If you are a dedicated carpenter or enjoy making carpentry-related things around the house, you may occasionally want to start a small building project. A very important part of the process is the creation of the foundation. There are a few easy steps to creating a timeless foundation. With a little hard work, patience, and attention to detail, you'll have a solid foundation in no time.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making the Foundation Feet
Step 1. Determine the depth of the foundation
Usually the depth is about 1 m below ground. However, there are a number of factors to consider. If you want to build a building foundation in high humidity soil, dig a little deeper. The same applies if the foundation is to be built near or on a slope.
- There is a simple way to test the moisture level of the soil. Scoop an empty coffee can into the soil and leave about 8 cm of space at the top of the can. Fill the remaining space with water. Wait for the water to soak into the soil, then repeat. Calculate how fast it takes the water to soak into the soil. If the absorption is slower than 2.5 cm per hour, the humidity level is very low.
- Instead of using traditional measurement methods, it is better to contact a professional. They can provide all the diagnostic tests that will tell you everything you need to know about the soil you want to use. They can even measure the level of the ground and whether you need to adjust the height of the foundation.
Step 2. Develop a foundation plan
This must be done before the project starts. You must contact your local government to apply for a Building Permit (IMB) which will allow you to lay the foundation and erect the building. Your property will also need to be surveyed by a contractor who will provide valuable information about the land to be built.
Step 3. Clean the area around the foundation
Remove any grass, roots, and other debris that may be around there. This is also a good time to use the results of property surveys and determine the height of the foundation. If the planned place for the foundation is uneven, use a backhoe or trowel to level it.
Step 4. Contact the relevant agency
Before digging a hole, contact the relevant agency first. Make sure you know important areas such as PDAM water pipes, power lines, or other important cable lines. This will help prevent the excavation from damaging any underground pipes or cables, while increasing the safety of your project. Contact the relevant parties at least a few days before starting to dig.
Step 5. Use the backhoe to dig the foundation
You can use a hoe, but it will take longer and will not be precise. The holes for the foundation legs must be larger than the planned foundation size, by at least 0.5 m on all sides. This additional space is useful so that you or anyone digging a hole can go down into it and install the foundation legs.
- The perimeter dimensions of the pit must be at least 0.5 m wide and 0.5 m deep – or better yet, 1 m deep.
- Remember, you don't have to dig up the entire area you want to build. However, only excavating the perimeter (outer boundary) of the planned building. The area where the building will be made you will work on in the next steps.
- When you're done digging for a place to lay the foundation, use a shovel to remove any soil and stubble that's still there.
Step 6. Install rebar for the foot of the foundation
This iron is important because concrete requires support posts, otherwise the building will collapse. Buy a concrete iron that is right for the size of your foundation foot. After that, lift the weight by pairing the reinforcement. Reinforcement can be purchased at a hardware or material store.
- Put the concrete iron first. After that, add reinforcement at the top of the iron. Install each reinforcement 0.5 m from each other and 0.3 m from the corner.
- After that, lift the concrete iron and attach it to the reinforcement. Reinforcement usually has a manual hook to attach the concrete iron. Do not use rope or wire as they can damage the foundation feet.
- Make sure the concrete is spaced from the bottom of the opening and from each side.
Step 7. Pour the first layer of cement concrete
The cement layer must be at least 30 cm or more in height. You certainly don't want to build a big wall on top of a small first layer. The general standard is 40-50 cm of concrete.
Use the correct concrete cement mix. If the water is not enough or the cement is too much, the concrete mix will not dry properly
Step 8. Use a roskam to level the cement
Make sure there are no cracks or gaps in the cement surface layer. This is important because the concrete wall that will be added later requires a smooth and flat surface as a foundation. Once the cement is dry, you can use a spirit level to make sure the area is completely level.
Part 2 of 3: Building a Foundation Wall
Step 1. Install the wooden frame
Wooden frames are useful for laying foundation wall mortar. Each board should measure approximately 0.5 x 3 m, with a thickness of 2.5-5 cm. The shorter side is laid on top of the first layer of cement-concrete. You will need a sufficient number of boards for the inside and outside of the foundation trench so that there are no gaps between one board and the next.
- You can add a little soil on the outside of the outer plank to help keep it standing strong and upright.
- Use bars on the outside of the wooden frame to hold all the boards firmly in place.
- You can also cut boards or plywood 15-20 cm wide and 0.5-1 m long, then use duplex nails to hold the joints of all the boards together. Make sure all the wooden frames are firmly supported, otherwise the boards may collapse and all the cement will melt out. Use plenty of support to prevent this from happening.
Step 2. Make a cement-concrete mix and pour it onto the foundation walls
Again, make sure the mix is correct. To work on concrete, in general you have to make the entire foundation at once and pour all the cement (do the casting) simultaneously with a mixer truck. The height of the existing foundation wall above ground level depends on the height of the building wall to be made.
Step 3. If there is an old foundation, it means that the new foundation must be attached to it with reinforcing iron
Make 3-4 holes 15 cm each. Make on both sides. Insert the reinforcement into each hole.
- This step is important because if you don't install reinforcing steel, the walls can shift and the building can collapse.
- Pour cement to create the second and third walls on top of the first. Concrete cement will form on top of the reinforcement and unite the entire wall.
- Reinsert the reinforcement into the second and third side walls.
Step 4. Smooth the surface of the cement
You can use a roskam and trace the surface to make sure there are no gaps and cracks. We recommend that you also use an edger to smooth and smooth the edges of the concrete.
Step 5. Open the wooden frame
Let the cement dry, then open the wooden frame. Do this as soon as the cement dries, otherwise the wooden frame will stick firmly. Pull the board from above so as not to damage the newly poured foundation wall.
Step 6. Spray the foundation walls with a waterproof coating
Upholstery can be purchased at most hardware or material stores for a low price. Basically it's a can of spray cement. The addition of this extra protective layer will prevent water and other liquids from damaging the foundation. Spray both sides of the wall.
Part 3 of 3: Pouring the Foundation Cement
Step 1. Pour gravel, sand, and/or crushed stone into the space where the foundation will be made
This is the space between the freshly cemented walls. Use a rake to spread the gravel evenly over the space. The layer thickness should not exceed 2.5 cm.
If you use gravel to fill the foundation and make a foundation slab on top of it, the thickness of the gravel should be between 15-20 cm. You will also need to use a compactor and compact the gravel in different directions until it is compact. After that, add another layer of gravel 15-20 cm thick and repeat compaction until the gravel is 10-15 cm from the top of the foundation wall, sufficient depth for the foundation slab later
Step 2. Add the polyethylene sheet on top of the gravel layer
The polyethylene will act as a vapor barrier between the soil and the foundation. This sheet will prevent moisture from evaporating into the foundation and causing cracks. It's a good idea to buy polyethylene sheets that are custom-sized to fit your foundation space.
Step 3. Install wire mesh (concrete wire woven to form a net) and concrete iron on top of the polyethylene sheet
Specifications for thickness, width, and other factors are specified in local building codes. The wire mesh will hold all the concrete together, and prevent cracking.
You can also add bar chairs to support the wire mesh. Bar chairs can be tucked directly on top of the polyethylene sheet. You will need one bar chairs for every 5-8 cm of wire mesh
Step 4. Add floor heating and drainage pipes
Drainage pipes are installed on the outer edge of the foundation. If not installed, water can build up under the structure and damage the foundation. Make sure you check if the building will use installed floor heating. Floor heating also needs to be installed in this section, just above the polyethylene sheet.
Step 5. Mix the cement-concrete mixture and pour it onto the foundation
Make sure the cement consistency is right. To do the concrete you can use a bull float (a long-handled concrete leveler) to smooth the surface of the foundation. After that use the edger to even out the edges. If there are a few uneven parts, wait for the cement to dry a bit. After that, sit down on a sheet of foam (on the concrete), and use a roskam to smooth out the smaller details.
Step 6. Insert the anchor bolts before the cement dries
These bolts can be purchased at your nearest hardware or material store. Anchor bolts are very important because they will attach the building to the foundation slab. About half of the anchor bolts should go into the cement. Install the bolts at a distance of 30 cm from each other, and 30 cm from the corner.
Step 7. Wait 7 days for the concrete to dry before erecting the building
You do not need to wait until the foundation is stable above ground level because the soil will not be disturbed during the construction of the building.
Tips
- Start with smaller projects, such as laying the foundation for a small cottage or gazebo. Once you've mastered the basics of foundation building, work on more complex and large projects like house foundations.
- Before creating a concrete foundation, decide if you want certain additions, such as drainage or underfloor heating. This addition must be taken into account before casting is carried out.
Warning
- The uneven distribution of sand and gravel on the foundation floor can cause cracks or irregularities in the concrete slab. There should be no significant difference in height when spreading the gravel.
- Don't forget to consult a licensed contractor or engineer if you encounter any problems at any step. Moving on even when you're unsure could lead you to inadvertently break building codes or make fatal mistakes in foundations.
