How to pour a foundation with your own hands: stages of work
Initially, you should worry about the availability of materials and some tools for construction. Usually, a mixture of cement, crushed stone, sand and water is used to prepare concrete. You can also order a ready-made solution of concrete grade M200 or M300. You will need reinforcement to strengthen the concrete - its diameter should be at least 10 - 16 mm. It is necessary to stock up on gravel or crushed stone to create a protective "cushion" of the foundation. Wooden panels or metal profiles will allow you to create a structure in the form of formwork, with the help of which the geometry of the base will be formed.
Pouring the foundation with your own hands is carried out in the following order:
- Calculation of dimensions. The height of the structure should be 20 cm above ground level, and the depth of the trench is usually 40-60 cm.
- Designation of the trench on the site. Its width will be 10 cm greater than the width of the foundation. From the outside, the markings are made using pegs and a cord. Using a level, you need to carefully check the squareness of the markings.
- Creation of a "cushion". The trench is filled with a mixture of gravel and sand, at least 20 cm high. This is done layer by layer, pouring water each time and then ramming. The finished protection is as smooth and rigid as possible.
- Creation of formwork. The size of the shields is determined by the size of the foundation in height. The structure is erected, first from the inside. Fastening involves the use of threaded connections. The upper part of the finished structure should have the same height. More accurate fixation is provided by pegs-supports from the outside.
- Reinforcement. It is carried out to create stability of the foundation. Reinforcement meshes and boxes are assembled. The joining of the reinforcement is carried out using steel connecting wire – the use of a welding machine is unacceptable here.
The final stage is the pouring of the foundation. The prepared building mixture is distributed over the entire formwork, tamping it with an emphasis on the reinforcement frame. After pouring all the material, the upper part of the formwork is leveled.
In the next 5-7 days, the concrete is periodically watered and immediately covered with a film. This ensures protection from cracking. The formwork should be kept for 3-4 weeks - this period is quite enough for the concrete to harden completely. Then the surface is covered with bitumen waterproofing and a blind area is made.
How to pour a foundation without mistakes
The most common mistake at the pouring stage is insufficient attention to the soil characteristics. If this problem is ignored, cracks may form in the foundation in the future, which will lead to cracking of the walls and sometimes to the gradual destruction of the entire building.
In addition, you should pay attention to the following points:
- choice of foundation type - strip, glass, light columnar, pile or slab;
- concrete quality - inexpensive material grade M150-M200 is suitable for utility rooms and summer kitchens in the country;
- incorrect geometry of the foundation on the ground - it leads to displacement of corners in the rooms and other problems;
- waterproofing errors - they lead to the appearance of mold, moisture in the room, deterioration of the air quality in the rooms.
To avoid violations and subsequent problems when operating the house, it is better to entrust such work to specialists.
