Why You Should Pay More Attention to Your Basement

Homeowners often don’t pay much attention at all to what’s underneath their home. If you have a basement that you’re not currently doing very much with, this is something that should change as soon as possible. It’s not just about what you do with it though; simply paying more attention to what’s going on down there will have a big impact on the condition if your home going forward. There are so many reasons why you shouldn’t ignore what your basement is telling you.

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[ctt template=”4″ link=”3Miae” via=”yes” ]Simply paying more attention to your basement will have a big impact on the condition if your home going forward. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t ignore what your basement is telling you.[/ctt]

The changes you ultimately make to your basement will help you make more of your home. But even if you just decide to wander down there more often to check for certain things that we’re going to talk about below, you will reap the rewards later on. No homeowner wants to have to deal with problems with their home, and you don’t have to if you pay close attention to your basement space. Read on to learn more about all this.

This is Where Structural Damage First Shows Itself

Structural damage to your home is not something that you want to deal with. The first signs of cracks in your foundations will, of course, appear in your basement. That’s why you should venture down there now and then in order to see what’s going on and what you can see in the walls and structure. Any unusual cracks should be checked out by a professional who can then tell you what you should do to avoid future structural damage.

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It Could be Transformed Into a Utility Space

There are lots of things that you’re missing out on if your basement space is currently bare and empty. If you want to do something with your basement that will free up space in the other areas of your home, you could make the basement a utility area. It would be where you keep your washing machine and dryer. It’s good to get these out of the way and in their own space, especially if you don’t have a huge space to work with on your main floor.

There’s a Risk of Flooding Down There

Flooding is another risk that you should be looking out for in your basement. This is linked to a previous thing we’ve mentioned here because if the water does flood your basement and it stands for too long, it could eventually cause structural damage, which is not what you want at all. If you don’t check your basement for this, the damage might be done before you even realize it.

The Smell Can Tell You a Lot

One way to tell what’s going on in your basement and whether it should concern you much is the smell it gives off. If your basement smells terrible and you get that musty smell whenever you venture down there, it could be a sign that your home already has a problem with damp. By getting on top of the issue rapidly, you will be able to avoid many of the problems that would otherwise occur.

It Can be Made Into a Functional and Fun Space if You Want it to Be

You can do pretty much anything you want with your basement space, so why would you let it go completely to waste? That doesn’t need to be the way at all. It’s perfectly possible for you to make it into a fun gaming room complete with an ergonomic gaming chair, large screen monitor and gaming keypad and mouse, or an entertaining family room with an air hockey or pool table down there waiting to be made use of. Or a great place to get out your dusty antiques, dust them off and display them nicely in a curio cabinet. Don't underestimate just how much you could achieve with your basement if you put your mind to it.

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Mold Can Start and Spread

Mold is one thing you don’t want spreading through your home, so it’s worth checking for mold in your basement on a regular basis. It can be easily or rid of so you don’t need to just ignore it. It’s common for the mold to start in your basement because the conditions for it there are usually perfect. By checking for it regularly, you’ll put your home in the safest possible position.

Pests Can Enter if it’s Not Properly Sealed

If you notice bugs or mice in your basement, it could be a sign that there is too much damp and potentially leaking water down there. Even if that’s not the case though, it certainly suggests that your home is not properly sealed as it should be. If pests can enter, it means that energy and heat can escape too. So make sure you call upon NEFF Exterminating Inc. to get rid of the problem, and then seal up any gaps. It will stop pests from coming back and causing more problems in the future.

It Might Not be the Ideal Storage Space

Many people assume that their basement will make a good storage space. And in certain circumstances, it might do but not always. For example, without proper waterproofing, there will always be the risk of the stuff you have crammed down there getting badly damaged. So you should take steps to get this sorted before you start using tor basement for storing things you don’t want in the rest of your home.

You Should Insulate the Pipes

Insulating your pipes is a must because these pipes usually run through your basement, and if they are allowed to get too hot, this will cause moisture in the air. But by insulating them, the heat will remain where you want it to rather than escaping into the basement and causing you problems. It will also mean that you shouldn’t suffer burst pipes in your basement in winter as a result of pipes freezing up. Those reasons should be enough for you to take action on this ASAP.

Your basement is probably currently the most underused and ignored space in your home, so it’s something that you should definitely give some thought to if you haven’t already. By making your basement more useful and making sure that it’s not sustaining any damage that should worry you, you will benefit all around.

This is a contributed post.

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