Planning A Basement Remodeling Project for an Old House

For many homeowners looking to add usable space to their home, the basement is a natural choice. There are really just two types of basements – those built with no thought that they may someday be finished into usable space and those with an eye to the future that are ready to finish.

Modern homes typically fall into the latter scenario. In homes built before 1930, the basement was a space to house the furnace and store the holiday decorations. By the 1950s, the idea of building homes with livable basements started to take hold, and by the 1970s, it became the norm.

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If you live in a newer home, it is much easier to remodel the basement. There is often plenty of ceiling height, plumbing already in place for a bathroom, wiring, and ductwork in place, and stairs that are more accessible.

If you live in an older home, it may be possible to finish your basement. However, there are some special considerations you'll need to address. This post will explore the challenges you may face before your basement remodeling project.

The Changing Needs of Today's Homeowners

In older homes built before 1930, the basement was a utilitarian space. It was the place where the home's heating system was placed. Many older basements had either thin concrete flooring or dirt floors. Some have a furnace pit with a crawl space around the exterior and a room for coal services by a coal chute. Older convection furnaces featured sprawling ductwork that used much of the available space. As the technology changed to forced air systems, most of these leviathans were replaced with much smaller, more efficient units.

While new furnaces free up space in an older home, to make the space practical and comply with local building codes, you must dig out the floor or raise the house- either option is a complicated and expensive prospect.

Even if you are lucky enough to have a basement that can be finished, there are some other considerations you may need to address before you begin your basement remodeling project in your older home.

Moisture/Water Issues

If your basement leaks there is no point in remodeling until you've resolved the problem. Covering up a water problem with walls will only complicate your life later. It's only a matter of time before mold, mildew, and rot become an issue.

If the problem is minor, interior waterproofing masonry paint can stop water from coming in. Many basement problems in older homes can be traced to problematic drainage. These issues can almost always be minimized by ensuring water drains away from the foundation.

In an area with a high water table, groundwater may be the issue. While this can complicate matters, it can be resolved by installing a sump pump and drain tile.

Access Issues

In an older home, stone and brick foundations may need maintenance before construction can begin. Finished walls close to the foundation may need to be opened up for future access to systems. To compensate, you may want to build the walls far enough away from the foundation to allow an access door. If you can't do that, panel systems specifically manufactured for basement finishing can be easily removed to allow access.

In many basements, there is also stuff in the ceiling, like plumbing shut-offs, clean-outs, electrical connections, and heating duct dampers that may need to be accessed. Today, there are many attractive drop-ceiling options that can allow access when needed.

Basement Remodeling Health and Safety Considerations

In addition to moisture concerns (mold, mildew), air quality is another potential issue in an older home. While modern homes can have cinder blocks or cement foundations, older homes often have stone foundations. Granite can emit odorless, colorless radon gas. Radon levels are higher in a stone basement. Finishing the basement means that your family may have longer exposure times. Radon can be detected with a simple test, and mitigation can be performed before the finish work begins.

Older basements often need existing electrical and plumbing to be brought up to current building code compliance. This work must be done before any finish work. Old basements are typically only accessible by interior stairs from the main level. For safety, a finished basement should have at least one means of egress to the exterior. If you include an extra bedroom in your basement remodeling, it will need its own exterior access. Check your local building code for the required dimensions and location.

Finally, you should install smoke and CO2 detectors and adequate ventilation. You'll also need to allow clearances for heating and cooling equipment to ensure safety for your family.

Critters

Before any remodeling, you will need to make sure that your basement is critter-free. Look for evidence of termites or carpenter ants. Termites will leave telltale mud tunnels when they travel over non-wood surfaces. Carpenter ants leave little piles of sawdust under their exit and entry points. Either of these pests can hollow out boards right to the surface. If you see any signs of these homewreckers, call a professional and have it dealt with before you build.

Get Advice From A Professional Remodeler

If you live in an older home and are considering finishing the basement, these are some challenges you might face. If you have the patience and the budget, you can add extra living space with a finished basement in an older home. The best course of action is to work with a professional design-build firm. They will have the experience and expertise to address potential issues before you start your project.

If you're considering a basement remodeling project, let us help you design the perfect finished space! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions. Schedule an appointment to speak with a member of our team.