Basements

Basements are one or more floors of a building, usually completely below the ground floor. Slab homes do not have basements. Basements usually house utility equipment like furnaces, water heaters, HVAC systems, etc. Most electrical boxes and cable tv routers are placed in the basement as well. Basement walls usually form the foundation for most houses. In some warmer climates basements are not necessary. Foundations must be below the frostline in colder parts of the country. Some housing designs just leave a crawlspace. Other designs plan for a full height basement. Full height basements allow for extra living space. Excavation costs can be expensive, so adding height to a basement may not be an option for some buyers.

Concrete floors usually are not considered as structural support for buildings. Posts and beams supporting the first floor usually are supported by footers underneath the basement floor. Gravel and crushed stone are a common choice to place beneath the basement floor, to allow drainage. The basement floor is usually sloped towards a drain pipe in case leak occur. Basements are usually the coolest place in the home during summers. The warm air rises leaving the basement floor cool. As a result, basements are usually damp due to humidity. Dehumidifiers are often placed in basements to prevent mold damage.