Basement How To & DIY

Improve the value of your home by discovering our basement step-by-step tips & ideas.

Egress window in a basement art studio

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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.
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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.
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How to Get Rid of a Musty Smell in Your Basement

If musty odors are keeping you from using your basement, it’s time for that to change. With a bit of effort, you can eliminate funky smells from your below-grade spaces for good.
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How Do I Insulate a Basement Ceiling?

Does it make sense to insulate my basement ceiling? This Old House’s Tom Silva answers.
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How to Build a Wine Cellar in Your Basement

Need a good place to store wine? Read these steps to building a DIY wine cellar in your basement.
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How to Build a Basement Bar

A bar can be the perfect addition to anyone’s basement. Here’s what you should keep in mind when planning your subterranean entertaining oasis.
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Sump Pump Installation in Basements, Crawl Spaces, and Exterior Drainage

Prevent basement flooding by installing and maintaining a sump pump.
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How to Frame Out Basement Walls

Transform your basement into a more multifunctional space by adding walls.
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Tips for Waterproofing Your Basement

Need to stop water from coming into your basement? Use gutters, a drainage system, and interior waterproofing to keep your basement dry.
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When & How to Replace Bulkhead Doors

What to use and how to install the outdoor entrance to your basement.
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How to Level a Concrete Floor

Get insider tips and a step-by-step guide for concrete floor leveling.
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Why Are These Foundations Crumbling?

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough investigates a strange issue happening to foundations in the Northeast
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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
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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
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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.
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How to Install a Basement Laundry

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a washer and dryer in his basement
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How to Replace Basement Bulkhead Doors

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install a new pair of basement bulkhead doors
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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
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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
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How to Install a Drain Pump for a Basement Sink

Draining water from below-grade plumbing with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey
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How to Stop Your Basement From Flooding

Afraid of water in the basement? Avoid a flooding disaster with damage-prevention specialist Michael Milligan.
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How to Install a Dehumidifier Pump

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to replace a faulty pump
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How to Frame Walls for a Basement Room

Partitioning off a below-grade space with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva
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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
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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
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3 Steps to Prevent Basement Leaks

A ruined basement upgrade is never a good surprise. Help prevent leaky mishaps with these 3 easy tips.
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An Unfinished Basement Gets a Masculine Makeover

An eerie, partially below-grade storage space becomes a fun and functional getaway for a hardworking dad
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How to Insulate a Basement

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to warm up a chilly concrete wall
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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.
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Installing a Basement Sump Pump

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how involved putting in a sump pump can be
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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
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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