Can all Basements be Finished or Remodeled?

There are a number of situations in which your basement should not be remodeled or refinished, one being if your radon levels are above recommended EPA levels. Radon levels must be reduced even if you are not finishing your basement. Radon is a colorless gas and known carcinogen that can seep into a home from the soil and rock below. Because it comes from the ground, radon levels are usually highest in basements. Health authorities like the Centers for Disease Control, the Surgeon General, the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association all agree that you should act as soon as possible to reduce the radon level if it is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more.

Most basement remodeling professionals like Select Basement Waterproofing offer free estimates and tips on how to pursue your project. If you are located in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware areas and would like a free estimate please visit Select Waterproofing USA online http://www.selectwaterproofingnj.com/ or contact them toll free at 877-548-3889.

Mold in the basement: If you have a significant amount of mold or a musty smell in your basement, you will need mold remediation before the health impact on the homeowners gets any worse. The key to mold control is moisture control. Before basement finishing you must properly prepare the basement.

Basement Finishing state and town building codes: Your new finished basement plans must be in compliant with state and town building codes.

Egress: This is basically another word for exit or proper escapes in case of emergency. Under the new building codes, you will have to abide by certain requirements such as size and location of exit in reference to the finished space. We install egress opening to comply with codes and for you safety.

Ventilation: Basement Ventilation must have proper air exchange per state and town code if the basement is going to be finished for living space. Ask us about our air systems prior to finishing. Ceiling Height: A minimum ceiling height of 7.6′ is needed for basement finishing. This height may vary from city to town. We can provide you with this information.