• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DIY Doctor
MENUMENU
  • DIY Doctor menu logo
  • Home
  • DIY Projects
    • All Projects
    • Brick, Block, Marsonary and Concrete
    • Damp, Condensation, Rot and Woodworm
    • Doors, Windows and Conservatories
    • Electrical
    • Fencing, Decking, Paving and Patios
    • Floors, Walls, Ceilings and Lofts
    • Garages, Sheds and Outbuildings
    • Gardening and Landscaping
    • General Building, Self Build and Renovation
    • General Repairs and Cleaning
    • Green Living and Eco DIY
    • Ground work, Foundations and Drainage
    • Heating, Central Heating and Boilers
    • Joinery and Carpentry
    • Materials, Fixings and Fixing
    • Painting, Decorating and Finishing
    • Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety
    • Plastering, Plasterboard and Rendering
    • Plumbing
    • Roofing and Gutters
    • Tiling and Tiles
    • Tools, Appliances and Access
    • DIY Tips
  • UK DIY Forums
  • DIY Videos
    • Bathroom DIY Videos
    • Building Foundation Videos
    • Building Videos
    • Carpentry and Woodworking Videos
    • Damp and Damproofing Videos
    • Decorating Videos
    • Electrical Videos
    • Fitting Blinds Videos
    • Flooring Videos
    • Gardening Videos
    • Green and Eco Friendly Videos
    • Hand and Power Tools Videos
    • Heating and Central Heating Videos
    • Kitchen Videos
    • Plastering and Drylining Videos
    • Plumbing Videos
    • Security Videos
  • Find Tradesmen
    • Find a Tradesman
    • Contract Download
    • Working with Tradesmen - Ultimate Guide
    • Home Improver Protection
    • Price Doctor
  • Tool Store
    • Tool Store
    • Bookstore
    • Tool Reviews and Product Reviews
  • Blog
    • Blog
    • DIY Competitions
  • About us
    • About DIY Doctor
    • What we do
    • Trade Shows and Exhibitions
    • Master Classes
    • Contact Us

Home > Search for DIY Projects by Trade Type > General Building and Self Build Tutorials Including Renovation and Alteration How to Projects > Basement and Cellar DIY How To Projects

Basement and Cellar DIY How To Projects

This page includes links to all our DIY project tutorials related to cellar or basement conversions covering everything from digging new basements to the waterproofing and damp–proofing of them. Please browse through the list below and click on your chosen link to view the project information. If you're looking for something even more specific try the search box above or head on over to our DIY Forum which contains a wealth of information built up over the years from the many questions already asked and answered by visitors to our site.

  • Basement Conversion

    Basements - converting a basement - Learn how to waterproof an existing underground basement and convert it into a living space


  • Digging a Basement

    Basements - digging a new cellar or basement - Digging a basement and a guide to the costs of a new basement. What's involved in building a basement and how long it will take.


  • Self and New Build Basements

    Basements - new build basements - basements in new houses, waterproofing basements, self build basements


  • How to Waterproof a Cellar or Basement Area Using Tanking

    Waterproofing - underground waterproofing - Learn how to waterproof a cellar or basement so that it can be converted into a habitable space using tanking or waterproofing membranes


Basements cellars and their building regulations are covered in the following pages. Turning an old basement into living accommodation or a utility room, laundry room or playroom is covered, under most circumstances under the Governments Permitted Development planning rules but it is as well to check on their website. See figure 1.

Be careful of building regulations when designing a new room from an existing basement

Figure 1 Be careful of building regulations when designing a new room from an existing basement

Building regulations in existing cellars and basements will almost certainly apply if the basement has not been in use as the new insulation regulations will come into force. You need also to be aware of fire regulations in basements as well as basement ventilation, ceiling height, damp proofing and clean water supplies.

You may need to tank or line your basement to prevent water ingress or you may allow the water in through the basement walls to collect it in a basement sump and pump it out again.

Project pages such as turning a basement into a utility room or bathroom may require water or waste to be pumped to the surface to allow it to enter an external sewer system. This can be done using proprietary pumping devices.

New houses present the opportunity to build the new basement room to your own specification and add another floo9r to your property, albeit below ground! With the modern method of foundations being to concrete the foundation trenches right to the top it is often not much more expensive to excavate for a basement as it is to excavate for deep footings. See figure 2

Another floor can be added to the house with a basement on a new build house

Figure 2: Another floor can be added to the house with a basement on a new build house

Give us Some Feedback!
Was this page useful:
We read and respond to all feedback by email. To allow us to do so you will be added to our email list, however you can unsubscribe at any time using the links at the bottom of any of our emails. Find out more in our privacy policy. Any DIY questions should be posted to our Forum
Sign me up to the DIY Doctor Newsletter:

Primary Sidebar

DIY Doctor deal of the week

DIY Utility Kit:

Build your own work bench!

RRP Price: £49.99

Special Price: £39.95

Get it here now

See our other deals now!

Master Basic DIY - By DIY Doctor

Our Book - Master Basic DIY

Grab your copy now for all the DIY help you need right at your finger tips!

Buy it Here!

Signup for our Newsletter

Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals

Sign Me Up!

Our Sponsors

Find out about advertising on DIY Doctor

Advert

Footer

DIY Doctor

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Media/Press
  • Community Work
  • DIY Projects
  • DIY Videos
  • Superstore
  • DIY Tips
  • DIY Suppliers
  • UK DIY Forum
  • DIY Webinars

Other Stuff

  • Advertise
  • Competitions
  • T and Cs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • NHIC
  • Sitemap

DIY Doctor Social Channels

Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on Pinterest
Follow us on Tumblr

DIY Doctor are members of:

© DIY Doctor Ltd 2021 All Rights Reserved