Few things are more frustrating to a homeowner than basement water leaks. Basement water leaks can be caused by a number of sources, such as leaks in household pipes, leaking appliances such as a hot water heater or washing machine, or even cracks in the house’s foundation. Many people assume that damp basements with a musty odor are normal, but the musty odor is caused by wet basement mold, and both mold and dampness are signs that there is a leak in your basement.

The end results of a leak in your basement could be material, such as damaged possessions or damage to the home’s structure, or physical, such as health problems caused by wet basement mold. Because many basement water leaks are gradual, and because unfinished basements are not heavily used areas of the home, significant damage can occur before the homeowners are even aware of a leak.

You can protect your basement against damage from water leaks by consulting a basement waterproofing contractor. A basement waterproofing contractor can determine the possible sources in your specific home for basement water leaks, and determine the best way to waterproof your basement to protect it against leaks. As any homeowner who has lost possessions due to damage from leaking basements will tell you — prevention is the best medicine!

If you are thinking about turning your basement into a family or recreational room then there are a few things to take into consideration. Be sure you are thorough when itemizing and figuring the cost to finish a basement so you don’t end up being short on materials toward the end of the job.

First, if the basement is unfinished then you will want to find a good and fair contractor to do the finishing work. The same contractor should also have experience waterproofing basements. You will want to make sure the job is done well because this will be crucial in preventing basement water leaks. This will also help to prevent wet basement mold which is a health hazard.

Once this is done you can start on the fun part of converting the finished basement into the family room you’ve been dreaming of. If there are any costs to be cut in order for the family room to happen, it is strongly suggested that the cost cutting is done after the finishing of the basement and waterproofing is done. The cost to finish a basement can be affordable if you shop around for a professional, preferably someone that also has experience waterproofing basements. The prevention of basement water leaks and wet basement mold will depend on it. Have fun!

Of course, your wet basement can make you sick. Mold and mildew are like indoor moss that can hold bacteria and viruses that can cause many diseases. Wet basement mold may be the cause of your incurable chronic sinus attacks or your children’s runny nose. If you have basement paneling of carpeting, you may not even know that you have wet basement mold until the basement water leaks have come through the paneling or saturated the carpeting. Waterproofing basement walls should be done by a professional basement waterproofing company.

Basement waterproofing companies are a specialty service that can waterproof basement walls and find other leaks in your basement.

The cost for basement waterproofing depends on the assessment made by the basement waterproofing company and the basement water leaks. But there is no price tag on your health and on the health of your family and friends. A wet basement can make you sick and can be a source of spreading virile infection since the mold has spores that can live in your body and cause you  physical discomfort as well as spreading germs whenever you leave your house through spitting, coughing, or sneezing.

Of course, there are many different types of molds, many of which are also harmless.  If you are unsure, as a professional to take a look and identify the problem.

If you have a leak in basement and wet basement mold you very well could be in an unhealthy environment.

While many molds are not dangerous, you still do not want to have more than normal in your home.  A leak in your basement or high humidity can cause higher levels of mold.  Some molds are also highly toxic and can cause fatigue and other symptoms.  If people in your family have health problems that you believe are caused by exposure to mold, you should consult with a physician.

Some people that have allergies or asthma can be more sensitive to molds. People that are more sensitive may experience running nose,  skin rash,  eye irritation, cough, nasal congestion, and even aggravation of asthma or difficulty breathing.  If someone in your home has immune suppression or underlying lung disease, they may be at increased risk for infections from molds if you have a wet basement and mold issues.

You know you are getting a higher level of mold in your home when you can small a musty odor or you see black and while spots appearing on surfaces, such as basement walls.

While there are many ways to combat mold and clean mold, one of the most important steps is to reduce the moisture in your home.  Call a waterproofing company and find out how you can stop the leak in basement and dry it out so that you greatly reduce the wet basement mold that could be bad for your family.

A basement offers a huge amount of undefined space that is rough, bare and empty but it has unlimited possibilities and offers enough space for everything you can think of. However, all that unfinished space can make it hard to imagine what it really looks like once the remodeling is done. Basement remodeling can be done in a number of ways. The entire area can be left open or be divided into rooms according to one’s choice. It can be elegantly finished or be given a rustic design. Here are the major challenges of most basement remodeling projects and ideas:

Height of ceiling. You can encounter a visible duct work or a low ceiling level. You can decide on what kind of ceiling you want your basement to have whether living with a lower ceiling or moving the duct work, which is an expensive job.

Dampness. A dampness problem in a basement opens the door to all kinds of problems; it makes the area feel cooler or warmer, but above all, it breeds wet basement mold and mildew. The first step in finishing a basement is to correct any dampness problem and then carefully seal the floor and walls. When the budget is enough, installing radiant floor heating with a waterproofing membrane may be an option; but with limited budget, a dehumidifier will be a wise investment option.

Beams and Support Posts. You may need expert assistance in trying to remove support posts in the basement; having then done is costly. A better solution is to lay put your floor plan so that the support beams are in walls or closets. If this is not applicable and you want it more attractive, put a fiberglass around them or build a square box with a dry wall around them.

Concrete floors. Concrete floors may be hard if you planned activities that require prolonged standing. It will take time and effort in choosing the floor covering for the other rooms. First, you need to attend to potential dampness. You might want to start with a layer of plastic if the basement does not have a drain; then add an extra layer of padding under the carpet and even under hardwood floors.

Access to plumbing. Before deciding to finish the ceiling, consider how to achieve the look you wanted and still have access to these areas. Drop ceiling then may be the best option but it is possible to place small doors in the ceiling to make the areas accessible.

Lighting. It will be much easier providing light for the area if you want at least one wall above ground and windows let in sunlight. You need to pay attention to lighting in areas without windows. Choosing energy-efficient fixtures and light bulbs help protect the environment and save you money.

Heating Units and Air Conditioning Systems. Seek  professional help to decide if the current heat and air conditioning system is enough for the entire house once the basement is finished. Separate heating and air conditioning systems to control the house’s temperature. Consider also the zoned heating and cooling when you have only the single system.

Additional Plumbing for Hot Water Supply. You may want to think of having a hot water supply and the size of the hot water heater when adding a kitchen or bathroom in the basement. It will be more economical and easier to install an instant water heater in a bathroom or kitchen.

Access. You will need to create a second access to the basement from the first floor allowing more privacy. You may have a spiral staircase because of the less space it uses. You may also consider having an immediate exit in case of emergency.

Alternative to Walls. You can install a drywall or paneling in the basement. You can do more creative things to divide space and invest less money. You can define spaces without walls in the way of the installation of different floor coverings.

Thinking creatively on how to use space and be flexible to work around existing challenges creates anything you wish in basement remodeling. It can be as formal or as relaxed as you choose. Turn your imagination loose and enjoy figuring out solutions to the challenges of your basement remodeling ideas.

Pioneer Basement Solutions

Proudly Offers

Basement Waterproofing, Foundation Repair

& Basement Finishing

in the following areas:

(some limitations may apply)

Akron and all Summit County Ohio including:

• Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Hudson, Barberton, Norton, Green, Springfield, Tallmagde, Mogodore, Richfield, Peninsula, Fairlawn, Bath, Silver Lake, Copley, Coventry,  Sagamore Hills, Boston Heights, Macedonia
  

Canton and all Stark County Ohio including:

• Uniontown, Alliance, Jackson Township, Canton, North Canton, Canal Fulton, Massillon, Hartville, Waynesburg, Sugar Creek, Louisville, Minerva, E. Sparta, Brewster
  

Medina and all Medina County Ohio including:

• Brunswick, Hinckley, Brecksville, Wadsworth, Granger, Sharon,  Westield, Litchfield, Guilford, Lafayette
  

Kent and all Portage County Ohio including:

• Ravenna, Brimfiled, Suffield, Rootstown, Streetsboro, Atwater, Randolph, Deerfield, Aurora, Freedom, Hiram, Edinburg, Palmyra, Shalersville
  

Wayne County Ohio including:

• Wooster, Doylestown, West Salem, Canaan, Marshallville,Kidron, Orrville, Dalton, Sugar Creek, Lebanon, Shreeve, Maysville, Congress, Creston, Sterling, Rittman, Smithville, Fredericksburg, Apple Creek
  

Carrol County

Tuscarawas County

Lake County

Geauga County

Cuyahoga County

Lorain County

Don’t let that wet basement mold get the best of you!

Pioneer can transform that underutilized space into possibly the best space in your home!