Get matched with top basement remodelers in De Soto, MO

Any bowing in a basement wall indicates a problem that needs to be addressed by a professional. If your basement wall bows more than 1 inch, it's time for an inspection. Generally, a wall can bow up to 30% of its thickness (around 2.5 inches for an 8-inch-thick wall) before it becomes an urgent situation. Bowing of 2 to 4 inches is more straightforward to fix than bowing of more than 4 inches, which will require significant repairs. If the bowing is more than 6 inches, the wall will likely need to be replaced. The sooner you address the problem, the easier and less expensive the repair will be.

Unless you have extensive experience in construction work, remodeling a basement is best left to a professional. There are several tasks associated with this project that require exact precision, including:

• Replacing insulation 

• Replacing carpet or other flooring 

• Adding heating and cooling

• Adjusting or adding walls and doors

• Altering or adding plumbing elements

If any of these elements is done incorrectly, it could severely impact the quality of your basement remodel and be dangerous. Changing a basement often comes with code safety requirements, like egress windows and proper ventilation. Therefore, leaving it up to a professional is often the best decision.

Yes, adding a walkout basement will usually bump up your property value. Most homeowners prefer walk out basements because the exposed wall that’s level with the ground provides more utility via a ground-level exterior entrance, and they can fit full windows, which adds natural light and ventilation to the basement area. The only exception might be in areas prone to tornadoes, as walkout basements aren’t as safe as regular basements during a tornado, particularly if they include large windows or glass sliding doors.

While framing a basement is not as difficult as finishing a basement, it's something you should typically leave to the pros. That’s because if something is installed correctly, it will affect your entire basement. However, you can take care of some of the smaller tasks, like filling holes or putting up some insulation.