Why are there no basements in Arizona?

Because the ground doesn't freeze in Phoenix, you only have to dig 18 inches below the surface to pour concrete footing for a house. If you want a basement, you'll have to go out of your way to dig deeper. That's complicated by a common soil phenomena in the state called caliche.

Do homes in Phoenix Arizona have basements?

And let's face it: Pretty much no one in Phoenix has a basement. I do, but mine's the type that's referred to as "unfinished," which means that it has 61/2-foot ceilings and is open to the crawlspace under my house, which was built in the 1920s by a transplanted Midwesterner for whom a basement was de rigueur.

How much does it cost to build a basement in Arizona?

That may be a sizable number considering the cost: about $80,000 to $100,000 on top of the sticker price for a typically sized basement, which come fully finished and with windows.

Do most houses in Arizona have basements?

Most homes in Arizona are built without basements. Though they are not impossible to add onto Arizona homes, they are relatively cost prohibitive. This is partly due to the presence of caliche in Southwestern soil and the ground not freezing as deep as it does in the North and Midwest.

Are basements cooler in Arizona?

Basements tend to be the coolest area of the house, and in Arizona you can't put a price on a cool spot in the summer months! As everyone knows, heat rises, so by eliminating the second story and opting for a basement instead, ones electricity bill would be substantially lower.

Why are there so few basement homes in Arizona?

Can you live off grid in Arizona?

Off-grid living is technically legal in Arizona. State laws even encourage some off-grid systems. However, off grid living is highly regulated. You will need a permit for almost everything you want to install or build on your property.

Which states don't have basements?

Are Basements Common In California? No, basements are not common in the state of California. This not only has to do with warmer temperatures, but it was cheaper to build homes on a basic foundation rather than over a basement. However, this has been changing through the years.

Why doesn't az do Daylight Savings?

Arizona was granted an exception to Daylight Saving Time in the late 1900s due to the extreme heat our state experiences. If the Grand Canyon State were to "spring forward," the sun wouldn't set until 9 p.m. during the summer. This would impede nighttime activities as well as push back bedtime for children.

Why are there no basements in the desert?

Even in drier climates, the clay composition in the soil can make basements impractical or even dangerous. While this kind of soil doesn't have enough water in it to cause flooding, mold, or rot, it can play havoc with the basement walls.

Can you have a basement in Las Vegas?

Otherwise, according to the City of Las Vegas Building & Safety Department, there are no impediments in the form of planning codes or building regulations that prohibit basements, but they did offer a couple other explanations as to why they're unusual in Las Vegas.

Why dont houses in Phoenix have basements?

Because the ground doesn't freeze in Phoenix, you only have to dig 18 inches below the surface to pour concrete footing for a house. If you want a basement, you'll have to go out of your way to dig deeper. That's complicated by a common soil phenomena in the state called caliche.

Why is Arizona time zone different?

Arizona used DST, along with the rest of the US, during World War I in an effort to conserve fuel for the war. Also known as War Time, DST was used in Arizona from March 31 to October 27, 1918. At that time Arizona had 2 time zones.

Do Texas homes have basements?

In fact, almost all the big Texas buildings the Texanist can think of, both historic and new, have basements. But you are absolutely right that few houses in Texas are similarly equipped.

How are houses built in Arizona?

Most Arizona homes are built on a slab

Builders install strong steel cables before pouring concrete, and then apply tension after the concrete has set. The goal is to prevent the cracks that can be caused by soil changes. However, not all homes have these reinforced foundations and, even then, damage can still happen.

Why are there no basements in Texas?

According to Texas Monthly: In some parts of the state, the water table is too near the surface of the ground, making leaking and flooding an issue. Sometimes the bedrock is too close to the surface, making digging more difficult and costly. “Expansive” soils can make a basement unworkable.

Do houses in Colorado have basements?

Well, here in Denver, roughly 60 percent of all homes, including condos, have some sort of basement, according to data from the Denver Assessor's Office. Side note: There actually is a difference between basements and garden level units, at least in terms of home assessments.

Is it illegal to have a basement in California?

Basements themselves are not illegal in California.

If the basement was built without permits and approval (or even finished without a permit), you might find that yourself with an illegal basement.

Why are basements rare in California?

“It's easier to build without a basement if you were doing assembly-line construction.” In addition, fear of earthquakes was often cited as a reason for the dearth of basements in the Golden State.

Are basements safe in an earthquake?

While a powerful earthquake could be catastrophic, it's important to note that it's falling debris, and not the ground's movement, that causes most injuries and deaths. Basements are safe during an earthquake, but you shouldn't try to get there once the shaking starts.

What are the 7 C's of Arizona?

Both works are part of an art exhibition at Phoenix Sky Harbor titled “The 7cs of Arizona,” which includes a variety of media paying tribute to the original “five C's,” of Arizona, copper, cattle, cotton, citrus and climate, as well as cactus and canyons.

What makes Arizona so hot?

Arizona's Location Contributes to How Hot It Gets

And the valley that Phoenix sits in is surrounded by mountains, which leads to an updraft of heat, rain, and clouds that can't make it inside of the valley. This causes higher air pressure to build up, and this also keeps the clouds away.

What three U.S. states do not observe Daylight Saving Time?

All states but Hawaii and Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) observe DST. The territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands also do not observe DST.

Why are there no brick houses in California?

There are several reasons why brick isn't predominant: The climate: California's weather is pretty temperate-we don't get subzero temperatures like back East or in the Midwest, so we don't need the extra insulation. On top of that, in parts of California, it can get very hot, and brick holds heat in.

What is a Texas basement?

A Texas Basement is floored attic space that is typically accessible via a hallway or closet on the second floor. In some homes, the Texas Basement is accessible via a separate stairways in the garage and the floored attic space is the space above the garage.

Why are basements necessary?

Building foundations need to be below the frost line in order to avoid freezing pipes. The frost line in northern states tends to be several feet below ground, so basements are a helpful addition. In the South, the frost line is closer to the surface, so building deeper isn't necessary.