The Pros and Cons of Adding a Basement to Your Home

Basements have a bad rap, from being a spooky place in horror movies to the real-life horror of flooding, but for many homeowners, these anecdotes are just scary tales. Basements can add value to your home, increase your living space, and be a great place for storage. However, they're also hefty investments, so before you start digging and renovating, it's important to know the benefits and drawbacks of having a basement in your home.

Pros of Having a Basement

Your basement can probably be considered one of the most flexible spaces in your home. When you're planning the use of the space, though, it's important to consider a few proactive measures, including taking steps to protect the basement against floods or water seepage. Adding a basement may come close to doubling the amount of available floor space, without sacrificing the outdoor footage of your property, and can add value to people with growing families. Once you've prepared the space, including adding basement concrete paint, then you have extra square footage to use any way you want. Here are our suggestions to maximize the usefulness of your basement!

More storage possibilities

Storing holiday decorations, extra furniture, hand-me-down clothing, or just about anything else is one of the most common uses for a basement. Being able to stash rarely-used items or items for kids going off to college is convenient and saves you money on renting a storage unit.

Easier to make repairs

If you're putting in a boiler, furnace, or any similar appliance, putting it in the basement is the most logical thing to do. In addition, when you need to make repairs in the home, to plumbing, wiring, and the like, workers won't have to crawl into dark crawlspaces to access what they need, and instead can comfortably work in the basement.

Emergency shelter

If you live in an area prone to tornadoes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters, having a basement for shelter can make a huge difference in your safety. Many basements are constructed partly or completely below ground and have fewer windows than the main house. This reduces the chances of flying glass or other debris that can cause injury and property damage. Plus, it gives you, the homeowner, peace of mind knowing that your family and pets have somewhere safe to go.

Space rental

Often, the square footage of a basement is the same as any other level of your home, which means that you can easily turn a finished basement into a small apartment, and if your home is built on a slope, even add a private entrance. Basement concrete paint can enhance the appearance of the space, and give you a great foundation to create a lively living space. You can even add a bathroom or kitchenette if there's enough room. Once you've finished the remodel, you can rent the space out as an Airbnb, to a family member, or another tenant, giving you a great source of passive income.

Cons of a Basement

There's a lot of reasons to add a basement or turn you're existing one into a finished space with basement concrete paint and foundation protection from the Liquid Rubber family of products, there are also a few drawbacks to having a basement.

Potential flooding

Because basements are the lowest point in the home, they're the most prone to flooding, whether it's seepage from the water table, or an actual flood from a nearby river, lake, or stream. They're also the most likely place for an interior flood from water or sewage pipes. However, there are several steps you can take to protect the basement against floods, including using products from Liquid Rubber that seal the outside and the inside of the foundation.

Costly renovation

Finishing a basement can be expensive, depending on what you wish to do to space. There's the cost for treating the walls against flooding, plus finding the best basement concrete paint, or the best paint for basement walls, a special type that can resist water damage and peeling from a moister environment.

Then, there are the costs for flooring, plus any windows or additional entrances you wish to make. However, the basement can be a great way to add value t your home, such as becoming a rec room or home office.

Low natural light

Basements are mostly underground, which means there's less natural light than the rest of the house. This can bother some people, who have a low tolerance for artificial lighting, but you can mitigate this with lightbulbs that mimic natural lighting, or by adding small windows high up in the walls.

Pest problems

Basements can be a home for creepy crawlies, from insects to spiders, snakes, or even raccoons or possums. Protecting the basement from unwanted intrusions can include treating it with pest sprays and deterrents, and making sure that space is sealed against creatures from the outside getting in.

Takeaway

Basements are, more often than not, a good addition to any home. They offer you a way to expand your space to work from home, add a playroom, rec room, or extra bedrooms for a growing family. Plus, with space for storage or renting the basement to a tenant, there are financial benefits to a finished basement. In addition, the extra space also adds value to your home, which means you can fetch a higher price if you decide to sell. Whatever you plan to use your basement for, the Liquid Rubber family of products can help protect against flooding and pests, plus give you options for the best concrete paint to make the space welcoming.