Basement How To & DIY
Improve the value of your home by discovering our basement step-by-step tips & ideas.
Filed under:
Basement Waterproofing 101: A Comprehensive Guide
Need to stop water from coming into your basement? Use gutters, a drainage system, and interior waterproofing to keep your basement dry.
How to Add A Basement Egress
A basement egress allows easy access to below-grade space for convenience and safety. Here’s what you need to know about creating one.
Turn a Storage Room into a Modern Home Gym
It can be challenging to maintain a workout routine by leaving your house to go to a gym. Watch to learn how to turn a small, unused space in your home—like a basement storage room—into a sleek and functional home gym.
How To Get Rid of a Musty Smell in Your Basement
If musty odors are lurking in your basement, use our guide to eliminate those funky smells from your below-grade spaces for good.
How To Insulate a Basement Ceiling
Does it make sense to insulate your basement ceiling? Our guide includes tips and instructions on how to insulate a basement ceiling.
How To Turn Your Basement Into a Wine Cellar
If you love wine, a wine cellar is a great asset for your collection and your home. Here's how to build a wine cellar in your basement.
How To Build a Basement Bar
A basement bar might be the perfect addition to your home. Here’s what to keep in mind when planning your subterranean entertaining oasis.
How to Install a Sump Pump
Prevent basement flooding by installing and maintaining a basement sump pump. Our experts will show you how the installation process works.
How to Frame Out Basement Walls
Transform your basement into a more multifunctional space by adding walls.
When Replace Bulkhead Doors and How to Replace Them
Our expert Tom Silva shows you how to know when it's time to replace dated bulkhead doors with new steel bulkhead doors.
Everything to Know about How to Level a Concrete Floor
Uneven concrete floor? This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches you how to fix it using wooden rails and self-leveling compound.
Why Are These Foundations Crumbling?
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough investigates a strange issue happening to foundations in the Northeast
Keep Basements Mold-Free
Planning to create or redo a below-grade living space? Finished basements are vulnerable to damage from storm-water intrusions, leaking pipes and hot-water tanks, or simply high humidity. Lower the risk of mold or mildew taking hold by remodeling with materials made to shake off damp conditions
How to Switch Basement Lighting
Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner add switching to basement lights that used to be controlled by a pull string
How to Repair a Damaged Carrying Beam
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches a homeowner how to repair some structural problems in his home.
How To Install a Basement Laundry
Watch as Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a washer and dryer in his basement.
How to Replace Basement Bulkhead Doors
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install a new pair of basement bulkhead doors
How To Install a Basement Bathroom
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to rough-in the drainpipes for a basement bathroom.
Basement Remodel: Mid-century Modern Guest Suite and Living Area
A finished basement suite entices friends and future grandparents in the best living space redo from the Search for America's Best Remodel 2015
How to Install a Drain Pump for a Basement Sink
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows you how to properly install a drain pump for your basement sink.
How to Stop Your Basement From Flooding
Afraid of water in the basement? Avoid a flooding disaster with damage-prevention specialist Michael Milligan.
How to Install a Dehumidifier Pump
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to replace a faulty pump
How to Frame Walls for a Basement Room
Partitioning off a below-grade space with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva
How to Prevent Household Plumbing Leaks
Looking for water damage points with This Old House host Kevin O'Connor and damage prevention specialist Michael Milligan
How to Install a Battery-Operated Backup Sump Pump
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to keep a basement dry—even when the power goes out
3 Steps to Prevent Basement Leaks
A ruined basement upgrade is never a good surprise. Help prevent leaky mishaps with these 3 easy tips.
An Unfinished Basement Gets a Masculine Makeover
An eerie, partially below-grade storage space becomes a fun and functional getaway for a hardworking dad
How to Insulate a Basement
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to warm up a chilly concrete wall
Hydraulic Cement for Leaky Basements
Using the right product for patching holes where water seeps in will save you a trip back with a wet vac and a sump pump.
Installing a Basement Sump Pump
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how involved putting in a sump pump can be
Prepping Basement Walls for Drywall
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva reviews his best practices when building out walls on a concrete foundation
Basement Bonus Rooms
16 smart ways to turn dead space into a comfy place for unwinding, entertaining, and working
How to Frame Out Basement Walls
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to fur out concrete basement walls to get them ready for drywall