Clay versus sand: What is the best backfill? I show it on the example of my house.

An important moment from which the construction of my house began. But for some reason I did not doubt what to do with backfilling, but it turns out that many argue ...

Friends, a big hello to everyone. I have already come to terms with the fact that controversial moments in construction are an integral part of it. But in any case, there is only one decision to make.

Only in some cases the error is not terrible, and sometimes the safety of the whole house will depend on the choice ...

Foundation construction is one example.

Namely, the question of preparing its foundation.

✔Proponents of the use of sand fill them with everything they can.

Sand bed, backfill, etc. In this case, the fact that the sand is perfectly permeable to water (that is, it is a stable, non-porous soil) is one of the main advantages.

✔But there are those who consider sand to be a ticking time bomb. And here another theory is put forward: the ability of sand to pass water well can lead to the fact that the base will accumulate it. And as a consequence, there may be leaching of the base, and excessive exposure to water on the foundation, and the corresponding consequences. Therefore, it is better to refuse any pillows, but to lean the foundation on a native dense base (i.e., no shallow options). And if you do backfilling, then with native soil, or better with clay in general, so as not to let water to the foundation.

✅ And all these theories are correct, but under certain conditions.

It is better to show it with a real example.

Namely, at his home.

• At the stage of preparing the foundation, a pit was dug, a sand cushion was made, and already on it the formwork of my shallow foundation was built (this is a plate of 100 mm, with stiffeners downwards, 400 by 400 mm).
• At the same time, backfilling inside the foundation and outside, also only sand.

Those. everything is made only of sand.

At the same time, in my area, there is a fairly high level of groundwater, and clay soil. If everything is left as it is, then there may be problems ...

But in order for the sand to work as needed, additional steps are taken.

• Sandy base, laid on geotextile, which creates a barrier against sand washout.
• But the main thing is drainage around the house.

This system removes all questions at once. And when water enters the sandy base, the drainage prevents it from lingering there.

✅ As a result, we get a dense, immovable and always dry base.

But what about clay?

In my opinion, supporters of "clay castles" come from the construction technologies of the last century (together with supporters of wooden houses, and opponents of vapor barrier 😁).

After all, it's too early to fail to 100% protect the base of the foundation from the flow of water, which will also accumulate. But to bring it out, even with the arrangement of the drainage system, is already more difficult.

My house has been standing for the third season.

And maybe this is not a deadline, but so far "my theory" is working ...

Friends, I am waiting for your opinion in the comments. Advice, especially one based on real experience, is always welcome.

subscribe to the channel, and like it 👍. Here is the whole history of building a house with your own hands.