This is especially true in places like Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and eastern Texas. States that have a lot of swamp land or wetland territory, as well as those with significant amounts of coastline, simply have too much water in the ground to make most basements feasible.
Can you put a basement anywhere?
Basements can technically be built anywhere, but you could face a number of obstacles if you want one built in an area where they are not as common. In many Southern states, the water table is very close to the surface, which compromises the long-term sustainability of a basement.
What states build basements?
On average, in the United States, basements are most commonly found in the Midwest. This includes states such as Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri.
Can you make a basement in your house?
But while you can add a basement to a house, it doesn’t mean it’s always worth it. You need to keep in mind that you’re affecting your home’s foundation, and you need to look into whether your state or climate is conducive to basements in the first place.
Where in the US can you have a basement?
In North America, cellars usually are found in rural or older homes on the coasts and in the South. However, full basements 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.
Do you need permission to build a basement?
Planning permission may not be required in some instances, for example when extending an existing basement or cellar in a house that benefits from permitted development rights. In most other situations, however, you will need planning permission for a basement extension in London.
What is the rule for basement?
The National Building Code regulations say that a basement can only be used for commercial purposes, or storage, parking, cellar, a dark room or even space where machinery such as air conditioning can be installed legally. However, despite this rule, many may opt to rent out this space for the residential purpose.
What states do not build basements?
Damp soil is the major culprit in most cases of missing basements in the southern states. 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 basement construction feasible.
Can all houses have a basement?
Can I build a basement? Not every property is right for a basement extension. As a general rule, it’s better to extend above ground if possible because it’s easier to provide ventilation and natural light, plus it’s usually cheaper.
What is a Yankee basement?
They call it a “Yankee basement” or, well, sometimes a “root cellar,” where basically you take the interior perimeter of the foundation wall, move in about 2½, 3 feet and then dig down there. So you leave this sort of berm of soil to support the foundation that’s under the footing.
Is it cheaper to build up or dig a basement?
Generally speaking, building up tends to be less expensive than a basement. That said, not too long ago, lumber was at an all-time high and basements were the better option. Check with your builder and they can advise you on the pros, cons, and cost of each.
Can you add a basement to any house plan?
Absolutely! In fact, it’s done all the time. Whatever foundation the original plans call for, they can nearly always be changed. If you think about it, the biggest difference between a crawlspace and a basement is the depth of the excavation and the height of the ceiling.
Is adding on a basement worth it?
Does adding a bedroom in the basement add value? Absolutely. Buyers are all about usable space and are willing to spend a little extra to have more of it. According to Remodeling Magazine, a midrange basement refinish yields on average 70% ROI.
What qualifies a basement as living space?
When is a basement considered living space boils down to the layout of your home, if the basement is finished and matches the flow of the above-ground portion of the home, and if enough of the basement was built out of the ground. A house built into a hill will probably be an exception.
Is living in a basement worth it?
Pros and Cons of Basement Living
They are often cheaper than most other types of apartments. It can be easier to approve certain renovations that might otherwise be rejected if you lived in an above-ground unit. They are darker during sleeping hours, which can be great for those who need it to be pitch black to rest.
Is it healthy living in a basement?
Health problems
Living in a basement apartment may cause several diseases, owing to molds and radon. Mold is a type of fungi that grows very easily in damp places. Radon, an odourless and colourless gas that causes lung cancer, is commonly found in basement apartments and is harmful to human health.
How deep can you have a basement?
For one, current safety standards in the U.S. won’t likely allow basements deeper than one floor. The International Residential Code (used here) requires each basement level—even if there are several—to have at least one way of getting out, other than interior stairs, said Gary J.
This footing is the base of your foundation and is very important. It keeps your house from sinking into the ground and must be strong enough to withstand both the forces of nature and the continuous forces of nature.
Can a basement be dug out?
The good news is that—while it is a more significant investment—you can hire building contractors to lift your house off its foundation, excavate the area, and pour a new foundation for a basement.
Why don t houses in Alabama have basements?
In colder climates and northern states, many more homes have basements because the frost line is deep below the surface of the ground. However, in Alabama, the frost line is less than a foot below the surface of the soil. Digging down eight feet to create a basement isn’t necessary.
Is it OK to have a bedroom in the basement?
In short, yes. You can use your basement as a bedroom, but you have to ensure that it complies with the proper building codes. Basement living spaces require an emergency exit and rescue openings, also known as an egress code.