Why Do Homes In Tennessee Have Basements?

In colder climates, northern states, or higher elevations, the deeper frost line requires a deeper foundation. Freezing soil can cause a home to shift or destabilize. That’s why basements are more common in colder climates because the deep foundation anchors the home below the frost line.

Are basements required in Tennessee?

Generally, homes in Tennessee do not have basements. This is due, in part, to the fact that most homes are built on crawl space foundations. Concrete slabs are also a common choice.

Why don’t they build basements in Tennessee?

The main reason that basements are not a thing in the South is the damp soil. States that have a lot of swamp land or wetland territory, as well as those with significant amounts of coastline, just have too much water in the ground to make most basements feasible.

What is the purpose of a basement in a house?

While basements today have been transformed into entertainment areas, they were originally created for storage purposes. People would store water, wine and even food down there. Because basements are usually built into the ground, the area is damp and humid (or at least it used to be.)

Why do Southern states not have 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.

What states have no basements?

Are Basements Common In California? No, basements are not common in the state of California. This not only has to do with warmer temperatures, but it was cheaper to build homes on a basic foundation rather than over a basement. However, this has been changing through the years.

How common are basements in Tennessee?

What Percent of Tennessee Homes Have Basements?

Where in Tennessee is the best place to live?

Here are the best places to live in Tennessee: Nashville. Knoxville. Chattanooga.

1. Nashville.
2. Knoxville. Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 41.
3. Chattanooga. Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 49.
4. Memphis. Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 143.

What is considered a finished basement in Tennessee?

In order for a basement to be considered finished, it must have a permanently installed heating and cooling unit with a continuous power source (such as an HVAC system, electricity, natural gas, a permanently installed propane tank, or heating oil).

What are winters like in Tennessee?

Except for in the mountainous east, Tennessee’s winters are pretty mild. Between December and February the daytime highs hover around 50°F, dropping off to around freezing at night. It doesn’t snow much except for in the Appalachians, and even then it’s often in the form of sleet and ice.

Why there are no basements in Texas?

According to Texas Monthly: In some parts of the state, the water table is too near the surface of the ground, making leaking and flooding an issue. Sometimes the bedrock is too close to the surface, making digging more difficult and costly. “Expansive” soils can make a basement unworkable.

Why is 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.

Is a basement or slab better?

When space is limited (with total footprint and height restrictions) a basement foundation may be the best option, but if space allows there is a strong case for avoiding basements altogether and choosing to build a slab-on-grade instead.

Are basements safe for tornadoes?

A basement is the safest place to take cover during a tornado. Here’s what you can do in advance so that your family is ready to shelter in place at a moment’s notice. Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air connecting a thunderstorm to the earth below, and they can occur at any time and anywhere.

Are basements illegal in Texas?

In still other areas, what’s known as “expansive” soils—clay and/or shale that shifts around in excessively wet and excessively dry conditions, which is to say normal conditions in Texas—make a basement unworkable.

Is it illegal to have a basement in Florida?

Although it is legal to build a basement in Florida, the terrain makes it difficult because you cannot dig the mandated minimum of 8 feet. Even if you manage to build a basement, there is a significant risk of a sinkhole forming due to the digging or from one of Florida’s frequent natural disasters.

Are basements safe during earthquakes?

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.

Do houses in Atlanta have basements?

Generally, Georgia homes do not have basements included. Georgia’s soil type, climate, and water table level are not conducive to a basement or makes a strong need for one.

Is it good to have a basement?

Basement Storage Space
With this extra space, you can create an organized storage area where all of your precious items are easily located and accessed. Additionally, it is also a perfect place to store backup food storage and other canned goods that can become cluttered if kept in your normal living space.

Why don’t they have basements in Kentucky?

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.

Do houses in Florida have basements?

While you may still find a home or two with basements in the central or northern areas of Florida, most Florida homes do not have a basement. If you should stumble across a home in the southern region of Florida with a basement, we strongly urge against purchasing this style home.