How to properly preserve unfinished construction for the winter Part 1: foundations

Construction of a house is often delayed for several years. In this regard, the priority question becomes: how to protect the already built from the negative impact of rainy autumn and frosty winter? Read on for the conservation of unfinished construction at all its stages.

The publication uses photos from free sources.

When mothballing an unfinished object, you must strictly adhere to two rules:

Frosty air must not be allowed into the foundation system.
It is categorically impossible that water gets into building structures.

How to preserve deep foundation for the winter

The deep foundation is considered to be the one whose sole is laid below the level of soil freezing. In different regions, this level differs in climatic conditions and soils. For example, in the south of the country this indicator can be 0.7 meters, and in the central region - 1.5-1.7 m.

This type of foundation is much easier to prepare for cold weather than other types of foundations. This is due to the fact that the structure is quite massive, has high rigidity and therefore resists frost heaving well.

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What should be done

If the construction stops at this stage, it is necessary to equip a temporary hidden area. This is done in order to prevent water from reaching the structure and in the spring, when the snow melts, the bottom of the foundation did not soak.

A temporary blind area is constructed of plastic wrap or roofing felt, which are laid along the outer perimeter of the house. The film must be sprinkled with 5-10 centimeters of soil so that it is not damaged by ultraviolet light and carried away by the wind. The width of the blind area is from 1 meter.

It should be understood that one blind area is not enough, since it protects only the outer perimeter from water, and precipitation also falls into the structure. If the future house provides for floors on the ground, it is necessary to backfill with compulsory compaction. Further, the backfill is covered with cellophane film and sprinkled with soil.

The danger of freezing through the concrete structure remains, but this is easy to prevent. The foundation must be covered with pieces of polystyrene, roofing material or cellophane should be laid on top, and pressed down with bricks or boards. But this method is applicable if the region has very frosty winters.

A more expensive but reliable option is to completely cover the foundation with waterproofing material. It is used for strip and prefabricated structures where floors are not provided on the ground.

How to prepare a shallow foundation for winter

Shallow foundations are structures that are located above the freezing point. With their wintering, serious problems arise, since the structure is relatively light, has less rigidity and is more susceptible to the destructive forces of frost heaving.

What needs to be done

This type of foundations absolutely cannot be left for the winter without built-on walls and ceilings over them. That is, at least the first floor must be done before wintering!

There are good reasons for this approach. Firstly, the walls and ceiling provide additional weight that counteracts the forces of frost heaving. Secondly, the heat emanating from the ground at the building point must be preserved, and the box will help with this.

If only the walls were able to be removed and the budget is limited, the overlap can be made temporary. The main functions of the temporary cover are: protection from precipitation and heat retention.

To fulfill these conditions, all window and door openings must be hermetically sealed with cellophane or roofing material. Do not forget about low tides and other open horizontal surfaces - they must also be protected from rain and snow.

This is especially true for walls made of porous ceramics and expanded clay blocks. These wall materials have voids in which water can accumulate. And water at low temperatures will turn into ice and destroy the structure. So, all horizontal surfaces of the walls must be covered with a film.

Blind area and plinth for the conservation of shallow foundations

A prerequisite for the conservation of the shallow foundation is the presence of insulated blind area and basement. It is necessary to reduce the depth of soil freezing under the structure.

A temporary blind area can be made from EPS sheets or conventional foam and cellophane film.

This is done very simply:

10-15 centimeters of soil is removed;
insulation is laid;
covered with a film;
sprinkled with soil.

When making an insulated blind area, it is necessary to observe the slope from the wall so that water is diverted from the foundation.

The base must also be insulated. For these purposes, EPS is suitable or, in extreme cases, foam. It is better to putty the insulation on the outside to avoid its destruction from ultraviolet radiation, which will be abundant in winter.

All of the above, namely: walls and floors; preventing heat from blowing out through openings; insulated blind area and insulated base; - is a set of measures for the conservation of shallow foundations.

The exclusion of one stage will be a violation of the conservation technology and will lead to negative consequences. For example, if you insulate the blind area, but do not insulate the basement, freezing of the structure will add to the residual freezing and the forces of frost heaving will damage the foundation.

How to reduce the cost of basement insulation

You can line the plinth with straw. For example: stack bales of straw tightly around the perimeter of the house. Another option is to collapse: fill the perimeter of the house with soil - the soil will act as a heater. You can make a greenhouse: an analogue of a greenhouse, launched around the perimeter of the building.

What methods of basement insulation do you know? Write in the comments!

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