Getting Ready to Finish Your Basement Finishing your basement can increase the living space and value of your home.
If you are going to finish your basement, this is what we recommend to prepare it properly. If you already have finished your basement, the majority of these precautions can still be made.
- Waterproof Your Basement.
- Sump Pump with Battery Backup.
- Guard Against Frozen Sump Discharge Lines.
- Basement Wall Vapor Barrier.
- Keep the Floor Warm, Dry and Comfortable.
- Protect Against Plumbing Leaks.
- Inspect and Replace Basement Windows.
- Energy Efficient Dehumidifier.
- Check Gutters, Downspouts and Window Wells.
 1. Waterproof Your Basement
A basement waterproofing system installed in your basement is the first necessary step to take before finishing your basement. Whether you've experienced a small leak or an all out flood in the past, your basement needs a quality basement waterproofing system like WaterGuard or other options available from Thrasher Basement Systems, Inc. Basement water problems never get better with time, they actually worsen as the home ages and the foundation drains and coatings that protected the house fail. Even if water seepage is a once-a-year occurrence, it needs to be fixed before the basement is finished, as flooding is likely to be more frequent in the future. Some homeowners put in such a system even if they have not had seepage, because it's much easier (and less invasive/expensive) to waterproof a basement that is unfinished than one where finished walls and floor coverings restrict access afterwards. It is also highly recommended that this system be installed around the entire perimeter of the basement.
 2. Sump Pump with Battery Backup
Keep the basement dry all the time by installing the best sump pump protection available to prevent flooding from primary pump failure, pump overload from torrential rains, and power failure. The TripleSafe sump pump system stands ready with primary and secondary AC-powered pumps and a third battery-operated backup pump in a single airtight sump liner. In the event that the power goes out or the primary pump mechanically fails to operate, the TripleSafe system will automatically pump out water. Without this triple protection, your finished basement is only one pump or power failure away from a flood.
 3. Guard Against Frozen Sump Discharge Lines
Prevent flooding due to frozen sump pump discharge lines by including IceGuard with your system. Snow and ice can block the opening and cause the pipe to freeze. When this happens your pump will be running and the water can't get out, leading to basement flooding.
4. Basement Wall Vapor Barrier
Water vapor can also pass through basement walls and contribute to a higher humidity level in the basement. Installing a sheet of plastic, preferably a high-quality, extra-durable one will direct water leaks and seepage down to the drainage system in the floor. Water vapor will be prevented from getting into the basement environment and humidity levels will be significantly lowered. The top of the vapor barrier should be caulked to the top of the wall and the bottom tucked into the drainage system.
 Thrasher Basement Systems, Inc. offers a vapor-proof drainage sheet for the walls that will insulate, called ThermalDry Wall System, which reflects 97% of the heat back into your basement. You'll be saving money on energy bills and creating a drier environment.
 Or if you desire to provide a more finished look to your basement wall and not have the time and expense of adding drywall, ZenWall Basement Paneling System and BrightWall Paneling System provide a clean, bright, maintenance-free and semi-finished look for basement walls.
5. Keep the Basement Floor Warm, Dry and Comfortable
If you are planning on laying carpet down in your basement, a non-organic subflooring material is essential. Because concrete is porous, water vapor will slowly and continuously travel up through it. If you lay a carpet on top of the concrete floor, this moisture gets trapped under the carpet and causes odors, mold and rot in the carpet.
 The solution is a ThermalDry Basement Floor Matting system. This consists of a specially engineered polypropylene, 17-inch tongue-&-groove square tile that, unlike systems that use wood, is totally water and vapor proof. Plastic prevents mold from growing and lasts if for some reason the material gets wet. Wood will not provide the same protection. The unique grid design on the bottom of the tile creates an air space that insulates the floor and does not cause water vapor to condense. The installation takes away only 3/8" of precious ceiling height in the basement, instead of 4" for other methods.
ThermalDry Flooring is now available with carpet or tile already built in to provide a finished look to your basement floor.
6. Protect Against Plumbing Leaks
Any leak - including a plumbing leak - will have the same damaging effect on your finished basement. Thrasher Basement Systems, Inc. has easy solutions for the two most common domestic water leaks, which we see all the time.
 Water heaters: The average life of a water heater is seven years, and when they fail, they usually leak and flood the basement. The FloodRing is the solution. The FloodRing will contain water seepage and drain it to the waterproofing system when the water heater leaks.
 Washing machine hoses: Conventional washing machine hoses are not made to withstand the 50 or 60 pounds per square inch of water pressure like our hard plumbing system is. There is a valve to shut the water pressure off when the washing machine is not in use, but people rarely shut it off. Eventually, these inexpensive hoses will leak, or blow-out completely. FloodChek hoses are the answer. Guaranteed for 20 years, the FloodChek hoses are made to take the pressure, and will not blow-out, corrode, or rust at the end connections.
7. Inspect and Replace Basement Windows
Will you be happy with your old basement windows in your newly finished basement? Basement windows are notorious for being hard to open and drafty. The wet environment near the window or the window well causes a metal window to rust and a wood window to rot. Many do not have screens and painting them is a constant challenge.
 Thrasher Basement Systems, Inc. can replace your basement windows with energy-efficient, all-vinyl EverLast windows. They feature smooth sliding operation, double glass, full screen, easily removable panes for cleaning or passing long objects into the basement, and they never need to be painted!
 Replace your basement windows before you finish the basement. Then the carpenters can trim right up to them for a nice finished look.
8. Energy Efficient Dehumidifier
Most standard dehumidifiers are too small to make a difference in the basement air. The SaniDry Basement Air System is a powerful and effective dehumidifier - big enough to do the job. The SaniDry dries the air and automatically drains the water out of the hose, so you never have to empty it, like a conventional dehumidifer. The SaniDry takes three times the amount of water out of the air as a typical dehumidifier, yet uses the same energy. A powerful blower draws musty air in and moves the dry, clean air back out into the basement. This unit helps to ensure that you won't have high humidity and musty smells in your finished basement.
 9. Check Gutters, Downspouts and Window Wells
Have your downspouts extended with the RainChute to keep roof water away from the foundation. Keep the soil graded away from the house wherever possible, and keep the gutters clean. Make sure window wells are clear of leaves.
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