Oconomowoc, WI - It may be the middle of winter but the experts at Lake Side Total Basement Finishing, who specialize in basement finishing in Wisconsin and Illinois, want homeowners to know that it's not too soon to prepare for spring. Heavy rain, melting snow and saturated ground are all ingredients for basement flooding. A basement flood can cause a host of problems for a homeowner ranging from damaged personal items to mold growth. Finishing a basement with water-resistant and mold-proof materials can protect a home and any personal belongings during the rainy spring season.

The American Society of Home Inspectors has estimated that 60 percent of U.S. homes have wet basements, and 38 percent run the risk of basement mold. A house with a 1,500-square-foot roof sheds 1,000 gallons of water for every inch of falling rain. In some cases the problem is rising groundwater levels, which may even be fed by an underground spring. Once the water accumulates around a foundation, it works its way inside through cracks, joints, and porous material like concrete. Basement flooding is common, so it is best to use basement finishing materials that can survive water.

"A wet basement is more than a nuisance not only in Wisconsin and Illinois, but throughout the Midwest," said Scot "Buck" Buckley, owner of Lake Side Total Basement Finishing. "If your basement includes finished living space, any kind of moisture can ruin carpeting, drywall, and wood framing. Even if you have a crawl space or just use your basement for storage, a simple case of condensation can buckle hardwood flooring on the level above and spawn harmful mold in your basement."

Homeowners should use products in a basement that are inorganic and will not support mold growth. Products like drywall can easily grow mold and can be ruined if they get wet. It is also important to install a high-quality dehumidifier in basements that typically have moisture problems or musty odors. A dehumidifier will ensure that the basement feels comfortable and personal items don't start to grow mold. The basement environment is different than that of the rest of the house, so the products used in it must reflect that.