Basement pros and cons

[Chris19]

I would prefer basements from a roominess and storage standpoint. They are helpful in the event of tornadoes. There are some areas in southeastern South Dakota that are not well-suited for full basements due to the areas either being low-lying or flat with minimal slope.

In the northern part of Lincoln Country in and around Sioux Falls, many of the homes are split foyer/spit level houses due to a high water table in the area. The area is relatively flat with wetlands scattered around. Around Tea, Harrisburg, Lennox, Worthing, and areas in southwestern Sioux Falls (South of 41st St. and west of Western Ave.) split foyers are common. The houses with full basements often have water issues during wet periods such as this spring. Ones that may have less problems are on higher spots or have truckloads of dirt hauled in to elevate the house. My parents built a house back in the rainy/super wet year of 1993 and the house was a spit foyer. They knew that having a ranch-style house in northern Lincoln County is not a wise idea. Half basements are nice for extra room and the inner areas (without windows) are good hiding spots during tornado warnings.

A sump pump at the very least is a must in Eastern South Dakota, especially in the Sioux Falls area along with areas down by Vermillion, Yankton, and points nearby.

Many areas in the northern and eastern parts of Sioux Falls that have hills are better suited for houses with basements and basements with walkouts. The water drains better in these areas.

With Rapid and those areas, I am not as familiar and there are others in the South Dakota forum who would be great resources.

[yamahastar]

In Florida people have trouble digging pools. Sometimes they will float out of the ground unless you get water in them really quickly. Here in NE Fl we are the highest land and very sandy. Thanks for the input.

[debey]

In 1996 we lifted a house and dug a new basement under it...previously the "basement" was a dirt hole with rock walls, and most of the foundation of the house was rock, also....we did the styrofoam ''lite form'' walls, and it was quite new then. We have 3 ''tile runs'' to the sump pump pit. also have walk out door, and fire escape windows in the bedrooms. 2nd bathroom down there & laundry area, also.
with the styrofoam and concrete, out basement walls are 12'' thick. the basement maintains 60 degree temp, year round, without heat or ac....we do heat in winter, but close vents for ac in summer.....(unless the humidity is really high)
at the time we did this phase of construction, our kids were just entering 5 & 6th grade. the basement took lots of ''teenage'' abuse, and now is a wonderful play area for the g~son, as well as a craft area for me, and soon to be puter/office area for me.

[ElkHunter]

If you hide out in the basement with your computer, will that make you a troll Debey?

In South Dakota, whether it be Rapid City or wherever, I wouldn't build unless I built with a basement. With todays technology with sumps and such, you can keep everything dry.

Most of the houses that were built in my area of town when I was a kid, had basements. No sump, no drain, nothing. Today, those houses would be 45-50 years old. So kind of the standard house. Back then, 1960's. A lot of those basements flooded and I imagine, still do. Also, most of Rapid City had no water drain other then run-off. No storm sewers. Take the Robinsdale area. Not a storm sewer anywhere. Streets like Rena Place flooded every year. The street itself is lower then the creek that's 200 ft away. A lot of PP planning when that area was built up.

Mead street, if anybody is familiar with it, was built with the center being low and steep lanes goiing up to the curb. The street was specifically designed to be a water run off. I don't remember that street ever being dry down the middle.

So if you stay out of those areas and put a little thought into a lot with good water shed. then put in a sump or two. You'll be fine with a basement.

[marmac]

I like a basement in the colder climate areas.

Your water lines come into the basement and thus the problem of frozen water pipes are eliminated.

[debey]

Originally Posted by marmac

I like a basement in the colder climate areas.

Your water lines come into the basement and thus the problem of frozen water pipes are eliminated.

also area's for
water heater, furnace, electrical boxes.....our house has ''pex'' waterlines..

[DannyBanany]

Not to mention, a good place to hide all your crap so your main floor is pristine!

[Chris19]

Basements are nice and cool in the summertime. I lived in a newer duplex apartment with living in the lower half. It was nice and cool in the summer and fall. The utility bills were a bit cheaper year-round than the other half. Only complaint was the walking noise from the parties upstairs. hahahaha.

I enjoyed having a bedroom in the lower level when growing up for the same reason listed above and the cooler conditions were great for sleeping. The rooms were a little more spacious than the bedrooms in the upper level, with the expection for my parents'.

It would be strange for me to buy a house without a basement or lower level, but that is due to what I am accustomed to.