Wooden foundation: advantages, do-it-yourself construction and repair technology

Frame construction

It is best to build a country house using such technologies for those who want to assemble a cottage in the shortest possible time.

Building a country house using such technologies is best for those who want to assemble a cottage in the shortest possible time. So, thanks to frame technology, it is possible to build a house completely ready for living in it in one season. The frame construction is based on the use of a timber frame and panels made of fiberboard, chipboard, OSB, etc. It is fashionable to use mineral wool or expanded polystyrene as an insulating material between the cladding plates.

However, it should be noted that frame construction is also called Canadian technology. Here, the installation is based on a fully manufactured house kit, which is identical to the provided project. That is, first, the design documentation is developed, then it is sent to the factory, where professionals procure all the elements of a frame house from SIP panels. Such a cottage will be several times warmer and of better quality.

Construction of country cottages using Canadian technology will cost from about $ 160 / m2

The advantages of frame technology include:

Saving the construction budget for the installation of the foundation. Since the total mass of a frame house is small, then the basis can also be made of a lightweight type - columnar or pile.
Easy to install at home. It is enough just to assemble the whole kit into a single structure.
Excellent insulation of the house by creating sandwich panels. As a consequence - saving resources for heating and maintenance of the cottage.
A house using frame technology can be installed in any region, even in an earthquake-prone region.
In addition, the frame house allows you to use your creativity in the exterior decoration of the building.

However, there are some downsides to wireframe technology:

So, a house assembled from a frame and panels cannot have more than two floors. Otherwise, the mass of the structure will exert strong pressure on the frame, which will lead to destruction. Such a house will not stand for long.
Certain costs for the exterior decoration of the house, since the panels of the construction "sandwich" in any case need to be protected from moisture.

The construction of country cottages using Canadian technology will cost about $ 160 / m2.

How to make a foundation for a house from a bar with your own hands: (with video)

Step 1

Before making a foundation for a house from a bar, the area is studied. If there is a significant difference in elevation, the top layer of the earth is removed. Then the plan of the house is executed, and the cast-offs are installed. With their help, you can mark the boundaries of the foundation.

On the horizontal bar of each of them, two nails 60-80 mm long are driven in at a distance of 40-42 cm from each other. The first pair of strips is fixed in the ground in the direction of one of the sides of the future house - at a distance of 8-10 m from each other.

A two-branch cord is pulled and fixed on nails. Similarly, the remaining rags are installed in pairs.

The cords, stretched along and across, form an angle of 90 °. They are lines that mark the boundaries of future trenches. The contours of the trenches are transferred to the ground. Pegs are driven in the right places, which, together with the cord stretched on them, will indicate the inner and outer boundaries of the trenches.

Step 2

Further, before pouring the foundation for a house from a bar with your own hands using a shovel, the soil is cut strictly along the cord, then it is selected to a depth of 20-25 cm.After that, the equipment is removed and a trench is dug to the full depth of 80-100 cm.The selected soil is transferred to another end of the section.

The excavation is done carefully, since in the future the foundation will need to be compacted, and then the formwork should be built. The necessary communications are carried out according to the project of the house.

Step 3

A cushion for the foundation is in progress. To do this, a thin layer of clay is poured onto the bottom of the dug pit, and a rubble stone is placed. As an option: the trench is filled with clay by one third. The size of the stone varies from 15 to 30 cm in diameter. Remember: the larger the rubble stone, the stronger the foundation. It is covered with a layer of gravel, then sand.

It is better to lay gravel and sand in trenches in layers 15 cm thick, wetting each of them with water and compacting. The last layer of sand is poured over with water. Sand and water will fill the space between the soil and the stone. If necessary, sand is poured on top. The pillow is compacted.

Step 4

Further, to make a foundation for a house from a bar, wooden formwork is performed. As a material for the frame, boards with a section of 22 X 100 mm and beams with a section of 50 x 100 mm or formwork plywood are used.

Fastening piles are driven into the foundation line. They are positioned so that no obstacles are created during the construction of the formwork. The distance between them is on average 1.5-2.5 m.

Installation boards with a section of 22 X 100 mm are nailed to the piles. The joints are made with nails: they fix the boards well, preventing their arbitrary movement. In this case, the formwork must be located on the line of the trench.

Step 5

Using a plumb line, on the installation boards, the locations of the boards for the formwork surface are determined. Marks are made.

Bottom girders are attached to the installation boards with nails. A crate is nailed to the inner side of the lower girders. Its upper surface should be at almost the same level as the upper surface of the future formwork. Sheathing racks are installed. The distance between them should be approximately 30 cm. The rear formwork props are being made. To do this, on the outside of the lower girder, in the places where the mounting boards are located, they attach racks, the height of which is 10-12 cm higher than the height of the internal ones. The upper girder is attached to the racks.

Here you can watch a video of the construction of the foundation for a house from a bar:

Base for a house without a foundation

The foundation for building a house without a foundation performs several functions that will help ensure its durability:

evenly distribute the load of the object on the soil;
prevent moisture from entering under the basement of the house;
reduce the degree of shrinkage and distortions at home;
provide ventilation processes.

Small country houses do not require the construction of a massive base

To accomplish all the tasks, you should use the following techniques:

in order to ensure an even distribution of the load, it is necessary to prepare a perfectly flat area;
to protect against moisture ingress, waterproofing should be done;
build an elastic layer to reduce the effects of ground movement;
to prevent decay of wooden structures, it is necessary to treat them with protective agents.

Without arranging the foundation, only small and light objects can be erected. These include frame houses. They are made of wooden materials, the frame is filled with insulation, as a result of which a relatively light structure is obtained.

Criterias of choice

At the base of houses, people are accustomed to using concrete, but not everyone is confident that the brand corresponds to reality, it is not always possible to order a truck with factory-made high-quality concrete. There is also a question of price and efficiency. For suburban buildings, a pile foundation made of wood is sometimes chosen, since, subject to the technology, it will last for decades.Most of all, this base is suitable for a wooden structure, because the life of the foundation and the material of the walls are the same.

The advantages of such a foundation:

Ease of construction. The pits for the chairs can be drilled with a moto-drill or by a specialist.
Reliability. If the water table is low, the tree will last for decades. There are examples of stilt houses dating back over 100 years.
Environmental friendliness. Wood is the most harmless material.
Cheapness. Against the background of durability, the low price of the base looks very advantageous, it does not interfere with the overall quality.
Energy efficiency. The house on columnar piles does not touch the ground and does not lose heat.

Types and types of foundations for wooden buildings

Types and types of foundations

At the moment, the following types of foundations for a wooden house are distinguished:

tape;
columnar;
pile;
slab.

Strip foundation

The tape design is the most widely used today. It can be divided into the following groups:

Recessed.
Shallow.
Shallow.

The construction of a buried strip foundation is relevant if the depth of freezing of the soil is significant, the groundwater is very close to the surface, or the structure will have a basement, basement or garage.

A shallow design is best suited for for houses from wood. This is due to the fact that the weight of such buildings is much less than that of brick. The height for a wooden house above the ground ranges from thirty to fifty centimeters. For this reason, it is used in situations where you want to save on the foundation without losing its quality.

Shallow foundations are suitable for small wooden structures or those that are only needed temporarily.

The process of erecting a strip foundation can be represented in the form of the following stages:

Digging a pit. The value of the depth of the foundation of a wooden house must necessarily be greater than the value of the depth of freezing of the soil (by about twenty centimeters). As for the width of the pit, this value is equal to the width of the foundation, to which is added half a meter for formwork and ease of work.
Making a cushion of sand and cement. A mixture of sand and cement is placed at the bottom of the pit. The thickness of the layer should be at least fifteen centimeters, and preferably twenty centimeters. The mixture must be compacted: for this, it is first poured with plain water, and then compacted. The purpose of the sand-cement pad is to reduce the load on the structure.
Formwork creation. In order for the surface of the structure to be as flat as possible, the formwork must be knocked down from the inside, and the nails must be driven in from the outside. Following this advice will also make it easier to dismantle the formwork.
Installation of spacers.
Reinforcement laying. Under no circumstances can the elements be connected to each other by welding: only wire can be used.
Pipe laying. They are essential for communication.
Pouring concrete.

Column foundation

This design is suitable for soil with a serious freezing depth, which at the same time regularly swells. Also this foundation can be applied on uneven terrain.

The device of a columnar structure involves the use of blocks of concrete, bricks and asbestos pipes. Therefore, it is not suitable for buildings with a basement or basement.

The technology for erecting a columnar foundation is as follows:

The place where the pillars will be installed is determined. Despite the fact that the distance between them is determined by the size of the house, it should not be less than one and a half meters.
Installation of pillars. They go deep into the ground by about 50 - 70 cm. At the same time, a sand-cement pad should be made under each of them.

Pile foundation

Such houses are built in areas with uneven terrain or in the event that the soil is unstable. It is also suitable for situations where the water table is high or changes frequently.

The pile structure is arranged in almost the same way as the columnar structure. The only difference is that the elements in this case do not just go deep into the ground, but are screwed in. This is possible due to the fact that there is a drill at the end of each pile.

Slab foundation

The slab foundation is indispensable for moving soil. The construction of this foundation involves the manufacture of a monolithic concrete slab with reinforcement. Its area is exactly the same as the area of the house. One of the advantages of such a slab is that it is mobile, so that the house is not damaged when the ground moves.

The slab foundation is erected as follows:

First, the foundation pit is pulled out. Since it will be large, most likely it will not be possible to do without the involvement of special equipment.
Making a cushion of cement and sand.
Reinforcement laying.
Pouring with concrete.

The device of a slab foundation is not an easy task. The main difficulty in this work is to achieve uniform drying of the concrete over the entire surface of the slab. Therefore, if a tiled foundation is the only possible option, then it is best to seek help from a specialist.

Views

Foundation construction options

Foundations may differ in the materials used for their construction, in depth, as well as in the method of execution. It is by the way of execution that their types are divided:

The columnar type is almost universal, it justifies itself well, as a basis for any panel houses or townhouses. The installation of the pillars takes place in special pre-drilled holes, which are made around the entire perimeter of the building. The distance between the supports is calculated individually. For the supports, natural materials such as logs, natural stone and artificial components (pipes or reinforced concrete stepsons) are used.
The pile foundation differs from the columnar in the length of the elements and in the principle of operation. In a columnar house, the mass of the house falls on the sole, and in a pile, on the side surface. The pile is good in that it allows you to exclude deformation of various parts of the building due to the uniform distribution of the load of the entire structure, and this prevents its deformation. Such a foundation can be of two types: hanging or retaining.

In the first type, piles are driven directly into the ground, where the load is concentrated: corners, intersections of walls. The length of such piles can be several meters. This is due to the fact that the main load is transmitted by the lateral part of the support.
2. The retaining type of foundation should be installed at a shallow depth, but at smaller intervals than the hanging one.
Whether it is worth making a pile foundation for a two-story house is determined by several parameters. The main parameter is the type of soil, the second is the material of the house.
The strip foundation is the most convenient type for the construction of small houses. For its installation, a block type of bookmark or a solid concrete tape is used. This design is simple and non-destructive. Basic blocks can be filled or lightweight (hollow), depending on the requirements of the entire structure. Its advantage is that aerated concrete houses built on such a foundation are durable and resistant to soil movement. In addition, the strip foundation can be installed at a minimum depth, which makes the construction independent of geodetic indicators.
The monolithic slab is earthquake resistant. This is a solid platform with a large area, the height of which is calculated relative to the conditions of the terrain of the future construction. This type of foundation is the most resistant to soil displacement and the most expensive in terms of concrete consumption.

Choosing a specific type foundation for a two-story the house depends on the wishes of the client, the characteristics of the area and the architectural plan. But at the same time, there are recommendations for choosing the best option, in terms of durability, ease of installation and budget saving.

Types of foundations

Do-it-yourself foundation construction involves the use of several technologies:

pillars;
piles;
ribbon;
plate;
combined options.

Columnar supports have a low bearing capacity. It is possible to construct monolithic pillars or assemble them into compact concrete blocks. Both options are great for DIY work.

The pile foundation for a house is of three types:

driven (not recommended for private buildings due to the need to attract equipment);
bored (suitable for the construction of a brick or concrete house);
screw (ideal for light timber buildings).

Piles reduce the amount of earthwork. There is no need to dig trenches or a foundation pit, to take out a large amount of soil outside the site. Thanks to this quality, a device of this type of foundation is a very economical choice. The main disadvantage will be the impossibility of equipping a basement or underground for utilities. In this case, the basement of the building is covered with decorative materials.

Another advantage of piles is the possibility of using it in a swampy area. Even if the water table is close to the surface of the earth, the supports provide the necessary bearing capacity.

The next option is tape. It can be made monolithic or from blocks. The second option is rational to use for mass construction. The strip foundation is:

buried (for buildings with a basement, brick and concrete structures);
shallow (for wooden and frame houses);
not buried (technology of pouring the foundation for small buildings on a solid foundation).

Before making the tape, it is worth checking the groundwater level and compliance with the rule that the sole cannot be closer than 50 cm to the groundwater horizon. Otherwise, there is a high probability of basement flooding, a decrease in the bearing capacity of the base and destruction of the materials of the supporting part of the building.

Types of columnar base - the pros and cons of each material

The properties of construction raw materials, of course, will affect the quality of the columnar foundation, its cost and labor input. For example:

Brick. A popular material often used in related construction. Inexpensive, durable. However, it is not suitable for too damp soils, as it absorbs moisture and collapses. It is not suitable for heaving areas - a pillar made of bricks is easily deformed under pressure during the cold season, and the structure will collapse at the seams of the masonry.
Wood. A short-lived and fragile material for the construction of a columnar foundation. Base elements - a bar or a log of a large section. It is not used for residential buildings - the maximum for the construction of a bath. In addition to waterproofing, you will need to protect the log from fire, rot and vermin, so affordability is mythical. The advantage of the foundation is the ability not to delay the construction of the facility even a day.
Reinforced concrete. The foundation can be made in ready-made structures or poured on its own. The complexity of installation pays off with its strength and durability. But at the same time, such a foundation requires formwork, a reinforcing bar, and the finished structure requires reliable insulation and waterproofing, since the temperature difference between the material of the house and the supports will lead to the formation of condensation, which is bad for any raw material. The wood starts to rot, the concrete crumbles. Given the size of the foundation, the overall cost is high.
Asbestos-cement pipes. It is required to drill holes for them, therefore, the price increases by the cost of attracting equipment.In operation, such a columnar foundation for a house made of timber shows satisfactory results - it is stable on problem soils, is durable and strong.
Combined foundation - pillars and filler tape. The cost of foundation elements is high. They are usually homogeneous, monolithic. The platform is strong and durable. Suitable for residential buildings of 1–2 floors and heavy construction materials.

Structural differences of columnar foundations

Examples:

Columnar. These include prefabricated structures made of bricks, rubble concrete, flood columns and plastic formwork. The disadvantage of a columnar foundation is that the design is suitable only for light structures - baths, gazebos, frame buildings. The advantage is the speed of construction and low cost.
Supporting and columnar foundation. Such a foundation has significant pros and cons. It is a free-standing pillar with a concrete platform. One of the features of this foundation for timber houses is the creation of a solid foundation for the crown and logs, which serve as the basis of the floor. The advantage of this design is its special stability on capricious soils. Such a foundation is capable of supporting objects of more than one floor. The disadvantage is that it takes much more time and money to install it.
Columnar base with grillage. A powerful, reliable belt appears near the house from a bar, which allows you to arrange a two-story structure on any soil - heaving, floating, with a high level of groundwater. A similar columnar foundation for a house from a bar will cost more than without a grillage, but for a residential object of a large area it is more often chosen.

Structural differences of columnar foundations

Regulatory aspects

The correct arrangement of the foundation of a private log house is a guarantee of the safety of residents. All parameters of the future foundation are regulated by regulatory documents - SNiP 2.02.0183 and GOST 24022-80, 24476-80. They indicate the following:

The position and number of storeys of the house. The proximity of cliffs, reservoirs, passing mines, wells or wells is taken into account. The total area of the building is not taken into account - only the weight of the house affects the load and pressure of the base on the ground.
Bearing capacity and soil type. There are only 5 of them - clayey, loamy, sandy, peaty, limestone. The behavior of the soil during rain will help to distinguish one from the other.
The depth of soil freezing and the level of groundwater. In the first case, the sole of the pillar should be lower, in the second - higher in order to avoid heaving during seasonal changes.

In addition, GOST on a columnar foundation regulates the use of a brand of cement for flood pillars or grillage, coupled with the characteristics of the soil. Ideally, a surveyor is engaged in calculations and selection of the optimal foundation for a specific house from a bar. A private builder should also inquire about the foundations of nearby facilities.

The procedure for performing the reinforcement of the strip foundation

The existing tape reinforcement scheme the basis for building a house implies following several mandatory rules:

Application when carrying out reinforcement of bars of class A400
Minimization of the use of welding when joining the rods, as this technology contributes to the weakening of the sections
At the corners, the frame can only be tied, the use of welding at the corners is not recommended
The protective laid layer of concrete used in a particular situation must be at least 4 centimeters to protect metal elements from negative environmental influences, corrosion
The use of smooth reinforcement is not recommended.
When laying concrete, it must not be able to get stuck between the rods, which will eliminate control over failure, for too frequent arrangement of metal rods

Detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and videos given for clarity will help to create a reinforcing cage. A significant advantage of reinforced strip foundations is the combination of high reliability and affordable cost. Steel and concrete are high strength materials.

This is important for creating a foundation for construction on any soil, except for the already naturally stable and reliable rocks. In other situations, any foundation reinforcement will save you from damage caused by stress.

How is formed

When carrying out work such as strip foundation reinforcement, drawings include three groups of rods:

Used for laying along the belt, used working rods
Horizontal elements located transversely
Vertical options, transverse

The task of the transverse reinforcement is to connect all working elements into a stable in use, a single unit of reliable, innovative working rods. They are often called clamps.

An important feature of the work is the use of SNIP and other regulatory specialized documents in activities such as reinforcement of the strip foundation. The calculation uses SNiP 52-01-2203

In this regulatory document, it is easy to find all the necessary calculations to create the reinforcement of the strip foundation of a small country house.

What are the requirements for concrete determined by regulatory documents?

If you maintain the order of creating reinforcement, it is important to comply with the mandatory requirements for the concrete used in a particular job. By creating do-it-yourself strip foundation on the site of future construction, it should be borne in mind that among the main characteristics of the strength of concrete structures is the indicator of resistance to axial compression, the readiness to withstand tension and not respond to transverse fracture

Correction factors for reliability can vary from 1 to 1.5

When creating a strip foundation with your own hands at the site of future construction, it should be borne in mind that among the main characteristics of the strength of concrete structures is the indicator of resistance to axial compression, the readiness to resist stretching and not respond to transverse fracture. Correction factors for reliability can vary from 1 to 1.5.

Requirements for fittings

These indicators are determined by regulations and standards. Reliable foundation reinforcement uses bar-based:

hot-rolled rebars,
mechanically hardened fittings
heat treated reinforcement

It is GOST that allows you to calculate the indices of the limiting submerged states, which are strictly divided into groups in it. Indicators are determined on the basis of the requirements specified in state standards, which are determined on test benches. Any regulatory and technical documentation that is used to determine the reliability of reinforcement must be approved by the official regulatory authorities.

What basic rules are important to consider when performing work?

As a rule, reinforcement during suburban and construction is carried out independently. In this case, the requirements of SNiP and GOST are not always followed so carefully.

For this reason, when considering how to reinforce a strip foundation with your own hands, it is important to adhere to some mandatory rules:

When performing the reinforcement of the strip foundation of the future structure, including 1-2 floors, rods with a diameter of 10-24 mm are used.
The use of welded joints is not recommended
When creating a strip foundation with your rivers, it will be necessary to create a formwork