Your basement is the lowest level in your home. For many years, this space has been forgotten by American homeowners, and only used for storage. However, in recent years, more homeowners have understood the value of tending to this part of the home as they do the main house. As more basement work is being done, it has allowed basement construction professionals to dispel any ongoing misconceptions people have. Here are three common misconceptions about basements and basement construction you should know about.

Waterproofing Is Too Expensive

Many homeowners have shied away from waterproofing a basement due to the upfront cost. However, the upfront cost of waterproofing your basement pales to what you eventually get back. According to Maximum Exposure Real Estate, an American homeowner stands to get back 70 to 80% of the cost of investment in finishing their basement. Depending on how you use the basement, you may not only get back the majority of your cost but also make an ongoing profit.

After you waterproof your basement, the sky's the limit in how you can use this space. Sure you can continue to use it for a very pretty storage facility. However, if you want to get back those costs, you can turn it into a full living space. More homeowners are working from home than ever before. Some people have started businesses as freelancers, or LLCs, while others work in hybrid positions for a regular employer. Either way, you likely need a regular space to work and if you have a basement, you can utilize the whole floor or a section for your home office. Converting this area into an official office space gives you a major tax advantage. Not only are you getting a tax advantage from owning a business, but you can further benefit from the tax deductions from having a designated home office. Anything you use in that designated basement home office space, from the lighting to the internet, is tax-deductible. Taking the time to turn a basement into a home office saves you the time and energy of shopping around for commercial property. Plus, you can keep getting those tax deductions every year you use it for a home office.

You can make your basement construction money back by using the finished area for a rental. Many American homeowners have gotten into the landlord game by renting out their finished basements on sites like Booking.com or Airbnb. If you’re interested in renting a standalone property, beginning with your basement space is a good way to start. As long as you have a regular renter, you can make back the cost of your initial investment fast. If you keep renting out the space, you'll eventually make quite a profit. Many people have paid off their home mortgages by renting out a part of their home whether they're there or not.

Don't forget about the amount of value that a finished basement adds to your home. If you decide to sell your home after you finish it, you can enjoy a greater resale value. As more American homeowners understand the value of a finished basement, if you've already taken the time to finish it, that's one less thing a buyer has to worry about. Therefore, it can be the difference between the home sitting on the market for several months or even years versus having a quick sale.

Painting Is Enough to Repair Damage

Some people may look at their damaged basement and think a fresh coat of paint is enough to do the trick. While the work of interior painters can help with wall damage, it can only do so much if the water damage is deep. Interior painters will clean, sand, and repair surface-level dents in your wall before painting and applying a sealant coat. However, if the damage is deep behind those walls, that paint job will start to peel, bubble, and fade. Plus, the basement foundation professionals will have to bust through those walls to repair the foundation. As a result, the money and time you spent painting the walls will be wasted, and you'll have to do that part again.

Another thing to consider with basement construction damage is mold. When there has been a great deal of damage, paint can't get rid of mold. Your basement construction contractors must remove those moldy areas and replace them with new ones. Simply painting over the mold won't do anything other than continue to be a health hazard in the home. Mold can cause many respiratory disorders, from asthma to bronchitis to lung infections. It won't go away on its own and must be professionally removed. If that mold is in that basement, it can eventually get into the main home and possibly make the whole house unlivable.

Only Waterproof Damaged Areas

The thing with water damage is it's not always visible. Your foundation in a main part of the home could have lingering water damage for weeks, months, or even years before you realize there's water damage. It's the same in your basement. While you may not see water stains in your basement, it may be very vulnerable without realizing it. Of course, it's no secret that the basement is often the most humid and moist room in a home, even more so than your bathroom. Therefore, it’s simply not effective to only waterproof visually damaged areas. Your basement construction professionals understand the variety of techniques to properly waterproof the area. If you have it done right the first time, you won't have to worry about it again going forward for decades to come. Plus, if you don't properly waterproof it, you won't be able to use your basement much without risking having to make more repairs.

Doing a full basement waterproof project can ensure that future issues don't occur. Some waterproofing involves installing a sump pump. A sump pump is usually installed beneath your basement floor and consistently pumps water away after it rains. If you let those cracks in your basement walls and floors go unattended, you allow more water to get in. That water can seep in from the dirt and through those cracks and flood your basement. Something to consider if you live in an area with a high water table is you might be prone to flooding. Remember, if your basement floods and doesn't dry up in time, it could eventually make your home unlivable, as the foundation would be destroyed from the bottom.

Another reason to not just waterproof damaged areas is that the undamaged areas could eventually become damaged. Those untouched areas may have lucked out because the water didn't reach that spot. However, if enough water gets into your basement, it can completely flood, especially from a busted pipe or natural disaster. Plus, if humidity gets out of control, it can affect any part of your basement. You may not realize the humidity is so bad until mold begins to show up.

We have over 40 years of combined experience in basement repair in the Oregon area. Whether you need concrete pumping, foundation repair, retrofitting, and more, we're available to assist you. Take advantage of our free estimates and contact Foundations First Northwest for an appointment today.