Questions about home construction in the Mid-West (Sioux Falls, Canton: new house, to buy)

[fatman66]

I'm going to trouble all you helpful South Dakotans again with another set of questions...

I've been looking into homes and trying to come up with a list of desirable features as well as make or break features. In doing this I've come across some things that are unfamiliar/ different from what I'm used to here in Western NY.

First, it seems as if "Hardboard" is a common siding material. The Wikipedia entry says it's like tougher particle board w/o the chemicals. I usually look for vinyl (or possible aluminum) siding, can anyone comment on how hardboard compares? My current house has some crappy composite tile that has so asbestos in it, this makes it fun to drill or cut when you need too. The stuff is brittle as heck too and cracks easily so I'm wary of siding I'm unfamiliar with.

My second question has to do with a one car garage vs. a two car garage. My current house has one car and I just park in the driveway. It gets plenty cold here (w wind-chill down to -15/ -20 on occasion which I'm well aware is not as cold as I can expect in SF) and it snows A LOT, so I'm used to clearing a car off in the cold from under a lot of snow. How important is having your car in the garage, I notice that many are heated and I assume that makes starting your vehicle in the morning much easier. How important should making sure my truck can get in the garage be?

Third, I notice that only a few house list sump pumps. In the area I live in I don't recall seeing many houses without them (and I'd replaced mine since my basement would be in trouble if I didn't) but I know that friends in other areas of the country don't have them. Is having a sump pump a common feature in SD or is the presence of a sump pump evidence that the house in question might be in a wetter area than those that don’t list it?

Thanks in advance, I feel bad being such a bother, but not so much that I won’t ask more questions as they come to me…

[BusySocialWorker]

Good luck with you house hunting

Hardboard is a composite type siding - very low maintanance - I think it looks much better then a vinyl myself - it is my preference on a house!

Garages - It is nice to have your cars in but sounds like you are use to the weather and snow - I personally like it when it storms (hail) etc - I believe the reason they are heated in some cases is because they are used as a workshop type space or "man cave" area, not so much so the cars will start. I guess it's your own choice - for me it is a biggie, but I have plenty of room for storage other then my garage!

Sump pumps - depends on the location - our house does not have one and I am pretty sure would never need one - other homes do have them - you can install one if you feel the need if the house you buy does not have one.

[windtimber]

1. Hardboard is a generic term for Masonite siding. It can be lap siding, 4x8 sheets, or some other configuration but it's still a wood composition product. It needs to be painted from time to time. Buy a good brand name - Masonite is the old reliable - and you're probably OK. Vinyl siding is everywhere in new construction and renovations. I don't like it at all - but that's a personal opinion. It looks like vinyl, melts, sometimes fades, and if the wind gets under it a whole mess tears off. I prefer cedar lap siding or cement board lap siding. The former is "natural" the latter is a manufactured product which is heavy, tough, and durable. Both need painting and regular care.

2. 1 car vs. 2 car garage. It's nice not to have to scrape windows and brush off snow in the winter. But you're used to that so it's not an issue. As noted above hail is a whole other question. You don't need a heated garage unless you're planning on using it for a workshop in the winter. Mine is insulated but not heated. The residual warmth from the engine usually melts all the snow from the vehicle unless it's really, really cold. Another point of personal opinion - get a big enough garage to park inside...it looks nicer than having your car sitting out all the time.

3. Sump pumps. Newer houses, say since the late '70s or early '80s probably have drain tile along the basement perimeter terminating in a sump hole. If there's ever water in the hole, you need a pump. I've always lived in old houses and have never had a tiled basement and, given I like to buy on higher ground, have only had one problem. A high water table that required me to smack a sump hole in one end of the basement. That did the trick during rainy years. So, you really never know!

[debey]

Our (original) home is pre1910. In "97 we had a crew come in & raise& block the house & dug a new basement. We have a "stryoform" wall system. Basement walls are 12" tick, and basement maintains 60-65 degrees,year round..... we have 3 tile lines, runnning to the sump pump hole. our pump has not even kicked on, for 2 yrs. (yes, I've checked it, it still works)
In 2005 & 2006 we built on, and used cement board, on the new addition. I do like the cement board. Our neighbors have vinyl siding, and it has "warped", in the summer heat/sun, and is only 4 yrs old.

[MJ1986]

Originally Posted by fatman66

I'm going to trouble all you helpful South Dakotans again with another set of questions...

I've been looking into homes and trying to come up with a list of desirable features as well as make or break features. In doing this I've come across some things that are unfamiliar/ different from what I'm used to here in Western NY.

First, it seems as if "Hardboard" is a common siding material. The Wikipedia entry says it's like tougher particle board w/o the chemicals. I usually look for vinyl (or possible aluminum) siding, can anyone comment on how hardboard compares? My current house has some crappy composite tile that has so asbestos in it, this makes it fun to drill or cut when you need too. The stuff is brittle as heck too and cracks easily so I'm wary of siding I'm unfamiliar with.

My second question has to do with a one car garage vs. a two car garage. My current house has one car and I just park in the driveway. It gets plenty cold here (w wind-chill down to -15/ -20 on occasion which I'm well aware is not as cold as I can expect in SF) and it snows A LOT, so I'm used to clearing a car off in the cold from under a lot of snow. How important is having your car in the garage, I notice that many are heated and I assume that makes starting your vehicle in the morning much easier. How important should making sure my truck can get in the garage be?

Third, I notice that only a few house list sump pumps. In the area I live in I don't recall seeing many houses without them (and I'd replaced mine since my basement would be in trouble if I didn't) but I know that friends in other areas of the country don't have them. Is having a sump pump a common feature in SD or is the presence of a sump pump evidence that the house in question might be in a wetter area than those that don’t list it?

Thanks in advance, I feel bad being such a bother, but not so much that I won’t ask more questions as they come to me…

Ask all the questions you want! We would more than willing to answer!
Sorry I can't help with your current question... I rent.

[prairierose]

Aluminium siding is prone to dents from balls that go astray, rocks flung by lawnmowers, ladders that go awry, and hail.

[Chris19]

I have a friend who lives not too far from Syrcause, NY and the winters there are definiely snowier than ours in South Dakota, but South Dakota gets more of the wind and stronger gusts. It can get cold in both places, maybe a little colder in South Dakota. Basically, it is pick your poison when it comes to colder weather.

As for garages, it depends on what you are looking for. Most houses built post mid-1950s have an attached garages. There are some houses in the 1950s and 1960s along older houses that have single garages, but the vast majority of houses built post 1960s have double garages and many houses built early 1990s to new houses have three stall garages.

I would definitely recommend a sump pump, especially if you are in a low area or area that has a high water table. If you buy a house in Lincoln County, especially south of Sioux Falls in Harrisburg, Tea, Lennox, etc., you definitely want a sump pump due to a higher water table there. The area is not super low but is relatively flat and has a heavier clay soil that does not absorb water as easily as other soils. The east side of Sioux Falls and NW area west of I-29 have rolling hills and are better from a drainage standpoint as opposed to SW Sioux Falls south of 41st St. and west of I-29 (for example). One who has a full basement will have water issues in flatter areas and this is probably why there are a lot of split level/split foyer houses in SW Sioux Falls and in the Lincoln County portion of Sioux Falls and areas to the south (Tea, Harrisburg, and Worthing-Lennox and Canton has some but has more older homes). If a basement is draintiled, that is even better and helps with reducing water problems in the basement.

The house that I will move into, which was built back in the 1950s has a sump pump in it and drain tiled basement. The basement would not flood easily but can be damp and one could finish the basement but would not want to put expensive carpet and would need to put mold/mildew resistant sheetrock. But it has a one stall garage and an attic that can be subdivided into two different rooms.

[Chris19]

I would rather go with hardboard siding as opposed to vinyl siding. The vinyl siding would show more blemishes if it warps or there is a bad hail storm. More so than hardboard.

[fatman66]

Originally Posted by windtimber

1. Hardboard is a generic term for Masonite siding. It can be lap siding, 4x8 sheets, or some other configuration but it's still a wood composition product. It needs to be painted from time to time. Buy a good brand name - Masonite is the old reliable - and you're probably OK.

OK Masonite I'm familiar with, just never heard it called hardboard.

[jmgg]

Every region has it's verbal lingo. In SD a soda is called a pop. One of our favorite appetizers is chislic which is totally unknown in any state that I've visited outside of our border states. Many people here call masonite, hardboard. I call masonite just what it is, masonite. The term hardboard does sound like it's encompassing several types of siding.

When you come to SD there are several local customs you will have to get used to.

In all small towns when you pull up to a store in the cold of winter, you usually leave your vehicle running so that you have a warm car to get into. In most other parts of the country to do this means you will be walking home.

Another important custom is "the wave". This is done when two vehicles are approaching each other on any rural road and needs to be done whether you know the other party or not. While driving with your hand on top of the steering wheel, you extend your index finger up high enough for the other party to see. A reputation of not accomplishing this task will not set well in your community.