How To Close The Gap Between The Foundation And The Blind Area Of the House? How To Fill Small Cracks Between The Plinth And The Blind Area And What To Do If The Blind Area Has Mov

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

The blind area adjoins the foundation and protects it from freezing, moisture ingress into the basement. Cracks can form between the structure and the house. It is important to fix the problem on time and efficiently. The cavities can be simply filled or overhauled.

How to fill small cracks?

The blind area of the house is necessary to protect the foundation from moisture and other adverse effects. Slots and gaps can form between siding and other trim materials . This may be due to a breach of technology during construction. You can fill the gap between the foundation and the blind area using the following means:

• polyurethane sealant;
• mineral wool;
• Styrofoam.

It is as easy as possible to use these materials for sealing holes of various sizes . The crack between the plinth and the blind area can also be repaired using simpler methods. The use of bitumen mastic and damper tape does not require special skills, they are used as construction foam. Polyurethane sealant is used for different crevice widths. Many materials can be replaced with one another, you just need to follow the technology.

It is best to use a sealant to seal gaps in buildings that are newly built, but the shrinkage has already ended . The technology of use does not differ from polyurethane foam. To begin with, the hole is qualitatively cleaned of dirt, dust and debris, coated with a penetrating primer.

Then the entire cavity is filled with the selected material. For blowing, you can use either a construction gun or simply squeeze the agent out of the spout.

The resulting seam should be closed any decorative material . Even a simple border or tile can be used. Before using the sealant, it is recommended to lay a rope of expanded polyethylene in the crack. Later, it remains only to cover up the gap well. This will allow the work to be carried out as efficiently as possible.

Mineral wool is used by many to seal cracks … To begin with, the cavity is cleaned of dirt and treated with a mastic for waterproofing. The cotton wool rolls into dense rolls with a sausage and fits into the crack. Usually the structure is reinforced with a metal mesh. Further, the place is simply masked using any decorative material.

Mineral wool is used only after strengthening the base … And also foam is used to fill the cavity. In this case, the joint is covered with cement, and for decoration you can take a stone or tile. Transverse reinforcement will help in cases where the soil is unstable, floating. Such a solution will make a not very rigid fastening between the blind area and the plinth.

Styrofoam is used in the same way as mineral wool . Reinforcement is also quite simple to do. A hole 10 cm deep is made in the basement and blind area using a drill. Fittings are installed in the channels. For strengthening, it is enough just to fill everything with a solution of cement.

Major overhaul

If a gap has formed between the wall and the blind area, then a simple sealant will not work. In this case, a major overhaul is required. If the blind area has moved away, then this indicates too rigid initial fastening.

And also the problem arises if the original work was carried out in unsuitable weather conditions.

At the beginning of destruction, it makes no sense to look for easy ways. You should take a jackhammer and disassemble the blind area, remake it . To save the solution, you can take large pieces of the old design. It is necessary to prepare sand, cement grade M50, crushed stone.

The reinforcement will add rigidity to the blind area, and waterproofing and thermal insulation will become additional protection. The level is needed in order to control the work. A bucket and a shovel will help you prepare the mortar. A hammer drill is a must for a major overhaul.

The solution must be mixed according to the rules

1. The bucket mixes sand, cement and crushed stone in a ratio of 2, 6: 1: 4, 5.
2. The composition is filled with 125 liters of water.
3. It takes about 2 hours to cook. Various additives can be added to the solution. Plasticizing materials show themselves well.
4. Stir the entire solution as thoroughly as possible. Usually 5-7 minutes is enough.

When preparing a solution, it is important keep proportions … This is the only way to make a material that can withstand all loads and protect the foundation. Making a blind area does not cause great difficulties even for people without experience in the construction industry.

Here is the repair technology

The first thing to check is the sand and gravel cushion . Check the slope for water. If necessary, add the material and tamp it well. In this case, a reinforcing mesh and formwork are laid on top. The cells are usually square.

It is necessary to pour the solution from the top point .… In this case, a slope is created, along which water will then flow. It is important to always check the work with a building level. Transverse expansion joints are made every 1.5-2 meters. They are made using strips of wood or vinyl tape.

At the end, it is important to level and compact the concrete .… The finished areas are covered with a damp cloth. So the material will dry out gradually and as evenly as possible. This will prevent cracks from forming.

The formwork is removed only after the concrete section has completely hardened. Remove the structure carefully so as not to damage the concrete . Overhaul of the blind area allows you to prevent the destruction of the foundation. If everything is done correctly, the result will be of high quality and will last for many years.

Useful Tips

The blind area should be equipped competently and thoughtfully … Only in this case, the structure will not collapse and will last as long as possible. The blind area is made at an angle to the building. This will allow water to be diverted from the foundation, prevent the basement from becoming wet and completely destroyed.

Insulation plates are laid on the sand base, which protect against frost. Further, geotextiles, a water-repellent membrane are used, but on top - gravel. The blind area can be made from tiles. In this case, an additional layer of sand will be needed.

And some more useful tips

1. Calculating the minimum slope is very simple . You should take about 3-5% of the width of the blind area. This is a suitable solution for construction under normal conditions.
2. The expansion joint will ensure correct shrinkage . It is made to the entire depth of the foundation.
3. The concrete will be as durable as possible , if you observe all the proportions when preparing the solution and make a transverse reinforcement.
4. A dense base for the decorative layer can be created using a layer of rubble .

Even the highest quality blind area can collapse over time. It is important to inspect the structure regularly. If there is the slightest sign of deformation, then repair work should be carried out immediately. In this case, the blind area will last longer, and the base will not begin to collapse.