The Most Important Upgrade for Your Home: A Finished Basement-But Start with the Basics
When it comes to increasing the value, functionality, and comfort of your home, few upgrades offer as much potential as a finished basement. Whether you’re dreaming of a home theater, guest suite, gym, office, or playroom, finishing your basement adds livable square footage and opens a world of possibilities.
But here’s the truth: none of that matters if your basement isn’t dry, stable, and structurally sound.
Before you hang drywall or pick out flooring, the most important step is making sure your basement is protected from water damage, foundation issues, and structural concerns. Let’s break it down.
1. Waterproofing Comes First
Even the best-designed finished basement can quickly become a disaster if moisture is present. Water seeping through walls or pooling on the floor can lead to mold, mildew, and costly repairs. That’s why professional basement waterproofing is your first step.
It’s not just about sealing visible leaks; it’s about identifying where the water might enter in the future and putting permanent solutions in place. Interior drainage systems, sump pumps, vapor barriers, and exterior sealing might all be part of the equation.
2. Fix the Cracks Before They Widen
Hairline cracks may seem harmless, but they often signal underlying pressure or movement in your foundation. Over time, they can expand, allowing water intrusion or even leading to structural instability. A finished basement hides those cracks, making them harder to monitor — so they need to be addressed before the drywall goes up and any rooms are built.
Crack repair and sealing by foundation experts ensures your basement remains dry, safe, and solid for years to come.
3. Check the Foundation – Your Home Depends on It
Your basement sits on the foundation of your entire home. If the foundation is shifting, settling, or deteriorating, you need to act fast. Signs include uneven floors, sticking doors, or visible gaps in the walls or ceiling. Doors not closing, cupboards uneven, baseboards coming away from the walls and more.
Foundation work might sound intimidating, but with today’s technology, including polypiering and lifting solutions, you can restore and stabilize your home with minimal disruption.
Trust the Local Experts: BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines
If you’re in Central Iowa, the smart move is calling the pros who do it all — BAM Basements and Masons. From waterproofing to crack repair, foundation work to polypiering, they specialize in turning troubled basements into dry, secure, finish-ready spaces.
Don’t finish your basement until you finish the essentials.
A solid, waterproof foundation is the key to a basement you’ll love — and BAM is the team to make it happen.
Call BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines today for expert help with:
- Basement waterproofing
- Foundation repair
- Crack Repair
- Polypiering & structural lifting
- Concrete Lifting
- And More!
Protect your investment. Prepare your basement. Then finish it with confidence.
Bam Basements and Masons specialize in a wide range of services, including egress window installations, basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawl space solutions, concrete leveling and lifting, sump pump installations, dehumidifiers, crack repairs, foundation wall rebuilds, stoop repairs, and more. Bam basements is the highest award-winning foundation repair company in Central Iowa! The community has chosen us for best of Des Moines Cityview for the past 2 years, People’s choice awards and Ankeny community votes. Holding an A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, Bam boasts an extensive community history.
With over 100 years of combined experience, Bam is committed to delivering award-winning workmanship and offers limited lifetime warranties. As a locally owned and founded business born in Des Moines, we take pride in providing cost-effective solutions for homes in Central Iowa. Serving Des Moines and surrounding areas, including Ankeny, Bondurant, Ames, West Des Moines, Adel and more. Our numerous awards and 5-star reviews speak volumes about the satisfaction of Bam customers. When you choose Bam, you’re choosing excellence – your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Tags:Basement waterproofing, foundation settlement, sump pump, water in basement, des moines, iowa, central iowa, foundation repair, foundation crack repair