Construction and repair by own hands

How to strengthen the foundation of the house if it is cracked. How to strengthen the old foundation - expert advice.

The cracks in the foundation are a common phenomenon, as the fatigue of materials eventually takes its course, and seasonal soil movements, shrinkage phenomena in the first years of the house, atmospheric effects on the walls and foundation of the house, etc. are added to this. Therefore, in 5-10 years after construction, strengthening the foundation of a private house with its own hands becomes urgent for those who did not follow all instructions and recommendations when building the foundation and walls of the building.

The first signs that the foundation of the house began to weaken - the appearance of a skew of windows, doorways, microcracks on the plaster of the plinth. How to strengthen the foundation of an old house yourself and inexpensively? There are several proven and simple methods, and one of them is a reinforcing reinforcing frame, mounted at the corners or around the perimeter of the building, which is concreted after the assembly. But any strengthening of the foundation of a brick house should be supported by preliminary studies for the destruction of concrete or brick (base material). Such a decision should preferably be entrusted to specialists who will determine the ways of strengthening the base.

The reasons for the destruction of the foundation are best reflected in the figure below:




  Where:

  • 1 (a, b) - subsidence of the soil under the influence of gravity;
  • 2 (a, b) - Pushing the foundation under the influence of soil resistance forces;
  • 3 (a, b, c) - Frosty hollow under the action of the corresponding forces;
  • 4 - Tipping the foundation.

More details about the possible causes of the destruction of the base:

  1. Violation of the technological sequence, the formulation of the cementing composition and construction operations in the construction of the facility, poor construction materials, inappropriate weather conditions during construction;
  2. The properties and composition of the soil were not taken into account when calculating the foundation and the characteristics of the building. This error leads to incorrect selection of building materials;
  3. Erroneous calculations of loads on the foundation;
  4. Neglect of the seasonal flood schedule and changes in the groundwater table;
  5. The heterogeneity of the soil on the building site, causing soil movements;
  6. Building a house next to other large structures or centralized communications;
  7. Capital redevelopment of housing with demolition or displacement of the bearing walls of the house.


Before you begin to strengthen the foundation of the old house, you need to identify and eliminate the causes that caused deformation or shrinkage. Begin strengthening of the foundation of the house follows the choice of methods, the main areas of which there are three:

  1. The classical reinforcement of the foundation is reinforcement with subsequent pouring of armopoyas by concrete;
  2. Strengthening reinforced concrete jacket around the perimeter;
  3. Pile reinforcement of the old foundation.


Tools and building materials that are necessary for any ways to strengthen the base of the house:

  1. Sanding machine and electric welding (gas welding can not be used, as the reinforcement in the welding places becomes soft and pliable);
  2. Roulette, wire cutters for armature bars, hammer;
  3. Ready-made reinforcing frame or bars of reinforcement;
  4. Piles, wooden beams;
  5. Concrete, crushed stone, waterproofing;
  6. Shank instrument.

Classification of the foundation

Classics is the pouring of a new foundation next to the old one, and reinforcement by the reinforcement linking the two bases in the monolith, as well as the subsequent pouring of the reinforcing casing with concrete. This method is recommended as the most reliable and economical. The essence of the amplification is reduced to creating a new concrete reinforced strip around the old base. Before creating a new belt is carried out at the corners of the structure. The new foundation is made with a width of ≥ 1 m, the depth of the foundation is 0.5 m below the old base.

The corner frame from the fittings is knitted with a soft wire or welded, then stacked at the corners of the old base in a previously dug trench and filled with mortar. It is advisable to pour all the plots in one run to prevent the stratification of concrete in the adjoining areas, so you either need to buy concrete in the factory, or use a bulk concrete mixer.

If such organization of work is impossible, then after pouring of one section it is necessary to wait until the concrete hardens, and only then to fill in the adjacent area, inserting the reinforcing bars into the already filled concrete and in the poured area in order to strengthen their communication with each other.

Reinforced concrete shirt

The use of a jacket made of reinforced concrete implies the connection of a new foundation not only with the old foundation, but also with the walls of the building. The constructions are connected by means of special building anchors immersed in concrete mortar. Before reinforcing the concrete belt, the cleaned old foundation is waterproofed with bitumen or other types of waterproofing. It is also often suggested to erect a half-brick wall between the walls of the bases.



In parallel with the shirt, the expansion of all surfaces of the base is also used, for which three-dimensional excavation is necessary, since it is necessary to dig a trench on all sides of the foundation deeper than its foundation and up to a width of 1 m. The trench is filled with crushed stone with a layer thickness of 20-30 cm, which is then moistened and it is trampled. In the concrete or brick walls of the old base, holes are drilled into which anchors or fittings are inserted. Next, a formwork is installed in which a concrete solution is poured. This method can strengthen the brick foundation of any house - wooden, concrete or brick.

Pile reinforcement

With strong deformations or large cracks in the foundation of the house, the foundation is strengthened with the help of piles. Also, this method is indispensable if the house is on weak upland soils, or if groundwater passes on the site too close to the ground surface.



Screw or bored piles are installed in different variations: depending on the damage to the foundation, they can be mounted under the existing base or next to it, but along the perimeter of the whole building. There is a reinforcement of bricks in several ways:

  1. Strengthening with the help of bored piles is the installation of support pillars in the boreholes drilled along the perimeter of the house, and this must be done from all sides of the base - both from the outside and from the inside. In the wells a round or square reinforcing frame is laid, after which the cavity is poured with concrete solution. Deepening bored holes is carried out to a depth of at least 2 meters, the step between supports is 1.5 meters. To the walls of the building, the pile supports are attached to the anchor;
  2. Slow and gradual indentation (not twisting and not done if the house does not withstand vibrations from impacts, or the piles will be placed too close to the already collapsing walls of the old house.) This method can be implemented only with the use of special equipment - this work can not be done manually;
  3. Screw piles with reinforcement of the base are the most effective and cheapest method, with the exception of the classical strengthening. The only (but small) drawback is that additional working hands will be needed to screw the supports manually.


Features of strengthening the foundation of the house in various ways

  1. Be sure to examine the old destroyed base of the building in order to determine the method of its strengthening. Piling reinforcement is suitable for almost all bases of houses built on any type of soil. The safest method of piling is punching;
  2. Of the above opportunities to strengthen the foundation or make a partial reconstruction of its own can only be done half - some require the use of special equipment, including earthmoving, except drilling rigs. Side and auxiliary work in such cases can be carried out and most;
  3. Strengthening with screw supports is the most effective method, but sometimes special equipment is required, special tools are also needed when manually turning the piles.

For wooden piles, it is better to change all the supports, and for this you will need to lift the entire house with jacks or waterproofs. The restoration of such a foundation is carried out in stages, beginning with the corners of the building, replacing all piles of wood with bored or screwed supports. If the strength of the house's structure is made of wood, it is possible not to lift all the corners of the building at once, but first to hang one or two corners in order to replace the piles with new and stronger ones.

And the last: If the foundation looks monolithic and durable, and existing cracks do not expand (to monitor them set up beacons), then the ground is better not to touch, since amateur solutions can only harm.

How to strengthen the foundation of an old house  updated: May 23, 2017 author: zoomfund

  Read on

Strengthening the foundation of the house is an additional method that eliminates the various defects that appear during the operation of the structure.

Factors contributing to the destruction of the building grounds:

  • vibrational actions of internal and external nature;
  • increased load due to improper use of the structure;
  • nearby construction work;
  • change in soil properties (swelling, whipping, increasing the water level, excessive moistening);
  • incorrect bookmark the basis of the house;
  • errors in the preparation of project documentation, etc.

Strengthening the old foundation

The process of destruction of the base can begin, as well as from increasing pressure on it, and from the old age of construction. Therefore, repair and reinforcement of the foundation should be carried out taking into account all construction technologies, so as not to overwhelm the building and not suffer yourself.

There are a lot of ways to strengthen the tape-type foundation, but we propose to divide them into two main groups:

1. Strengthening the foundation under construction

Installation and reinforcement of the strip foundation is carried out with the help of the following methods aimed at reinforcing and reconstructing an existing structure:

  • restoration of the base;
  • increase in the area of ​​the foundation;
  • adding piles to reinforce the structure.

If the foundation has not very large cracks, then it is necessary to restore its original structure. If the foundation of the house is destroyed and new floors are erected, then it is necessary to increase its foundation. All this can be done with a jacket of reinforced concrete, which surrounds it. This method is used if you want to partially strengthen the strip foundation.

Also, the reinforcement can be made using a foundation plate, which is installed directly under the house. Sometimes such a plate is used to replace the old base. After this, the foundation that has served its purpose, it should be sealed in a cage of reinforced concrete. This reinforcement does not involve the assistance of specialists, since everything can be done independently.


2. Strengthening the foundations of drilling and injection pits and reinforced concrete piles (used to strengthen the columnar foundation)


Technology of strengthening the foundation:

  • to make installation of pile elements of drilling-injection type, it is necessary to drill holes of a certain diameter first and only then to start drilling holes under piles;
  • then there are placed skeletons created from a large number of reinforcing articles;
  • then they are filled with concrete by injecting technology.

This method involves the supply of concrete in small portions.

In approximately the same way, a reinforcement of the tape type foundation is created:


  • first choose a primer around the base, thus equipping the sinuses;
  • then the conical holes are drilled (all this is created on the slab site);
  • then in cavities make pile elements.

After the necessary qualities are collected, they are able to take on the load transmitted by the wall structure. After completion of all works, the soil is backfilled.

As for piles made of reinforced concrete, they belong to composite products, therefore they are mounted according to the principle of special indentation:

  • first it is necessary to install "bundle beams" in the area of ​​the reinforced structure (they mean monolithic bridges of reinforced concrete). The step must be observed from 1-1.5 m. The structure includes longitudinal beams;
  • upon completion of work, pile elements are driven directly into the chipped part of the base and fixed with a rigid mixture.

Strengthening the foundation with your own hands

Ways to strengthen the foundation:

1. Extension of the sole in the process of strengthening the brick foundation

  • it is necessary to make the marking of the building on a 200-300 cm long;
  • having marked a certain area, it is possible to proceed to the detachment of the base (it is necessary to follow the sequence of actions, otherwise there is a probability of bulging the ground);
  • the foundation surface is cleaned;
  • in pre-drilled holes mount metal pins;
  • between the base and the brickwork put metal beams;
  • to these beams by means of welding fix longitudinal beams;
  • then, in the ground, which later assumes the function of the basis for a new foundation, gravel is piled up;
  • further works are carried out as with an ordinary bearing structure.

Thus, a ramming is created, the arrangement of the formwork system, casting with a mixture of concrete and the like.

2. Tides of reinforced concrete prefabricated species

To strengthen the foundations in this way, the tides are installed immediately with the reduction of the ground. Here it is a question of a ground which is located under a place where a new basis will be laid.

Whichever method of strengthening you choose, be sure to do the work qualitatively and in stages:

  • first it is necessary to take the land;
  • further make assembly of prefabricated products on both sides of the masonry of the bearing structure;
  • to connect the elements with the help of anchors-screeds and to pass them through the base of the structure;
  • then you need to strengthen the gap, located between the main structure and the upper part of the base with a concrete stiff mixture and reinforcement;
  • then fill the soil back and compact it.

3. Relocation of individual parts

In cases where reinforce the old foundation is not possible, then replace the individual elements of the supporting structure:

  • drill holes where the transverse metal beams with special sub-assemblies are mounted;
  • on the temporary supports set hydraulic jacks.

Thus, the wall a little rises above the surface, and experts are able to conduct normal reinforcement.

4. Cementation


Stages of work:

  • in the base of the house and the ground holes are drilled;
  • further in them a mixture of concrete under high pressure is supplied.

The composition qualitatively fills the formed voids. In this case, buildups of solution are formed, which significantly increase the strength of the carrier system. Thus, the wall structures can be protected from premature failure.

5. Reinforced concrete shirt

It relies on areas with crushed masses of soil. The function of this reinforcement is to strengthen the brick or butt band and increase the strength of certain wall structures (for example, basements and external walls). For better fixing, the base is additionally mounted with anchoring elements.


6. Protective walls made of bricks

Such a system is capable of eliminating the deformation of the supporting structure.

Stages:

  • land fence is made (width 100 cm);
  • the site is cleaned;
  • the surface is treated with a certain composition;
  • after it dries, the foundation is isolated with bitumen or roofing material;
  • a protective layer (shirt) is created from the brick;
  • in the recesses, heavy clay is covered.

Strengthening of the concrete foundation with steel micro-pipes PX / 80


Technology:

  • special blocks are inserted into the reinforcement of the foundation of concrete;
  • after pouring and partial drying of the mixture, under pressure in the concrete are introduced micro-pipes PX / 80 (this is using a hydraulic jack, which is equipped with a special device for determining and testing the pressure and load on each component).

Strengthening the columnar foundation

Stages of work:

  • first, you need to cement all the cracks with a special compound;
  • then outside the reinforcing mesh, which is nailed to the old base, to pass a concrete coat (5-7 cm);
  • from inside the building, close to the wall, you can pile the piles and make a hanging grillage, which is connected with the old foundation with the help of poles and gills, or excavate the trench from the outside around the pillars to their bottom, put the casing close together and pour liquid composition, ;
  • then the pit is filled with sand;
  • creates a warm blind area.

Repair and reinforce the foundation of the video:

In the operation of buildings, the destruction of the supporting structure is very often observed, this problem confronts the owner of a private house with the question of how to strengthen the foundation of a brick house with his own hands.

In older houses, a strip foundation was used, with poor performance.

The band structure absorbs moisture very much, it freezes and at the same time crackes, causing deformation of the house. Therefore, the option of strengthening "just put the formwork and fill it with cement" is not an option at all.

Depending on the depth of damage to the base of the house from the brick, its kind, it is better to choose one of the modern methods of reconstruction, which will allow you to use your house for a long time.

And the tips below will help you find out whether you want to hire a team of workers for repairs, or you can do all the work yourself.

Deformation and subsidence of the foundation of houses can be caused by a number of factors, consider them in more detail:

  • Gravity. Especially often, destruction for this reason occurs in brick houses, which is due to the large weight of the structure;
  • Design errors. Preparing for the construction of your country house, order the project in specialized institutions. A correctly executed project is a guarantee of safety of your money, health, life;
  • Excavation. The erection of other buildings in the neighborhood, the installation of extensions to the main structure will have a negative effect on the construction;
  • Natural factors are erosive soil processes, changes in the level (rise) of groundwater, seasonal soil heaving, seismic effects;
  • Redevelopment of the house. The design of the foundation, its calculation are carried out for a specific house with a certain mass, the arrangement of structural elements, so unreasoned changes can adversely affect the integrity of the house;
  • Violations during operation. This includes washing the house with rainwater and melt water, household drains;
  • Vibration effects from nearby highways or industrial buildings, explosions in quarry mining, etc.

Work to strengthen the foundation refers to the planned work when operating a brick house.

In the housing and communal services such work is necessarily held every few years, and twice a year (with seasonal inspections of residential buildings), the foundation condition is assessed.

Signs of destruction and assessment of the state of the foundation

Signals for anxiety when inspecting the base of a private house will be cracks and hollows.
  Assess the condition of the foundation can, as they say, with their own hands.

For all the cracks found, regardless of the reason for their occurrence, you need to install "beacon".

This term refers to paper adhesive strips, fixed across the identified defects. With a complex crack shape, the "beacon" is placed on each straight section.

The degree of danger of destruction is determined by the rupture of paper strips while observing them for 10 days.

If during this period the "beacons" remained undamaged, then they carry out the current cosmetic repair - they block the bricks and cement in the crack, put the formwork and make the pouring of concrete.

Otherwise, it is obvious that the process of destruction of the construct continues, and therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the old foundation.

The ways to strengthen

Repair of the foundation and brick, and wooden houses can be done, both with their own hands, and with the help of hired professionals.

Pay attention that the simplest works when reinforcing the base of the tape or pile (columnar) types, but the reconstruction of reinforced concrete and concrete foundations, as a rule, requires the use of special equipment and special skills and knowledge.

Of course, you can do it in an old fashion - put the formwork, pour concrete and forget about this problem for a couple of years, but it's better to familiarize yourself with the options below, which will prompt you how to strengthen the foundation.

Shotcrete

Such a method is applicable if the house is put on a tape, brick or rubble foundation, and the damages of the support base themselves require only the restoration of the outer layer.

Concreting perfectly strengthens the base of the house, strengthening its water resistance. With the use of concrete shotgun it is not required to install the formwork, and also the consumption of concrete is reduced.

Before work, it is necessary to prepare a trench along the perimeter of the foundation with a width of 1 to 2 m and clean the base from debris.

Then we put on the base notches, which will increase the adhesion of the concrete solution to the base.

To strengthen the restoration layer, it is also advisable to use reinforcing mesh from reinforcement or binding wire.

In the video, a specialist shows us how concrete is applied to the surface with a concrete cannon.

This system of strengthening the foundation of brick houses is used quite a long time in cases where the damage is rather deep, and it is easy to do it yourself.

Schematic representation of this version of the repair work is shown in this figure.


To begin with, we remove the soil from both sides of the foundation. From the inner and outer sides are put special prefabricated castings, which in the lower part are pulled together through the anchor.

Concrete (cement mortar) is poured on both sides between the base and the outflows, in the upper part, it is possible to fasten the ebb with the foundation with the help of reinforcement.

The remaining interval of the trench is covered with soil, which is carefully rammed.

The difference from the way in which the formwork is laid for the broadening of the foundation is to use a moisture-resistant material for tints and to create additional ties between them.

Installation of protective brick walls

Another method, available for implementation by yourself.

As in the previous versions, the preparatory stage consists in excavating the trench (depth about 1 m) and cleaning the surface of the base from debris.

Then, all existing defects in the foundation are sealed with cement mortar, which is covered with a waterproofing material (usually a roofing material) on the outside, on top of which brick masonry (shirt) is arranged.

The preparatory trench is filled with greasy clay after the completion of the work.

As a method, how to strengthen the foundation, you can use a variety of the above method.

The use of reinforced concrete shirts perfectly strengthens the columnar foundation.

Here, around the reinforced support, a grid of reinforcement is pre-assembled, on which wooden formwork is fastened, the distance between the foundation and the formwork is poured with concrete.

The resultant construction not only reconstructs the base of the structure, but also increases the bearing capacity of the support.

There is only one restriction - this method is unacceptable for wooden huts, in which the lower crowns have rotted.

This method is represented by two methods.

The first option is used if the tape, columnar or some other cap is damaged slightly.

Special drill holes are drilled through the foundation into the underlying soil, reinforcing rods are placed in the boreholes, and concrete is gradually poured into small spaces.

This method requires the use of special equipment and a sufficient amount of time to create metal-concrete rods.


The second option - pile-screw - can be used, both to strengthen the foundation, and to completely replace it, which is especially important, for example, for a village house built on a rubble base with a slight penetration.

As demonstrated in the video, tubing piles treated with anticorrosive composition are installed by the method of drilling into the soil to a depth exceeding the local freezing level of the soil.

The name of this method is formed from the design of the piles used, at the end of which the helical blades are placed.

After installing the piles (for small houses they are enough for one for each corner), their upper parts are trimmed, leveling in level.

I also want to note that this option is much cheaper and more economical in time for the traditional method for Russia, when the formwork is put around the foundation and poured with concrete.

As you already understood, the piling method is available only to a specialized team, this method of strengthening the foundation is impossible to implement by oneself.

In general, when deciding the question: "How to strengthen the foundation?" - the professional's advice will not be superfluous.

Strengthening the foundation of a private house with their own hands is a difficult and time-consuming work that requires many skills and certain knowledge. But it is fully justified, as the correct and accurate execution of all necessary manipulations will strengthen the foundation of the house, extending the life of the building for several decades.

In what way the owner of housing will give the second life of the bearing structure, will depend on the degree of damage and features of the existing basis and the full elimination of the causes that caused the destruction.



  Excessive weight of the structure can destroy the foundation

Causes, which may require strengthening the foundation of the house, a huge number, but the most relevant are recognized:

  • excessive load exerted by the building itself; under the influence of gravity most often the foundation of brick buildings is destroyed, this is due to the heavy weight of the building;
  • the destructive effect of rising groundwater, seismic instability, processes directly related to erosive changes in soil;
  • mistakes made during project preparation and during construction;
  • erection of buildings in the immediate vicinity of the old house; however, and performing excavation work in preparation for building an extension to the building may cause the owner to strengthen the foundation of the private house;
  • if the foundation was laid under a certain building, then it is calculated for a certain load, and the implementation of redevelopment in a private house also causes the destruction of the foundation and makes its owner think about how to strengthen the foundation.


  The access of moisture to the substrate can also lead to its destruction

Of course, quite often the reason for the fact that the previously made constructive material becomes unusable and loses its functionality, mistakes are made in the initial construction of cast and waterproofing.

But also improper operation of the building, washing the house with thawed or rainwater, violation of the rules of operation of drains lead to the appearance of deep cracks in the foundation and its rapid destruction.


Negative impact on the state of the construction of the location near the house of transport highways, through which the movement of a large number of vehicles is constantly carried out.

It is possible to observe the signs of the beginning of the destruction in the course of an independent visual inspection of the cap surface.

Occurrence of even small cracks on it or dents and deformations should alert the owner of the house and force to perform certain works during which it will be necessary to expose the foundation in order to establish the degree of destruction with high accuracy.

Before making a final decision on the need to strengthen, on all detected cracks across their direction paste paper tapes, the state of which is observed for 10 to 30 days.



  Understand that the foundation needs to be strengthened will help beacons that glue on the cracks

If during the observation tension is noticed or a rupture of the tape is detected, then a full reinforcement of the structure is to be achieved. These are the so-called deformation beacons, which glue to all the straight sections of the detected crack. If the beacons have remained intact, then it is necessary to restore the base and the base of the house, filling the cracks and crevices with stone, cement mortar or construction foam.

Strengthen the old foundation with little destruction, you can, by constructing the formwork and the bay reinforcing the frame. But in an effort to realize the qualitative strengthening of the foundation of the old house, it is necessary to follow the existing algorithm of work execution.

Works to strengthen the base of the old building


  First dig a trench around the structure

More often when building old houses a strip foundation is being built, and its strengthening requires changing the width of the sole or raising additional brick walls. And in that, and in another case, it will be necessary to start with excavation, during which it is necessary to dig a trench depth of at least 2 m and a width of at least 2.5 m along the entire perimeter of the building.

When deciding how to strengthen the foundation, it is necessary to remember that in any case, the need to broaden the sole, it is necessary to dig a trench. Its depth should be greater than the depth of the existing base, to equip a full sand cushion. The width of the new tape should not be less than this parameter of the previous support structure.

Having specified how to properly tie your new foundation to the former, start drilling holes. They will be placed reinforcing bars, ensuring a high-quality binding of the new reinforced concrete structure to the old tape.

Rods with which you can tie a new tape to the old one are driven to a depth of at least 35 cm, leaving them partially open. This area will be poured with concrete and will become part of the reinforced concrete system, with which a reinforced foundation is built.

Work performance features


On the surface of a naked fabricated many years ago, a reinforcing mesh with a large step is attached to the surface, a removable formwork structure is assembled and installed, ensuring a high-quality waterproofing. To do this, roll materials are used in the form of ruberoid or polyethylene film, fixing them on the inner surface of the shuttering boards.

In the prepared trench, a reinforcement system is installed in the form of a frame, which requires the entire perimeter of the building to be tied together, taking into account the distance between the reinforcing bars inserted into the old foundation with the grooved surface.

At the last stage, the entire structure is poured with concrete, purchased or prepared independently. So-called home concrete is prepared from sand, cement grade M 500 and gravel of fine fraction. The ratio of the materials from which the mixture is made does not change even if M 400 cement is used instead of the M 500. It always remains 3: 1: 5 and, when adding water, it is necessary to pay attention to the density of the solution. It should easily flow under the frame, but you can not make it too liquid, otherwise the concrete will quickly crack and begin to break down. For more information on strengthening the foundation, see this video:

Having made a decision to perform all the most important and responsible works with our own hands, it is necessary to take care of observance of existing norms and rules, having familiarized with the SNiP and other standards.

Very often, the desire to increase the living space of the house comes to naught due to the insufficient strength of the foundation. Indeed, it is impossible to significantly increase the weight of the building without changes in its foundation, because the former foundation may burst or settle. All this, in turn, provokes the appearance of cracks on the walls of the house, and, of course, the complete destruction of the building. Also, often in old, and new homes appear microcracks in the walls. In the article we will talk about methods of strengthening foundations.

Before starting work on strengthening the foundation and foundation, it is necessary to conduct a thorough analysis of the current state of the house, assess its capabilities, and then work on its strengthening. Usually, professional workers with special equipment are invited to do this or ignore the problem, but you can do the work yourself. Strengthening the base allows you to avoid a complete replacement, and in fact it usually pours out to the owners of the house in a tidy sum. To qualitatively conduct all types of work, it is necessary to evaluate the factors affecting the deformation of the foundation of the house, and reduce them to a minimum or completely eliminate them.


  Setting the cause of partial destruction of the base

Initially, an incorrect design of the foundation, perhaps an erroneous calculation of the future load on it.

  • Non-compliance with the technology during the laying of the foundation.
  • Savings on construction materials, use of cement and other low-quality materials.
  • Incorrect operation of the building (for example, lack of heating in the winter).
  • Poor waterproofing.
  • Inclined terrain.
  • Significant changes in important soil indicators that have occurred since the erection of the house. This is usually influenced by the increased level of groundwater, supersaturation of the soil with water, swelling of the soil.
  • Large-scale excavation works carried out near the foundation (near construction, laying of communications).


  • The increased load on the base of the house due to renovations or re-planning.
  • Internal or external vibration (proximity to the railway, earthquakes, etc.).
  • Flooding or flood, which caused a sharp moistening of the soil.
  • Ground freezing.

Changes in the groundwater table due to high water, prolonged rains can cause swelling. Because of this, the house seems to be squeezed out of the ground, which leads to the skewing of the building. In this case, the installation of drainage system and waterproofing of the base justifies reinforcement of the foundation, if they were not laid during erection. Also, you should carefully examine the plot of land to identify under the building of various types of soil. Depending on the result, a decision is made to properly strengthen the base with your own hands.

  Examination of the strengthened base

  • Exterior inspection  will analyze the size of the building, the current state of the bearing walls. It is also important to determine the load on the foundation, to detect all the cracks and bevels that speak of problems with the base.


  • Underground inspection  must determine the structure and dimensions of the foundation, which was used for laying material, characteristics, strength, and depth of occurrence.

There are also situations that require strengthening the base even in good condition:

  • increased load on the foundation (the case of expansion or construction of new floors);
  • deposition of the house within the limits of the permissible norms;
  • appearance near the construction of any vibration (this applies to any construction work near the house).

Before proceeding to reinforce the reinforced concrete base, it should be determined whether its shrinkage has ended. This is a fairly long process, requiring a month of observation. To do this, gypsum beacons are installed across the detected cracks, if in a month there are no flaws on them, then it is possible to proceed safely to strengthening.

  Unloading the foundation

The final stage of preparation is the unloading of the base, which is both partial and complete. This is an important stage that does not allow distortions during fortification works.

  • Part of the building can be relieved by using props and struts, which come in both wood and metal. For starters in the basement put the support "pillows" at a distance from the wall of two meters, they put the support beam and fix the posts, which then must be connected with a beam with overlapping and wedges with a support beam.


  • To completely unload the base, you will need to install metal beams-straps. Under the pylon row of the wall, punches are punched from both sides, into which it is necessary to place and bolt (20-25 mm) every two meters of the bundle. The points where the joists are connected, it is required to weld the overlays, and the distance from the wall to the beam is filled with a solution of sand and cement. From the bottom of the walls punch wells with a distance of two or three meters from each other, into which to insert the beams. Transverse beams are placed on support cushions on both sides of the wall.

  Methods of strengthening foundations

There are various methods of strengthening the base:

  • piles;
  • reinforced concrete jacket;
  • carburizing;
  • an increase in the sole;
  • ebbs;
  • the introduction of new grounds;
  • cages;
  • shotcrete.

Foundation reinforcements


  Strengthening the foundation with piles

  • Microwaves with a diameter of 150-300 mm  very convenient to use because of the ability to combine drilling with the injection of the solution into the well. In this method, it is possible to use drill rods that remain inside the pile and provide more robust reinforcement.
  • Bored piles  are installed by drilling wells throughout the entire length of the basement both outside and inside the building by drilling equipment. Wells need to be made every 1.5 m deep with a depth of about 2 m. They need to insert the valve pin and pour it with concrete mortar, then attach the structure to the foundation with anchors.
  • Pressed piles  use if you need to transfer the load to the deep-lying hard ground, for this special equipment is used. For a good connection of the base and piles, beams are installed in the base.
  • At an elevated level of groundwater use outrigger piles, on which the base is carried, passing through it a reinforced concrete beam, it is a kind of connecting link.
  • Metal tubular piles  They are crushed directly from both sides of the base by welding sections with special equipment. For the same purposes, it is necessary to install a framework of reinforced concrete, which is connected with the beams, which, in turn, the jacks serve as a support.

  Technology reinforcement foundation reinforced concrete jacket

  • An easy-to-use method, because one person can easily do the work. To do this, you need a reinforcement for the carcass binding (16-18 mm) and concrete grade M400.
  • Begin by digging out the foundation so that each bookmark is not more than three meters in length. First you need to dig out and strengthen the corners. The depth of the subsoil must be greater than the depth of the foundation by 50 cm.
  • Then arrange a reinforcing cage, which, as it were, covers the underground part of the building from the outside. The maximum load of the frame is increased by fastening to the existing foundation with anchors. Arrange the bars of the armored belt vertically and horizontally, and cross the tie points with wire.
  • After that, the installation of a removable formwork with supports and pour the solution. This is how the reinforced concrete cage is made, with the help of which it is possible to strengthen the ribbon and columnar bases qualitatively.

  Strengthening the foundation of the house by carburizing

  • Cementation, or injection, is distinguished by the presence of hollow tubes in the cavity of the basement. Usually, this method is used for a basement base, in which there are many voids. The accessibility of the method is achieved due to the fact that the cavities between the bricks and the buta are filled with a solution, and the fine cracks are covered.
  • Hollow tubes are put in such a way that they go beyond the clip more than 40 cm, and certainly fix the solution. To fill the cavity of the tubes, they pour cement, less dense than for the clip. The work should take place in a certain sequence: first it is necessary to make the clip, after two days, when it has solidified, fill the pre-installed tubes.

Cementation, like the other way - re-laying, is allowed only if the foundation retains its bearing capacity.

  Strengthening the foundation by the broadening of the sole

This method is quite difficult to perform on its own, but several people can handle it.

  • The sole is called a pillow made of reinforced concrete, which serves as a support for the base. First of all, you should mark out the foundation every 2.5-3 meters, make excavations on the sides of the foundation and under it.
  • Lay a reinforcement screed beneath the base and fill it with a solution, which you must try to distribute as uniformly as possible and get rid of air bubbles. To do this, a concrete vibrator is useful. The side walls of the sole are to be raised on the plinth at a distance of 15 centimeters.

  Strengthening the foundation with tints

  • This method of strengthening is relevant for a brick or buta base.
  • Reinforced concrete castings are used instead of reinforcing cages. They should be installed on both sides and squeezed so that their top does not touch the wall, and the lower part - on the contrary.
  • Then fix the structure with jacks and screed, dig trenches with captures up to two meters.
  • The distance between the wall and the tide is filled with a solution.

  Reinforcement of the base with clips

  • Strengthening can be carried out by ferro-concrete clips (it is supposed to use double-sided or use pipes, forcing solution). This method allows to strengthen the foundation along the entire thickness, since the solution easily reaches all the cavities of the masonry.


  • First, dig out a section of the existing base to three meters in length. It should be deepened by half a meter, and its width should be equal to one meter.
  • From both sides drill through holes, placing them like chess. In them, put the rods of reinforcing bars (14-20 millimeters), to which a frame with cells 150 to 150 millimeters is attached. Then install the formwork and pour the formed space with concrete.

  Strengthening of the foundation with shotcrete

  • This method is better to entrust to professionals, since it requires the use of a concrete gun. Around the base you need to excavate a 1.5-meter trench, clean the masonry and apply additional incisions.
  • The dug out and cleaned parts under pressure are covered with a solution with a gun. This will completely fill all the cracks.
  • This method of strengthening should be chosen when the foundation is not heavily deformed or before the construction of new floors of the house to reduce the load on the foundation.

  Technology of reinforcing the basement

  • Digging a trench along the entire perimeter of the base. The width must be done so that all work is carried out in comfortable conditions and taking into account the increase in the thickness of the foundation.
  • Clean the surface of dirt.
  • Install the reinforcement.
  • Form a reinforced belt. This can be done by welding the reinforcement in some places, and also tying wire.
  • Screw the formwork.
  • Pour concrete.
  • Make a waterproofing.