Prepared Finish Your Basement in TN, GA & NC

Finishing basement increases the living space & value of your home.

AAA Basement Systems has seen thousands of finished and unfinished basements with water problems ranging from dampness to all-out flooding. This is what we recommend if you plan on finishing your basement. If you've already finished your basement, most of these precautions can still be made.

1. Start With a Perimeter Drainage System
2. Choose a Reliable Sump Pump
3. Discharge Line Protection
4. Prepare Your Walls for Finishing With a Vapor Barrier
5. Protect Your Carpets
6. Safeguard Against Plumbing Leaks
7. Upgrade Your Basement Windows
8. Dehumidify Your Basement
9. Exterior Maintenance Makes a Difference

1. Start With a Perimeter Drainage System
A quality basement waterproofing system like WaterGuard or DryTrak is necessary if the basement has ever experienced any groundwater seepage. As a house ages, the drains and coatings that protected the house begin to fail. Basement water problems never get better, they only get worse. 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. As a precaution, some homeowners put in a system so that they have the peace of mind that their basement is protected. Perimeter drainage systems are far easier to put in a basement that is unfinished.

2. Choose a Reliable Sump Pump
You should have the best sump pump protection available to guard your home against flooding from primary pump failure, pump overload from torrential rains, and power failure before you finish your basement. Basement Systems' TripleSafe sump pump system boasts a 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 automatically pumps out water. Your finished basement is only one pump or power failure away from a flood without this triple protection. Before you invest in your finished basement, make sure that you are protected with a reliable sump pump.

If you have a SuperSump instead, at the very minimum you should have an UltraSump back-up pumping system and a WaterWatch Alarm. The UltraSump (standard with a TripleSafe system) is a battery-operated back-up pumping system with a DC pump installed in the same sump hole, a battery, and a charging system. In the event of the primary pump failing for any reason including power outages, the UltraSump will pump up to 7,000 gallons of water out of your basement. Before your floor gets wet, a WaterWatch Alarm is standard on all Basement Systems pump systems and will sound off to alert you of pump failure.

3. Discharge Line Protection
Snow and ice can block the opening of the discharge line and cause it to freeze. Water has the potential to back up and cause the basement to flood if the water is unable to escape. Basement Systems IceGuard, which is recommended on all systems, will prevent this problem automatically.

4. Prepare For Wall Finishing With a Vapor Barrier
Water vapor can pass through basement walls and contribute to a higher humidity level in the basement. A high-quality, extra-durable plastic sheeting material will direct water seepage down to the drainage system below and prevent moisture and condensation from building up on the studs and sheetrock or paneling. It is important that the vapor barrier be tucked into the drainage system below if one exists. The top of the vapor barrier should be caulked to the top of the wall.

ThermalDry WALL System is a vapor barrier and drainage sheet which reflects 97% of the heat back into the basement.

5. Protect Your Carpets
Water vapor will slowly and continuously travel up through the porous cold concrete floor. Odors, Mold, and Rot can develop due to the moisture getting trapped underneath the carpet laying on the concrete floor.

ThermalDry Basement Floor Matting, a specially engineered polypropylene, 17-inch tongue-&-groove square tile that is totally water and vapor proof. 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. Some sub-flooring can contain wood - an organic material that harbors mold in damp conditions. ThermalDry only takes up 3/8" as opposed to up to 4" that other systems do.

6. Safeguard Against Plumbing Leaks
If your basement is finished, any type of leak will cause damage. Basement Systems has easy solutions for the two most common domestic water leaks, which we see all the time: water heater leaks and plumbing leaks.

The average life of a water heater is seven years, and when they fail, they usually leak and flood the basement. Basement Systems FloodRing will contain water seepage and drain it to the waterproofing system when the water heater leaks.

Washing machine hoses can flood your basement even if the washing machine is on one of the upper floors. These hoses are not made to withstand the 50 or 60 pounds per square inch of water pressure like our hard plumbing system is. It's very seldom that people turn off the water pressure valve when the washing machine is not in use. Eventually, these inexpensive hoses will leak, or blow-out completely. Basement Systems FloodChek hoses are made to take the pressure, and will not blow-out, corrode, or rust at the end connections and are guaranteed for 20 years.

7. Upgrade Your Basement Windows
Basement windows are notorious for being hard to open and drafty. Due to the wet environment near the ground or in a window well, a metal window can rust and wood windows to rot. Many conventional basement windows do not have screens and painting them is a constant challenge.

Basement Systems' EverLast windows are energy-efficient, all-vinyl, feature smooth sliding operation, double glass, full screen, and are easily removable panes for cleaning or passing long objects into the basement. They never need to be painted!

The right time to replace your basement windows is before you finish the basement. Then the carpenters can trim right up to them for a nice finished look.

8. Dehumidify Your Basement
Most standard dehumidifiers are too small to make much difference. Unlike a conventional dehumidifier, the SaniDry automatically drains the water and takes three times the amount of water out of the air, yet it uses the same amount of energy. The SaniDry has a powerful blower to draw musty air in and move the dry, clean air back out into the basement. Your finished basement will be free of musty smells and high humidity.

9. Exterior Maintenance Makes a Difference
Basement Systems RainChute extends your downspouts to keep roof water away from the foundation. Keep the gutters clean and the soil graded away from the house. Keep window wells clear of debris and leaves.

Before you finish your basement, call AAA Basement Systems for a free inspection and estimate. Protect your investment and the health of your family!

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