Are basem*nts a Midwest thing?
In North America, cellars usually are found in rural or older homes on the coasts and in the South. However, full basem*nts are commonplace in new houses in the Canadian and American Midwest and other areas subject to tornado activity or requiring foundations below the frost line.
In what states are basem*nts common?
The Western part of the country (including the Midwest) is the area where basem*nts are most popular. One region in particular – the West North Central States – is the heartland of basem*nts. This region consists of the states west of the Mississippi and east of the Rockies.
Why can't Southern states have basem*nts?
Damp Soil. Places with a lot of wetlands or swampland, like Louisiana and Florida, have too much water in the soil to build below ground. The water table, an underground boundary between the soil surface and groundwater, is usually less than a meter underground in these Southern states.
Why are basem*nts a northern thing?
In the Northern states, colder climates and frost lines necessitate deeper foundations, making basem*nts more common. Additionally, basem*nts provide extra living and storage space, which can be valuable in regions with harsh winters.
Do houses in Chicago have basem*nts?
And What You Can Do With It. A basem*nt isn't a necessary element of an American home but in the midwest they are nearly ubiquitous.
What state does not have basem*nts?
California homes don't have basem*nts because of climate conditions, traditional architecture, and the perceived risk factors of adding a basem*nt in an earthquake-prone area.
Where in the US do houses not have basem*nts?
Most parts of Florida, Louisiana, and eastern Texas have swaths of wetland or swamps or significant coastlines. So, there's just too much water underground to make basem*nt construction feasible.
Why do Midwesterners have basem*nts?
However, basem*nts are considered standard on all but the smallest new buildings in many places with temperate continental climates such as the American Midwest and the Canadian Prairies where a concrete foundation below the frost line is needed in any case, to prevent a building from shifting during the freeze-thaw ...
Are basem*nts illegal in Texas?
It's not illegal, but it's unnecessary (we don't have coal-burning furnaces), and in many Texas landscapes basem*nts are difficult, or at least relatively expensive, to build. In Texas, many institutional buildings, and some commercial buildings, have basem*nts, but it's rare for residential buildings to have them.
Are basem*nts illegal in California?
Basem*nts aren't illegal in California. They're just not as necessary where the weather is warmer and there's not a lot of rain, ice or snow. Builders found it was cheaper to build a house on a foundation. Most California houses have no attics either.
What are the three types of basem*nts?
In general, there are three main types of basem*nt constructions: poured concrete, precast panels, and masonry walls. The three can be used interchangeably since they are made of similar materials, but a lot relies on the kind of construction in question.
Why can't you build a basem*nt in Florida?
Because of the high water table and proximity to the ocean, it is impossible to dig out for a basem*nt. The construction crew would immediately encounter flooding should they try to dig more than 10 feet down.
Why do Americans all have basem*nts?
It keeps the house from moving due to frost. The basem*nt is dug below frost line, which is how deep the soil freezes in a typical winter. This can be as deep as seven feet in northern US, or a bit over two meters. This is a stable foundation on which to build.
Can you have a basem*nt in Alaska?
Enclosed crawl spaces or basem*nts should not be constructed in soils subject to permafrost. Wood posts, mud sills or engineered foundations with open crawl spaces are suggested in permafrost soil.
Why was Chicago raised 14 feet?
After many died from cholera and typhoid outbreaks, the City made a bold decision in 1855: raise the roads four to 14 feet to make room for sewers. So sewer pipes and drains were laid across the city, allowing for wastewater to flow away instead of flooding the streets.
Do Missouri homes have basem*nts?
Because basem*nts are common in older homes in Missouri, especially in the St. Louis area, special attention should be paid to the foundation. Checking for foundation cracks, seepage, and leaks is essential. Old houses are bound to have some minor issues due to settling that are not much of a concern.
Why don't Californians have basem*nts?
Very rapid modern development (basem*nts are expensive and take a lot of time), no tornados to worry about, no need to have a dry dark place to store stuff through the winter.
Why do cold states have basem*nts?
Building foundations need to be below the frost line to avoid freezing and cracking in pipes. In cooler climates, the frost line is several feet below the surface, which is why many Northern homes have basem*nts. It's simply more practical to install a basem*nt if the foundation is already this deep to begin with.
Are basem*nts bad for earthquakes?
The short answer is yes; basem*nts are safe during earthquakes. The main reason they are safe is that basem*nts stabilize the structure of a home. A basem*nt reaches deep into the earth and uses concrete and rebar to create a solid foundation. This helps keep a house anchored during an earthquake.
What is a house without a basem*nt called?
A slab-on-grade means no basem*nt, no basem*nt walls, just one slab of concrete on which you build your house.
Why are basem*nts rare in Texas?
In Texas, the frost line is only about a foot below the ground, which is about the typical depth of a concrete foundation. Unless a home is being custom-built, builders simply don't want to take on the added expense and risk of digging out a basem*nt if one isn't required.
Why are there no basem*nts in Tornado Alley?
In Tornado Alley, which includes parts of the central United States, many homes are built without basem*nts due to the region's soil and geological conditions. The soil in this area often contains a high clay content, which can make it difficult and expensive to excavate for basem*nts.
Are basem*nts good for tornadoes?
But while the most violent and rare EF-5 tornado can level and blow away almost any house, most tornadoes are much weaker and can be survived using some safety precautions – chiefly, taking advantage of a basem*nt if your home happens to have one.
Are houses without basem*nts cold?
Without a basem*nt, the lower levels of the house may be more susceptible to colder temperatures. However, the overall warmth of a house depends on various factors such as insulation, heating systems, and local climate.
What is Michigan style basem*nt?
A Michigan basem*nt is a crawl space that has been converted into a basem*nt. The crawl space footings are covered, which creates the shelf or ledge. The center of the crawl space inside this ledge is then excavated, creating a basem*nt portion. This new basem*nt is then filled in with concrete, either poured or block.
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