5 Water Deals You Want to Seal Before Beginning a Basement Renovation in Calgary

Before you take on the task a basement renovation in Calgary to transform your cold concrete box in to a social hub or a fortress of solitude there are a few steps you are going to want to take to avoid undoing all your hard work further down the line. Nothing throws cold water on to a fine basement renovation project like…well…cold water.

Codes: Not Just for Spies

Building codes exist for a reason, that reason being to keep yourself and those around you safe. Before you pick up a hammer or pick in to the earth check with the municipal offices to see what permits you might require. We all know from childhood public service announcements to watch out for wires but plumbing work will frequently require an inspection. Poorly installed plumbing can quickly rot a house from the inside out. Calgary building inspectors know what to look for when checking that everything is up to code. This keeps the house safe but also protects shared municipal infrastructure from stress and damage. A Calgary basement renovation should never proceed before taking these steps.

Calgary’s Seasonal Drips Can Damn your Basement Renovation

Horror movies have more than their fair share of damp basements, and that is hardly a coincidence. No one like a dank space with its own precipitation. Nothing condemns a basement faster than moisture so look for any signs of potential water issues before  starting basement renovations. Calgary Chinooks might have a dry climate, but when it rains it pours and homeowners want to keep that water outside where it belongs. You don’t need a flood to saturate the matrix of a basement, even heavy seasonal thaws can allow water to seep into the walls and floor. Look for puddles of water on the floor and drips from walls and supports below the natural drainage grade.  

Well, Well, Well

Wells are half-circular or rectangular shields that attach to the side of the house around windows, holding the weight of the earth and blocking debris and moisture from the gravitational flow to a basement window. If you want/have basement windows, wells are a must. Basement windows tend to get a real beating from water dripping off of roofs and from ground-flow rain/debris, so they deteriorate quickly. To protect basement windows, wells should include transparent covers which offer physical protection and a barrier to keep heat/cold in the room.

Foundational Knowledge

Foundations need to be protected as everything is build upon them. Check outside to make sure the surrounding area is graded away from your foundation to keep water flow from eroding and cracking it in the future. Repair any cracks found in your foundations walls and look for any unusual conditions that could have caused the damage beyond normal wear and tear. 

Vapour is a “Very Poor” Addition to Any Basement Renovation

If your foundation is crack-free, your wells are well constructed, there is no symphony of dripping pools, and your Calgary basement renovation codes check out with your plans your basement can still become a damp concrete cave. Add a vapour barrier to the walls and floors before doing any finishing work. To test for current moisture conditions seal 2-foot squares of plastic sheeting to the floor and walls. Wait a couple of weeks. If condensation forms underneath, the foundation’s not sealed. If droplets form on top, the basement needs dehumidifying.

If you are ready to start your Basement Renovation or have are looking for more basement renovation ideas, contact Alliance Renovations for a free consultation at (403) 228-2000 or on fill in our contact us form.

Also thinking about a Home renovation or Garage Build? Check out some of our Home Renovation projects and our Garage Build work. 

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