What Makes The ‘Michigan Basement’ So Unique?
I grew up in a rural area where a majority of the homes were over a hundred years old. Many of the homes I spent time at with my friends either didn't have a basement or if it did were cold holes in the ground. Which made for a great place to hide and play (
I'd heard the term "Michigan basement' plenty of times while I was down there, but I didn't know that was a specific kind of basement. It wasn't until recently I learned that there was a difference between a basement and a Michigan basement. So what exactly is it and why do people seem to dislike them?
What Is A Michigan Basement?
In typical Michigan fashion, the State of Michigan has an exact definition for what a Michigan Basement is in its official state building glossary. Per Michigan.gov:
A former crawl space which has been dug out, generally to a depth of 5 to 7 feet to allow a basement. The excavation begins approximately 2 feet in from the inside of the existing foundation walls in order to preserve the soundness of the existing foundation walls and footings.
Basically: if your basement is rocky and does not have proper siding, it's most likely a Michigan Basement. These types of basements include "Michigan" in their name because of the prevalence of these types of basements in Michigan.
If you've been in one before, you know there are a few characteristics that make a basement a Michigan basement.
- Moisture Issues
- Due to a lack of proper insulation considering these are holes in the ground, many basements have issues with consistent dampness and water leaks. My grandparent's basement floor was discolored in the corners from where the water would puddle when it rains.
- The Ledge
- Not all of them have this, but a decent chunk of basements have a ledge used for storage. This ledge, whether rounded or flat, indicates where the old crawl space used to be and the basement was built out from.
- The Smell
- Iykyk.
These basements have plenty of structural issues and are generally just a pain in the butt. However, they make a great location for a house show. The vibes are exquisite.
This Michigan Home Looks Straight Out Of A Horror Movie
Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill
Michigan Home Comes With A Giant Koi Pond In The Basement
Gallery Credit: Big Joe Pesh / Zillow Gone Wild Via Facebook