Basement How To & DIY

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

House 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.

By Jenn Largesse, This Old House DIY Expert & Editor, House One

How to Frame Walls for a Basement Room

Partitioning off a below-grade space with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva

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

S5 E14, Richard Trethewey shows how to unclog various drains

How to Clear a Clogged Drain

In this how-to video, This Old House shows various ways to clear household clogs

How to Waterproof a Basement

In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva solves wet basement problems.

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.

S4 E10, Richard Trethewey installs a utility sink

How to Install a Utility Sink

In this how-to video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a utility sink

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 Frame Out Basement Walls

Transform your basement into a more multifunctional space by adding walls.

How to Patch a Concrete Floor

Do you have cracks in your concrete floor that need to be patched? For a long-lasting repair, pay close attention to the edges and the mix. Read on to learn how to patch the concrete on your floors.

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.

Wet Basement Solutions: How to Stop the Leaks From Coming

Got water in the basement? Prevent mold and other problems from occurring by using a few simple, low-cost steps.

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 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.

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.

Sump Pump Installation in Basements, Crawl Spaces, and Exterior Drainage

Prevent basement flooding by installing and maintaining a sump pump.

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

When & How to Replace Bulkhead Doors

What to use and how to install the outdoor entrance to your basement.

How to Level a Concrete Floor

Get insider tips and a step-by-step guide for concrete floor leveling.

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