration through non-structural cracks in the basement walls or floors. If your basement were finished, these cracks would have been repaired from the interior. However, with a finished basement, your contractor will probably opt to approach repair from the exterior. The following are some things to expect in the basement waterproofing process:

  1. Excavation

The area around the basement wall will be excavated. This will allow the contractor access to the cracks from the exterior surface of the wall. You can discuss the need to save any plants you hold dear with your contractor in order to have them moved before the excavation begins.

  1. Crack repair

The crack will be repaired from the exterior surface of the wall. This may involve the use of a filler such as granular sodium bentonite clay. This clay will absorb water from the soil surrounding the wall. This helps to form an even tighter seal against the water.

  1. Installation of waterproofing membrane

The exterior of the basement wall will then be covered with a waterproofing membrane. This will help to prevent penetration of water in the future and keep your finished basement safe.

  1. Installation of exterior drain tile

If your contractor finds that the water table that surrounds your foundation is high, they will suggest that you have an exterior drain tile installed next to the footings of the foundation. This will help to alleviate the hydrostatic pressure on your basement wall and prevent the flooding of your basement.

  1. Backfilling

The soil around the foundation will be backfilled.

Contact us today for more information!