Basement remodeling is often a new subject for most homeowners, so naturally homeowners have questions about the process and materials used. Here is a list of our most frequently received questions in Michigan.
A. Wood materials when mixed into the moist environment of a basement begin to rot, warp, and grow mold. Wood studs in the walls of your basement are not designed to handle the moist and humid air. Working with products designed for basements such as metal studs will minimize the possibility of mold and water damage.
A. “Stack effect” creates an airflow in your home from bottom to top. So air from the basement is drawn upwards into the main level of your home. Scientists say that up to 50% of the air you breathe on the first floor is air that came from the basement. Therefore, whatever is in your basement air is in your house and affecting you, whether you spend much time in the basement or not.
A. Mold spores are everywhere and there is no practical way to eliminate them from your home. But you can keep mold from gaining a foothold in your basement by selecting materials that do not absorb moisture. Mold looks terrible and is a health concern. For more on mold and how to avoid it, click here.
A. All finished basements must have means of egress, a way to get out of the basement other than using the stairs. If you have a walkout basement you will be all set. If you do not have a walkout basement then you will be required to put in an egress window. An important note: whether you have a walkout basement or not, if you are going to call one of your new rooms a “bedroom” you must have an egress window in that room.
A. We offer a variety of easy-to-use financing options for homeowners. During our in-house visit, one of our specialists will help you find the financing options that work for you. Our experts are trained to use every resource possible to get you the best financing available. We can offer financing options for practically any job.
A. In Michigan, space that is not fully above grade does not count towards the overall square footage of your home. However, basements that have a high quality finish can add substantial value to your home and are extremely desirable to potential buyers.
A. Remodeling basements is much different than remodeling the upstairs of your home. Due to all of the mechanicals of your home being located in your basement, there are a lot of things to work around during the construction process. This combined with the wiring, piping, and ceiling heights make each individual home different. All of these factors affect the design and layout of your space making it difficult to provide an average price per square foot to remodel. The best thing to do is have one of our specialists come out to inspect your space, measure, and then provide you with a quote for remodeling.
A. It is the middle of June. Summer is almost in full swing and the air conditioning is beginning to run constantly. When you are looking to escape from those 96-degree days, where do you go? You run for your basement. But what do you find? It’s much cooler in temperature, but it’s damp and musty.
Whether your basement is finished or unfinished, moisture can still affect the air quality in the space. Have you ever wondered how to solve this problem? Sure, a small dehumidifier may help a little but what happens? It doesn’t cover the entire space, it fills up with water quickly, or it doesn’t last long. This is where our Santa-Fe Dehumidifier comes into play!
Being described as “a dehumidifier on steroids!” The Santa-Fe is built with the basement in mind. It is 5X as large and 8X more effective than the floor model. It takes out 110 pints of water per day. Energy Star rated, the Santa-Fe will eliminate damp, musty odors in your basement by drying and filtering the air.
A. We use Vinyl Plank flooring in the majority of our basements due to their water resistance and durability. Basements are prone to water damage and it is important to consider what you can do to reduce the damage associated. Homeowners not having to worry about water damage to the floors in their basement is a big “plus”.
A. We’ve got nothing to hide and we put all of the details right here…no games, complete transparency, and everything in writing. We give you the double protection of a manufacturer warranty AND a warranty from Basements Plus in Michigan. What a lot of people don’t realize about manufacturer warranties of all kinds is that there are often gaps and loopholes that mean coverage is not as complete as it should be. So we’ve taken the extra step of offering our own supplemental warranty.
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