Excavation

Before construction begins basement, the property has to be excavated to create a hole in the ground. A structural engineer who determines how deep hole can be called according to the type of soil, the frost line and the depth at which the water is, the excavation must be done below the frost line and above the water line to avoid chronic basement flooding.

Concrete floor

A basement is made of concrete, a mixture of water, cement sand and gravel. The relationship for placing concrete is 6 gallons (22 l) of water to 1 cubic foot of cement. According to the Extension of the University of Missouri, the floor is 4 inches (10 cm) thick. The square footage of the basement depends on the size of the house.

Walls

Although concrete is strong and durable, it has a lot of tension and bending capacity. Over time, I can begin to crack under the pressure of the soil, which can cause leaks and other problems in the basement. The walls must be reinforced with steel to provide extra strength and dexterity. And placing the steel depends on the size of the basement. The walls must be at least 8 feet tall (2.40 m) to double the living space.

Isolation

While some owners seek to turn their basements into living spaces, others want to use it as a storage area. In any case, basement insulation may be necessary to ensure that the area remains comfortable. During construction, workers apply Styrofoam outside walls. The advantages of a wall to isolate include savings in energy costs and provide an additional layer of protection against moisture, according to the United States Department of Energy in its website saving energy.