Basement

**Purpose and Types of Basements:**
– Basements serve similar purposes to above-ground floors in buildings.
– Factors influencing basement usage include climate, soil conditions, seismic activity, and real estate economics.
– Types of basements include Old Town medieval basements, English basements with above-ground windows, walk-out basements allowing outdoor access, subbasements below the basement, and finished fully underground cellars used for storage like wine cellars.

**Design and Construction Considerations:**
– Basement walls form the foundation of houses.
– Basements are necessary in colder climates below the frost line.
– Excavation methods such as backhoes are used in basement construction.
– Waterproofing methods like water stops, gravel, and French drains are used to prevent water seepage.
– Structural challenges may lead to the choice of crawl spaces over full basements in some designs.

**Ventilation, Insulation, and Heating:**
– Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent moisture issues.
– Vapour barriers help insulate crawl spaces.
– Heating ducts run in the ceiling of the basement.
– Basements may require dehumidifiers in summer due to higher humidity levels.
– Basements are heated to prevent freezing of water supply pipes.

**Waterproofing and Drainage:**
– Common waterproofing systems include tanking and cavity drainage.
– Exterior foundation drains are effective for waterproofing basements.
– Proper grading and drainage are essential to keep basements dry.
– Basement floor drains must be regularly filled to prevent sewer gas.
– Backwater valves in basement drains are recommended in flood-prone areas.

**Basement Usage and Finishings:**
– Basements are commonly used for storage and can provide additional living space.
– Finished basements are habitable spaces designed during or after construction.
– Unfinished basements may contain utilities, workbenches, and laundry sets.
– Partially finished basements cater to various family needs and activities.
– Basements can significantly increase the total floor space of a house, impacting real estate floorspace measures.