Finishing a basement is a great way to add additional living space to your home in Quincy, Massachusetts. You can turn your basement into an entertainment room, game room, or even a dry food storage room.
In Massachusetts, you can find varied types of basements; some even date back to the 1900s. One would be the rubble basements made from stones of different sizes. Another would be the dressed stones made from block-shaped stones. However, the most common type are the fieldstone basements.
A fieldstone basement is well-known as a durable stone foundation for homes. They are made from almost uniform stones piled up to one another using mortar. However, the joints between the stones could crumble bit by bit and cause water to enter the basement, creating the need to waterproof and thus, presenting a challenge in finishing your old basement.
Now the question is, is it possible to finish a fieldstone basement?
The answer is yes. It is possible. You can finish your old fieldstone basement walls. You just have to check the present condition of your fieldstone basement before finishing. If you find issues that can comprise the stone foundation, you should address them first or contact a basement finishing company for inspection.
The Challenges of Finishing a Fieldstone Basement
Fieldstone foundation basements are about 100 years old. The amount of work needed to finish a basement can vary depending on the size of the basement and the type of construction used.
In some instances, there may be limitations that prevent homeowners from taking on such a big project.
Here are a few issues we found over the years with fieldstone basement repair.
● A fieldstone basement is not the same as a standard basement. They require professional help from basement finishing companies to assess the foundation, walls, and floors.
● Water can easily seep through the fieldstone basement walls and is more susceptible to moisture, creating the need for basement waterproofing.
● Fieldstone basements have a higher risk of mold growth.
● There is also a higher risk of structural damage when fieldstone basement repair isn’t handled carefully.
● You have to install proper mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to make fieldstone basements livable.
How to Finish a Fieldstone Basement
Once the assessment is done and the issues fixed, now you can have your fieldstone basement finished. Below are the steps to successfully finish your basement.
Step #1: Clean up your basement walls, ceilings, and floors.
You can wash and scrub the walls around the basement but you have to make sure that you don’t damage the existing mortar joints and the grouts. Before contacting your basement contractor for waterproofing and finishing, make sure the fieldstone basement is dry.
Step #2: Ask your contractor to waterproof your basement’s walls and floors.
This way you can keep the moisture and mold away. They are two types of waterproofing that can be done.
The first one is the basement exterior waterproofing. This requires excavation outside the seeping wall. The wall will be cleaned, and the deteriorated mortar will be patched up using a waterproofing membrane with a high rating. If you plan to do this, you must select a basement waterproofing company experienced in working with fieldstone basements.
The second would be the interior waterproofing. This is occasionally done when water leakage comes from the basement floor. They are several ways to address this, like plastic sheets and panels, sealers or densifiers, vapor barriers, or waterproofing paint and coatings.
Step #3 Finish your fieldstone basement
After the waterproofing and fixing of the structural issues, you can now start finishing your basement. You can patch up any area suspected of leaking and work on finishing the fieldstone basement walls, floors, and ceilings. You can also add any mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems you want to make your space livable. Finally, remodel and design your basement according to your preference. You can help plan out your design and work our magic for your basement remodeling, giving you the extra living space that you deserve.
With the right Basement Contractor, finishing a fieldstone basement is possible.
Having your fieldstone basement finished requires extensive work to be successful. Working with a basement with a stone foundation, you have to do the right method and the right product for it to be successful. Aside from that, you would also need the right basement contractor for the job.
We are here to help you make the most of your living space. We can assist you in obtaining the necessary space by completing, remodeling, or upgrading your basement. Your basement may be a hundred years old, but we offer you a variety of remarkable and imaginative ways to improve the value of your property. That is why we are the top basement finishing firm in the area. Contact us today for a free quote.
