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> If you have ever wondered why you see basements in colder climates (and conversely more slab-on-grade in warmer ones) is because the bottom of your constructi

> If you have ever wondered why you see basements in colder climates (and conversely more slab-on-grade in warmer ones) is because the bottom of your construction need to be situated under the frost line to prevent shifting caused by the ground freezing. The other reason I've heard is that many warmer climates in the US are also very wet. Along the Gulf Coast, you basically can't have a basement unless you want there to be an unanticipated swimming pool in it because the water table is only a few feet below the surface.

bluGill 3y ago
There are some very cold areas where nobody builds a basement for this reason, they dig in footings or drive pilings to get below the frost line. where water table is not an issue though the cost to dig out a full basement isn't much more than just the footing and you get some semi-usable space.
- samtho 3y ago
  To slightly contradict my original statement, cabins (or recreational use homes) are an example of buildings in colder climates where a foundation may be pier and beam rather than basement. Part of this has to do with the fact that mountains are literally raised areas of bedrock with some tiny amount of topsoil on them so it's likely you'll dig and hit solid goddamn limestone.
stonemetal12 3y ago
I have heard that too, I am not sure how true it is. You pretty much won't find a basement in Texas anywhere, even though the water table is hundreds to a thousand feet deep most places. In Harris county (where Houston is) 1 out of 11 measurement wells is cutting it close (17 feet) the rest are over 90 feet deep. https://waterdatafortexas.org/groundwater https://waterdatafortexas.org/groundwater
- alricb 3y ago
  Texas has expansive clay in much of the state. This type of clay makes basements impractical.
  - stonemetal12 3y ago
    I figure that is the answer in general. Most places have ground conditions of some variety that add cost and have special engineering considerations specific to the region. A second floor above ground is cheaper, easier, and the same everywhere.
samtho 3y ago
This is very true and something I didn’t mention (I don’t live in an area where this is a problem). If it’s just a little bit of water and a sump pump can be used or you are able to install a water-resistant concrete sealant, a basement is possible, just cost prohibitive for your average house.

bluGill 3y ago

There are some very cold areas where nobody builds a basement for this reason, they dig in footings or drive pilings to get below the frost line. where water table is not an issue though the cost to dig out a full basement isn't much more than just the footing and you get some semi-usable space.

samtho 3y ago
To slightly contradict my original statement, cabins (or recreational use homes) are an example of buildings in colder climates where a foundation may be pier and beam rather than basement. Part of this has to do with the fact that mountains are literally raised areas of bedrock with some tiny amount of topsoil on them so it's likely you'll dig and hit solid goddamn limestone.

stonemetal12 3y ago

I have heard that too, I am not sure how true it is. You pretty much won't find a basement in Texas anywhere, even though the water table is hundreds to a thousand feet deep most places. In Harris county (where Houston is) 1 out of 11 measurement wells is cutting it close (17 feet) the rest are over 90 feet deep. https://waterdatafortexas.org/groundwater https://waterdatafortexas.org/groundwater

alricb 3y ago
Texas has expansive clay in much of the state. This type of clay makes basements impractical.
- stonemetal12 3y ago
  I figure that is the answer in general. Most places have ground conditions of some variety that add cost and have special engineering considerations specific to the region. A second floor above ground is cheaper, easier, and the same everywhere.

samtho 3y ago

This is very true and something I didn’t mention (I don’t live in an area where this is a problem). If it’s just a little bit of water and a sump pump can be used or you are able to install a water-resistant concrete sealant, a basement is possible, just cost prohibitive for your average house.