Every foundation, even the highest quality one, needs restoration over time. The need for this method of restoring a house is indicated by its uneven shrinkage, destruction or cracking. We will consider further how to restore the foundation of a wooden house.

Reasons for repairing the foundation of a wooden house

The need to repair the foundation in a wooden house is most often seen visually. Already at first glance at the house, you can see its distortion, deformation or sagging in a certain area. In this case, the foundation of the building cannot cope with the load placed on it and needs additional strengthening.

In addition, during operation, the foundation is affected by many factors, such as increased humidity, temperature changes, precipitation, and soil heaving. Under their influence, the properties and structure of the foundation itself change, and there is a risk of reducing the service life of the building itself.

Also, another reason for restoring the foundation of a wooden house is a technologically incorrect foundation, or failure to adhere to certain rules when arranging the foundation. The use of low-quality cement mortar, non-compliance with the humidity or temperature conditions of pouring, incorrect calculations - these facts are the main reasons for the destruction of the foundation after the first winter of its operation.

In addition, the foundation of a wooden house needs restoration due to its old age, in the case when a certain period of its operation comes to an end.

In any case, before starting work, you should visually inspect the house for any defects. If the main part of the house is gradually sagging into the ground, then it is enough to carry out partial restoration. Those areas of the foundation that have been subject to rotting or destruction should be replaced with new ones or strengthened with additional reinforcement elements. Please note that it is unrealistic for one person to cope with such work. Since it may be necessary to have special equipment to lift the building shell. Concrete blocks or bricks will help build an additional section of the foundation.

If the house shows significant signs of destruction or cracking of the walls, then it will be necessary to carry out work aimed at completely restoring the foundation of the house. It is preferable to entrust this process to specialists, although it is possible to do it yourself. The main rule for successful foundation restoration is to determine the cause of its destruction and use the correct restoration technology.

And in order to determine the method of restoring the foundation, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the types of foundations made for the construction of wooden houses.

Repairing the foundation under a wooden house: types of foundations for a wooden house

1. Strip foundation.

This foundation option is the most popular, especially when it comes to shallow foundations. The strip foundation is distinguished primarily by its high strength characteristics and excellent rigidity. To equip it, a continuous trench is dug under the building under its load-bearing walls and partitions; its width along the entire length is the same, but its depth is determined by many factors, among which we note:

• the type of soil on which the house is built;
• the amount of groundwater and its level;
• weight of the building, number of floors;
• type of finishing of the roof, walls, floor, etc.

In relation to the depth of soil freezing, strip foundations can be deep or shallow. The first option is based on the fact that the depth of the foundation necessarily exceeds the level at which the soil freezes. The construction of a deep foundation will cost much more than a shallow foundation.

For the construction of a wooden house, the second option is most often used - a shallow strip foundation. It has the appearance of a solid, but T-shaped structure that can withstand moderate loads over a long service life. Thus, the foundation is located at a shallow depth, which means that the force of soil heaving affects it to a small extent. The depth of arrangement of a shallow foundation is 30-80 cm. At the same time, the cost of the amount of reinforcement and concrete mortar for filling the trench is significantly reduced.

This foundation is relevant for moisture-saturated and heaving soil. To reduce the depth of soil freezing, part of the soil near the foundation is additionally insulated. A shallow-type strip foundation is an ideal option for a wooden house, as it can ensure its high-quality operation for more than a hundred years.

2. Foundation on stilts.

The second most popular option is a pile-grillage type foundation. This option is relevant if the walls of the house are significantly light, and the top layer of soil cannot withstand a significant load. For example, if groundwater is at a fairly high level, there are influxes on the soil, or sudden temperature changes in winter.

In this case, it is recommended to install piles to a depth of more than 200 cm. Thus, it is possible to reduce the risk of damage to the foundation in the winter. Installation of piles is carried out on the corner parts of the building and at the intersection of its load-bearing walls. It is also recommended to install additional piles under areas of heavy or load-bearing walls. The optimal value of the interval between piles is 150-200 cm. There are several options for making such a foundation - the use of monolithic piles, asbestos or concrete piles with additional reinforcement. The most suitable option for a wooden house is a pile foundation with permanent formwork. In addition, such a foundation contains beams called grillages. They create a rigid structure, which is located 100-150 mm above the ground. Compared to a strip foundation, the pile version requires significantly less time and material investments for its construction.

Another type of pile foundation is screw piles. They are installed if the site has a certain slope. In order not to waste time on leveling it, a special technique is used to install screw piles.

3. Monolithic option - the most reliable, but the most expensive.

This type of foundation is distinguished by a rigid structure in the form of a reinforced concrete slab, which is located under the entire house along its perimeter. Such a foundation is constructed only if it is impossible to arrange the two previous options. If the soil on the site has poor bearing capacity not only in the upper, but also in the lower layers, then it is necessary to pour a monolithic foundation.

With the help of such a foundation it is possible to significantly level the surface both horizontally and vertically. Please note that the foundation slab must be reinforced. Otherwise, the service life of such a foundation will be halved.

Repairing the foundation of a wooden house with your own hands

To begin with, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the guide to repairing the strip foundation of a wooden house. In order to take any measures, the foundation must first be exposed. Dig a trench around the perimeter of the entire building, up to half a meter wide and deep enough to expose the lower part of the foundation.

If the house subsides unevenly, it is enough to strengthen only those places where the house sank. If the above measures do not help, then you will have to completely restore the foundation.

Partial restoration of the strip foundation consists of removing previously crumbled parts. Next, a hole is drilled in the foundation, and reinforcement or anchor connections are installed into it. If you prefer the second option, then after installing the anchors, connect them to the reinforcement using welding. Next, the trench is filled with liquid concrete. It is preferable to carry out work in sections of 150-200 cm. Install small jumpers between them. You should not rush to fill the entire trench, as the concrete will gradually be absorbed into the damaged areas of the foundation. Each of the poured sections is connected to the previous one using reinforcing bars. Thus, filling the soil with concrete solution for some time helps prevent soil subsidence.

Repair of the foundation of a wooden house photo:

If the building sags evenly, then it is preferable to build a continuous belt around the perimeter of the entire foundation, about 25 cm deep, which is strengthened with reinforcement and filled with high-quality concrete mortar.

In this case, a drainage system in the form of a sand and crushed stone cushion is installed at the bottom of the pit. Next, the old masonry is subjected to general reinforcement using a continuous steel mesh. After the final filling of the trench is completed, the size of the foundation increases and it gains additional strength. It is imperative to install ebb sills on the base part.

Repairing the foundation of an old wooden house with an uneven distortion in one of the parts is more difficult to carry out. To do this, you will need to use special equipment that will lift the house in the right place. Most often, hydraulic jacks are used to raise a house, under which beams or steel profiles are placed to perform a supporting function.

It is recommended to remove various utensils and heavy objects from the house before lifting it. In some cases, windows and doors are even removed from the house. In order not to damage the roof of the building, wall decoration or floor, the process is performed very slowly, while four corners of the house are raised at once, by approximately 4-5 cm. Then insurance is placed under the house and the process continues.

The formwork is installed in relation to the hydraulic level. The old foundation masonry is subject to mandatory reinforcement. At the same time, the reinforcement connects the foundation to the new coating. After the foundation has been poured, in some cases a brick plinth is laid, although the option of returning the house directly to reinforced concrete is possible. Please note that installing waterproofing between the basement and the house itself is mandatory.

Repair of the foundation of a wooden house price: technology for restoring a pile foundation

Repair work on a pile-type foundation is carried out in the same cases as the restoration of a strip foundation. The cost of repairing the foundation of a wooden house depends on its individual characteristics, the degree of destruction and many other factors.

If piles are used as the foundation for a wooden house, then if they crack, care should be taken to strengthen the pillars. To do this, they are treated with a reinforced concrete belt.

In the event that it is impossible to repair them in this way, you will have to lift the structure and lay out new pillars.

If the piles have characteristic signs of distortion, then try to carry out work aimed at completely straightening them. At the same time, dig up the pile in the opposite position to the distortion, try to straighten the pile and fill the hole with concrete mortar, which will help fix the foundation.

If the internal part of the pile has become deformed or destroyed, it is recommended to completely replace it. An excellent alternative to piles would be asbestos cement pipes with a diameter of about 20 cm.

To install a pile under a house, you should dig a small groove with a slope in the desired direction, run a pipe through it, install it in the desired direction and fill it with concrete mortar. Please note that the solution should saturate not only the inside of the pile, but also the sand and gravel bed underneath it.

Also, the sand and gravel bed should be strengthened by pouring external concrete mortar. Thus, the bottom of the well will resemble a T-shape. After this, the foundation will acquire additional strength and stability.

Please note that in order for the foundation to serve you as long as possible, you must carry out a series of works aimed at waterproofing and insulating it. After all, moisture that gets into the foundation through microcracks leads to its gradual destruction. The most common method of providing waterproofing is coating. It is performed using bitumen mastic, liquid glass or special penetrating compounds. After the waterproofing is applied to the surface, thermal insulation work is carried out. The best option is thermal insulation boards based on polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam. The thickness of the material depends on the climatic conditions of the region and the required thermal insulation effect.

Repairing the foundation of a wooden house video:

A decrease in the bearing capacity of the foundation and its subsidence can lead to the formation of cracks in the house, and sometimes to its complete destruction. Not all foundations are subject to deformation, but only the structures of old houses and foundations, during the construction of which errors were made or operating conditions were not taken into account. Timely repair of the foundation of any building will help extend the life of the structure and protect it from cracking. Such repairs can be done with your own hands; the main thing is to understand the causes of foundation defects and choose the appropriate method for eliminating them and strengthening the structures.

Cosmetic or major

A common reason for renovations is subsidence of the foundation of an old house. This happens for various reasons. The first signs of foundation subsidence:

• the appearance of cracks on the blind area;
• subsidence of the earth and the appearance of depressions around the pillars;
• gradual increase in splits and depressions;
• formation of cracks on the walls of the house.

Of course, the subsidence process can stop on its own if the base of the foundation rests on strong soil or takes a stable position. However, if the process does not stop, the cracks will expand, new defects will begin to appear, and eventually the house may collapse.

It will not be possible to raise the foundation to the old place, but you can stop the process when the first signs appear. In this case, do-it-yourself foundation repairs are performed in the following sequence:

1. In the place where cracks appeared on the walls and blind area, we dig a hole. The bottom of the pit should reach the foundation base.
2. Next, we make a tunnel under the sole.
3. If there is sufficiently hard rock around, then pour concrete solution into the resulting void. In conditions of loose and wet rock, it is better to use a steel pipe with a diameter of 15-20 cm, which we place in a dug niche.
4. Through this pipe we pour liquid concrete into the space under the sole. A composition with such a consistency will easily penetrate into loose soil, thereby strengthening it.
5. We stop the process of pouring concrete when the concrete solution stops being absorbed into the soil for 1-2 hours.
6. After 2-3 days, you need to repeat the process of saturating the soil with concrete mortar.
7. This procedure must be carried out 2-3 times.
8. Thus, we repair the foundation of an old house in all places where cracks began to form.

You can understand that the process of subsidence of the old building has been stopped as follows:

• We attach paper beacons to the cracks so that the edges of the sheet connect the opposite edges of the fault. The position of the post can be controlled by nailed wooden planks.
• After 10-14 days we check the beacons. If the paper is torn, it means that the shrinkage process could not be stopped. In this case, you need to add the solution to the pipe under the foundation.
• If the lighthouses are intact, then do-it-yourself repairs helped stop the subsidence of the old house. In this case, the hole at the base can be buried and cracks can be sealed.

If the above measures did not help stop the process, and the cracks continue to expand, you will have to carry out a major overhaul of the old foundation.

All work can be done with your own hands in the following sequence:

1. Dig a trench along the wall where the cracks have formed.
2. Every 0.5 m under the base of the foundation you dig niches.
3. Install panel formwork in the trench.
4. Spread the waterproofing. For these purposes, you can use roofing material.
5. Install a reinforcement cage into the formwork so that it is connected to the old foundation with reinforcement bars. To do this, you can drill holes in the concrete foundation and place anchors there or install anchors in the seams between foundation blocks made of piece material. Also, the reinforcement frame must be placed in niches under the sole.

Tip: to improve adhesion to new concrete, you can attach a steel mesh to the anchors, installed at a short distance from the surface of the old foundation.

1. After this, pour the concrete solution.
2. When the concrete hardens, we remove the formwork, and fill the trenches and compact them.

Important: if you make such a reinforcement without niches under the sole, connecting the new tape to the old one using anchors, then the effectiveness of the repair will be minimal.

After such repairs, part of the load from the house will be distributed to a new foundation strip made next to the old foundation. Therefore, the process of deformation and destruction of the old foundation will be stopped.

Repair using screw piles

If you need to raise a wooden house or replace a foundation that has lost its load-bearing capacity, then the method using screw piles is ideal. In fact, this technique allows you not only to raise the house, but to move it to a new foundation.

This technique is suitable for repairing the base of a small wooden house. When performing repairs yourself, you should adhere to the following sequence:

1. First, along the perimeter of the house at a distance of 20-30 cm from the walls, you need to install screw piles in increments of 2-2.5 m. The products should be buried to a level of at least 2 m. Concrete is poured inside the piles. A harness made from channel No. 20 is installed on top.
2. After this, the house must be raised by jacks by 30 cm.
3. Metal beams from I-beam No. 20 are installed under the structure. They should be prepared in advance along the length of the walls, adding a margin of 30-35 cm on each side for support on the pile structure. The number of beams depends on the dimensions of the building. Usually they are laid in increments of 1-1.5 m. The beams are supported by temporary supports made from available materials, which will need to be removed when the structure is lowered.
4. After this, the steel structures are painted with protective compounds, and a layer of waterproofing is laid.
5. The jacks can then be carefully removed and the structure resting on I-beams can be lowered onto the steel structure of screw piles and frames.
6. The remains of the old foundation can be dismantled.

Let us note once again that this method is suitable for a wooden house made of logs or timber. A structure made of pieced stone materials (gas blocks and bricks) cannot be raised. In this case, it is better to choose another method of repairing the old foundation with your own hands.

Repair of columnar base

A columnar foundation can be repaired using a shallow foundation. This technique is suitable for doing it yourself due to its simplicity and accessibility. We carry out the work in several stages:

• A trench 0.5-0.7 m deep is dug around the structure. The width of the trench depends on how wide the tape you plan to make. The optimal size is 0.8-1 m.
• The bottom of the trench is carefully compacted.
• Then a sand cushion is performed. To do this, sand is poured in a layer of 10 cm, moistened with water and compacted.
• Depending on the rock, the walls of the trench can be strengthened with formwork (if the rock is loose and granular) or paved with roofing felt (if the soil is strong). In the latter case, the roofing felt will serve as formwork and waterproofing of the base.
• After this, the bottom is covered with roofing felt to prevent moisture from being absorbed from the concrete.
• Then pour concrete into the trench in a layer 5 cm high.
• After it hardens, we install the reinforcement cage. It is worth remembering that the frame should not be closer than 5 cm to the surface of the formwork.
• Then we pour the concrete. The height of the reinforced concrete belt should be such that after laying steel pipes with a diameter of 20 cm on it, they would be strictly under the frame of the columnar base. That is, the old piping should rest on the pipes lying on the flooded belt.
• After the concrete has hardened, we lay and fasten metal pipes with a diameter of 200 mm. We lay the pipes in increments of 2-2.5 m and place them under the old piping.

Brick foundation repair

To repair a brick plinth or the foundation of a house, do the following:

1. We dig a trench along the damaged wall.
2. Using anchors, we attach the steel mesh to the surface of the base.
3. After this, we install the formwork in the trench, cover it with waterproofing and pour out the concrete solution.
4. After the concrete has hardened, we remove the formwork, fill the trench and compact it.

Tip: damaged sections of the brick foundation can be rebuilt and the blind area replaced. However, it is important to connect the sections of the old and new brickwork of the base using anchors.

Sometimes, to strengthen a brick base, a steel cage is used, which is attached to anchors around the perimeter of the entire base and tightened with bolts. If large sections of the base need to be replaced, the work is carried out as follows:

1. The foundation is divided into small zones 2 m long.
2. After this, you gradually replace each section with a new one. In this case, the distance between the new foundation and the old area must be at least 150 cm. Repair of these distances can be done after the mortar has hardened in adjacent areas.

Foundation repair is a costly and complex undertaking; to do it correctly, you need to know the principle of the structure, the causes and signs of foundation failure. A wooden private house is very common in our area, which is not surprising, because wood is an affordable material, construction costs are relatively low, and the completed house will be environmentally friendly and warm. These are the absolute advantages of a wooden structure. There are also disadvantages, but they do not appear immediately, but after some time of use.

Most often, owners of wooden houses are faced with the fact that the house is “bursting at the seams.” Windows and doors warp, walls sag, and cracks appear. All these visual defects are caused by one reason - the destruction of the foundation. To extend the life of the house, it is necessary to eliminate this destruction in a timely manner. This will require strengthening or reconstruction of the foundation (restoration), complete (overhaul) or partial (elimination of cracks).

It is worth noting that repairing the foundation of an old wooden house is not an easy undertaking, so it is advisable to entrust it to professionals. But, you can do the work yourself. The main thing here is the time factor. The problem must be fixed as soon as it is discovered.

Causes of foundation destruction

Before you begin a detailed study of how to repair the foundation of a wooden house, you need to understand what caused its deformation. Two factors can contribute to this:

change in the bearing capacity of the soil. This occurs due to an increase in the load on the foundation, and therefore on the soil underneath it. The reason may be improper drainage of rain/melt water or an increase in groundwater levels, which leads to soil erosion. The construction of other buildings near the house also increases the load on the soil. As a result, the soil seems to be squeezed out from under the foundation of the house, which can ultimately lead to subsidence of the house or its warping.

loss of strength of the material from which the foundation is made. Among the main reasons are the following: incorrect choice of foundation type, exposure to water, incorrect brand of concrete used during construction, incorrect calculation of the depth of soil freezing, violation of construction technology.

Identifying the cause of foundation failure provides a starting point for investigation.

Types of foundation deformation

The second point to consider is identifying the extent of damage to the foundation. According to the criterion of maintainability, they can be divided into 4 types.

1. Minimal damage.

These include partially exfoliated finishing of the foundation of a wooden house. Such defects do not have a significant effect on the bearing capacity of the foundation. In addition, they are visible to the naked eye and can be removed without any problems.

2. Moderate damage.

These include the appearance of cracks in the foundation of a house due to subsidence or destruction of the foundation. In this case, you should be careful, because... crack crack discord. First of all, its direction is determined. As a rule, horizontal cracks in the foundation are the least dangerous, but vertical or zigzag cracks should alert you. It will also be determined whether the subsidence of the foundation is temporary or whether it is progressive.

The nature of the destruction can be determined using beacons installed on the crack (see photo).

You can use ordinary paper as beacons, but it is worth remembering that when moisture gets in, the paper gets wet and will no longer give a complete picture of the behavior of the crack. Plaster plasters are suitable for use. But the easiest way is to apply a little putty to the wall and use a spatula to draw a straight line and make a mark. Such a beacon is good because it breaks at the slightest movement of the surface. Installing a beacon will not only allow you to notice the enlargement of the crack, but also determine the rate of destruction.

Important. The beacon must be installed on a clean, dry wall to prevent it from moving. The thickness of the beacon should not exceed 5 mm.

If the foundation temporarily settles, the beacons will remain motionless. Those. there is a high probability that the soil under the foundation has moved a little, has taken its place and does not intend to move anymore. Therefore, you only need to perform routine repairs to foundation cracks.

Repairing cracks:

• widen the crack;
• clean it from falling parts and dust;
• treat with a primer;
• seal the seam with a special mixture or cement mortar.

The destruction of beacons indicates that the fault in the foundation or wall is increasing. This means that sealing cracks will not help, it’s time to take urgent measures - this type of deformation can be classified as catastrophic.

3. Catastrophic damage.

These are foundation defects that can lead to the destruction of the house. Of course, it is advisable to repair the foundation under a wooden house in a timely manner, but there are times when the moment is missed.

Then the technology for carrying out repair work will be determined by the type of foundation. The most popular of which are columnar and ribbon. In each individual case, each owner decides for himself whether he needs to strengthen the foundation or completely replace it.

4. Unremovable deformations.

In this case, the condition of the foundation is so deplorable that there is nothing to repair. It is usually easier and cheaper to destroy an old house and build a new cottage in its place that meets all the requirements of a modern person.

Repairing the strip foundation of a wooden house is somewhat more complicated, so we will dwell on it in more detail.

Strengthening the foundation of a private house - ways to strengthen it

The strengthening method is chosen when the deformations of the foundation are removable and the soil underneath is stable. Or if there is a need for an addition to the house, and the existing foundation cannot cope with the increasing load.

Strip foundation strengthening technology - instructions

• dig a trench around the perimeter of the foundation. Its width should be sufficient for convenient work and take into account the fact that the thickness of the foundation will increase;

• clean the foundation surface from soil;

Advice. You can clean the surface well using a metal brush.

• drill holes. Its diameter should exceed the diameter of the reinforcement by 1 mm. This is necessary for a more dense installation of metal rods;

• hammer the reinforcement into the holes. Thus, the new foundation will be securely connected to the existing one;

• make a reinforced belt. To do this, reinforcement is welded to the installed pieces;

Advice. It is advisable to weld the reinforcement only in a few places, and do the main part of the strapping using wire. This type of fastening does not require special skills or tools. But if it is present, the reinforcing belt does not deform when concrete is poured and hardened.

• formwork is installed;

• concrete is poured. After the concrete has hardened, the formwork is removed, and the reinforced foundation stands for several more days;

• the new foundation is being waterproofed;

• a blind area is made that will allow water to be drained away from the foundation.

Strengthening the foundation of a wooden house allows you to redistribute the load of the structure over a larger area. As a result, the foundation will stop subsiding or collapsing.

Complete replacement of the house foundation

Often the foundation sags so much that water can easily flow into the room. In this case, you need to figure out how to raise the foundation of a wooden house? Or the old foundation can no longer cope with the load on it and then the foundation is reconstructed.

Replacing the foundation under a wooden house - technology

• maximum reduction of constant and variable load on the foundation. To do this, everything that can be taken out of the house is removed, it is advisable to even dismantle the floor and disassemble the stoves. The exception is furnaces on a separately poured foundation. Naturally, residents are also evicted during the renovation;

• load calculation (weight of the house). Weight can be easily determined by having data regarding the density of the wood from which the house is built and the total cubic capacity of the wood used. The cubic capacity is calculated based on the dimensions of the house and the thickness of the walls;

Advice. A small and light wooden house is raised using a vault. To do this, an 80x80 beam is placed at the corner of the house. Next, the timber rests on the log. By pressing on the beam you can lift the house like a large lever.

• choosing a jack to raise a house. Depends on the weight of the structure, the lifting capacity of the jack and their number;

• digging pits (trenches). It breaks out along the entire perimeter of the house or only in those places where the house needs to be raised. Its presence simplifies access to the foundation. In addition, the appearance of water in the pit will make it possible to understand the level of groundwater;

• jack establishment. To raise the house smoothly, you need to install the jack correctly. It is installed only in safe places, without destruction or damage;

• lifting the house. You need to lift the house carefully, slowly, and most importantly evenly;

Advice. To protect yourself in case the jack cannot cope with the load or is installed unsuccessfully, you need to place wooden wedges between the house and the foundation pad. It is advisable to insert wedges every 15-20 mm.

Important: To lay the foundation for a wooden house, you need to raise the entire structure. Considering that the house is wooden, the maximum load will fall on the lower crowns. To prevent them from sagging, you need to tighten the lower crown with a steel hoop or fill it with boards.

• dismantling the old foundation. If the budget is very limited, and the condition of some parts of the foundation is satisfactory, then partial disassembly can be performed, i.e. remove only the destroyed foundation. However, this will not reduce the cost of work significantly, but the quality of work may suffer;

Advice. The old foundation must be dismantled down to the ground.

• installation of a sand-cement cushion for the future foundation. Despite the fact that the foundation is laid for a finished house, the pillow is an important component of it;

• installation of concrete or brick supports in the corners of the house. Installation of piles is also possible. They will reduce the load on the foundation in the future. The height of the support is equal to the height of the new foundation;

• reinforcement. After the columns are installed, the reinforcement is installed. The reinforcement belt will give the foundation strength. We remind you that his installation of an armored belt for the foundation is carried out using wire, not welding;

• installation of formwork;

• pouring concrete. The foundation must stand for several days to gain strength. After this, the formwork is removed and the foundation is left open for another 1-2 days;

• waterproofing. To protect the wood of the house from rotting, you should lay a layer of waterproofing on the foundation. Roofing felt is excellent for these purposes;

• lowering the house. The house goes down as slowly as it went up;

• Finishing work. This includes complete waterproofing, cladding, drainage and blind areas.

From the description it is clear that replacing the foundation under a wooden house is a rather risky and time-consuming undertaking, for the implementation of which it is advisable to invite specialists.

How to raise a house and move it to a new foundation is implemented in practice can be seen at

Using the methods described above, you can repair the strip foundation of a wooden house. But what about those who have a columnar foundation?

Repair of a columnar foundation of a wooden house - technology

• the house rises to the calculated height. The height should be sufficient to carry out the work and at the same time not contribute to severe sagging of the lower crown.

• leaning pillars are dismantled. It is worth noting that a dilapidated support post must be removed, and a tilted one is simply leveled.

• soil is selected at the site where new pillars will be installed. We remind you that the pillars are installed at the corners of the building and at the junction/intersection of walls.

• a sand-cement cushion is placed under the pillar.

• The pillar is being reinforced.

• concrete is poured.

• steel or wooden beams are installed, which take on the entire load from the weight of the house and transfer it to the pillars.

• the building is going down.

If you need to replace one or two pillars, you can do it as follows. A dig is made in the place where the pillar to be replaced is installed. The tilt angle is 35°. A pipe is inserted into it and filled with solution. After hardening, the old pillar is removed and the new one is leveled. The process is presented more clearly in the photo.

It is worth noting that repairing or completely replacing a pile foundation is much simpler and faster than a strip foundation and takes only a few days, after which you can operate the house as usual.

Repair of brick and rubble foundations - replacement with a monolith

In times of total shortage, i.e. During the construction of the main part of the houses, the foundations were built of bricks (both strip and columnar). Due to its fragility, repairing the brick foundation of a wooden house usually involves replacing the brickwork with a more durable material - concrete. This reinforcement technology is applicable for rubble stone foundations. The method was described on the “House and Dacha” forum and judging by the reviews, the technique showed itself well in practice.

To carry out repair work you will need

1. Concrete mortar
2. Armature
3. Corner for making supports
4. Jacks for raising a house with a lifting capacity of 20 tons.

Dismantling the old rubble (or brick) foundation masonry We dismantle the old rubble (or brick) foundation masonry in small sections of half a meter.

The freed fragments at the base of the house are needed to install a jack and further transfer the weight of the house onto metal supports.

Construction of a base plate for a jack A base plate for a jack is made at the site of the destroyed base. The platform must be strong and stable, it is poured from concrete with mandatory reinforcement.

Hanging a house with jacks Hanging a house with jacks. You need to lift alternately in all openings.

Transferring the weight of the house to a metal support When the house is hung, it is necessary to install supports pre-welded from the corner, onto which we lower the house.

Installation of external formwork and pouring concrete Upon completion of the reinforcement, the outer part of the formwork is installed and concrete is poured.

In this way, the foundation under a wooden house is replaced.

After reading this article, you have gained an idea of ​​how to repair a damaged foundation, how to strengthen the foundation of a wooden house, and in which cases it must be completely replaced. Using this information, you will gain sufficient knowledge to do the work yourself.

Repairing the foundation of a wooden house - strengthening, reconstructing and replacing the old foundation with your own hands - My Life

Repairing the foundation of a wooden house - strengthening, reconstructing and replacing the old foundation with your own hands Foundation repair is a costly and complex undertaking to do it correctly,

Due to many circumstances, a complete replacement or major repair of the foundation may be required. This could be due to initially faulty construction, incorrect geodetic calculations, or dilapidated structure. Cracks in the walls, warping of the structure, lowering of door and window blocks indicate problems with the foundation. By promptly beginning to eliminate the cause of destruction, you can extend the life of your home for a long time. Complete repair or reconstruction of the foundation is a labor-intensive process, but following general recommendations, it is quite possible to make a foundation for a house.

Before deciding to completely replace the foundation, you should carefully calculate the degree of destruction. It may be much more profitable to carry out the repairs yourself.

Strengthening and repairing the old foundation of a wooden house with your own hands.

Causes of foundation deformation

First of all, it is necessary to fully examine the house and identify all possible causes of the emergency condition. It can be:

• Increased load on the foundation - a fireplace, an attic was added, or cladding was done;
  Soil erosion as a result of rising groundwater or improperly managed rainwater drainage;
• Construction of a bathhouse or other buildings on the site that caused ground movement;
  Destruction of base materials;
• Construction error in laying the foundation, poor quality of cement and mortar;
  Natural disasters (floods, earthquakes).

Degree of destruction

The next stage is an expert assessment of the deformation of the base; it affects the repair process itself. Conventionally, it is customary to divide 4 degrees of damage:

1. Minimum– partially peeling foundation finishing does not affect the load-bearing foundation, is quickly detected and eliminated in the shortest possible time;
2. Average– the presence of cracks in the foundation may indicate partial or complete subsidence of the foundation. Horizontal cracks are less dangerous. Particular attention should be paid to zigzag and vertical ones. The nature of the subsidence is also determined - temporary or steadily progressive. For this purpose, “beacons” are installed. They can be made of plain paper, putty or plaster. The beacon will indicate not only the size of the crack, but also the speed at which destruction occurs. If the subsidence was not stable, the lighthouse will remain motionless. This means that ongoing repairs can begin. Cracks that can be repaired are widened, debris removed, treated with a primer and sealed with cement or special building mixtures.
   If the “beacon” is destroyed, then corrosion in the foundation increases. Current repairs will not help; more radical measures must be taken. This type of damage is considered catastrophic.
3. Catastrophic degree– the condition of the foundation can destroy the house. The methods of repair work depend on what type of foundation you have - strip or pillar.
4. Unrecoverable deformation– in this case, the foundation cannot be repaired, the destruction is such that it would be cheaper to build a new house using all modern technologies.

Photo of an old wooden house that urgently needs repairs.

Strengthening the base

This method of repair is suitable when the foundation is subject to reconstruction and the soil underneath is stable. Reinforcement is also necessary for additional superstructure or brick cladding of the house.

The procedure for strengthening the strip base is as follows:

• A trench is dug along the perimeter of the building - to the depth of the foundation and to a width suitable for work;
• The surface of the base is cleaned of soil with a metal brush;
• Holes are made for the reinforcement;
• Iron reinforcement bars are inserted into the holes, thus connecting the old foundation to the new one;
• A reinforced belt is made - the rods are welded in several places, the rest of the reinforcement is done using steel wire. This method does not require special knowledge and tools, and at the same time fully retains its functionality - it does not deform when the concrete hardens;
• Formwork is installed;
• Concrete is poured, after the mixture has hardened, the formwork is removed, the new foundation is built for several days;
• Waterproofing is being carried out, and groundwater drainage is being made.

Repairing the old foundation of a wooden house in this way will allow the load to be evenly distributed, and the foundation will stop collapsing and settling.

Repair of pile (columnar) foundation

It is carried out much faster and more cost-effectively than strengthening a strip foundation. After just a few days, you can use your home as usual. The technology is as follows:

• The house is raised to a carefully calculated height to carry out the necessary work (it is very important to correctly calculate the weight of the house and distribute the load);
• Bent supports are leveled, dilapidated ones are completely dismantled;
• The soil in the place where the supports are installed is removed, they are erected in the corners of the house and in the locations of the load-bearing walls;
• The sand-cement mixture is poured under the pillar;
• The support is strengthened with reinforcement;
• Concrete is poured;
• Installation of metal or wooden beams is carried out, which bear the entire load of the house;
• The house is being placed on a renewed foundation.

Replacing brick foundations with monolithic ones

In the past, both strip and pile foundations were made of brick. Such bases are very fragile and are more susceptible to destructive factors. Repairing such a foundation involves complete dismantling and replacement with concrete. The work is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Dismantling the brickwork in small parts, this is necessary to transfer the weight to the steel supports;
2. In place of the dismantled sections, a reinforced concrete slab for the jack is installed;
3. The house is raised in all areas;
4. Pre-prepared supports are installed;
5. The mass of the house is transferred, internal formwork is made;
6. Reinforcement is placed inside the installed supports;
7. External formwork is installed and concrete is poured.

Complete replacement of the foundation base

When the foundation is completely corroded or is unable to withstand the increased load, then a complete reconstruction is carried out, which is quite expensive and extensive. Technology:

• The house is completely cleared of furniture, the stove and floors are dismantled to make the structure as light as possible;
• Calculation of the load of the house, based on data on the strength of the tree and the volume of the house;
• The choice of jacks depends on the size of the house and its weight;
• Very careful, uniform rise of the house;
• Digging a trench around the entire perimeter of the house to facilitate access to the foundation;
• Dismantling the destroyed base (to reduce costs, you can remove only the destroyed parts, but this does not greatly affect the budget);
• Construction of a sand cushion, installation of supports, tying with a reinforced belt;
• Installation of formwork, pouring concrete, the foundation must stand for several days to gain strength;
• Waterproofing, lowering the house;
• Finishing works – cladding, drainage.

Video.

All of the above are the most popular and effective methods for reconstructing the foundation for a house with your own hands; wooden frame after restoration work, completely ready for living.

“The house is bursting at the seams!” - such an emotional statement can often be heard both from the owners of country cottages and small garden houses that were built quite a long time ago. Invisible small cracks first appear on the walls and base of the building, which over time become larger and “capture” more and more new surfaces. The appearance of such cracks serves as the first alarm bell, warning the owner that it is time to repair the foundation. This is not an easy task, but in this article we will try to talk about how to repair and reconstruct an old foundation with your own hands.

1. Causes
2. Working with waterproofing
3. We carry out repair work
4. Video

When is repair necessary?

The following signs on the building will help you understand how serious repairs are to be made to the foundation of the house:

1. Distortions of doorways and window frames, which causes problems with opening and closing.
2. The appearance of new and significant increase in the size of old cracks on wall surfaces.
3. Annual flooding of the basement or cellar with melt water in the spring.
4. Destruction or severe cracking of the foundation.
5. Changing the position of stairs and porches.

It is worth noting that not in all cases these signs indicate the need to repair the foundation of a private house with your own hands. If the building was erected not very long ago or any construction work was carried out next to it, then the cracks may show normal “shrinkage” or be a sign of minor shifts in the foundation.

In order not to start panicking prematurely and saving money for repairs, you should check the rate of crack expansion. The method is simple and not very expensive: you need tissue paper or a paper napkin, which indicates the installation date of such a beacon, and stick it on the crack. Then we observe how long it takes for the paper to tear. The less time it takes for the house to “rip” the paper, the more urgent the foundation restoration work must become.

Most homeowners, having realized that the foundation of a wooden house or one built from any other material needs repair, wonder what caused its damage.

Main causes of damage

Destruction of the supporting structure and foundation of the house can occur due to the following factors:

• the foundation depth was insufficient for this region;
• incorrect choice of foundation type and materials for the soils present on the site;
• incorrect calculation of technical characteristics and parameters;
• serious technological violations during construction;
• use of low-quality or non-compliant building materials;
• the building was completed and rebuilt, as a result of which the maximum load on the structure was exceeded;
• construction work was carried out not far from the house, which led to significant ground movements;
• destruction of materials due to aging;
• incorrect location of waterproofing or its complete absence;
• change in the level or volume of groundwater or groundwater;
• the site on which the building is located has been or is exposed to natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides or floods.

Types of jobs

Today there are many ways and techniques that allow you to reconstruct and strengthen the old foundation. It's no secret that houses are built from a variety of materials, such as brick, artificial and natural stone, wood, reinforced concrete and on various types of foundation. Strengthening the supporting structure of each type of structure is done in a certain way. Repair and reconstruction of the foundation of an old wooden house will require lifting the entire structure into the air, and then laying the foundation. This method is not suitable for buildings built of brick or concrete.

Emergency construction assistance

In the event that it is necessary to make emergency repairs to the old foundation under the house, we take the following actions:

1. Rupture the soil to open the foundation in the place where the crack or cracks are most actively expanding, or in the place of subsidence or “collapse”.

2. Dig a hole to the base at an angle of 35° and, using a metal or asbestos pipe, pump in a solution of liquid concrete. Pour the solution until it stops being absorbed. After one or two hours you will need to repeat the download. This procedure is carried out 2-3 times every other day or two.

3. Install paper test beacons on the crack. If the paper breaks and subsidence of the foundation continues, you will have to perform circular concreting of the foundation.

4. If everything is fine, then cover the exposed area of ​​the structure with soil and compact it thoroughly.

We restore waterproofing

The easiest way to repair foundation waterproofing is injection. When using it, special injection solutions are injected through specially drilled holes in concrete, penetrating to a depth of up to one and a half meters. In the process of their interaction with moisture located in the base, swelling occurs and, thus, the pores close. This stops the flow of moisture from the surrounding soil into the foundation.

How to make repairs on their own?

Of course, it also happens that the causes of deformation and destruction of the foundation can be force majeure circumstances, such as, for example, constant and increasing flooding due to the construction of new multi-story buildings or extensive landslides. It is very difficult to cope with these on your own from a technical point of view, and quite expensive from a material point of view. In all other cases, with effort and time, you can repair and strengthen the strip foundation, or any other, on your own.

We repair strip foundations

In modern construction, this type of foundation is used most often. According to its characteristics, it represents an integral structure, but it is allowed to exceed the permissible loads on its individual sections. Heaving soils can have a serious deforming effect, resulting in a distortion of the foundation of the building. In this case, repairing the strip foundation on your own should begin with balancing the forces acting on it. The easiest way is to increase the area of ​​the entire base of the house. All work begins from the place where the greatest tilt is observed and is carried out in stages:

1. A section of the wall about two meters is outlined and a trench is dug near it, such a depth that the lowest point of the damaged structure is one meter higher than it.

2. Clean the base and the above-ground part of the plinth, freed from soil, from dirt, layers of plaster or paint.

3. All cleaned surfaces are treated with a deep penetration primer.

4. Anchors are screwed into pre-prepared holes in the damaged area. Vertically, the number of rows cannot be less than three, and horizontally, the distance between elements varies from 60 to 120 cm.

5. A reinforcing mesh made of metal rods with a diameter of 10 to 14 mm is welded to the fixed anchors.

6. Concrete solution is pumped into the cavities formed due to destruction.

7. If the damage to the base is quite extensive, then you will have to install formwork at a distance of 7-15 cm from the boundaries of the old base, which will need to be filled with concrete mortar.

8. After the concrete has completely dried, a waterproofing layer is attached to it.

9. The trench is filled with soil layer by layer, compacting each layer.

Such work will have to be carried out quite quickly, since prolonged idleness of the foundation in the open causes more intense subsidence of the structure.

What is the price?

The cost of repairing a damaged or deteriorating foundation is influenced by the following factors:

• type of base;
• funds for the purchase of building materials;
• the price of the repair and installation work itself.

Restoring a strip foundation under a wooden house will cost about 4,000 rubles per 1 m2, and the cost of repairing the same meter, but at the base of piles, will cost twice as much - 8,000 rubles.

Foundation Repair

Delays in foundations are not only typical for new structures, but often for already established structures. This is due to various hydrological and physical-mechanical changes in the lower layers of the soil, which reduces its carrying capacity. In addition, the properties of the soil may change if construction work is carried out near the house.

The first sign of precipitation is cracks in the stage. But don’t be afraid right away, in almost any case you can fix the basics yourself.

Expectations start at the base of the base stone and sometimes increase over time, reducing the stability and performance of the base.

However, often the sinking can become temporary, as usually the slight sagging of the stone on the stone finds new, more stable support.

But if the dive continues, it is better not to hesitate with repairs.

To determine the presence and speed of movement, paper lamps with the date of their installation are attached to the cracks.

A quick break from them will confirm the need for foundation repairs.

Do it:

1. pull under the base tilted flock at a 35° angle to the bottom of the layer;
2. Asbestos is inserted into the hole or a metal tube with a diameter of 15-20 carriers is poured into a thin cement or concrete mixture until the soil under the foundation foundation is completely satisfied (the solution is poured for 1 hour);
3. After 1-2 days the procedure is repeated.

After this, fix the cracks in the beacons and wait for the result.

If the dive continues, then the technology for correcting the foundations of further strengthening is as follows:

1. on the periphery of the foundations, a 20 * 35 cm ditch is dug, in which wooden boards are placed in the form of a tree;
2. lay metal seams in the seams of the old basement and weld them together with the reinforcement, thus creating a reinforced belt;
3. Pour concrete into the panel with a small charge of crushed stone or gravel.

Example of fundamental cracks

As a result, a reinforced concrete ring around the perimeter of the house, which should significantly strengthen its load-bearing capacity, must be used to evenly distribute the load-bearing capacity of the structure horizontally, thereby stopping the leveling.

This type of foundation repair is used when blind spot cracks are coming from all sides of the building.

Ways to repair old house foundations

If one (or more) is on one side, all of the listed work is done on the problem only.

In a similar way, foundation column repairs are carried out, performing this work along the perimeter of each column.

Advice! Placement between every two columns under concrete cast metal, reinforced concrete or wood beams, as if connecting both columns, can significantly increase the load capacity.

Secure the foundation of a wooden house

Repairing the foundations of a wooden house is perhaps the simplest version of this type of work.

Built according to old technologies, the foundations in such houses often go quite far, leading to the slope of the house.

In this case, minor foundation repairs will not be useful, so you need to build a new one. Fortunately, with a wooden house, this is a very feasible task that can be solved without demolishing a private wooden house.

If you want to replace the foundation, you must unload it completely.

This is done as follows:

1. remove literally all the objects in it from the house, remove soil, minimize the weight of the house;
2. under a canopy with a pitch of 2-2.5 m made of lead steel or reinforced concrete beams, which are under the corresponding hole sizes;
3. The beams are lifted evenly by hydraulic connections and supported by pre-prepared temporary supports;
4. replace the foundation and after installing the waterproofing, lower the structure into place.

To restore the foundation of an old wooden house, you need to take care of replacing old rotten crowns.

Procedure for lifting a wooden house with trailers

A little about vortices

Nowadays, screw pilots are very often used as an alternative to conventional concrete foundations.

According to their characteristics, the purchases are no worse, but the total costs are about three times cheaper.

In addition, helmets can be easily installed (can be installed by hand) and last at least 100 years without changing their physical properties.

The foundations can be repaired by propeller pilots independently, which is only true for wooden houses, which, as we already know, are not very problematic.

The installation technology for propeller pilots is as follows:

1. depending on the type of soil that is located below the house, the freezing depth, the calculated mass load, the appropriate type (according to GOST) and the number of pilots are selected;
2. under the raised house, freed from the former foundation, mark the location of the load-bearing walls in the form of a grid and on its periphery, as well as at the intersections in the intended place for screwing each pile;
3. in certain places, using special equipment or manually using a set of levers, rotate the piles below the floor level at the same height;
4. then a glued gasket after sanding the section using a specially selected threshold (larger or smaller cross-section depending on the load), thereby creating an actual iron grating channel built according to the shape of the house walls;
5. Lower house onto prepared grill.

For weak soils that are subject to constant flooding, for wooden, wooden and wooden houses, the base for pilots is the best option.

The house is built on the basis of propeller pilots

Repair of waterproofing foundations

Repairing the foundations of a brick house should also be done when water appears in the basement, cellar or underground.

This indicates a violation of the waterproofing of the foundations and/or plinth, which may adversely affect their integrity.

Two types of waterproofing:

First, the use of a cast asphalt gasket on the surface of the second cylinder is made of material (roofing, waterproofing, brizol, etc.) that are glued together with the same joint.

For insulation, also use cement (from special cement) or asphalt concrete plaster.

Oaklechnaya and paint waterproofing are carried out on both vertical surfaces and horizontal surfaces.

Vertical insulation is mounted on the wall, directly on the ground (down to the level of an empty surface or sidewalk).

Horizontal serves to protect the walls of the house and basement from floor moisture that penetrates from the bottom of the basement of a common or country house.

In uncontested buildings, in the basement, above the level of the sidewalk or empty area of ​​200 mm, in basement houses, horizontal waterproofing is arranged on two levels:

1. in the basement floors;
2. in the basement, above the level of the sidewalk or blind surface.

For those who renovate apartments, the fund is not as important as it is practically not a question of cracks and pumping, and in the event of such a problem, the municipal authorities will solve it.

Based on materials from the site: http://fundament-expert.ru

Reconstruction of the foundations of a wooden house and its insulation

Reconstruction of the foundations of a wooden house is necessary in cases where the lower walls of the walls and the foundation of the building have become unusable.

Such negative aspects can be found in a house that has served its owner for many years.

It is based on an old wooden house

Today, craftsmen are ready to offer owners of wooden houses, whose support has become useless, two opportunities for renovation.

The first option is acceptable if the magazines below are located directly on the floor.

In this case, at the corners of the house they are glued to the corner of the gears. This procedure is performed by hand drilling.

The fittings are inserted into the hole. which is then poured with concrete (you need to rely on a long hammer, it must cover above the surface).

Thus, we get the appearance of a pile. The movements rotate every meter.

Use three connectors to lift up a corner and part of the wall. The pilots that stick to the surface are then bent and welded together. Once the entire circumference is completed, we will continue to excavate all of the old substrate and then pour the concrete.

In the second case, the use of reinforcement is not guaranteed. In case the foundation of the house is really very bad in the corners, and a cave breaks out in the middle of the wall.

In most cases they are 50x50.

After this, we pour concrete into the dug wells. Such “pedestals” will serve as the basis for ports through which the house will grow. The joints are replaced with bricks, the panel is laid out and the strip foundation is poured.

Today we will look in more detail at the second version of the reconstruction.

Characteristics of reconstruction

Initially, it should be noted that the tape is the foundation for the reconstruction of wooden houses from very well installed ones.

I would like to mention that all activities are carried out exclusively by an expert.

This is mainly due to the fact that the division of the log from the surface is overloaded with many shades. If you ignore even one of them, you can destroy the structure of the entire house, which can lead to its collapse.

Connections and lifting capacity must be used to perform unloading of the house from the surface, which must be selected according to the size and area of ​​the house.

The criteria for joining and the scheme of measures taken are selected based on an analysis of the condition of the lowest crowns and the condition of the old base.

Preparation of sites for trailers

They decided on technologies, met the master, they did an analysis - it was time to start the main work.

Do the work in the following order:

• Selecting points under the nest;
• Partial disassembly of the old substrate at selected points;
• If necessary, organize specific “pedestals”;
• Installing a socket.

After these activities are completed, we continue to implement basic measures.

Repair of the foundations of a wooden house is carried out using the following technology.

Reconstruction technology

Technology - a model of a monolithic structure.

• After installing the connectors, we begin to accurately lift the frame;
• The damaged parts of the old place are dismantled after it.

  In such areas, the coated and reinforcing bonding equipment has an old structure that has survived as a result of survival;

• All molded formwork is filled with concrete. If something is bad and almost everything is destroyed, then it is advisable to restore it in parts. Remember the internal reinforcement frame;
• The construction of a house falls on the foundation only if the concrete receives all its strength.

At the final stage of reconstruction, another important event will be carried out: the introduction of thermal insulation of the new base.

How to insulate the foundations of a wooden house?

Don't pay enough attention to this issue, you have dangerously cold floors and discomfort in your home in winter.

So far they have been invented and successfully used for thermal insulation:

Heater - earth, expanded clay

This is the cheapest method of heating, and at the same time it is the most complex process, since it requires large areas of land.

For a house of 100 square meters you need almost 100 cubic meters of land.

Yes, the cost of land is not very good, but the quality characteristics of such insulation are far from perfect.

Using ceramic insulation will cost you a little more. But in this case you will get better insulating properties compared to earth.

This insulation process also involves high physical stress, so a third insulation method, polyurethane foam, is an ideal option.

Insulation - polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is an ideal modern tool for thermal insulation in a wooden house.

Its main advantages are:

• Lightweight - minimal weight;
• Low thermal conductivity.

Today, polyurethane foam can be purchased in various thicknesses - thirty, fifty and one hundred millimeters.

Repairing the foundations of an old wooden house - the base of the apartment will be reliable!

The thickness of the insulation should be selected based on the thickness of the already restored substrate.

We suspect

Finally, I would like to summarize: reconstruction of the support of an old wooden house is possible with all forms of destruction.

Each institution can be restored, everything will depend on the chosen technology and the experience of the master.

However, you should not take risks in this regard and it is better to contact a specialized company that has experience in this type of work.

Interesting video:

After restoration, do not forget to take thermal insulation measures.

Today we learned about three types of insulation, but there are many more. Only an expert can give you useful advice on choosing the type of insulation.

On the materials pages: http://domunit.ru

Features of brick houses

Owners of their own brick houses of unsuccessful or old construction are often faced with the need to solve problems caused by deformation and destruction of the foundation of the house. This problem is very typical for brick (stone) private houses due to the rather large weight of brick walls compared to walls made of lighter building materials, for example, wood.

The appearance of cracks in the foundation is a dangerous sign of the beginning of the destruction of a brick house, threatening to lead to distortion and destruction of walls, ceilings, as well as the entire supporting structure.

If the necessary measures are not taken in a timely manner

restoration (strengthening) of the foundation, the house may become uninhabitable. A high-quality repaired foundation of a brick house will not only stop the current process of subsidence and distortions and prevent its continuation, but will also provide excellent conditions for the construction of a second floor.

Causes of foundation destruction

Some houses stand intact for centuries, while others collapse after a few decades.

It also happens that the destruction of a house begins even before construction is completed. Typically, the main difference in the lifespan of a building is the quality of the foundation. If over time the first signs of destruction of the foundation of a brick private house appear, then to solve this problem it is necessary to repair it. To do this, it is necessary to first establish the reasons that caused this destruction.

There are three main groups of factors leading to the destruction of the foundation of a brick house: defects in the construction of the foundation, human activity, and the influence of natural factors.

In the first case, during the operation of the building by people, the foundation can be soaked with tap water. As a result, the soil and the foundation of the structure become wet and freeze in winter. In the second case, the reasons for the destruction of the foundation may be poor quality of the solution or illiterate design. In the third case, for example, seasonal soil heaving has a detrimental effect.

Signs of destruction

The main sign that something is wrong with the foundation of a brick private house is the presence of depressions and cracks at its base.

During the process of shrinkage of the building, the foundation may develop cracks, which will not progress and will require only cosmetic repairs. You need to stick paper tape across the cracks and monitor its integrity for ten days. If after this period the tape remains intact, then it is enough to fill the crack with broken bricks and concrete it. If the tape is torn, this means that the foundation will continue to deteriorate in the near future, and therefore it is necessary to immediately begin to restore it.

Self-repair of the foundation of a brick house can only be done for strip and pile structures. Repairing reinforced concrete and concrete foundations requires specific skills and knowledge, as well as the availability of special construction equipment, that is, the involvement of professionals.

The only thing you can do in this case on your own is to strengthen the foundation.

Preparing for foundation repair

Repairing the foundation of a brick house should always be preceded by a thorough technical examination. Accurate and reliable identification of defects that affect the load-bearing properties of the base is extremely important for the correct selection of repair methods.

If you have no experience in performing such work, you should invite specialists who are able to make a professional assessment of damage to the foundation.

Strip foundation repair

A strip foundation may be subject to local heaving of the soil, which causes the foundation of the house to skew. When repairing such a foundation, the first step is to balance the impact of external factors on the foundation.

The easiest way to do this is by increasing the basal area. Before strengthening the foundation of a brick private house, it is necessary to select a section of the wall no more than two meters long and begin to strengthen the foundation of the house according to the framed pattern. Near the building you need to dig a ditch, the distance between the bottom of which and the lowest point of the existing foundation should be about one meter.

Then the old foundation is prepared with a new base. For this purpose, holes are made for grooves and fittings. Then formwork is made for the new foundation. In this case, it is necessary to tie a frame made of reinforcement, which subsequently adheres to the reinforcement inserted into the building. After tying the frame of the building, everything must be filled with concrete. When the concrete is completely dry, the renewed foundation must be buried, and then a new trench must be dug.

You can only work on one area on one side of the house.

Pile foundation repair

Columnar (pile) foundations are usually designed for light loads. Repairing a columnar foundation involves moving the house onto an almost new foundation.

When carrying out such foundation repairs, the following sequence of work is performed:

• The structure is installed on temporary supports. At the same time, you can continue to live in the house.
• The pillars are being dismantled.
• A trench is dug under the house.
• A sand cushion is compacted under the house.
• A well-reinforced tape twenty centimeters thick is poured.
• The pillars are installed on the reinforced tape.
• Installation of prefabricated or monolithic reinforced concrete beams is carried out.

  The beams are arranged between the pillars like a strip base.

• In case of significant destruction, the pillars are placed in reinforcing steel cages.
• The house is lowered onto a freshly prepared foundation, its position is adjusted until doors and windows open optimally.
• The old foundation is dismantled.

Strengthening the foundation with bricks

You can strengthen the rubble foundation of a brick house using bricks, cement mortar, clay and waterproofing material.

A foundation reinforced in this way can last for several more decades. Therefore, this method is considered one of the best. The work should begin by excavating the soil near the base.

You need to make a trench about a meter wide and up to half a meter deep. Then you need to thoroughly clean the upper and lower parts of the foundation, otherwise it will not be possible to strengthen it properly.

After doing this work, it will be possible to detect all kinds of damage that the base of a brick house has. They must be sealed with cement mortar. Then you need to wait for it to dry completely. After this, the foundation is covered with roofing felt or covered with bitumen.

At the last stage, bricks are laid using cement mortar near the base of the house. The resulting gap between the masonry and the foundation must be filled with greasy clay. Then the created structure must be left for seven to twelve days, after which the soil should be filled and compacted near the brickwork.

Procedure for laying a foundation below the soil freezing depth

Often the foundation of a house is built so that its base is lower than the freezing depth of the soil.

In this case, the base is practically not exposed to the influence of the soil, which has a lifting nature. In this case, a situation may arise in which the soil is washed away from it by groundwater. Therefore, before strengthening such a foundation of a brick private house, drainage work should be carried out. First, drainage systems must be installed, and then all concrete destroyed by groundwater must be removed.

After this, both repair and restoration work can be carried out on the basis. To strengthen the foundation of a brick private house on such a foundation, you need to do almost the same as in the case of a strip foundation. The only difference is that after completing the repair work, it is necessary to install additional protection against moisture so that it does not cause major damage to the house.

Foundation waterproofing repair

It is also necessary to repair the foundation of a brick private house when water appears in the basement, underground or cellar.

This is a sign of a violation of the waterproofing of the base and/or foundation, which ultimately may negatively affect their integrity.

There are two types of waterproofing: painting and pasting. The painting one is a mastic made of bitumen applied to the surface of the masonry, the lining is made from rolled materials (brizol, waterproofing, roofing felt, etc.), which are glued with the same mastic. In addition, cement (made from special cement) or asphalt plaster is also used for insulation.

Pasting and painting waterproofing is carried out on both vertical and horizontal surfaces.

Vertical insulation is installed on a wall that is directly adjacent to the ground (to the level of the sidewalk or blind area).

Horizontal insulation serves to protect the basement and walls of the house from ground moisture that penetrates from the base of the foundation. In houses without basements, it is carried out in the basement, 200 millimeters above the level of the blind area or sidewalk; in basement buildings, horizontal waterproofing is installed at two levels: at the basement floor and in the basement above the level of the blind area or sidewalk.

Particularly severe cases

Repairing the foundation generally increases its load-bearing capacity, which prevents further destruction of both the foundation itself and other structures, as a result of which the service life of the entire house increases.

Repairing the foundation of an old wooden house with your own hands

However, it must be taken into account that there are cases when repair work carried out to strengthen the foundation does not lead to the desired result. Cracks in the walls continue to appear, the basement is flooded with water, and the house is sagging in old or new places. In this case, it is necessary to make a decision to change the foundation design, which will require reconstruction of floors, walls, and so on.

Repair time

Knowing the rules and methods for repairing the foundation of a brick house, like the foundation of any other building, is not enough.

It is necessary to choose the right time to carry out this work. For example, experts do not recommend starting repair work in the cold season.

This is explained by the fact that, on the one hand, at this time the soil becomes frozen and hard, and on the other hand, cement, like any mortar, loses some of its properties.

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A good foundation is the key to long-term operation of a building. But it happens that over time the foundation under the still fairly strong building begins to collapse.

If the house suddenly begins to tilt, to “go somewhere,” urgent repairs are needed.

Repairing the foundation is not entirely easy, but it is possible using the recommendations of specialists.

Main causes of destruction

The choice of foundation restoration technology depends on the cause of the onset of deformation.

The most common reasons:

• Exceeding the permissible load after the construction of superstructures;
• Violation of waterproofing;
• High groundwater level;
• Ground movement due to freezing and thawing;
• Errors made during pouring (incorrectly chosen pouring depth, incorrect calculation of cement mixture ratios, etc.)
• Earthworks near the building.

Types of destruction

The recovery process depends on the degree of its destruction.

Conventionally, all deformations are divided into four types:

• Peeling.

  This type includes small defects that do not affect the overall strength of the foundation of the house.

• Cracks. Appear as a result of shrinkage of the house.
• Subsidence.

  Damage that disrupts the geometry of the house and requires replacement of the foundation.

• Unrepairable destruction. If the stage of destruction at which repairs can still be made is missed, the structure will have to be demolished.

Only deformations of the first and second degrees are subject to repair and strengthening.

Preliminary diagnosis

You can accurately determine the cause of destruction by contacting a specialized company.

However, the cost of the service is high, so many homeowners decide to carry out the diagnosis themselves. There are several diagnostic methods:

Controlling the rate of increase in crack size.

It is performed with beacon markers made from a cement-gypsum mixture. The prepared solution is placed on the crack, after cleaning its edges. Layer thickness 5 mm, length - 15 cm, height - 5 cm.

3 markers are placed on the crack: one at the beginning, in the center and at the end. If opening continues, the marker will crack within 10-14 days. Measuring the depth of cracks allows you to determine the rate of destruction.

Digging pits. At points of destruction, holes are dug 100 cm long and deep to the base of the foundation.

The width is determined by the convenience of digging and taking into account the possibility of soil collapse. This method allows you to control the depth of the foundation, the condition of the waterproofing coating, and the presence of groundwater under the building.

Repair methods

The base is repaired using several methods.

The choice of a specific one depends on the material of construction and the nature of the destruction.

If cracks appear on the base, but the beacons installed on them do not break within 14 days, it can be partially repaired. Minor destruction of corners or some areas is performed as follows:

• Next to the damage, dig a trench of such depth that the base is exposed.
• The bottom is filled with crushed stone.
• Along the edge they make brickwork or install a concrete block.

  The width of the masonry should cover the area with the defect by 20%.

• Holes are drilled in the base and rods are inserted, which are welded into the reinforced belt or embedded in the masonry seams.
• The masonry is covered with waterproofing material.
• The trenches are filled with earth.

Strengthening

The rupture of beacons within 14 days indicates continued divergence of the crack.

In this case, it is necessary to strengthen the soil under the house. A hole is dug around the foundation at an angle of 35 degrees, a pipe with a diameter of 25-30 cm is inserted into it and liquid cement is supplied.

The soil must be completely saturated with cement mortar. A few hours after pouring, the solution is completely absorbed and a second portion is served.

After filling, beacons are reinstalled on the cracks. If after two weeks the beacons rupture again, the filling is repeated.
If the installed beacons remain intact, proceed to the second stage of strengthening:

• They dig a trench 35 centimeters wide and a depth equal to the height of the foundation;
• Formwork is installed in it and reinforced with iron rods;
• Concrete with crushed stone is poured;
• This method is suitable for columnar, strip and pile foundations.

Major renovation

Severe destruction of the foundation of the building requires its complete replacement.

The methods depend on the building material.

Overhaul of the foundation under the log house is carried out in the following ways:

Replacement with moving the frame. The method is used for log houses weighing no more than 4 tons.

For example, a 4x4 pine log house weighs 3.5 tons. You can raise such a house without using special equipment. You will need 2 jacks and 2 channels. Next to the destroyed one, a new foundation is poured with a base 20 cm lower than the old one. The log house is lifted with a jack and moved along the channel to the new foundation.

The structure is fixed.

Replacement with house lifting. The method is used if the log house is heavy or there is no free area for movement. Under the log house, two holes are punched on one side and channels are inserted.

Repairing the foundation of an old wooden house with your own hands

Jacks are installed under the beams, the frame is raised 20 cm and supports are installed. Then the same procedure is carried out on the other side. Formwork is installed around the perimeter of the building and concrete is poured. Sometimes the only repair option is to completely destroy the foundation and pour a new one.

Partial repair with reinforcement.

If the foundation is damaged in some places, jointing is performed with reinforcement. The corner of the frame is raised, jointed with M12 reinforcement and filled with cement mortar.

The frame can be lowered or moved for any repair option no earlier than three weeks, when the concrete has gained strength.

Repair of the foundation of a brick building

It is much more difficult to repair such a foundation, since it is impossible to raise it.

The repair stages are as follows:

• Digging a trench around the perimeter of the foundation. It is impossible to dig up the soil to the bottom of the foundation: this will lead to even greater destruction. If the concrete of the old base is poured to 150 cm, the maximum depth of the trench is 120 cm.
• A reinforcing belt is installed around the base. It is made from a mesh with cells 40x40 cm. Holes for M12 reinforcement are made in the corners. The reinforcing mesh is welded.
• The trench is filled with concrete based on M500 cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3.

  Allow the base to stand for at least a month.

• After pouring the foundation, the foundation of the house will be securely fixed.

Restoring the foundation is a complex and expensive type of construction work. Minor damage can be repaired on your own.

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Serious damage will require the involvement of construction workers and industrial equipment.