Basement Maintenance

Our basement maintenance tips can help you keep your home cost efficient, safe & cozy.

S23 E4: Mauro Henrique paints an old, rusty bulkhead door
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How to Paint a Rusty Bulkhead

When a homeowner’s basement bulkhead appeared to be past its prime, she sent up a flare to the team at Ask This Old House. Not knowing whether to replace the bulkhead or paint it, she relied on paint expert Mauro Henrique to help her make a decision and even choose the right color to match the backyard.
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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.
S22 E22: Mark McCullough and Richard Trethewey discuss keeping basements dry with Kevin O'Connor
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How To Keep A Basement Dry

Host Kevin O’Connor discusses wet basements and what homeowners can do about them with mason Mark McCullough and heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey.
A cozy home prepared for cool fall weather.

Fall Yard and Home Maintenance Checklist: 12 Simple Items

As fall begins, there are a few maintenance tasks around the house. Here are 12 ways to prepare your yard and home for the cooler season.
Image of a basement beginning to flood with water. Water can damage your belongings, so you will need to pump out the water from your basement.

How To Pump Water Out Of Your Basement 

Flooding in your basement can damage belongings and your foundation. Follow this quick guide to learn how to pump water out of your basement.
Black mold

How To Test for Black Mold

Wondering if that spot might be mold? Learn about the most popular ways and kits to test for mold at home.
A basement wall crack.

What to Know About Basement Foundation Cracks

Not every crack in a foundation wall—either concrete block or poured concrete—is cause for concern or needs to be fixed.
A corner of a room with a black mold growing on it.

How to Prevent Mold in Your Basement

Identify, treat, and prevent basement mold with expert advice from This Old House.
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How To Insulate Your Basement

From preparation to installation, This Old House's Tom Silva shows how to insulate your basement.
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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.

All About Basement Mold

What you don't see can harm you.
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How to Replace a Basement Window

In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva puts in a new basement window
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Top 10 Home Repair Questions

Got a common home repair issue on your to-do list? Read our repair experts' answers to the most frequently asked home maintenance questions.
Illustration of a sump pump cover on a sump pump.

Sump Pump Cover

Sump pump covers are simple yet effective devices that can prevent debris from entering your sump pit and even help with radon mitigation.