Basement Renovation Case Study

Spring Valley Village, TX

Project Images

Summary

The clients wanted to transform a dated, partially below-grade space into a quiet media lounge and guest suite.
ACME Construction delivered a code-compliant build with robust moisture management—rigid foam insulation, continuous vapor control, a perimeter drain tie-in, and a dedicated dehumidifier—finished with resilient materials and clean details.

  • Client: Single-family homeowner 
  • Location: Spring Valley Village, TX (Greater Houston)
  • Scope: Lower-level (partial below-grade) conversion to media lounge + guest suite with bath; moisture control upgrades
  • Duration: 6 weeks

Goals

  • Add livable square footage for hosting and movie nights
  • Address humidity and musty odors with durable moisture control
  • Integrate a compact bathroom with proper ventilation and egress
  • Improve acoustics and lighting without lowering headroom

Constraints

  • Partial below-grade walls with seasonal humidity swings
  • Limited ceiling height—no loss tolerable after finishes
  • Existing slab with minor perimeter hairline cracking

Constraints

  • Partial below-grade walls with seasonal humidity swings
  • Limited ceiling height—no loss tolerable after finishes
  • Existing slab with minor perimeter hairline cracking

Assessment & Findings

  • Insufficient vapor control at exterior walls; batt insulation touching masonry
  • No continuous perimeter drainage at the lowest corner
  • Undersized exhaust in prior half-bath; intermittent musty odor after rains

Solution & Materials

Moisture Management

Perimeter drain tie-in to existing sump with battery backup; sealed slab cracks; continuous rigid foam (XPS) over masonry with taped seams; smart vapor retarder

Framing & Insulation

2x framing with decoupled channels at media wall; mineral wool for acoustic control

MEP

Dedicated dehumidifier with condensate pump; upgraded bath exhaust; new 20A circuits with AFCI/GFCI as required

Finishes

LVP over DMX-type underlayment; moisture-resistant drywall; recessed LED cans + wall sconces; custom built-ins

Bath

Compact shower with acrylic pan, Schluter-style waterproofing, porcelain tile, comfort-height toilet, vanity with quartz top

Egress

Code-compliant egress window well with ladder and flashing upgrades

Process

Prep & Protection

Dust containment, floor protection, material staging

Drywall & Trim

Moisture-resistant board, level-4 finish, millwork, doors

Drainage & Envelope

Perimeter drain tie-in, crack sealing, rigid foam install, smart vapor retarder

Tile & Flooring

Shower waterproofing, tile set, LVP installation

Framing/MEP

New walls, electrical rough-in, dehumidifier, bath exhaust, plumbing

Paint & Closeout

Final coats, punch list, cleaning, documentation

Timeline

  • Week 1: Demo, drainage tie-in, slab crack sealing
  • Week 2: Rigid foam + vapor retarder; framing
  • Week 3: Electrical/plumbing rough-in; inspections
  • Week 4: Drywall, prime; shower waterproofing
  • Week 5: Tile, LVP, trim
  • Week 6: Paint, fixtures, commissioning, cleanup

Results

Comfort

Stable RH with quiet dehumidification and better acoustics

Durability

Resilient finishes and fully detailed moisture control

Value

Added livable space with guest suite and media storage

Compliance

Egress, GFCI/AFCI, and ventilation to code

Homeowner Quote

  • No more musty smell—and the room is actually quiet and comfortable. The ACME crew kept everything tidy, and the media wall looks built-in from day one.
    Margarette R.
    Spring Valley Village

Plan Your Lower-Level Renovation

Book a free assessment and get a photo-documented plan:

  • moisture control
  • layout options
  • finishes

That fit your budget and timeline.

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Just a predictable path to usable space.
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  • schedule a visit
  • capture measurements
  • deliver an itemized proposal.
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