It’s Time to Finally Finish Your Semi-Finished Basement
Pactool
Posted in Tips & Advice on February 4, 2022.
We get it – life and work get very busy, which means your own home improvement projects slide down to the bottom of your to-do list. But since we’ve been spending much more time in our houses, carving out extra space has never been more important for family harmony! With the cold weather shifting the focus to indoor renovations, consider diving in to a project that will boost your property value and provide a comfortable place to relax: Your basement.
Many homes in new developments are delivered fresh from the builder with one component in common: A semi-finished basement. Sure, it’s framed, insulated and often has rough-ins to add a bathroom and laundry room. But the rest is up to the homeowner. Whether you want upgrades like a game room, a guest suite, more storage or the ultimate spa-like bathroom retreat, a finished basement can improve the overall enjoyment of your home. Here’s how to make the task easier and transform your dream basement into reality. Spoiler alert: It’s all about having the right tools to do the job safely!
Make sure your walls are dry
Because basements are surrounded by soil, they tend to be humid. Before finishing your framed walls, you’ll want to double check if you have any moisture issues. One easy way is to duct tape a square of plastic wrap to one of your concrete walls, and check it the next day. If the plastic shows condensation, you may have a humidity problem. Or, you can use a moisture meter to detect leaks.
If the concrete walls are dry, you can apply a coat of masonry sealant. When it’s time to finish up your walls with drywall panels, it’s a good idea to use moisture- and mildew-resistant sheetrock. You can also set up some dehumidifiers to further reduce the risk of mold.
Banish bathroom building blues by cutting down on dust
Adding a new full bathroom in your basement ensures your renovation will deliver a great return on your investment should you sell your home down the line. But cutting the fiber cement backerboard needed for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms or laundry rooms can be challenging, awkward and messy.
To cut fiber-cement backerboard safely and easily, try the Snapper Shear, which powers right through, resulting in straight, clean cuts and minimal airborne dust. Bonus: FITS ONTO ANY DRILL - Bring your own drill, the Snapper Shear Pro attaches to any drill motor (recommended 18V or higher for best performance).
Add layered lighting
Basements don’t usually get much natural light, so be sure to upgrade the lighting throughout. If your ceiling’s on the low side, recessed lighting are ideal and they provide bright, glare-free light for games and other activities. Add table lamps and standing lamps to create a warm, layered look. It’s worth putting all lights on dimmers so you can control the intensity.
Choose the perfect flooring
There are many options to add this finishing touch to your basement living space, including durable vinyl tile, cork or laminate wood flooring. All are warm, affordable, easy to install and water-resistant.
Add more storage options
Now that your finally-finished basement is ready for relaxation, the clutter you’ve been storing downstairs need to be stashed out of sight. Be sure you planned closet space, shelving units with bins or other storage solutions to house toys, games, seasonal clothing and more.
Now all that’s left is to enjoy your new space!
About PacTool
PacTool is known for leading products in the construction, renovation, and remodeling segments. Their products include the Gecko Gauge, which holds fiber cement siding in place during installation and can reduce labor requirements by half; Snapper Shears, a collection of dust-free cutting tools; the Roof Snake nail puller and shingle replacers and our latest addition of vinyl siding tools.
PacTool is part of General Tools, a recognized leader in the design and development of precision tools. With more than 1,200 products, including specific-purpose hand tools as well as precision measuring and inspection tools, General Tools remains committed to delivering exceptional customer service to professionals, DIYers, and hobbyists around the world. For more about General Tools and its products, visit generaltools.com.
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