The years of ignoring usable living space are gone. In a time that housing costs are up homeowners everywhere are utilizing spaces in the most effective way. Basements are now becoming essential living areas, many times being used as play rooms for the kids or entertainment areas for the family, but before you can start, you'll need to consider whether you need a basement system waterproofing.One of the most critical areas of a basement remodel project is to check the moisture level of your basement before getting started. Basements are by nature damp and prone to high humidity. One suggestion is to talk with an independent home inspector that specializes in foundation or basement waterproofing problems. Getting advice from a professional is always a good way to start any project.Of course, there are ways to check moisture levels yourself. If you can see obvious signs of water in your basement, particularly after a rain, then you have a leak. If you have persistent dampness, especially if it seems to be related to hot weather, basement condensation is most likely your problem.To test for condensation try this. Tape a 12" x 12" piece of plastic wrap (very securely) onto the basement wall – preferably in an area where you’ve noticed dampness. Be sure all edges are sealed. Wait a few days. When you moisture be sure to note which side of the plastic it’s on. If it’s on the wall side you have a leak, if it’s on the room side of the plastic you have a condensation problem. Condensation problems are much easier and less costly to handle. Many times the solution is better air circulation. If you have leaks you will want to start by checking the foundation of your home as well as the land around it. It’s important that the surrounding land slopes away from the foundation and home so surface water will run away. Concrete is inherently porous and as it ages it will become even more porous. Moisture related problems are the most common complaint of homeowners related to basements. Water seepage, condensation, sweating walls, basement mold and mildew, as well as musty odors are just some of the various problems associated with basements that are not properly waterproofed.While basement dehumidifiers will assist in removing moisture from the air, at the same, they tend to increase the migration of moisture through the concrete, which speeds up the deterioration process of the concrete. This can become a vicious cycle. That's just one more reason why a basement system waterproofing may be your best solution. Remodeling without proper waterproofing can lead to extensive and costly repairs. If the floors and walls are covered without this step, moisture migrating through the concrete will be trapped. This promotes molds, mildew, and air contaminants, all of which can lead to health problems. A musty smell may develop.To correct the problem at this point, in addition to demolition of the remodeling, it may be necessary to discard some of the furniture, then remedy the mold and mildew problem before dealing with the waterproofing itself. Obviously it is much more cost effective to waterproof before considering remodeling a basement.