What is called the basement of a building?
A basement or cellar is one or more floors of a building that are completely or partly below the ground floor. The word cellar applies to the whole underground level or to any large underground room. A subcellar is a cellar that lies further underneath.
Why are there no basements in Australia?
Unlike our American or European counterparts, Australians have never fully embraced basements. Pindan Homes Construction Manager Adrian Schneeberger said the main reason Australians had never built basements was they put a big hole in the budget.
Is a basement or slab better?
If constructed properly, a slab foundation has fewer problems with moisture and humidity than a crawlspace or basement foundation. So if you live in a warm, humid climate, a slab is something you should definitely consider.
Why is a basement called a basement?
basement (n.) “lowest story of a building, wholly or partly underground,” 1730, from base (v.) + -ment.
What is a Texas basement?
A Texas Basement is floored attic space that is typically accessible via a hallway or closet on the second floor. In some homes, the Texas Basement is accessible via a separate stairways in the garage and the floored attic space is the space above the garage.
Why do houses in Canada have basements?
The reason we have basements at all is because years ago people needed to have frost-free spaces before the days that heating systems kept homes above freezing all the time.
Why is basement bad?
Basements are damp, which is precisely the environment in which mold thrives. Any kind of mold, not just the deadly black stachybotrys variety, can lead to respiratory problems. Those with allergies can suffer broader, more intense respiratory effects, including difficulty breathing and chest tightness.
Why are there no basements in the South?
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.
Is the basement a part of the House?
Basements are part of a home, within the building boundary—despite repeated attempts over the years to disconnect them from the living space. Because of this, basements should be designed and constructed to be dry and conditioned.
Are there basements that are easy to build?
Cellars were easy to construct – rubble, stone, bricks and sometimes block. If they got wet or were damp so what? Basements are different. They are not easy to construct if we intend to live in them. They need to be dry, comfortable and keep contaminants out. Basements are viewed by many as cheap space that can easily be incorporated into a home.
Is it safe to install mechanical systems in a unconditioned basement?
Mechanical systems must not be installed outside of a home in unconditioned space unless there is no practical alternative. A dry basement or crawlspace is less likely to have pests and termites. If a basement is being used for storage or as living space, it needs to be kept dry to avoid mold and dust mites.
What kind of insulation should be used in a basement?
Basement walls should be insulated with non-water sensitive insulation that prevents interior air from contacting cold basement surfaces – the concrete structural elements and the rim joist framing. The best insulations to use are foam based and should allow the foundation wall assembly to dry inwards.
