Risks of a Finished Basement

Radon

• Homes might have radon in the soil underneath. When the heat in the house rises, the heat lifts the radon out of the soil and into the basement. The radon does not pass through concrete, but concrete can develop cracks that can let the radon through. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Fortunately, homeowners can have the cracks sealed to prevent radon from coming in.

Disaster Concerns

• Some homeowners convert finished basements into living spaces either as entertainment centers or even as bedrooms. In the event of a fire, those in the basement can get trapped since basements usually only have a window and the stairs to escape from. Sometimes the window is too small or otherwise inaccessible. Also, in the event of a major flood, some individuals have been trapped in the basement and have drowned.

Damaged Property

• Finished basements often have valuables and other materials such as carpeting that can be ruined in the event of a flood. When the basement is kept simplistic, floods are less likely to cause serious damage. But if a major flood occurs in a carpeted basement, homeowners might need to replace the carpet.

Building Codes

• Buildings must abide by various building codes regarding the basement. For example, basements must have escape routes for when there's a natural disaster. The basement must have an open space through which air can ventilate so that the basement does not overheat or accumulate toxic fumes.

Difficult Access

• The disabled can have a difficult time accessing basements because they have to move up and down a flight of stairs, preventing the owners from performing maintenance on the basement and traveling up and down the stairs to use the basement. Public buildings that have basements must have provisions that help the disabled move up and down the stairs, such as installing an elevator.

Mold

• Finished basement carpeting can become an ideal environment for mold when flood water soaks the carpet. Mold can release spores that will irritate the lungs of some individuals suffering from mold allergies, leading to asthma, chronic sinus problems and respiratory tract infections. However, mold cannot grow without a water source, so stopping leaks will eliminate mold.

Cracks

• Thermal movement, shrinkage and a few other problems can cause cracks to form in finished basements. Cracks let heat into and out of the basement and also let moisture into the basement. Contractors can fix cracks by injecting epoxy or polyurethane foam material.