Constructing a basement around your home can be a financially advantageous and satisfying undertaking. An unused space can be made into a useful and appealing area with the correct direction and some work. This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the procedure, guaranteeing that you get expert results without going over budget.
We’ll talk about the necessary preparations first. This entails evaluating your location, assembling supplies, and organizing the design. A smooth construction process and the avoidance of common pitfalls depend on careful planning. Additionally, we’ll talk about safety measures to safeguard your belongings and yourself during the project.
We’ll then jump right into the building stage. Every stage, including foundation and excavation work, wall installation, and waterproofing, will be thoroughly explained. To follow these instructions, all you need is a little patience and a willingness to learn; you don’t need to be an expert builder.
Lastly, we’ll talk about finishing touches that can improve your new basement’s aesthetic appeal and usability. With our helpful advice and imaginative ideas, you can design a unique space, a comfortable living area, or something in between. You will have all the information required to construct an inexpensive, elegant basement by the time you finish reading this guide.
| Step 1: Planning | Determine the layout and size of the basement. Consider utilities and access points. |
| Step 2: Excavation | Dig out the area for the basement, ensuring proper depth and dimensions. |
| Step 3: Foundation | Pour or construct a solid foundation to support the basement walls and house structure. |
| Step 4: Framing | Build the framework for the basement walls, ensuring they are sturdy and well-supported. |
| Step 5: Insulation | Install insulation to regulate temperature and moisture levels within the basement. |
| Step 6: Electrical and Plumbing | Set up electrical wiring and plumbing connections as per local building codes. |
| Step 7: Walls and Flooring | Finish the walls and install flooring materials, choosing options suitable for basement conditions. |
| Step 8: Finishing Touches | Add final touches such as paint, trim, and lighting to complete the basement. |
Selection of building materials for installation
Base structures have to support large weights. As a result, stringent specifications are placed on the building materials used in their construction.
Thus, the content ought to be:
- Frost-resistant.
- Resistant to temperature changes.
- Environmentally friendly.
- No cracks, chips or other external defects.
- Durable, reliable.
- Low hygroscopicity (does not absorb moisture).
Plinth structures should not be made of material that is prone to deformation from external, mechanical, and climatic factors of differing strengths. possess excellent technical qualities, low heat conductivity, and favorable qualities for sound absorption.
Foundation constructed from:
- bricks (silicate, acid-resistant, clinker single, double, construction, solid);
- reinforced monolithic concrete;
- reinforced concrete (FBS);
- ready-made concrete blocks (with cladding, insulation);
- foam blocks (grade D600/500);
- natural (natural), artificial stone.
Basement floors should not be covered with hollow bricks, masonry bricks, porous building materials, or materials made with dry technology. Make use of high-strength products (M, 250, 400-1000). Products must have a grade of at least F50 for frost resistance.
Building materials for a basement must blend in harmoniously with the materials used to construct the house’s walls.
Therefore, you can use a wooden profile and beams with a minimum cross section of 150 by 150 for wooden houses. In addition to brickwork, reinforced concrete, concrete blocks, and natural and artificial stone are used in brick buildings. Select building materials for outlying structures (brick, stone) that don’t need extra finishing.
How to put it correctly?
Building a base is an expensive, labor-intensive procedure that requires close attention to the steps and order of work. The design features and the intended structure’s design influence the selection of building materials and base type. Additionally, the kind of foundation (pile, strip) is considered.
From a structural standpoint, base tape can be:
- Monolithic concrete.
- Concrete foundation slabs (prefabricated).
- In the form of brickwork.
Prior to beginning work, you should not only:
- make an estimate correctly,
- perform calculations,
- choose and purchase quality materials,
- prepare the instrument,
But also consider a few details, specifically:
- climatic conditions of the region;
- level of occurrence of underground (ground) waters;
- type, nature of the soil;
- total area, height, functional purpose of the object;
- bearing capacity of the foundation;
- type of basement structure (flush with the wall, recessed, protruding).
The plinth’s design necessitates adherence to execution sequence and technology. Work is completed strictly in compliance with building codes and regulations.
Errors, inaccurate computations, and noncompliance with technology standards will have a detrimental impact on the capital structure’s operational parameters.
Since the base is always exposed to the elements, waterproofing and insulation are important considerations. For use in waterproofing:
- roofing felt,
- polymer bitumen lubricant.
Regarding insulation:
- extruded polystyrene foam,
- basalt wool.
Basement spaces need to have gutter drainage systems and adequate ventilation.
Adequate for adorning the outside:
- Corrugated sheet.
- Decorative tiles.
- Basement siding.
- Porcelain tiles.
- Decorative plasters.
Masonry technology
Beginning with the installation of the basement structure,
- soil analysis,
- calculation of estimates,
- construction site markings,
- preparation of tools, building materials.
Order of work:
- Leveling, preparing the base.
- Installation of the waterproofing layer.
- Laying cement-sand screed.
- Installation of building materials in all corners.
- Reinforcement.
- Installation of the second waterproofing layer.
- Insulation.
- Exterior finishing.
The base’s design characteristics, the construction site, and the building materials utilized all influence the technology selection.
Building a basement adds more space and functionality to your private home and is a rewarding project. This guide provides easy-to-follow, reasonably priced instructions for creating a gorgeously finished basement without hiring a professional. Learn how to turn your basement into a functional and aesthetically pleasing addition to your house, from excavation and planning to insulation, flooring, and decorating advice.
Build it yourself or contact a company?
You can lower the cost of work and save money on craftsmen’s wages by laying out the basement structure yourself if you have the necessary abilities and experience performing construction and repair work. One of the more costly construction elements is the basement. An estimate of one-third to even half of the house’s total cost is allocated to construction.
Benefits of developing oneself:
- reducing the cost of basement structures;
- there is no need to find a contractor to carry out the work;
- no need to constantly monitor the masters.
Using lightweight building materials (blocks) can make construction easier if you don’t intend to build a multi-story building.
You must also acknowledge that you are unable to complete the task at hand. There are times when working without help is not feasible, especially when doing excavation and geodetic work without specialized equipment.
If you lack the necessary expertise or are planning to build a multi-story building, get in touch with a construction company and employ craftsmen.
Experts will purchase building materials, create estimates, carry out engineering and geodetic work, and perform calculations in accordance with the project plan after reaching a consensus with the client on all the details.
This section contains a wealth of significant and practical information regarding plinth laying.
Video on the topic of the article
You can learn how to build a brick plinth by hand by watching this video:
Adding a basement to your home can be a worthwhile endeavor as it provides additional space and may even raise the value of the building. You can save costs and create a basement that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional by following these step-by-step instructions.
Initially, make sure everything is well planned and prepared. Examine the location of the future basement to make sure the foundation is stable and that adequate drainage is present. Stake out the dimensions of the basement with string and stakes after clearing the area of any debris. Establishing a strong foundation requires completing this preliminary work.
Next, carefully excavate the foundation. Either by hand tools or by using machinery, dig down to the designated depth—usually between seven and eight feet. Your basement’s structure will be supported and kept stable over time if you take care to build level bases and even walls.
After the foundation has been dug, continue building the walls with sturdy materials like concrete blocks or poured concrete. To give the walls more durability and strength, make sure they are reinforced with steel bars. As per your design, leave spaces for windows and doors, taking accessibility and ventilation into account.
Once the walls are up, concentrate on making the basement waterproof. To keep water away from the foundation, consider installing drainage systems like French drains and applying a waterproof membrane to the outer walls. In order to avoid moisture buildup and potential interior basement damage, proper waterproofing is crucial.
Once the structure is sturdy and watertight, finish the interior to your specifications. To control temperature and save energy, install insulation. Select flooring that is easy to maintain and long-lasting, like vinyl tiles or concrete with an epoxy finish. Apply moisture-resistant paint to the walls to improve the look of the basement and keep mold from growing.
Lastly, to enhance the usability and appeal of your basement, furnish and decorate it. Think about the various uses it could have, like a living room, home office, or entertainment area. A comfortable atmosphere can be created by adding lighting and furniture that complements the room’s dimensions. You can turn your basement into a useful addition to your house that is built with your own hands and tailored to your family’s needs by carefully following these steps.
