Why do Americans always have basements?

Why do Americans always have basements?

In parts of the US where it snows, the foundation of the house has to be built into the ground at the frost line, which is below ground level. Because the foundation has to be dug out anyway, they figure they may as well make some use of the space below the house so they put basements in.

Why do some areas have basements?

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 basements. In warmer places, like central Florida and Georgia, the frost line tends to be much closer to the surface.

Why are basements more common in the North?

In areas with colder climates, such as the Northern states, the frost line tends to be at least four feet beneath the ground. It is also commonplace for houses in colder areas to have central heating systems, and a basement serves as an excellent storage space in this regard.

Why do houses on the East Coast have basements?

A: Thor Matteson, a professional engineer in San Luis Obispo, California, replies: The biggest reason why houses are built on basements in areas such as Colorado and the Northeast is to get the footings for the house below the frost line, which can be 3 ft. or 4 ft. down.

Are basements common in America?

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.

Why are basements so scary?

Some basements can hear the weird noise. The noisy basements makes people more afraid it’s bcs of the creepy creature might like the noisy things such as leaking pipes. Usually, human being like us will automatically afraid with dark. Almost like we don’t want really to going down to the dark place.

Where are basements common?

Where are basements most common?

The Western part of the country (including the Midwest) is the area where basements are most popular. One region in particular – the West North Central States – is the heartland of basements. This region consists of the states west of the Mississippi and east of the Rockies.

Why is a basement called a basement?

basement (n.) “lowest story of a building, wholly or partly underground,” 1730, from base (v.) + -ment.

When did basements become popular?

1950s
In the 1950s, basements were more commonly seen in newly built homes. They were remodeled to a degree – often with concrete floors which was an improvement from the basements of the past.

Where are basements common in the US?

THE WEST. The Western part of the country (including the Midwest) is the area where basements are most popular. One region in particular – the West North Central States – is the heartland of basements. This region consists of the states west of the Mississippi and east of the Rockies.

What is fear of basements called?

Claustrophobia is the fear of confined spaces.

Where are basements an expectation in the US?

Basements are an expectation in all the states above the Appalachian mountain range. Think about it this way. Basements are a common thing in a cold climate. Where the frost depth is four feet or more.

Why are basements not built in southern states?

Reason for Not Having (and having) a Basement For not having a basement: The single biggest reason is this: Soil. Southern states tend to have damp soil and it is not easy to build a basement in the damp soil. If the soil has a high water table it is just too difficult to build a basement and keep the basement dry.

Are basements a common thing in a cold climate?

Basements are a common thing in a cold climate. Where the frost depth is four feet or more. In fact, you will see the trend right from the borders of Pennsylvania and Maryland (by the Mason-Dixon Line) itself. Even though you see home both with and without basements in Maryland and Virginia.

What is the history of the basement?

Well, the history goes way back. Basements were initially cellar space to store wine and water, and then it became a storage space for everything else. Sump pumps, moisture barrier papers, and other technological advancements made it a useful living space.