Frack, Shoot, and the equivalent words you aren't supposed to say.

[seawasp]

 
This morning I go downstairs to discover my basement is flooded. Again. Sump pump AND backup have given up the ghost. I knew they were getting old, and one of my planned expenses when the tax refund came in was to get new ones.

So they had to die NOW.

Comments

[scott-sanford.livejournal.com]

Sometimes they're used for storage, effectively being underground attics. Many houses have furnaces and/or water heaters down there, as floor space on the main floor is more valuable, and for the same reason laundry rooms are often found down there. Past that it varies considerably, depending on the house and the occupants, but masements generally get things that overflow from the main living areas: model train layouts, books that don't fit on upstairs shelves, wine cellars (basements, being semi-buried, tend to have more stable temperatures), a rec room for teenagers, etc.

As an example, my house's basement includes a garage, storage space, a laundry area, a tool shop, and our furnace & water heater. Does that enlighten you?

[claidheamhmor]

It does indeed. I'm a little envious; we just don't have that sort of space here.