Waterproof the Basement

• Hire a home inspector to check your basement's plumbing, electrical and structural integrity prior to finishing your basement. This will save you both time and money should there be any hidden problems and potential hazards.
  
  Waterproofing is a reliable, preventive measure for controlling your basement's moisture levels. It is important to first check the water drainage outside to make sure that the gutters are draining properly away from the house and not spilling into the basement. Then check that the ground is properly sloped away from the house to help rain water flow away from your home's foundation.
  
  Waterproof the walls and the concrete floors by applying a waterproofing sealant formulated for basements. The waterproofing material will enter the pores of the concrete and cinderblocks and expand as it dries and cures. This water-resistant material then becomes impenetrable by any water seeping through the ground. Waterproofing will help control the moisture levels and lessen the development of mold and mildew in your basement. Bring furniture and clothing into the basement without the worry of moisture damage.
  
  

Insulate the Walls and Ceiling

• Insulate your basement walls to make the basement energy efficient. If your walls are concrete or cinderblock, install wall framing around the perimeter of your basement. Section off your basement with additional walls if you like.
  
  An easy way to frame your basement is to use 3-inch or 4-inch aluminum wall stud tracking to define your walls on both the floor and the ceiling. Then evenly space 2x3 inch or 2x4 inch wood studs vertically into the tracking to complete wall framing, and secure with screws or nails through the tracking. Use a level along the way to keep your walls plumb.
  
  Simply install the insulation in between your basement ceiling beams and the wall studs, and cover with drywall. Secure the drywall with drywall screws to the ceiling and the walls. Cut openings for the light fixtures. Tape and spackle your walls smooth, and paint the ceiling and the walls. The insulation will not only make your basement warm and cozy, it will also soundproof the basement walls and ceiling.
  
  

Tile the Floors

• Tiling may seem like a challenge, but once you master the use of a tile saw, it is not much more difficult than laying linoleum tiles, especially if your basement floor is already level and flat. Tiling your basement floor is more advantageous than adding linoleum, painting the floor or even installing wood or laminate flooring. Each of these options is not as durable as ceramic or other stone-like tiles, nor will they last as long. Tiling the basement floor is also the only option that is likely to withstand flooding in the basement.
  
  Once your easy basement finishing projects are complete, you will have a healthy, long-lasting basement space to enjoy for many years to come.