For many homeowners, the basement becomes wasted space.

It turns into storage, clutter, or an area that feels unfinished and forgotten. But a professionally finished basement can add usable square footage, increase home value, and completely change how a house functions.

At Aftermath Contracting, basement finishing is about turning unused space into something purposeful — not just cosmetic upgrades.

What a Finished Basement Can Become

A well-designed basement can serve as:

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  A family entertainment area

  
  


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  A home office

  
  


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  A rental suite

  
  


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  A guest bedroom

  
  


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  A gym or studio

  
  


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  A playroom

  
  


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  A media room

  
  


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  Extra living space

  
  

It’s one of the most flexible areas in a home.

Why Professional Finishing Matters

Basements r...

A paint project should be simple.

But sometimes, once walls are opened or scraped, homeowners discover stains, soft drywall, mold, or hidden water damage that was quietly spreading beneath the surface.

At Aftermath Contracting, we often get called after a painting job exposes structural or moisture problems that need real repair — not just a fresh coat.

Why Damage Shows Up During Painting

Paint hides a lot over time.

When old layers are removed, it can reveal:

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  Water intrusion behind drywall

  
  


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  Mold growth inside walls

  
  


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  Cracked or weakened plaster

  
  


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  Rotting framing

  
  


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  Poor previous repairs

  
  


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  Improper sealing

  
  


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  Ventilation issues

  
  

Painting doesn’t cause the damage — it exposes it.

The Risk of Ignoring W...

When people think about fire damage, they imagine flames.

But in many homes, the biggest destruction comes from smoke — even after a small kitchen fire or appliance incident. Smoke travels farther than flames, settling into walls, ceilings, insulation, and ventilation systems.

At Aftermath Contracting, we regularly restore homes where the fire was minor, but the smoke damage was extensive.

Why Smoke Damage Spreads So Easily

Smoke particles are microscopic.

They:

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  Penetrate drywall and paint

  
  


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  Sink into fabrics and insulation

  
  


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  Travel through HVAC systems

  
  


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  Leave acidic residue on surfaces

  
  


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  Create long-lasting odors

  
  


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  Discolor walls and ceilings

  
  

Even rooms far from the fire can be affected.

The Risks of DIY S...

Bathroom floors fail from the bottom up.

What looks like cracked tile or lifting vinyl is often a sign of moisture trapped underneath — and by the time you see surface damage, the subfloor may already be compromised.

At Aftermath Contracting, many bathroom flooring projects turn into full restoration jobs because water has been leaking silently for months.

How Bathroom Floors Get Damaged

Bathrooms are constant moisture zones. Flooring damage often starts from:

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  Slow plumbing leaks

  
  


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  Poor waterproofing

  
  


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  Failed grout or caulking

  
  


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  Improper installation

  
  


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  Overflow incidents

  
  


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  Shower or tub seepage

  
  


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  Humidity buildup

  
  

Water doesn’t stay on the surface — it sinks into the structure.

Warning Signs of Subf...

A burst pipe isn’t just a plumbing problem — it’s a restoration emergency.

In minutes, water can soak drywall, flooring, insulation, and structural framing. And even after the visible water is cleaned up, hidden moisture can continue damaging your home.

At Aftermath Contracting, plumbing water damage is one of the most common emergencies we restore — and the speed of response makes all the difference.

The First 24 Hours Matter Most

When a pipe bursts:

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  Water spreads behind walls

  
  


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  Insulation absorbs moisture

  
  


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  Wood framing begins to swell

  
  


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  Mold can begin forming quickly

  
  


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  Flooring starts to warp

  
  


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  Electrical systems may be exposed

  
  

Even small bursts can affect multiple rooms.

Why Cleanup Al...

Not all water damage comes from floods or burst pipes.

Some of the worst damage happens slowly, quietly, and completely out of sight. Hidden leaks inside walls can go unnoticed for months — sometimes years — while they weaken your home from the inside.

At Aftermath Contracting, many major restoration projects begin with a small leak no one realized was there.

Signs You Might Have a Hidden Leak

Because leaks are hidden, the warning signs are subtle:

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  Unexplained musty smells

  
  


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  Small stains on walls or ceilings

  
  


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  Peeling paint or bubbling drywall

  
  


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  Warped flooring

  
  


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  Sudden increases in your water bill

  
  


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  Soft spots in walls

  
  


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  Mold appearing in corners

  
  

These symptoms usually appear after damage has already s...

If your home is freezing in winter, hot in summer, and your energy bills keep climbing, the problem might not be your furnace or AC.

It might be your attic insulation.

At Aftermath Contracting, many comfort and moisture problems trace back to insulation issues homeowners never see — because they’re hidden above the ceiling.

Signs Your Attic Insulation Isn’t Working

Homeowners often notice:

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  Rooms that never feel the right temperature

  
  


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  High heating and cooling bills

  
  


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  Ice dams forming in winter

  
  


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  Uneven temperatures between floors

  
  


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  Drafts despite sealed windows

  
  


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  Excess dust or poor air quality

  
  


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  Moisture or mold in the attic

  
  

These are all signs your insulation system isn’t doing its job.

Why...

Cracks in drywall are something almost every homeowner notices at some point. While some cracks are harmless, others can be warning signs of structural movement, moisture issues, or hidden damage.

At Aftermath Contracting, drywall repairs often reveal what’s really happening behind the walls — which is why proper inspection matters.

Common Types of Drywall Cracks

Not all cracks mean the same thing:

Hairline cracks
Often caused by normal settling or temperature changes.

Vertical or horizontal cracks
Can indicate framing movement or foundation shifts.

Cracks around doors and windows
May suggest structural stress or settling.

Discolored or soft cracks
Often point to moisture intrusion or w...

Your home’s siding does more than make it look good — it’s one of the first lines of defense against water, weather, and structural damage.

At Aftermath Contracting, siding repairs and replacements are often connected to larger restoration projects because damage on the outside of the home can quietly cause serious problems on the inside.

Common Signs Your Siding Needs Attention

Homeowners should take siding issues seriously if they notice:

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  Cracked, warped, or missing siding panels

  
  


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  Soft or rotting areas

  
  


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  Peeling paint or bubbling surfaces

  
  


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  Mold or mildew growth

  
  


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  Higher energy bills

  
  


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  Drafts or moisture inside walls

  
  


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  Visible water staining

  
  

Siding problems rarely fix themselves — they g...