why do so many american homes have basements.in australia we have a shed in the back yard for tools, mower etc
why is it cheaper to dig a bloody great hole and concrete and waterproof it than to build another room or two.
ok. what is a root cellar.
Above two answers are right along with the basements were where the coal was delivered and stored. The giant furnace that used the coal was there as well. Once the coal went away, people were used to having basements as extra living or storage space, laundry location, etc.
Having a basement is great for plumbing.......water line comes in through the wall at whatever depth is necessary to prevent freezing.......and then can be piped around and run up between walls. Same thing with furnace and air conditioning vents.
It is less expensive to build up on a small "foot print" than to build a spreading home requiring far larger foundation .
Basements are not for wet soil areas, water seeps through the walls. Even then there are ways to capture the water that seeps in and direct it out through the waste lines.
