Hey everyone! I'm in the middle of remodeling my basement. The previous owner did a shoddy job with old carpet and wood paneling, which I'm currently tearing out. Before we moved in, I was informed that some structural I-beams were added and an interior french drain was put in to help with water issues. However, as I ripped out the walls, I came across some serious stepping cracks and gaps in one corner of the basement, along with some noticeable pressure from the top of that wall. I'm trying to figure out what my next steps should be—whether I need to assess these issues further or if I should address them before I continue with the remodel. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
If you're dealing with settling issues, it’s usually from water problems—either from the gutters or poor grading outside. Fix the outside issues first before touching the walls. If your walls are painted, you'll need to remove that paint to properly repair the cracks. Instead of drywall, consider parging the block walls and just whitewashing them. It might not look as fancy, but it'll save you from more headaches later on! If there are still water issues, look into a sump pump and make sure your drainage issues are sorted. You don’t want to have to tear everything out every decade!
I'd recommend reaching out to a structural engineer instead of just a foundation company. They'll charge you around $500 for a full report that gives you all your options. This way, you can get a professional perspective before talking to any construction companies.
Absolutely! It's definitely the smartest route to take.
For sure, this is really the best way to go.
Thanks for the input! I'm considering going all-in with a plan:
- Install an interior French drain and a sump pump
- Repair those walls
- Address gutter and grading issues
Would that be enough to safely put up drywall, or should I be looking at more extensive measures like outdoor excavation?