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Need your opinion/experience on Basement,

(51407)
Saturday, February 7, 2009 07:12 PM 

Friends,

I am contemplating building a partial basement (600 sq feet) in my new house in Islamabad. For the brothers who have done this already, can you advise if it is worth the hassle and extra money or not and why? I can use the extra space but it will not be detrimental if I don't have it.

I am leaning towards skipping basement construction due to extra cost, water issues, and earth quake reasons, unless you all think it is worth the extra effort.

Please note I am especially interested to hear from friends who have been through basement construction already, but all suggestions are much appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Wondering replied on Saturday, February 7, 2009 07:52 PM 

I have pretty much the same issue. Any good contributions will be highly appreciated.

Azad replied on Saturday, February 7, 2009 08:50 PM 

I haven't got any first hand experience of basements. However I have heard of people building one and using it as a swimming pool, a gym, or a games room or even a childrens play area. If you don't need any of the above then perhaps it is not worth building a basement.

Contribution replied on Saturday, February 7, 2009 10:20 PM 

Hello fellows,
One does not need to build basement under his all ground floor.
It can be smaller equivalent to one room and one facilty for toilet.
If you can afford it than you shall go for it.
Idea of basment is to have a safe cover from natural catastroph and war situation.
When built must be kept clear and some dry food must be stored.
I hope, my advise was of some help.
And good luck with your house construction.

Contribution replied on Saturday, February 7, 2009 10:26 PM 

Hello again,
I forgot to mention when you built basement than don't forget to use special reinforced iron door.
I'm not sure if those are available in Pakistan or not!
the other purpose of basement is to install your heating equipment, laundry etc.
I'm an Engineer though electrical. ;)

Khan replied on Sunday, February 8, 2009 03:54 AM 

Dear Khayyam,
I have newly built house and have two room basement in my house.I have very good experience of basement.It is very usefull for storage facilities,Kids playing area and many more.Also you can add one more bed room on the ground floor by having a basement.

Shoaib Mukhtar replied on Sunday, February 8, 2009 10:53 AM 

but living in Basement is not good for health. just use it as storage purpose.

atiq raja. replied on Sunday, February 8, 2009 04:58 PM 

it is strange that no body have knowlede,very easy cda allows 5 feet high basement against one kanal plot,it mean the basement underground only 5 feet,only down porch portion,construct 5ft contreet wall and must take care that water should not stand near to concteet wall.

imran replied on Sunday, February 8, 2009 05:05 PM 

It is up to your requirment that you want the basement or not then it is your pocket if you have enough money then go ahead

Mohammad Yousaf replied on Sunday, February 8, 2009 07:32 PM 

It all depends upon one’s living style but one thing commonly good for all is that you have at least the following luxuries when you have the basement:
1: You can have kids parties, birth days etc or week end gatherings and can keep the rest of the house, nice and tidy.
2: It will save you on utilities, by utilizing it as family’s sitting area, costs as it is comfortable both in summer and in winter and less consumer of power.
3: For religious gathering, it is also good, such as ladies Quran Khuwanis and other ladies their kid’s related issues as cleaning of the whole house, after a social gathering could be a real pain.
4: You can have servant quarters in basements, rather than having them stayed in the commonly made and used portions in “Mumty” and getting them roasted in heat at the top of your house.
5: Last but not the least: A nice study/prayer room in a basement is a luxury, you can only experience when you actually have it!

Khayyam replied on Sunday, February 8, 2009 10:10 PM 

Thank you all for your feedback! You made my decision much easier. Basement appears to have more advantages than disadvantages.

Zaman from Canada replied on Monday, February 9, 2009 12:07 AM 

Its good idea to have a basement, but do not make washroom in the basement, because severage system is very bad in Pakistan, In Canada all house have basement.

Basement Construction replied on Monday, February 9, 2009 01:38 AM 

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arsu replied on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 06:21 AM 

It is good to see useful suggestions given by fellows. Khayyam, I personally take basement in a house as a living place and not merely a dumping store. Hence I won’t mind constructing a basement with intent to live, if I have to.
Few important factors that should be considered during a basement construction.
1. Proper location – Choose those two sides of the plot which have mandatory free space around to place your basement. Never mind keeping finished grade level of your house a couple of inches higher than usual. And floor slab above basement (basement roof) to be load bearing type.
2. Water proofing – This is the area that requires special attention during construction. Outer walls should be of concrete (min 8”). Applying bitumen primer and a final protection of bituminous rigid membrane (2”to 4” min) can help you overcome the normally encountered dampness problem.
3. Toilet & Bath – Normally toilets or baths are avoided in the basement due to sewage disposal complications. It is advisable to have a toilet and a couple of floor drains in the basement. Drainage of the bath can be diverted towards a sump pit out side through gravity flow. From where it can be forced to the manhole through a submersible pump (does’nt cost much). Remember this sump pit should not be exposed to rain water.
4. Ventilation – It is very important to have proper ventilation in the basement as at times you feel suffocation in there. Installation of rightly sized exhaust fan or a window to be considered. It will also help improve the indoor air quality (IAQ). Further considering the climatic conditions of Islamabad and the fact that the temperature of the basements remain lower than other areas by few degrees (3 to 5 deg C), I think requirement for a split a/c should not be that desperate.
5. Humidity – Humidity levels in the basements usually stay higher than other areas and a proper arrangement for de humidification can be helpful.
Hope it helps.
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