Why do houses in Midwest have basements?

However, basements are considered standard on all but the smallest new buildings in many places with temperate continental climates such as the American Midwest and the Canadian Prairies where a concrete foundation below the frost line is needed in any case, to prevent a building from shifting during the freeze-thaw …

Why don’t people in Oklahoma have basements?

Along with the moist soil, Oklahoma also has a very high water table. This makes basements even more prone to water leaks and flooding. Since gravel is a great water absorber, most people choose to build their homes on slab foundations. For residents of Oklahoma, a basement is not required.

Do houses in OKC have basements?

Basements aren’t common in Oklahoma. And the reason why is because basements aren’t common in Oklahoma.

What states have basements?

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….The seven states of this region are:

• Iowa.
• Kansas.
• Minnesota.
• Missouri.
• Nebraska.
• North Dakota.
• South Dakota.

Is living in basement unhealthy?

Some health risks to people who live in basements have been noted, for example mold, radon, and risk of injury/death due to fire. Presence of mold can lead to “respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma”, as well as personal belongings being contaminated by mold.

Does Kansas or Oklahoma have more homes with basements?

To put it another way, if you buy a brand-new home in Kansas, you are 800 times more likely to have a basement than if you buy a brand-new home in Oklahoma.

Do homes have basements in the southern states?

Homeowners in most of the country are surprised when they come to southern states and learn many homes don’t have basements. And considering the immense percentage of homes with basements that are finished, this tends to illicit plenty of questions. Basements were originally designed as a storage space for water, wine and food.

What percentage of new build homes have basements?

In a stark division, the states of the East North Central subdivision – many of which lie just across the Mississippi from the West North Central, have a 20\% figure for new-build basements . If you live in the following states, you have half the chance of having a basement in a newly-built home than if you live on the other side of the Mississippi:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of basements?

The advantages of basements are fairly clear – they represent additional space in a house that can be converted into usable space. Failing that, they are useful areas to use either as storage or as a home for appliances, away from the main body of the house.