What to consider before starting your basement reno?
Renovating a basement comes with a number of unique challenges beyond those introduced with an above-ground update. For example, your design needs to carefully plan for the ceiling height (typically lower than other levels of the house), existing placement of pipes (Do you need to move them? Can you?), electrical, and bulkheads or support posts. All need to be carefully considered in the planning stage before you dive into the basement renovation work.
One of the biggest mistakes that a lot of property owners in Toronto make is cutting corners during this process. After all, “it’s just the basement,” right? If you take shortcuts now, it can end up costing you a lot of money in the long run; not just from unexpected damage, but also from failed inspections and bylaw violations. This is why it is important to lay the perfect foundations and deal with these problems now so that they don’t turn into some sort of nightmare later on. Instead of looking for shortcuts, look at your basement reno as an opportunity to be proactive with some maintenance work and be sure you’re doing things the right way.
What’s the purpose for renovating your basement?
Single Dwelling Unit or Secondary Suite?
Before you can begin getting into all of the different elements of your basement, you first need to think about your purpose for renovating your basement. Are you simply looking to boost your single dwelling unit house by creating a living space or a family gym, for example? Or, do you want to create a secondary suite that you can rent out to another family or individual to make some extra income?
If the latter is the case, you are going to need to think about adding a bathroom, heating the room effectively, and ensuring it provides a comfortable living environment throughout all of the seasons.
Also, there are different rules for each category, and there are different bylaws and requirements that need to be followed based on your region. For example, the rules on secondary suits in Toronto differ from those in Brampton or Vaughan. This is why you need to work with a professional company that has the experience and know-how to help you navigate the planning and local bylaws right from the start.
Quality of life considerations
Air Purity
Once you have familiarized yourself with the rules and regulations, there are a lot of different areas you will need to give thought to. For example, you need to address air quality in the basement. Is a furnace or HVAC going to be sufficient for balanced climate control through the whole house? Can the system keep the moisture level under control in the basement? Will you require an air purifier?
Planning for Moisture
You also need to think about moisture control before you start to build. Proactive steps need to be taken to stop mold from developing, as mold can be a real problem in basements. It is all about protecting your investment and your health, ensuring your basement is set up from the start to mitigate mold. If you already have a mold problem, plan for remediation steps along the way, and include elements in your build to control moisture going forward.
Backflow Prevention & Plumbing Maintenance
Aside from the moisture that seeps through concrete walls and flooring, you also need to consider the potential damage from sewage flooding. This is an increasingly significant issue in the GTA, and one that every homeowner should be aware of. While your basement is opened up for the renovation, now is the time to install a backflow prevention valve to avoid flooding, and to replace your main shutoff valve. These valves are notorious for growing a slow leak after 10+ years, and an ounce of prevention here is a wise investment.
When planning your basement project, be sure to discuss the various rebates available from different levels of government. Our team can help you maximize your savings when you install your backflow prevention valve.
Flooring Choices
Basement flooring options are more limited compared to other levels of the house, and once again moisture is part of the equation. Since concrete allows seepage, you can expect to have some moisture coming up from the ground. It’s just one of the joys of being below ground level. Tile is a solid option for basement floors, but expect it to be chilly on the feet (as is decorative concrete flooring). Hardwood flooring will suffer from the more extreme temperature-based expansion and contraction that you can expect in a basement, and will require additional subflooring to attach the boards to.
Laminate flooring is often the best choice for basements, as long as you use a good high-quality moisture barrier. Definitely not the time to choose the cheap stuff! A waterproof option that we often recommend is vinyl plank flooring. The options are varied, and we will talk you through them all so that you end up with the best solution for you.
Let’s talk about your basement renovation options
As you can see, there is a lot that needs to be considered when it comes to planning for renovating your basement. From the walls to floors, from flooding prevention to making sure the atmosphere is comfortable and well-ventilated, there are many pieces of the puzzle that need to fit together effectively.
If you would like to discuss your basement renovation with an experienced and reputable company that has handled many basement renovations in the Greater Toronto area, please get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today for more information. We have many years of experience, and we will be happy to answer any questions you have, including providing a free, no-obligation quote for the services we provide.