Base: functions and types of structures

Not everyone knows and, most importantly, they understand why a basement of a building is needed. From a technical point of view, the base is a structural element, which is located between the foundation and the frame of the building. He performs many tasks.

Special features

In technical terms, a plinth is that part of the foundation that is located above ground level. Its main purpose is to uniformly redistribute the load on the supports for the purpose of greater stability of the structure and long service life.

Cap solves a number of important tasks:

  • is the basis for the construction of the frame of the building;
  • in the presence of the basement performs the functions of the walls;
  • in the basement, special air vents are installed, which play the role of air vents, thanks to which the basement is well ventilated and does not rot under the influence of high humidity and low temperatures;
  • due to the height of the base protects the floor from the cold coming from the ground.

All this determines the special significance of the base for the strength and durability of the whole house, which is why its competent arrangement is very important.

If the surface of the base is not covered with finishing materials, then it is quickly contaminated, which can cause its rapid destruction and deterioration of the foundation and floors of the entire structure.

Facing material protects the foundation from damage by fungal microorganisms and mold, and also prevents the appearance of “colonies of insects” under the main part of the house.

It is very important to pay special attention to the weatherization of the basement, since the basements function as a large battery, sucking up all the heat from the building, and even a warm floor cannot prevent this. And besides, the warmed plinth is important for maintaining the strength of the structure, since during severe frosts, erosion processes in the foundation often begin.

The stylish basement can be a decoration of the building, an accent that will emphasize the design decision of the facade and the impeccable taste of the property owners.

Kinds

The basement plays a very important role in all buildings where there is a corresponding floor or a large basement room.

In terms of structure, socles are:

  • drooping;
  • speakers;
  • lined up with the exterior facade.

The fall-in option is the most popular because it requires less materials for its arrangement, and in addition, it does not flood with rain, and it is very profitable because it allows you to abandon the installation of drains. The sunken base is usually protected by a layer of effective waterproofing, so it tolerates rain and snow melt better, and it also lasts much longer.

Purely visually, the plinth plinth looks as if the upper part of the building protrudes above the bottom, this contributes to the fact that a double protection against moisture is formed, thus the basement remains dry.

The protruding basement looks more aesthetic, however, the arrangement requires the mandatory installation of additional reflux systems along the upper edge in order to protect the basement from moisture ingress. Modern housing in recent years, virtually abandoned protruding socles,since this option requires much more effort, time and money to equip it, and in addition, it has a reduced resistance to wind and melt water, is prone to corrosion and, as a result, wears out faster.

In fairness it is worth noting the fact that thermal insulation with such an organization of the base is higher than with other options.

And you will also need to close the waterproofing layer and install the drainage mechanism to remove rainwater. This base makes sense if the external walls of the house on the technical project are too thin. At the same time, it looks quite aesthetically pleasing, giving the entire structure tangible monumentality.

But experts categorically do not recommend building a basement flush with the outer wall. In this case, the owners of the house will not be able to protect it with a layer of waterproofing, which means that the risk of excessive moisture in the most vulnerable areas will increase, and the aesthetics of this design will be “lame” - the foundation leveled along the walls will never make the same favorable impression as a relief one.

Dimensions

The size of the basement is influenced by the type of foundation, the overall design of the house, the basic parameters of the soil, as well as the intended purpose of the basement - there are special prescriptions for this.For example, if a heating boiler is placed in the basement of a private house, then the base must necessarily have access to the street.

Many residential property owners believe that if they do not equip the basement, then there is no need for a basement, and the foundation can be built flush with the ground - and this is a very big mistake. The main task of the basement is not to protect the basement, but to isolate the facade and the ceiling of the building from contact with the ground. It is precisely in order that the groundwater does not rise upwards along the concrete by capillary way, a layer of waterproofing, as a rule, roofing material is laid between the front and basement parts of the wall.

In accordance with the standards, in an ordinary private house the base should rise above the ground at a distance of about 30-40 cm. In the case of a building erected from wood, it makes sense to make the base higher - 60-70 cm, and if the house has a basement floor, the basement should rise 1.5-2 meters above the ground level - it is this height that gives the maximum compliance with the existing standards. The height of the base does not depend on the material from which it is equipped, whether it be stone, brick, or options from cinder blocks - any coatings suffer from water equally.

It is very important to take into account the climatic zone, namely: the average temperature in the cold season, as well as the average number of precipitation. If you are only planning to build a house, then the approximate height of the basement can be calculated empirically - for this for several years you will need to measure the depth of maximum snow cover, then find the average value and add 10 cm to it.

According to the current SNiP, the minimum height of the base should be 20 cm, however, from a practical point of view, this parameter should be higher.

Of course, the arrangement of a high base will cost more, because it requires more costs to carry out work on concreting. Nevertheless, this is exactly the case when the savings should fade into the background, the strength of the foundation and high performance characteristics are in priority.

Let us see why height is so important, and what the size of the cap affects.

The main thing is that the size of the entire building and its interior will depend on its dimensions from adverse environmental factors and mechanical damage. However, you need to set the height wisely, because every extra centimeter will significantly increase the total cost of construction work.In addition, it is important to focus on protecting the lower part of the facade from frost by laying a layer of high-quality thermal insulation outside or inside.

If you have difficulties with the calculation of the optimal height of the cap, you should contact the experts. Their help, as a rule, is not gratuitous, but it is better to spend the extra money on proper planning at home than to later give much larger sums of money to reorganize it.

Materials

For the construction of the lower part of the building, as a rule, use one of the following materials:

  • stone - different strength, but requires high-quality insulation;
  • brick - the most common material for arranging plinths;
  • concrete - gives good stability to high-rise buildings;
  • foam and gas blocks - allow you to build a base as quickly as possible, hygroscopic;
  • FBS blocks - have a high margin of safety, are used in high-rise construction.

The choice of a suitable material is made on the basis of the existing project documentation. Let us dwell on the advantages and disadvantages of each of the listed materials.

A natural stone

Stone is a fairly expensive finishing material. At the same time it differs in the increased durability and durability. This type of finishing of the basement has been relevant for several decades, and only granite material and marble or limestone cladding can compete with it.

Naturally, a non-natural version of the stone is used, for the arrangement of the basement, cut plates with a textured surface are produced, in which decorative projections are retained to give a natural look.

Socles, which are made of natural stone, look very elegant and original. Such a foundation is optimal for private houses and cottages, built in the classical or English style. At the same time, the process of installing a stone base is quite laborious and requires a lot of effort, time and money, and besides, it requires professional equipment, which is not in every home, so these days it is rather a rarity.

Brick

Brick basement is considered the most popular option, it has a relatively low cost, and the installation itself does not present great difficulties for a person with at least a minimal skill in construction and finishing works.

In practice, there are several options for the device of such foundations, they are based on the combination of various materials. So, the brick surface, as a rule, is not the final appearance, it can be painted or plastering. It is important to keep in mind that in the decoration of the base they use only silane-siloxane paints, they are distinguished by good hygroscopicity and reliably protect the base from water penetration.

Plasters should also be used special, designed for facade work. For the arrangement of the basement use brick brand M-50, the minimum masonry is 4 rows.

Concrete blocks

This material is also popular when carrying out construction work due to the strength and stability of such a base.

The current standards impose strict requirements on the weight of the blocks used: when performing manual masonry, it should not exceed 100 kg, and when using special metal or wooden levers a block weight of 500 kg is allowed.

This option is perhaps the only one that is suitable for arranging the basement - that is, in cases where the basement is not just a basement, but a real living space.

When laying such material must be taken into account:

  • the use of reinforcement to increase the stability of the building;
  • filling of the lower layer with concrete;
  • the need for heat insulation base;
  • the fill is performed in stages in several stages, preventing the formation of seams in any of the directions.

Monolithic base

With the use of concrete, they also equip a monolithic basement, such works are based on the construction of a framework-formwork, where cement mortar is poured, after which it solidifies 2 in 1: both the foundation and the basement simultaneously.

At the same time, for the design of such a basement, corrugated fiberglass, rubber mats and other materials are often placed in the formwork, which give the base a variety of textures.

After the concrete solidifies, the formwork is removed, the surface is cleaned, the voids are filled up and external defects are eliminated, then covered with a reinforcing mesh and a finishing coating is applied.

Foam block

Foam block base is another option for arranging a concrete foundation.

This material is characterized by a porous structure, which is due to the peculiarity of the foaming agent hardening; sand, cement and water mixed by a special technology are also included in the composition of the components.

As a rule, such a coating is externally a bar, but sometimes it is produced in other variants: with spikes, grooves, and the like.

Foam blocks are optimal for arranging the lower part of the facade, because they are very strong and stable, but they are lightweight (14-20 kg), and due to their dimensions all work can be done in the shortest possible time.

Please note that the use of this type of concrete structures requires mandatory steam and waterproofing at the preparatory stage.

Wood

This option is used very rarely and, as a rule, is popular in eco-settlements, where residents prefer wood as the main building material. In this variant of the arrangement of the base, fully round logs or cant are used with a cross section of 15x15 cm or more.

Device

The device base is a process that combines several important steps: the equipment of the ventilation system, waterproofing, directly erection of the base and its finishing.

Ventilation

The humidity level in the basement is always elevated. This is due to the fact that moisture and evaporation rise from the soil base, which, having no outlet, begin to be deposited on the surface of the bearing structures of knowledge.This rather detrimental effect on the performance properties of the latter, causes metal corrosion and rotting of wooden supports, which significantly reduces their service life. Unfortunately, this is not the only consequence of moisture. The air in the basements and basements is an environment that is ideal for breeding fungi and molds that are dangerous to life and health. These microorganisms lead to the development of allergic and bronchopulmonary diseases, because during inspiration they get into the lungs of a person, having the most destructive effect on them.

That is why the question of airing closed rooms, especially basements, is always of particular relevance. The ventilation of the basement is equipped in two ways: natural and forced.

Natural ventilation presupposes the arrangement of special vents, that is, openings that will facilitate the free circulation of air. Ventilation of this type is provided by the difference in air temperature inside and outside the basement. Depending on the design of the base, the device may be different.For example, if the basement is constructed of monolithic concrete, then during the installation of the formwork, small sections of asbestos pipes are laid in advance, the dimensions of which directly depend on the size of the ventilated room.

Products are covered with special grids that prevent the colonization of rats, mice and other rodents in the basement of a residential house. These grids are usually made from polymeric materials.

There are no standards regulating the amount and size of the products; therefore, the owners of a private house should plan ventilation openings on their own, based on data on the wind rose, seasonal temperature fluctuations and precipitation. However, any professional builder can choose the optimal number of products and their location, based on their experience with ventilation systems in buildings of various types.

Forced ventilation has a slightly different mechanism of action and a different sphere of use. This method is optimal for large basements in which natural air circulation is ineffective.

To ensure the ventilation of such spaces, ventilation ducts are laid in the duct that come out of the roof. Their height must not exceed the level of the ridge of the roof.For very large rooms, an option is used in which the inlet ventilation pipe is mounted at the level of the basement and the outlet is above the ridge level, while fans are installed in both pipes.

Nowadays, engineering has made a big step forward, so a wide variety of automated forced ventilation systems is offered on the market, connected with sensors determining the level of humidity in the basement. Due to the functioning of such systems in the basement, any increase in the humidity level above the established level is excluded, the system includes intensive air removal in cases when the indicator reaches a critical point.

Warming

The temperature of the air in individual rooms of the entire building, especially those whose walls overlook the street, depends on the literacy of the arrangement of the basement. On the whole, the microclimate in a residential building is largely shaped by the degree of basement insulation. This is not surprising, because the base directly in contact with the ground, bearing supports and the floor.

If the insulation during the arrangement of the foundations was not paid enough attention, the room will be cold and damp.

High-quality insulation of the basement levels the effect of cold bridges and causes a significant heat saving, which reaches 15-20%. This stage is so important, because at least 15% of the heat from the living rooms can escape through the basement walls, as a result, the foundation and support structures freeze through. As a result, the materials begin to deteriorate, and the air in the basement becomes damp and “rich” in mold, fungus and moss. In addition, the clay structure of the soil is a feature of many regions of Russia, the soil has a high degree of heaving, and under conditions of low temperature a phenomenon occurs that is called “frost swelling” - the soil increases, which often causes deformation and displacement of the building frame. Thermal insulation can prevent this process and, accordingly, reduce the risk of distortions and subsidence of structures.

The insulation of the basement can be carried out both from the inside and from the outside.

Insulation performs the following tasks:

  • contributes to the formation of a favorable microclimate;
  • protects the facade from soil and atmospheric sedimentary moisture;
  • minimizes the risk of condensate settling on wooden bearing elements of the foundation;
  • prolongs the life of the house as a whole.

From a practical point of view, both internal and external insulation of the base gives the same result. The only difference is reduced only to the appearance of the whole structure - insulation outside involves finishing finishing works, which make the base more attractive and aesthetic.

Insulation materials used must necessarily meet a variety of requirements:

  • low thermal conductivity - the property to retain heat in the room depends primarily on this parameter;
  • hygroscopicity - the coating should not absorb water, since even its minimum concentration significantly impairs the operating parameters of the insulation and reduces the service life;
  • high compressive strength - this allows the coating to withstand the pressure that the soil exerts.

All the listed requirements meet the maximum plate materials. as well as modern sprayed insulation.

Waterproofing

There are a lot of options for arranging effective waterproofing, conditionally they can be divided into several types. It can be:

  • penetrating;
  • pasting;
  • painting;
  • coating waterproofing;
  • arrangement of the clay ring;
  • drainage.

The clay ring is formed in that part of the facade, which is located just below the ground level. To do this, the clay composition is mixed and otlezhivaetsya, after which the foundation should be tied around the perimeter of the base to a depth of about 20-30 cm. Next, the clay is compacted as much as possible and dusted with sand and rubble.

The blind area and drainage are also effective methods for waterproofing the base. At the same time, for the lowest level of the basement, a drainage pipe is mounted, along which groundwater will be discharged.

The blind area is different in location - it fits exactly in the place where the top layer of soil comes into contact with the base.

The blind area is about 1 meter, as a rule, asphalt or concrete is used for it, which are placed along the perimeter of the building framework. At the same time, it is of utmost importance to equip a good sealing of the places in which the base is in contact with the blind area.Urethane mastic is suitable as a sealant. This design must necessarily be located with a slight bias.

These two methods are considered the simplest and fastest in terms of their arrangement.

Okleechnaya waterproofing is based on the use of roll materials of bitumen or synthetic polymers, which are glued in several layers, less often fused. In some cases, you can use multilayer membranes or isospan. The minimum number of layers is 2, while it is necessary to form an overlap of 15-25 cm.

According to professional builders, this method requires preliminary surface preparation and strict adherence to temperature conditions during the work.

The advantages of this method are obvious:

  • low price;
  • plastic;
  • environmental Safety;
  • high adhesion to the stone surface, as well as concrete and wood;
  • simplicity and ease of installation.

All work can be carried out independently without the use of professional equipment.

However, not everything is so perfect - the pasting waterproofing has its downsides.The surface must be pre-cleaned and specially prepared: leveled and dried. In addition, the tensile strength of rolled materials causes great doubts, and under the influence of external adverse factors such coatings begin to deform and become unusable.

As the name implies, coating waterproofing is performed using coating materials - most often bitumen and polymer mastics are used for this, liquid rubber is considered the more modern option. Such waterproofing is optimal for plinths made of brick and concrete.

This coating is characterized by smoothness and uniform structure, lack of seams and good water resistance. At the same time, such materials are characterized by a short period of use - after 5-7 years they become covered with cracks.

Liquid glass can be a good alternative to the listed compositions - it is an innovative material that in recent years has enjoyed the highest demand from users. Such insulation is easy to apply, environmentally friendly, resistant to temperature extremes and acid-base solutions.

Internal insulation allows the use of the same materials and methods as external, for example, geotextiles and roll materials will effectively protect the basement from internal moisture. The choice can be stopped on other compositions: bikroelast, euroroofing material or hydroglass glass.

However, you can use sheet materials. They should be preferred in regions with snowy winters or in homes that are closely located to flood zones during the spring thaw. Sheet waterproofing withstands large volumes of water under high pressure. In this case, it is necessary to use steel with a thickness of at least 4 mm.

How to choose?

The most durable and sturdy, from a technical point of view, is considered to be a basement made of monolithic reinforced concrete, since it uses only the highest quality cement and river sand without any impurities. The frame of the base reinforce reinforcement.

But The most accessible material is brick. No less popular basement of concrete blocks, which are connected to each other with concrete solutions.

For single-storey houses most often use natural stone, which can be sawn or “wild”.Masonry is carried out only with the use of cement mortar, since in arranging a base of this type it is necessary to seal all the holes between the stones so that the whole structure is a single unit.

As for the construction of the base, it depends directly on the characteristics of the foundation and not the other way around. The priority parameter in the construction of the house is the foundation, and the arrangement of the basement is even important, but nonetheless of secondary importance.

If using the foundation to raise the facade to a considerable height, at which contact of the wall with melt water is completely excluded, then we can assume that the task of the socle has already been solved. It is this situation that arises when building foundations of pile and column types, while the basement serves as a fencing of the space under the house and there are no special requirements for its strength and waterproofing.

That is why in most cases the arrangement of the basement is reduced to the purchase of finishing material - here the choice is great: from siding to natural granite. This type of base is called decorative and a big mistake would be to use it inas a barrier for filling inside the sand, since the base can perform the functions of a support only if the structure has its own foundation and is characterized by high resistance to tilting.

If the basement part is located on a strip foundation, then it combines the functions of an obstacle and carrier support, in this case, waterproofing and insulation of this part of the house is mandatory.

If the house is erected on screw piles, siding should be preferred.

How to do it yourself?

In order to build a base, you need special tools:

  • shovel;
  • cement dilution tank;
  • concrete mixer or screwdriver;
  • trowel;
  • paint brush or roller;
  • centimeter or tape measure.

As a rule, on their own, homemade craftsmen build a brick base. All other options require a more professional approach, so let us dwell on this type of work. For masonry, it is necessary to purchase brick, cement, sand, as well as waterproofing material, bituminous mastic and primer.

The scheme of work here is as follows:

  • dry the prepared foundation, and treat its upper edge with a paint brush with a primer;
  • on the edge of the primer it is necessary to apply a layer of mastic, then fix the waterproofing material and roll it in for a better fit, then re-apply the waterproofing;
  • lay out the first row of masonry in the corners, then using a centimeter or tape measure to measure the fit of the dimensions of the basement on the accuracy of the fit of the project, and the tolerance should not exceed 3 cm;
  • knead sand and cement mortar;
  • using the trowel, lay the mortar on the corner masonry, then lay out the first row of the masonry along the perimeter, cover it with a layer of mortar and strengthen the reinforcing mesh in it;
  • perform subsequent layers of brickwork.

Tip: the work will go faster and easier if you stretch the cord around the perimeter - this will allow you to build layers evenly and without deviations from the required masonry parameters. By the way, to draw a knot, the socle level is used.

Tips

When looking at private houses and cottages, the walls of which are located high above the ground level, it is sometimes not so easy to guess that this is a basement.If it is lined with quality, it can look very decorative and aesthetic.

Finishing the basement can be done in two ways:

  • finishing coatings are mounted directly on the surface of the base;
  • a crate of bars or metal profiles is installed, to which decorative elements are mounted.

For facing most often use:

  • stone - different decorative and resistant to mechanical damage, such lining requires the use of professional services;
  • plastic panels - modern industry produces panels that imitate the color and texture of natural materials (wood, stone and minerals), the installation of such plates is made on a prefabricated frame and can be done on its own;
  • ceramic tile - offered in a large selection of colors and shades, allows you to create any pattern and perfectly emphasize the reasonableness of the exterior;
  • plaster - as a rule, decorative varieties of plaster are used, intended for outdoor use.

The last finishing option is the most budget.

How to be a socle is up to you, as long as it reliably protects the building, and its aesthetics were a nice bonus to strength and efficiency.

Beautiful examples

The base as an important part of any exterior needs decorative trimming. Let us give examples of stylish and aesthetic design options.

It is not necessary to allocate a basement on the facade, the designers allow the use of one material, for example, finishing brick or siding.

Facing plaster is a fashionable option. The main thing is to use a material that is resistant to moisture, for example, terrazitic. Its advantage lies in the ability to choose any shade of finish that can be updated at any time, but the repair of such a coating will have to be done more than once.

Another type of finishing of the basement is the panels, which are quite widely represented in any hardware store. This is a common option, perfectly imitating natural textures.

Clinker brick is an expensive solution, but worth it.

Porcelain tile looks very aesthetic.

      Facing the basement with a stone is an even more costly option, however, if you want your home to be truly luxurious, you should go for such expenses.

      Tips for laying the base - in the next video

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      Information provided for reference purposes. For construction issues, always consult a specialist.

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