Basements are similar to the odd kid in high school. We have no idea what exactly to do with them or no idea what that should become, and unfortunately, we tend to treat them differently than the other of the kids. Basements tend to become part workout room, part workshop, part storage, and part teen hangout. This is truer for homes with unfinished basements, and due to the fact that much of the new homes today have a large basement. Also, many homeowners seem to fear that odd kid in a high school located on the bottom floor.
No worries, renovations of the basement are easier than other rooms in the home. Even so, safety concerns still exist and must be considered even if you decide not to renovate.
Lighting
First, a light must be installed at the top of the stairway, if one is not located there already. You may not have considered this because newer homes tend to have one, but many of the older homes have never had this necessary feature installed. Installing this needed light is an easy fix for a licensed electrician. Also, while considering lighting, it is a good idea to install a light switch at the base of the stairwell to help make it easier to shut the lights off when needed, such as when you are watching a movie. Furthermore, to turn the lights bask on to ensure safety while walking back up the stairs case. These are safety measures that are often overlooked.
Black Mold and Waterproofing
Often times, basements produce condensation, they leak, and flood which can result in a buildup of mold in addition to other allergens that may affect those who reside in the home. Once the mold is allowed to spawn and inhabit a location, it can easily spread throughout the basement if not monitored properly.
The homes air quality in the home can be a factor of childhood asthma. Regularly changing HVAC filters and professionally cleaning air ducts are necessary steps, however, if your basement is dank and wet, general house mold and black mold may become impossible to fight if you neglect to waterproof your basements as well as removing any mold.
Windows and Window Wells
To allow people to escape should there be a fire, basement windows must be a certain height. To ensure people can get out easy at all times, a safe and smart renovation of your basement should include contractors digging around areas located around all basement windows so to allow larger sized windows to be installed in your basement. With today’s new home, these “window wells” are standard. Usually, the tops of window wells have removable window well covers attached to them to keep pets and debris from falling. In addition to being a useful safety feature, window wells also help to create natural light.
No matter if you decide on a basement renovation or not, safety concerns in basements should be considered. Contact a home improvement specialist to easily remedy these situations.
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