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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. The high water table makes it difficult to construct a basement.
Why do Southern homes not have basements?
The chief culprit of most missing basements in the South is damp soil. Even in drier climates, the clay composition in the soil can make basements impractical or even dangerous. While this kind of soil doesn’t have enough water in it to cause flooding, mold, or rot, it can play havoc with the basement walls.
Why are there no basements in Texas?
Phil Crone, executive director for the Dallas Builders Association, said basements are also not as common in Texas because the frost line — the depth below the ground where the soil does not freeze in the winter — is much shallower in Texas than up north.
Which states don’t have basements?
These states are: Arkansas. Louisiana. Oklahoma. Texas.
Why don t homes 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.
Are basements illegal in California?
Basements 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.
Why do houses in Canada have basements?
The basement is the foundation of the home. In most of Canada you want the foundation below the frost line so most homes have cement foundations that extend 8 feet into the ground. This space can be used for furnaces, laundry facilities, storage and extra living space.
Why don’t they build concrete houses in tornado areas?
To survive a direct hit from a strong tornado, you need thick re-enforced concrete. No conventional construction will withstand it. Hurricanes. Heavy masonry and concrete construction can survive a direct hit from even a severe hurricane.
Why doesn’t Houston have basements?
Historically, the water table in half of Texas has been very close to the surface, because the state is not that high above sea level. In Houston, for example, you can strike water just 10 feet down in many areas. Basements too near the water table are often flooded.7 days ago.
Why are homes so cheap in Texas?
In general, houses are cheaper in Texas for two reasons. First, land is cheaper. There is so much of it, and much of it is not useful for any other reason, like growing crops. Second, wages are generally lower in Texas, resulting in lower prices in many areas.
Do basements protect you from tornadoes?
Basement. If you have a basement or storm cellar, that may be the safest place to be in a tornado. Basements are underground and offer more protection than any other room in your home. During a tornado, the floors can weaken and cause these items to fall into the basement.
What was the original purpose of a basement?
Intended Use If you have a basement, the answer is probably that you use it for storage or living. This reflects the initial intended uses of basements and crawl spaces. Originally, basements were simply an extension of root cellars.
Why are there no basements in Arizona?
Because the ground doesn’t freeze in Phoenix, you only have to dig 18 inches below the surface to pour concrete footing for a house. If you want a basement, you’ll have to go out of your way to dig deeper. That’s complicated by a common soil phenomena in the state called caliche.
What is a California basement?
A California basement is a smaller sized basement normally with tiny rooms to fit boilers, water heaters, ductwork, and electrical panels.
Can you build basements in Florida?
It is technically possible to build a basement in some parts of Florida. In Central Florida, such as in Clermont, there is hilly terrain that spans for many miles. Basements can be built into the side of a hill and be partially underground and partially above ground.
When did houses start having basements?
Basements became much more popular in the United States starting in the 1950s.
Why are there no brick houses in California?
There are several reasons why brick isn’t predominant: The climate: California’s weather is pretty temperate-we don’t get subzero temperatures like back East or in the Midwest, so we don’t need the extra insulation. On top of that, in parts of California, it can get very hot, and brick holds heat in.
Are there basements in LA?
You don’t often see basements in Los Angeles, but they can be an efficient way of adding square footage when there are tight zoning-code limits on the size of a house. Under current L.A. zoning, a basement’s area is completely excluded from a property’s maximum square footage restrictions.
Are basements safe in an earthquake?
While a powerful earthquake could be catastrophic, it’s important to note that it’s falling debris, and not the ground’s movement, that causes most injuries and deaths. Basements are safe during an earthquake, but you shouldn’t try to get there once the shaking starts.
