It's dry and warm in the basement

The basement in a private house should not be an untidy, damp room. After all, you can equip a home gym, workshop or billiard room here. But for this, it is necessary to provide its proper hydro- and thermal insulation.

Horizontal insulation

To ensure reliable thermal and waterproofing, it is necessary to take care of the proper provision of foundation walls. In old houses with brick or stone foundations, horizontal insulation is often missing, which results in capillary absorption of moisture by the walls. Horizontal waterproofing can be created using traditional mechanical methods. The walls are cut and a waterproofing material consisting of two layers of bitumen lining reinforced with fiberglass is placed in the resulting cuts. Special chromium-nickel steel profiles or chrome mats made of polyethylene, polypropylene or fiberglass can also be used for these purposes, which form a reliable, hermetic layer of waterproofing.

Another method of horizontal waterproofing is special injections. To do this, it is necessary to drill holes in the walls and inject an injection preparation (silicate activator, polyacrylic or polyacrylamide gel). The holes are drilled at a height of 12-15 cm from the floor outside or inside the building. The channels should be directed downwards at an angle of 30 degrees. After injection, the holes must be sealed.

Vertical waterproofing

Vertical waterproofing protects basement walls from moisture from the sides. It is placed from the foundation base to the rainwater zone. At the joints of horizontal and vertical insulation, it is necessary to ensure their reliable connection and protection from water. Remember that waterproofing must be protected from mechanical damage, especially during the process of backfilling the pit. The base for waterproofing must be perfectly flat, so it is often created anew.

Insulated basement

Since the basement will be heated, it is necessary to avoid unwanted heat loss. Basement walls are usually insulated from the outside with foam plastic or expanded polystyrene. Such material is installed at a depth of 1 m below ground level. After these necessary works, all that remains is to build a base around the house.

Here you can give free rein to your tastes and imagination. The external finishing can be done with clinker bricks, plaster or decorative mosaics. Remember that the base finishing must be, first of all, reliable and moisture-resistant.