Homeowners have a lot to think about. Houses require plenty of maintenance, and there are a lot of spaces to decorate and use. Between keeping the kitchen organized and managing the landscaping, it’s easier to let certain chores go by the wayside. And there’s one place in particular in your house that you may find yourself ignoring more often than others: your basement.
We get it: your basement isn’t exactly the highest priority, or most interesting room in your home, at least not the way that it is now. It’s not a space that, at first glance, appears to need much in the way of cleaning or care. There’s a lot of sturdy concrete down there — how much care could it need?
But here’s the thing: your basement is more important than you think. The maintenance and care decisions you make about your basement will affect the future and the value of your entire home. And the space that your basement offers can — if used wisely — become one of the most useful and wonderful spaces in your home. Let’s talk about the truth about your basement.
Your basement (and your foundation) require serious care
You know that you need to repaint walls, replace siding, refinish hardwood floors, and keep your plumbing and electrical system up-to-date. By the time you get to updating the basement, you may feel like it’s a job not worth doing.
But you ignore the needs of your basement and foundation at your own peril. Your basement and foundation are quite literally the things upon which the entire rest of your house is built, and problems with this space can have dire consequences for the house as a whole.
If you end up with real foundation issues, repairs can be extensive. You may even see your house raised from its own foundation with foundation jacks for repair and replacement work, explain experts in foundation repair and waterproofing.
Fortunately, avoiding serious foundation problems isn’t all that tough. All you need to do as a homeowner is make regular inspections of your basement and foundation. Look for cracks and water that might indicate problems with the foundation or with your basement waterproofing. Around the rest of your home, sticking doors and windows or cracks in walls, ceilings, or even floors can be indicative of foundation issues.
If you do discover a foundation or basement problem, your next step is simple, too: just call the pros. You’re not going to fix the foundation yourself, so don’t try. Invest in expert work right away and avoid more costly problems down the line.
Using your basement space to its fullest
Since you’re down in your basement inspecting it and investing in repair work, you might as well make full use of that space.
There’s a good chance that you currently use your basement for storage — or for nothing at all! But your basement space is a part of your home, so why not use it that way? Finishing your basement can effectively expand the square footage of your home by increasing your useable, comfortable space.
A finished basement is perfect for an entertainment space. Big sound systems and screens, pool tables and ping-pong tables, and more: they are all at home in basements. The basement is also a great spot for a wet or dry bar. Head to a local liquor store Lawrenceville, NJ, anywhere near you. Your next party is sure to be a hit when the guests see your well-stocked basement bar!
Your basement is a part of your home. It should be cared for that way — and it should be enjoyed that way, too!
