Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am curious.. why are there no basements here? Is it because the land is hard? Sand? One would think that with the weather we get here that there would be more homes with basements.
I am curious.. why are there no basements here? Is it because the land is hard? Sand? One would think that with the weather we get here that there would be more homes with basements.
I am clueless about this ... just wondering.
I have seen some real estate ads that stated the home had a "basement". I actually went and saw a very old, small house in downtown Clovis that had a basement the size of a small room that served as a storm shelter.
So, I guess the hard soil isn't really that big a factor. If you really want a basement in Clovis (it would be a good idea considering the tornado warnings/watches we get), you'd have to have a home custom built to your specs.
I read about "safe rooms" a while back. I think you can retrofit a small area inside your house to create a safe room. It might be a suitable, and financially feasible alternative. I googled the term and found this Storm Shelters Tornado Shelters Safe Rooms. Might be worth looking into if that's what you're considering.
My parents' home in Portales has a basement, but, the people that lived there before they bought the house had it custom-built.. Some homes have storm shelters or dug-out shelters. But those become more prominent across the border in Texas.
I'm wondering about basements in NM in general, since they are rare... and if I ever build a house I think I'd like one. Most places you don't even have to worry about ground water, so it seems like a good idea. Is there a reason why they aren't commonly done?
Note: Suggest changing the title to something like "basements in NM" ... might get more responses.
I'm wondering about basements in NM in general, since they are rare... and if I ever build a house I think I'd like one. Most places you don't even have to worry about ground water, so it seems like a good idea. Is there a reason why they aren't commonly done?
Note: Suggest changing the title to something like "basements in NM" ... might get more responses.
I'm wondering about basements in NM in general, since they are rare... and if I ever build a house I think I'd like one. Most places you don't even have to worry about ground water, so it seems like a good idea. Is there a reason why they aren't commonly done?
Note: Suggest changing the title to something like "basements in NM" ... might get more responses.
Your title is way better than the one I whipped up.
Maybe its just an area thing. I know back east a home without a basement is odd.
Basements are common in areas with severe winters. No reason for a basement if the footings are at ground level or close to it.
That appears to be the best answer, If you have to dig 48 inch footer around the house to get below the frost line, you might as well dig out the remaining area and have a basement/cellar.
Rich
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
