We spread the foundation ourselves

The erection of any structure begins with the laying of the foundation. It plays an important role in the construction, since the strength of the structure depends on its strength. Currently, there are several types of foundation: belt, pile, shallow, slab, columnar, floating, monolithic, foundation for fencing and fence. The choice of a certain type directly depends on what you are going to build. If you are going to build a foundation with your own hands for a summer cottage or a bathhouse, then it's quite possible to do fine-grained belt. The construction of more complex buildings requires the use of other types of foundation, the calculation and laying of which is best entrusted to professional professionals.

So, if you are going to make a foundation with your own hands for a bath, cottage, barn or other small structure, then it will be helpful for you to know how to properly perform all the work. Next, we will talk about how to build a shallow strip foundation.

Before proceeding to the basic work, it is necessary to conduct a small analysis of the soil of the place where you are going to lay the foundation. Special skills in this matter is not required. All you need is to go deeper into the ground about 1.5 meters and examine the soil structure. The ideal option for construction will be gravel and sandy-stony soils, which include sand. Also note whether the groundwater is not close to the surface. In this case, the foundation will have to be laid to a greater depth. If the soil you are researching is not too dense, then the shallow foundation with your own hands will most likely not be laid, as the strength of the structure from this will be very low.

Having made sure of the composition of the soil, we proceed to work:

1. On the selected site we make markings in accordance with the planned plan of the future structure. Shovel the top fertile soil layer about 20-40 cm deep. The shallow foundation is laid at a depth of 50-70 cm, in connection with this, we excavate the depth along the marked perimeter. What will be the width of the trench, depends on the thickness of the walls of the building plus 1,5-2 cm are taken into the reserve.
2. At the bottom of the trench, we fill in a sand cushion with a layer of 40 cm, and the walls are lined with any hydroisolation material that will be at your fingertips. Then, parallel to the walls, we expose the wooden formwork, we support it with special spacers, so that after the pouring the foundation does not fade and does not lose its shape. Pay attention to the fact that the formwork is made in such a way that it at least 8-10 cm protrudes above the ground level. If there is a time and opportunity, build a trench reinforcement of their iron bars, thanks to it the foundation with their own hands will be even stronger.
3. Now the last thing remains: pour concrete-sand mortar. This solution you can prepare yourself, however, if you need it a lot, then you can not do without the help of a concrete mixer. The solution is prepared as follows: 1 part of cement is taken (grade is not less than 400), 3 parts of sand and 3 parts of water. Consistency of the solution should turn out like a thick sour cream.
4. And yet, when laying the foundation, do not forget to provide the location of the holes for external communications in the lower part, and in the upper part - for ventilation.

One of the most durable is the pile foundation with their own hands. It is used, as a rule, for the erection of more complex structures, or in those places where the earth is not dense. To lay this foundation is a costly and complicated task that requires accurate calculations, so if the soil on your site does not allow you to make a shallow foundation, ask for help from a specialist who will assist and help in laying down the pile foundation.