BUYING A CAVE . . . CAVE QUESTIONS

On this page we will try to answer some of the more unusual questions about caves, we have also thrown in some of the most commonly asked questions about living.

Q: Are caves safe?

A: Yes but they do need looking after, a cave is part of the natural earth being dug out of the mountain or hill. They have no foundations as the rock around them incorporates one big foundation unlike a house that sits on a slab. Cave rooms in the main have arched ceilings to keep strength in the roof - (a car can drive over a hump backed bridge and the strength is in the arch) Old caves can suffer from water damage or leaks but this is due to decades of neglect. A modern day cave is, well . . . as safe as houses!

Q: I have heard that caves move, is this true?

A: Yes. Caves are like a living thing, again part of the natural earth that surrounds them. The plates of the earth move every day and the caves move with them. Movement is miniscule but hairline cracks do appear which require regular attention. A conventional house "floats" on its foundations, a cave has no such thing so will move with the earth when mother seems fit to do so. This movement is in no way dangerous or hazardous in any way, in fact it is a natural process, Spanish caves cant be blown down in strong winds, be flattened by tremors or be flooded to name just a few. Yes they do move but are perfectly safe places to live. The Spanish have for over 300 years.

Q: Can caves have hidden rooms?

A: Yes, in some cases hidden rooms have been found. This normally happens in villages but can occasionally happen in rural caves too. The reason is due to a large family downsizing after the younger generation have fled the nest and moved to the larger towns and cities to find work or study, the family is left with some rooms surplus to requirements so up goes a wall (usually stone) and what lies behind could have been there for decades. In some cases several rooms have been discovered, if you are lucky enough to find additional rooms it will pay to get another survey done to update your escritura (title deeds) so the records are accurate and up to date. One tell tale sign is to knock on any wall which seems unusually flat particularly in older caves, if it sounds hollow then you could find something the size of a shower cubicle or several rooms. Good luck!

Q: Is the temperature inside a cave constant?

A: No, despite what you may read the temperature is not constant although it would be fair to say that 18°C or 19°C could be the average. Caves have fantastic insulating qualities and it is very true that they are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In summer your cave will need no air conditioning but in the winter it will need some form of heat. Holiday homes can be particularly cold if left unoccupied for any length of time, however once you are in and have the fire blazing the thick absorbent walls will retain the heat.

So how can 19°C be cool? Simple! When the temperature outside is 40°C plus then it feels very comfortable indeed. The opposite end of the scale applies the same principle minus 12°C outside . . . There is no doubt that heating is required during the winter months.

Q: What about light?

A: Natural light comes from the windows in a cave which are generally at the front of the property; cave doors can also add natural light with stable design or hatch. This light comes from the front, however caves with a more level roof which may only be three or four meters thick have the option of sky lights. This involves carving a hole through the ceiling and installing a conventional sky light or toughened glass window (more expensive mirrored light directors are available). The distinct advantage of this is that it allows light to the part of the cave which is generally darker - the rear. Many caves depending on the layout have adequate light reaching the rear most rooms - this is due to design with one room leading off another directly back with the window lined up with each room's doorway. With electricity installed light is never a problem but we have to ask ourselves how much time do we spend outside on the patio or in the kitchen or living room? These are all rooms at the front with plenty of light.

Q: Can I dig more rooms?

A: Yes but be very careful, these jobs are really for the experts, particularly if you have neighbours - careful measurements are required or you may well end up in next door's bedroom! A work permit will make the digging legal but the paperwork in this case is the easy part. Depending on the density of the cave rock which differs from area to area the loose rock may well triple in volume once it loses its compact form. With a good SDS hammer drill the picking and extending is quite rapid - getting rid of the loose cave rock is what takes the time. If you're rural then tip it over the mountain side, if you're in a village you have to pay the bobcat man and the guy with a skip to take it away for you. Lots to consider but it can be done. Take the advice of a builder before going ahead with any major room dig. Walk in wardrobes can be carved easily as can shelves etc and they look better too in a rustic cave, for a large dig (again with builders advice) get some old but strong rustic beams and cement these into the ceiling, varnished and against the white paint of the room they look very much in place.

Q: Why does my fire smoke?

A: More common with open fires this problem is caused by an insufficient "draw" up the chimney, it can also be caused by wind blowing the smoke back down - this will depend on the location of the chimney and which way the wind is blowing. The problem is simple enough to fix by building or buying a proper chimney top. Not just a cave problem and older chimney stacks tend to suffer more. Most modern renovated caves will come with a high chimney to catch the draw of the wind and a stove usually eradicates the problem.

Q: My cave had / has a feeding trough, for what kind of animal?

A: Not all caves were used as animal housing but most caves will have had animals residing in them at some point in years gone by. Small dug out rooms with a feeding trough lower to the ground would have been used for a pig. Larger feeding troughs would have been for cattle and horses and in some cases sheep or goats. Caves can have a cylindrical tube carved all the way through the roof; it is believed that this was used to drop hay and straw through for the animal's food and bedding.

Have you got a question? Email: info@livinginacave.com