How to start building a basement from scratch? (recommendations)

Constructing a basement from the ground up is a big project that needs to be planned and carried out carefully. Whether you’re building a new structure or adding more space to your existing home, the process starts with careful planning. Prior to starting construction, it is essential to comprehend the building codes and regulations in your area.

Perform a comprehensive site analysis first. Examine the state of the soil, the water table, and any potential barriers, such as subterranean utilities. Decisions about the type of foundation and construction techniques will be guided by this information.

Make a thorough construction plan after that. This ought to contain engineering specifications, architectural drawings, and a schedule for every stage of the project. Give a detailed description of the basement’s design, including the sizes of the rooms, the locations of the doors and windows, and any unique elements like plumbing or electrical outlets.

Obtain the required permits from your local authorities before digging starts. This guarantees that your project conforms to zoning and building codes. To keep the peace with your neighbors, it’s also a good idea to let them know about the impending construction.

How to start building a basement from scratch?

As we previously discussed, the foundation pit is where the basement floor construction must begin. There is a good chance that if you dig a pit in the spring, water will be present. Pumping out the water or waiting for it to evaporate naturally are the only options. After that, a sand and concrete cushion is created, which will allow the strip foundation to naturally drain. For creating a "cushion," both river and quarry sand work well. When selecting concrete, go for low-grade M-25 and M-50 varieties.

It is not advised to cut costs when building because a solid foundation ensures a dry, clean basement and prevents the appearance of cracks and other types of wall deformation over time. Watering the sand "cushion" is required to prevent it from cracking. Usually, the "pillow" is aged for two to three weeks, but this time can be shortened to one week if the building phase is shortened and the weather is dry and warm.

The foundation strip is reinforced with transverse reinforcement bars with a diameter of 6 mm and longitudinal reinforcement bars with a minimum longitudinal diameter of 10 mm. The foundation strip is composed of heavy concrete grades M-150 and M-200. 200 mm is the recommended rod spacing.

Please be advised that there must be a gap of 20 mm between the bottom of the strip foundation and the reinforcing mesh. Your foundation will be shielded from harsh surroundings and groundwater by this distance. Expert interior designers recommend placing window openings on the south, east, and west sides of the basement. When they are executed from the north side, there is a chance that the snow will press against the glass and that water from melting snow will seep in when the sun rises.

In order to guarantee a strong foundation for your house, meticulous planning and preparation are necessary when building a basement from the ground up. This article offers crucial advice on everything from selecting the best building materials and techniques to determining whether a site is suitable for construction and securing the required permits. We’ll go over realistic procedures like foundation installation, waterproofing, and excavation while highlighting important factors to guarantee long-term structural stability. Whether you’re designing a new house or adding on to an existing one, following these suggestions will enable you to successfully navigate the preliminary stages of basement construction.

How to make a basement from foundation blocks: designer"s advice

One of the best options is to use foundation blocks for the basement floor. However, keep in mind that the ground floor is more than just a basement, so not every foundation block can be used for it. Skilled designers suggest using foundation blocks with a minimum thickness of 500 mm to prevent freezing of the basement walls.

When laying foundation blocks, seams are bandaged, and cement-sand mortar is used for masonry. It is best to finish the basement floor, which is built using foundation blocks, at ground level. The basement itself should be constructed of ceramic bricks, as this will give your home’s exterior decoration more strength than other building materials. There is no need to reinforce the foundation block walls themselves.

Remember to include technological holes with inserted sleeves (steel cylinders meant for the passage of utility networks for heating, water supply, sewerage, etc.) when building the basement floor.

Sturdy monolithic basement: building phases

A monolithic basement is another style that is quite common. There should be three phases to any work involving monolithic reinforced concrete, including building a monolithic basement floor.

First step: assembling the wooden formwork, which can be built using boards without edges. Since the basement floor in question is quite tall, the formwork walls may be squeezed out, so it is best to place the formwork on spacers. This element may cause the plinth wall to lose its shape, necessitating the need to pay unnecessary restoration expenses.

Furthermore, kindly take note that the formwork is not reusable in this scenario.

Phase two: work on reinforcement. Since concrete performs better in compression than in tension, a reinforced spatial frame must be built for the basement wall. However, since different basement wall thicknesses and heights call for unique considerations, it is necessary to speak with an expert to determine the most effective reinforcement.

Concrete pouring is the third step. The concrete mixture can be ordered from the manufacturing plant or prepared on the construction site itself. There should be no phases to the pouring of the basement’s monolithic wall. To fill it completely would be the best course of action. Using deep vibrators, the concrete mixture must be shaken during the pouring process to make sure there are no air gaps. It takes 28 days for the concrete mixture to solidify.

Constructing a basement from the ground up is a big project that needs careful planning and preparation. To start, evaluate your requirements and make sure all local building codes are followed. Make sure the construction site is cleared, then dig out the basement to the intended size.

Next, think about the kind of foundation that works best for your soil and climate. Make sure your foundation is adequately waterproofed to avoid moisture problems in the future, regardless of whether you choose a concrete block or poured foundation. Keeping the basement dry and livable requires taking this action.

After laying the foundation, concentrate on constructing the basement walls and adding enough insulation. In addition to offering structural support, this also gradually lowers energy expenses and helps control temperature. At this point, plumbing and electrical rough-ins should be carefully planned and completed, making sure they adhere to current safety regulations.

Keep an eye on natural light and ventilation as the construction process moves forward. While well-placed windows or vents improve air circulation and natural lighting, proper ventilation keeps mold and stale air from growing. These components help create a cozy and welcoming basement area.

Lastly, finish the interior details like painting, installing flooring, and hanging drywall. Select robust and moisture-resistant materials to endure the particularities of a basement setting. If you want to make the most out of your new basement, add extra features like places for recreation or storage.

With careful attention to detail and compliance with local codes, you can successfully build a basement from scratch that will add value to your home and offer adaptable living space for many years to come.

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