Idea
Converting or upgrading your basement into finished living space can be a great way to add usable space to your home and enhance its resale value.
Routine Care
Check basement for dampness, leaks, or cracks
Leaks and cracks can lead to major basement damage from flooding.
Timing: May (yearly)
Remove debris from basement window wells
As debris builds up in this area, it can lead to such problems as: leaking windows; nests for insects; window corrosion; etc.
Timing: Every 6 months: April, November (yearly)
Check basement pipe and duct insulation
Proper insulation of cold-water pipes helps prevent those pipes from “sweating” and dripping during the hot summer months, and possible freezing during the winter.
Proper insulation of hot-water pipes and air ducts prevents energy loss.
Timing: May (every 2 years)
Check house support beams
If there are gaps between the beams and house girders, then the beam is not carrying the proper load of the house, which can lead to shifting and settling of floors and walls.
Timing: May (every 5 years)
How To
Inspect each support beam to ensure that there are no gaps between beams and the main house girders.
Gaps should be filled by driving in shims (thin pieces of metal or hard wood) as necessary.
Benefits
Maintaining Value
Avoiding Unscheduled Repairs
The benefits of this task are relatively high. Doing this task can help prevent uneven settling of your home, which can cause cracking in your walls and floors.
Costs
The cost of this task is very low. It is estimated that this task should only take about 30 minutes to complete, and the task is relatively easy to do. Depending on how your basement is finished, you may need a flashlight to do parts of your inspection.
Originally posted at http://www.petermuehlbronner.home-wizard.com/idea/BSMT_13