How Not To Waterproof Your Basement

These people are definitely not waterproofing their basement.

Here at Keystone Basement Systems, we talk a lot about the harm water damage presents to your home and health. That’s why, today, we’re going to help you make the best of not waterproofing your basement with ideas on how to make the best of your basement floods.

Make A Colorful Tape Design

Cracks in your foundation walls can often lead to water damage. The best way to pretend you’re fixing the problem is by masking the crack with colorful duct tape designs. All your friends will know you at least tried to protect your home and they’ll be impressed by your creativity. You’ll even get to clean up wet, sticky strips of adhesives after your basement does flood!

Create A Room-Wide Aquarium

If you’re anything like us, you love a good DIY project and you’ve never been fully satisfied with an aquarium that only fills an entire wall. With your very own aquatic museum, you’ll never have to settle for mediocre marine exhibits again. Just wait until your basement floods, then purchase a variety of sea life. We hear Bonnethead sharks make great house pets!

Host An Indoor Pool Party

What homeowner doesn’t want an indoor pool? Your basement flood is the perfect opportunity to create the basement oasis you’ve always wanted. Gather your friends and flotation devices and enjoy a poolside day in the sun (or in the shade of your basement).

Ignore Your Basement Completely

The most important step to successfully flooding your basement is to refuse to acknowledge your structural problems in hopes that they’ll disappear. Instead of acknowledging the cracks in your foundation walls, simply cover your basement cracks with all of the things you store down there, like old Christmas decorations.

Here’s How To Actually Waterproof Your Basement

Homeowners often seem caught by surprise when they discover their finished basements or home gyms are floating in a pool of water. But long before a basement floods, there are clear and visible structural warning signs that will alert you to the potential for water damage.

If you notice cracks in your basement walls or water leaks, use this test to determine the source of your water leak, then contact a certified basement waterproofing contractor in Pittsburgh.

Basement Flooring Design Ideas That Fit Every Basement Need

What are you using your basement for? Whatever it is, you’ll need a specific type of flooring, and we’re going to help you find it!

We decorate them with throw rugs, we track mud and slush all over them, we walk on them everyday, but most of us don’t consider how much thought they require until we’re renovating or finishing a room. What are these things? Floors, of course! Floors are a vital component to your home improvement and, depending on what you’re using them for, the material you choose to use differs. Whether you’re repairing a water damaged basement, designing a rec room for the family, or just brainstorming finished basement ideas, there’s a basement flooring design for you, and here’s a list to help you find it.

Basement Bar

Your friends will never want to go to a real bar again after seeing your basement flooring made from reclaimed whiskey barrels, wine corks or bottle caps. For more of a rustic look you can also use recycled leather belts or copper pennies.

Kids Play Room

Source: CraftyChica

Inspire your kids’ creative side with these Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces Wood Flooring, or Chalkboard Painted Floors. If you want a statement piece in your basement, glamify your dull concrete floors by following this How To Glitter Your Concrete Floor tutorial.

Outdoor Basement

If the great outdoors are calling your name, try using Cross Cut Tree Slice Wood Floors, or DIY Palette Floors for an outdoorsy feel.

Sports Room

Bring the game to you by using astro turf, sports themed hardwood, or hockey rink carpeting to replicate one of these ultimate game-day viewing rooms.

Music Room

If you’re looking for a musically-inspired room, try using album covers as basement flooring like this Cleveland Record Store, or create these Sheet Music Paper Mache Floors.

Home Gym

If you’re looking for some tips on How To Turn Your Basement Into A Home Gym, try using these Waterproof Interlocking Gym Floor Mats that protect your floors from dropped weights or spilled water bottles.

Traditional

If you’re looking for a more traditional floor, try using carpet tiles to create one of these Colorful Carpet Tile Designs.



If you’re thinking of renovating your basement, or already have, send us a photo or tell us about your basement flooring ideas in a comment below!

How To Turn Your Basement Into A Home Gym

Bicep curl your way into a new basement workout space with our home gym how to guide!

A new year means New Year’s resolutions, which usually means increased gym memberships and long waits for equipment. Avoid the hassle of overpacked gyms with these tips on how to build a home gym in your basement.

Choose A Space 

First, choose where you would like to place your gym. Do you plan to convert your entire basement into a home gym, or just a section of the basement? The space you choose will impact the size, quantity, and layout of your home gym. According to the American Council on Exercise, treadmills require about 30 square feet; free weights use approximately 20 to 50 square feet; and multistation gym equipment can take up about 200 square feet. Once you’ve decided where your gym will be, you can begin designing.

Choose Your Workout

Choosing what exercises you’ll practice will help determine what fitness equipment to purchase. If you plan on focusing on yoga, pilates, or other movement-based exercises, then you may want to invest in building a yoga studio rather than purchasing a bench press. If you’d like to focus on weight training, purchasing a set of free weights, barbell weights, a pull-up machine and a weight bench are probably better options for your home gym.

Set A Budget

How much are you willing to spend? Home gyms can be a costly when you invest in quality equipment. However, the benefits of investing in safe, quality equipment, far outweigh saving money and ending up with an injury on your newly renovated basement gym floor. If brand new equipment isn’t in your budget, try looking for used commercial equipment from a reputable dealer who offers a warranty.

Protect Your Floors

Whether you’re trying to protect your floor from dropped weights, or you’re trying to protect your weights and other equipment from potential basement floods, these Waterproof Interlocking Gym Floor Mats will protect your floors and anything you put on them.

Motivational Tools

The great thing about commercial gyms is that they take measures to keep you motivated, whether you realize it or not. Gym managers mount televisions and stereo systems, mirrors, and motivational sayings to keep you wanting to come back for every workout. Your home gym should be the same way—that’s where design comes in. Install mirrors across one of your walls so that you can make sure that you’re using proper form while you work out. Keep a television and stereo in the basement so that you can watch workout videos, or listen to music while you exercise. Post photos of your favorite athletes or inspirational sayings around your gym to keep you motivated. You can even keep a mini refrigerator in the corner so you have access to cold water and post-workout nutrition at all times.

Have you designed a home gym? What’s the one piece of fitness equipment you could never go without? Tell us about it in a comment below!