Building your basement can be both an exciting and challenging project. The extra space may come in handy, but it also takes a good deal of work to get an entire floor completed.
Maybe you have refurbished and done some ground work before, and have some expertise on the topic or maybe you’re just new to all this outsourced the work to a building and construction company in Mauritius. In whichever case, we thought we’d share some valuable tips for building your basement.
Then it is important to keep in mind that a lot of things will be different under the ground. Drainage, ventilation and openings will not work as you are used to down there. Perhaps especially insulation becomes another type of work, and it is important that this is done correctly and with the right materials.
- Plan carefully
This always applies when refurbishing. But especially when designing the basement, it is important to start planning early. Good insulation not only helps to get a comfortable temperature in the basement, but also contributes to air circulation and counteracts moisture problems. Although it is not always very relevant in a basement, the insulation also makes it less sound-conducive, which especially helps you if the basement is to be used as an office or laboratory for studies.
Be sure to make the project as detailed as possible, isolating the basement is often part of a major renovation, and it is recommended to have a clear progress plan and contract with a professional building contractor in Mauritius.
- Insulate properly
Many people think of insulating the basement inside. This is considerably easier than digging around the entire house and adding insulation to the outside, but if you put on the inside you can have problems with condensation and moisture.
The reason for this is that the internal insulation prevents the heat in the air from drying out any moisture in the wall. It provides a good breeding ground for mold and rot fungus, and you don’t want that. If there are conditions that make it difficult to insulate the exterior, there should still be ⅓ exterior insulation.
- Find out what to isolate
Most probably associate mainly insulation with the walls. Especially in a basement, where the ground outside is cold and humid, and quickly makes the basement feel cold too. But it is also an advantage to insulate both floor and ceiling to improve the indoor climate and provide a more comfortable temperature. Especially the floor is important in the basement, as an uninsulated floor becomes cold to walk on. In addition, a concrete floor right on the ground is subjected to capillary soaking, and if the drainage is not good enough, this can cause major moisture damage in the construction. Capillary soaking is also a common problem in the foundation wall itself and should be rectified.
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Throughout the years Manser Saxon has grown across borders and diversified into various contracting specialised trades. Spread across 2 countries, with 9 different divisions, Manser Saxon’s dynamic interconnected specialist teams are focused on quality, workmanship, and meeting deadlines. We collaborate, plan, review, take on board comments and feedback, to deliver exceptional services to our customers.