Waterproofing or Finishing- Which Should Come First?
I have been noticing several customers lately calling in regards to water coming into their finished basement. I know a wet basement is never a good thing for anyone whether the basement is or isn't finished- but the caveat with it being finished means a big investment might be on the decline plus now needing to make a waterproofing investment. Not exactly a good combination.
Last year we were house hunting and the very first home we visited we were so excited about and I distinctly remember saying to my husband, "Go downstairs and tell me if it smells." haha. Total evidence of someone having worked with a basement waterproofing company. :) He didn't even make it halfway when he stood there with his jaw open listening to some other people investigating the insulation and talking. He came up to deliver the bad news:
1. The basement smells AWFULLY Musty
2. The insulation in the ceiling is soaked
3. There is mold
...And here is the kicker: It is FINISHED TOO!
Initiate palm to forehead action. UGH!
I immediately felt terrible for the homeowner because the house was absolute perfection but we knew that this couldn't be covered up anymore, that the basement needed to be waterproofed and then the basement could be finished after. So the prospect of this house having a finished basement was off the list and waterproofing the basement was added. We walked away and hoped whoever bought the home understood the importance to waterproofing.
Always Waterproof Before Finishing the Basement
A basement should always be waterproofed before getting finished because of the following:
1. If rain comes and leaks into the basement that isn't waterproofed but is finished this water leak can damage the finished basement - especially if not finished with appropriate materials.
2. If rain comes and leaks into the basement that IS waterproofed then whether the basement is or isn't finished this water leak won't cause any damage.
So, the moral of the story is that only good can come from waterproofing a basement while trouble can come from putting it off ESPECIALLY if you have plans to finish it. Do yourself a favor to waterproof the basement first then finish it after- it will make things a lot simpler!
