Notes August 2026
Before you finish a basement, check for water
The one thing we look at before we quote any basement, and what we do when the walls aren’t dry.
Dave Fenwick · 3 min read
A finished basement that gets wet is worse than an unfinished one. So before we quote, we look for water.
What we look for
- White, chalky lines on the block walls
- A musty smell that doesn’t go away with a dehumidifier
- Rust on the bottom of steel posts or the water heater
- Gutters that dump next to the foundation
What we do about it
Most of the time the fix is outside: downspout extensions, grading that slopes away from the house, or a cracked window well. Sometimes it’s a sump pump or a crack injected from inside. Bigger problems go to a waterproofing company we trust, and we finish the basement once they’re done.
Then we build
Insulation against the foundation, framing a little off the wall, and a ceiling that still lets you reach the shutoff valves. Egress windows where any bedroom needs one, because the code requires it and because it’s the right thing to do.
If you’re not sure your basement is dry, call us in spring. That’s when it tells you the truth.
