To increase the stability of the building being erected, a plinth is laid out on the surface of the strip base. A plinth is a part of the foundation located above the ground. The walls of the structure are being erected directly on this part. Concrete or precast concrete structures can be used to lay the basement. However, for wooden or frame structures, a brick basement laid on a strip foundation would be an excellent option.

Types of brick plinths and their features

Equipping a reliable base is a rather difficult job. It is this part of the structure that is exposed to mechanical and atmospheric stress more than other structural elements. With the wrong choice of material or non-observance of the masonry technology, deformation of the basement can occur and, as a result, the destruction of the entire structure. Therefore, it is necessary to know and take into account many nuances in order to avoid unpleasant consequences during the further operation of the building.

The brick base has several varieties:

• The western basement is laid out in the case when it is planned to erect walls from gas silicate blocks. This design allows rainwater to drain quickly as the wall protrudes above the plinth. Arrangement of the retreating structure does not require the installation of an additional drain.
• The projecting plinth is ideal for buildings with a basement or underground floor. This type will serve as reliable protection from the cold. However, when choosing a protruding type of base, you should arrange a drain around the entire perimeter to protect the waterproofing layer.
• The plinth, built in the same plane with the wall, is used very rarely. First, the waterproofing in this case remains unprotected. Secondly, the design is not very attractive. This option requires additional waterproofing of the basement and its lining.

The choice of material for the construction of a brick base

To get a reliable, maintenance-free base, you need to choose the right material. It should be remembered that only high-quality bricks are used to lay out this part of the building. When choosing, it is best to focus on three parameters:

• The material must be of high strength. The brick for the construction of the basement should not change shape under the influence of load or weather conditions.
• The service life of bricks should be as long as possible.
• The decorative properties of the material must also be at a high level. Use a brick that matches the overall style of the building.

When choosing a brick for laying a basement, you should familiarize yourself with the basic physical properties of some types of this material.

Silicate brick

Such material does not tolerate high humidity. With its prolonged exposure, the brick loses its strength and begins to collapse. A sand-lime brick plinth can be erected in regions with a predominance of a dry climate and when carrying out high-quality waterproofing.

Red clay brick

The manufacturing technology of such a material allows it to be used for the construction of both the foundation and the basement. Red brick can withstand more than 50 freezing cycles without changing the strength characteristics. Therefore, it can be used in the construction of structures in places with a humid climate and heavy precipitation.

Ceramic brick

Ceramic brick belongs to the materials with a very long service life. It is an ideal option for arranging a plinth on a strip foundation. Such a brick is not afraid of moisture and has good frost resistance.

Calculation of the material for the base

Before you start laying the basement, you need to calculate the required amount of bricks. First, it will allow you to purchase material from one batch. Secondly, you can save on this without buying an extra amount of products.

Only an experienced specialist can calculate the exact amount of bricks, taking into account the thickness of the mortar and the percentage of defective material. However, there are several methods that allow you to independently carry out the calculation.

Method 1

To do this, you need to know the volume of one brick, the dimensions of the structure and the height of the basement.

• First, we calculate the volume of the brick. A standard product has the following dimensions 25 * 12 * 6.5 cm. Therefore, its volume will be 0.25 * 0.12 * 0.065 = 0.00195 m 3.
• Now we determine the volume of the base. For example, a building has a size of 9 * 10 m, the optimum height of the basement is 1 m, its minimum thickness should not be less than half the length of the brick. This means that the volume of the base will be (9 + 10) * 2 * 1 * 0.12 = 4.56 m 3.
• Further, the volume of the basement is divided by the volume of one brick: 4.56 / 0.00195 = 2338.46. That is, for the construction of a basement for a house of 9 * 10 m, 2339 bricks will be required.

Method 2

In this case, the length of the brick, the length and height of the base are taken into account.

• We calculate the number of bricks required for one row of masonry. For this, the length of the structure is divided by the length of the brick: (9 + 10) * 2 * 0.25 = 152.
• To determine the number of rows, you need to divide the height of the basement by the height of one brick: 1 / 0.065 = 15.38.
• Further, the number of bricks in one row for the resulting number of rows of masonry: 152 * 15.38 = 2338.

Comparing the results, we get approximately the same amount in both cases.

Do-it-yourself brick plinth construction

The plinth serves as a support for the supporting elements of the structure, therefore the work must be done with maximum quality. To build a solid and reliable base, it is necessary to carry out each step precisely.

Setting the corners

This stage is considered the most important. Careless execution of work will lead to the fact that defects may appear in the process of common masonry. To set the corners, it is necessary to lay out bricks without mortar and check the correct laying. To do this, measure the opposite sides and diagonals with a tape measure. Both parameters must be equal. The corners with correct laying have a value equal to 90 0. The correct horizontal and vertical position of the masonry is controlled by the building level and plumb line. If all the parameters coincide, the bricks are fixed with a sand-cement mortar.

Laying bricks

You need to lay bricks on a sand-cement mortar. For its preparation, take sand and cement in a ratio of 3: 1, mix and dilute with water to the consistency of thick sour cream. The laying is carried out in horizontal rows, laying one and a half or two bricks. The next row is performed with the bricks turned 90 0, that is, with a dressing. In this case, the longitudinal seams in adjacent rows are recommended to be shifted by half a brick, and the transverse seams by a quarter.

The thickness of the seam between the bricks should not be more than 1.5 cm. The masonry must be reinforced every four rows. For this, a metal mesh is used.

The height of the plinth depends on the structural features of the structure. If there is a basement floor, it is possible to carry out masonry to a height of 0.8-1 meter. For an ordinary house, a height of 0.5 meters is sufficient.

Basement waterproofing

The basement of the house needs mandatory waterproofing, which serves as protection against moisture from the soil and precipitation. The following materials can be used to waterproof the structure:

• Lubricating waterproofing, which includes polymer or bitumen mastic, cement-based mixtures. It is applied to the surface with a brush with an even distribution.
• represented by roofing material, hydrostekloizol, euroruberoid. Fastening of the material is carried out by gluing preheated rolls or by fusing. You can glue roofing material on bituminous mastic. This will make the waterproofing more effective. In all cases, it is necessary to ensure the overlap of the sheets of waterproofing material on top of each other up to 15 cm.
• Penetrating waterproofing, when applied, penetrates into the smallest pores of the material and clogs them. The material is applied only to a damp surface, and at the end of the work it is necessary to moisten the insulation for 10-14 days.

Insulation of the basement

To maintain heat in the house, it is necessary to conduct. These works can be performed both immediately after the construction of the basement, and after the completion of general construction work. For thermal insulation, polystyrene and expanded polystyrene are most often used. The insulation is fastened using a special glue that does not contain acetone or other solvents. The outer surface of the base is treated with an adhesive solution. Sheets of insulation material are applied to the surface and pressed tightly.

To save your budget, you can simply plaster the surface of the base / plinth. Ordinary plaster plays the role of a good insulation.

Laying a brick plinth on a strip foundation is a complex, but affordable process. It is necessary to make the correct calculations and follow the sequence of work. And the basement, insulated and protected from the negative effects of natural phenomena, will make the structure more attractive and increase its technological characteristics.

Laying a basement in 1 brick is a fairly popular option for building a basement floor. This method has been applied at the world level for more than one century and has been repeatedly tested by builders for strength and durability (Fig. 1).

For 1 m3 of brickwork, 390 pieces will be needed. ordinary brick.

In order to start laying the base, you need to decide on the facing building material. A practical option would be red brick masonry, because it is made of clay, is long-term in operation and is resistant to moisture.

When calculating the purchase, a simple analysis is made: for 1 cubic meter of brickwork of the basement, 400 units of brick will be needed, assuming that the seam size is 12 mm. Then the length of the base is multiplied by its width, then the height. The displayed total is multiplied by 400. All results are calculated exclusively in meters.

Base types

In one of three cases, laying a brick basement is done by hand:

Figure 1. Diagram of the device of the base in one brick.

1. The base is flat. If this construction is carried out, the thickness of the structure and the base itself requires a match. To enhance the appearance of the box, decorative cornices or curbs can be used to visually separate the base from the walls.
2. The base is protruding. It looks quite impressive, and thanks to this, the appearance of the base or, perhaps, walls is emphasized, since the thickness of the basement is greater than the thickness of the house itself. If the type of plinth is protruding, then there should be ebbs at the top of the structure itself.
3. The plinth is sinking. This type is more often applicable in areas with a high level of precipitation, because it protects the structure itself and the base. Here the base will be thinner than the main wall.

At all stages of work, the device of a brick base is made with strict consideration of the proposed methods and strict adherence to the rules of the masonry itself.

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What materials and tools will be required?

How to properly lay out a brick base and what materials are needed?

List of materials:

Table of consumption of bricks per 1 m2 of masonry (1.0 brick).

• masonry mesh - for wall reinforcement;
• Red brick;
• sand, cement - for making mortar.

Tool list:

1. Building level. It is used to control the conformity of the evenness of the corners.
2. Construction cord - mooring.
3. Plumb line.
4. Ordering. Used in the construction of a beautiful wall.
5. Hammer-pick. Used to divide bricks into required pieces.
6. The trowel of a bricklayer.
7. Mortar shovel.
8. Templates. Metal rods are used.

Work should be carried out in strict observance of the indicated stages.

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Checking for compliance with the horizontality of the foundation

After the base has been poured, it is necessary to check the foundation with the participation of the hydraulic level as follows: the first flask is fixed at one of the corners, the second is alternately spread over the remaining corners. If all the marks coincide, it means that the filled plane is flat. If there is a discrepancy between the indicators for compliance, you can apply another method.

Table of proportions of cement-sand mortar.

Having chosen one of the corners for checking, for example, the one on which from the upper edge of the surface is lower by 7 cm, we apply a mark (this will be point "0"). Then the indicator in the first flask is checked against this mark. The second flask must be moved along the remaining corners and then leave marks along the entire foundation, for example, any one and a half to two meters. Next, the gap to the top is measured and it is found out if there are any errors.

If the discrepancies are large, then it is better to make a change with a solution, taking into account that the highest angle will be the reference point. If the discrepancies are small, you can level the masonry by additional application of the solution to the seam.

According to SNiP 3.03.01-87, the seam size must be at least 12 mm, even if there is an error of -2 and +3 mm. Taking into account the reinforced material, the seam size should not exceed 16 mm.

We hammer a stake into each corner of the base of the structure and pull a construction cord between them diagonally. The length of each cord is measured: if the lengths of the cord are equal, then all the rules are observed, if they are not equal, then there is an error and geometric indicators are violated. But if the detected error is not more than 2 cm, then it can be corrected during the masonry itself.

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Construction site waterproofing

Waterproofing fulfills a number of important conditions:

• stability and protection from various adverse factors;
• capital construction site for the entire structure;
• impermeability of any elements due to the effect of moisture, which can rise to a significant level up along the walls of the structure.

Waterproofing is also intended to eliminate any existing cavities when laying the foundation. This important requirement protects against the assumed capacity of the structure as a whole. For example, due to fluctuations in temperature changes under the influence of atmospheric phenomena, from changing weather conditions, the base undergoes different changes from each impact. If it is frosty, then the moisture, accordingly, freezes, then begins to expand. Accordingly, if it is warm, then the moisture is defrosting. Naturally, all this can lead to significant modifications and destruction of the foundation material.

The highest quality waterproofing is considered not only horizontal, but also vertical between the base and the base of the structure. This tightness guarantees a high degree of protection for the entire building. Taking into account all these measures during the construction of the structure, the maximum degree of reliability and safety of the entire model of the building will be achieved.

Consider reliable waterproofing options:

1. Base level trim with soft rubber.
2. The use of two layers of roofing material, which are fixed with mastic.
3. The use of a newer building material, which will be distinguished by high durability, is glass insulation.

All these options will not allow the building material to damp and break the tightness of the basement.

An overhang is necessary to prevent water from flowing after rain: the basement will have a protruding appearance and extend beyond the base up to 7 cm.

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How to properly lay out a brick base?

It is made on the base of the building and starts with one row spread without using mortar. To achieve an equal gap during laying, stencils are used - templates, prudently prepared from metal rods. All of this will indicate how best to lay out the row.

If it turns out that the final brick is a little long or the wall areas are shortened, then you can try out the correction of its location by changing the size of the joints. Then a mark is made on a fragment of the seams and strives for the subsequent layout of the brick so that its location is not disturbed, since then the dissimilarity of the parameters may appear.

Brick plinth is a reliable, strong and durable base for your home. However, it is not easy to build it. Brickwork has always been a tricky business that craftsmen have done. However, life compels many to become masters. Fortunately for "science" it is not necessary to look for a master. You can learn on your own, theory is publicly available, and practice and experience come with time. As they said in the famous film: "Train on cats." It is worth trying to lay out a corner a couple of times, and then everything will go well, only the theory must be observed. And actually on the theory further.

For the basement device, it is better to choose a red solid brick, clinker or acid-resistant. The material for the base should be weather-resistant, have as little water absorption as possible and have high compressive strength. Therefore, silicate brick is not suitable for these purposes, it strongly absorbs moisture. Clinker and acid-resistant are expensive. Therefore, for laying a brick basement, it is most often fire-resistant red solid brick that is chosen.

Step 1. Determine the width and height of the base

Depending on the weather conditions in the region, you need to choose the width of the base. A protruding base will require additional protection from rain; a protective drain is made for it. The thickness of this plinth is greater than the thickness of the wall. A plinth flush with the wall does not require such protection, but it is rarely used. The most common is a recessed base, when the wall hangs over it. So it is protected from water and other atmospheric influences, and in this case, you can choose the type of masonry without being tied to the thickness of the wall.

Before purchasing material, you need to choose the height of the base. The minimum height will be above the level of snow cover for the region, according to the standards - at least 15 cm. The maximum height is the preference of the owners. To arrange a basement floor, it is enough to raise the house by 1 m. From an aesthetic point of view, high basements look more beautiful than low ones. And do not forget that the height of the basement determines the height of the first floor. The top of the basement is the floor of the first floor.

Step 2. Set the corners of the brickwork

The first and most important thing is to set the corners correctly. Initially, the corners are set without mortar. You just need to put bricks on all 4 corners of the building. Next, using a strong thread that does not stretch, or a tape measure, measure the distance between the corners. Ideally, the distances on parallel walls should be equal, even up to mm will not work, but the maximum difference is 2-3 cm. If this is not the case. It is necessary to check the evenness of the exposed corners again. You need to trim the corner bricks until you achieve evenness. There is an assumption that minor differences can be leveled out when laying the first row, but this is very difficult for inexperienced laymen to do. Therefore, it is better not to complicate your work initially. The corners must be set correctly!

Step 3. Laying the first row

The corners are standing. We spread the first row. Cement-sand mortar for masonry must be plastic and tough. By brand it is M-75. The method of its preparation and the proportions of cement: sand: water can be found in GOSTs.

Depending on whether insulation is used for the walls, the basement is laid out in 1.5 bricks (380 mm, if with light insulation, for example, foam or mineral wool), or in 2 bricks (500 mm, if the exterior of the house is brick).

Horizontal joints between bricks are made about 12 mm, vertical - 10 mm. It is permissible to increase the seam size up to 15 mm. However, you should not lay out the line with the solution, this can weaken the wall. The solution should be slightly removed from the external seams, by 8-10 mm. This will allow for further plastering to better grab the plaster mixture. And if plaster is not provided, it will protect the cement from washing out and weathering.

To facilitate the task of horizontal alignment, you can also use a strong thread, a cord. A thread is pulled between the corners, you can fix it on nails or any other vertical supports. The thread is positioned so that it goes level with the outer edge of the brick in the row. This will help not only keep the row height horizontally, but also make a straight line vertically. The thread is removed after the row is laid out.

To facilitate the leveling task, you can use the formwork, as for pouring the foundation, solid, or only corner. Row marks are applied on the corner formwork. To do this, add the height of the mortar to the height of the brick. You can also set a thread on the notches, and move it up as you lay the rows.

Step 4. Bandaging

Brick masonry basement requires bandaging the rows. Bandaging is a method of laying when the bricks of the next row overlap the joints of the previous bricks.

Laying in 1 brick is the simplest. So the bricks of the first row will be all across the wall, the second - along. At the corner, the brick does not turn, and it turns out that the perpendicular wall is laid out along, then the second row will be across.

On a masonry of 1.5 bricks, a simple single-row dressing is made, or chain. Bricks across the wall (bonded) alternate with bricks along (spoon). In this case, the displacement of the bonder goes by a quarter of the brick, and the spoon by half of the brick. Thus, the strength of the wall is ensured and the exterior of the wall has a beautiful appearance.

Laying 2 bricks is difficult. It is rarely used for the basement device, but still it is sometimes needed. A single-row dressing looks like this:

1 row. The brick of one wall is laid out all by the butt method, the perpendicular wall is also laid out in the butt method in 2 bricks, a turn is made at the corner, the voids are filled with cut parts of the brick.

2 row. External bricks are laid with spoon bricks, between them, inside, a row of one brick across the wall.

Step 5. Waterproofing, ventilation and finishing of the basement

We will not go into detail about how waterproofing or finishing of the basement is performed, this is another topic. But I must say that waterproofing the basement of the brickwork is necessary. For these purposes, roofing material, euroruberoid, waterproofing mastic, etc. may be suitable. The basement is waterproofed from two sides - from the side of the foundation and the house.

Brick prevents air exchange, and ventilation of the underground space requires air vents and vents. In brickwork, they can be easily arranged by inserting a wooden formwork according to the size of the bricks instead of several bricks. The dimensions and number of air ducts must be counted for each house separately.

After the completion of the construction of the house, to protect the foundation and the basement, the basement and the foundation blind area are made of brickwork.

The plinth takes an intermediate position between the foundation and the walls. It must protect them from moisture and withstand the load of the entire structure, furniture and equipment installed in the building. Last year, my friend and I did the necessary earthworks, laid the foundation for the future house. Now, in his spare time, he lays a brick base on the foundation.

Second row bricks

Vadik, the owner of the future cottage, an economist. He is interested in all ways to reduce costs. When buying a plot and designing, he decided to test his professional knowledge in practice. Hearing that the cheapest way to do it with your own hands, I decided to master the specialty of a laborer and replace training in the gym with useful physical labor.

Brick plinth on strip foundations

Better to choose fired brick. He has technical indicators for various properties and, in particular, for stability, much higher

On the strip foundation, a support layer is made under the walls from different materials, from pouring reinforced concrete to stone. The red brick for the basement combines:

• the required strength;
• simplicity of brickwork;
• low thermal conductivity;
• budget cost.

With a little skill and patience, you can lay out the base with your own hands in a few days. To protect the walls from moisture, waterproofing is done during the construction of the basement. You can lubricate the surface of the foundation with heated bitumen in several layers. This is long in time, since it is necessary to wait for the applied material to harden and only then spread the next one on the surface.

It is better to use roofing material in 2 layers. The strips are cut along the width of the base, plus 4-5 centimeters. They are held together with bituminous glue and fixed to the surface of the foundation. You can make a mixture with your own hands or use a ready-made one by buying it in a store. I added washed river sand to the heated bitumen. My friend mixed everything well.

Checking the dimensions and geometry of the basement foundation

Bassoon base

Before starting work, I decided to check the strip foundation. After filling it, time has passed. He could shrink, washed away by rainwater. The unevenness of the plane of the base will entail a distortion of the whole house and constant repair of walls and ceilings. Measurements are taken with a ruler, tape measure and cord.

1. I measured the strip foundation using a slatted level up and down in several places. It is better to do this in the corners and every 2 meters in length. By placing the long device down, it is easy to determine if there is a slope. If you only have a corner level with short sides, place a board over it.
2. On the foundation, in the corners, I laid dry bricks along the outer edge. Then, with the help of Vadik, I checked the diagonal. A regular rectangle has the same cord size from corner to corner. If the length is different, then the corners are not right. For a brick basement of a residential building, a difference in the length of the diagonals of up to 2 centimeters is permissible.
3. Find the skew, and check the dimensions with a tape measure. Measured in the corners. The foundation was poured without formwork. The outer walls are uneven. Brick makes measurements easier.

Having adjusted the dimensions by offsetting the corners, we checked the diagonal with a cord again. Then I marked the position of the brick base. Now, pulling the cord and securing it to the pegs, I marked the outside of the walls. It remains to lay out the brick base. I was sure of the correctness of the geometry of the frame of the house.

My friend with his own hands smeared the strip foundation from above with glue, laid layers of prepared roofing material, joined together with a bituminous mixture. The bottom waterproofing is ready. The walls will not be damp with moisture from the soil. Under the brick, on the waterproofing, I laid a layer of cement mortar 2 cm thick. It will serve as a pillow and compensate for unevenness. For strength, I drowned a metal mesh with a cell of 50 mm in it, cutting it a little narrower in width than the base.

Brick laying scheme and base width

Brick plinth

We began to prepare the ditch for the strip foundation after the completion of the house project. Then I knew exactly what the width of the brick base should be, based on the calculated loads. The weight of a two-story brick building is large. If the masonry is narrow - 250 mm, then the brick for the basement may not withstand. Cracks will form on the walls. Repairing and strengthening the house will cost more than building.

What width to make the foundation is determined by the laying of the basement. Standard brick sizes are 250x120x50 mm. The minimum size can be laid out by alternating rows with transverse laying in one row and longitudinal in two. Such a foundation is made for light houses made of wood, foam concrete, shell rock. For walls made of wood and light material for cottages of 2 floors, a masonry of one and a half bricks (380 mm) is suitable. Vadik plans 2 levels, a residential attic with insulation. It is better to use wide masonry for a brick base in two rows (520 mm). House repairs will need to be done on such a basis in 15 years.

Determining the width of the finished base / plinth is easy. 10 mm is added to the dimensions of the brick for each seam. I did alternate rows:

• two rows of bricks across the foundation;
• the outer and inner rows along, the middle is filled with transversely laid artificial stones.

Such a plinth guaranteed stability for a multi-storey building made of heavy building material. Repairs to the exterior of the plinth may be required after a few years.

The choice of materials for a ceramic brick base

Silicate blocks can only be used in dry climates

When buying a brick, Vadik asked me which one to take and why. I advised him solid. When the temperature drops, especially in winter, condensation - dew appears in the holes. Moisture accumulates, absorbs into the material and destroys the base. In a few years, repairs will be needed. A practicing economist, Vadik, was interested in a cheaper way to build a brick base. I told him about the opportunity to use used material. During the dismantling of buildings and the demolition of partitions, if major repairs are made, the walls are broken. The brick is cleaned of the old mortar and tightly laid in the basement, choosing less damaged for the outer rows. In terms of strength, such a top of the foundation is inferior to that laid out of a new stone, with the correct geometry. The loads are made on it less. Do-it-yourself styling for a beginner is difficult. It is necessary to constantly check the level and select pieces of brick of the right size.

I used M-75 cement mortar as a binder. It was made by my friend in a concrete mixer. Loaded into it:

• cement;
• sand;
• lime milk;
• after stirring, water was added.

The proportions depend on the brand of cement. For example: 0.8 liters of lime diluted in water to the state of milk is added to one bucket of M500 Portland cement. Sand 7 buckets. Water is topped up for the first time in portions and its proportion in the mixture is determined. The mortar should be held on a trowel with a slide and not slide off an inclined plane.

Advice: Lime should not exceed 10% by volume in the dry mix. It is better to introduce it already slaked and dissolved in water - milk of lime. For builders without experience, who work slowly, it is better to buy a ready-made mixture with plasticizers and additives that slow down the solidification of the solution.

Binding of bricks in the basement and waterproofing

Diy brick masonry

On top of the waterproofing layer, my friend laid out a layer of concrete and pressed the mesh into it. Now I was laying the plinth. I need an assistant to prepare the solution. But Vadik wanted to try to do everything with his own hands. He asked me to choose a simpler site, along a straight line without corners. He diligently aligned the outer row with the stretched cord and then laid the rest of the brick tightly. After a couple of hours I got the hang of doing everything myself. I fixed 2 boards at each corner close to the masonry. Now all that remained was to lay the bricks, pressing them against them. Studs were easily driven into the tree for the outer line cord. Such a device helps out when it is necessary to repair the corners and the facade of the house.

Every 4 rows, now I, as an assistant, laid the mesh for strength. While the concrete mixer was working, I marked the openings for vents - holes for ventilation of the underground space of the house. Prepared the top layer of waterproofing, which was additionally laid under the wall masonry.

I advised Vadik to choose a masonry with a bandage of half the width of a brick. Our outer layer alternated with transverse and longitudinal rows. Now, when laying, the joints did not match. This made the base durable and ruled out repairs in the near future.

Protective and decorative finish on the outside of the base / plinth and blind area

Brick plinth masonry

Having finished laying the basement, we dug a ditch around the perimeter and poured a pillow under the blind area. Its width was determined by the size of the overhang of the roof, plus a strip for guaranteed drainage of rainwater onto the concrete path. The slope from the building was made 1.5 - 2 degrees. Otherwise, the water will leak under the basement, destroy the foundation and repairs will have to be done, removing the mold in the corner of the walls.

I made the final exterior finish with decorative stone on concrete mortar after the walls were erected.

The plinth is the lower part of the outer wall of the building, which is erected on the foundation and acts as a barrier between the wall and the destructive effects of atmospheric phenomena. A building devoid of basement is at risk from mold and decay and is less likely to retain heat inside during cold periods. The main condition for a brick base on a strip foundation is high strength. Its structure must withstand the entire mass of the walls of the building. High-quality materials with a high level of resistance to frost, moisture and pressure resistance will help to achieve the required indicator.

Today there are three options for the basement, which are used in the construction of residential premises:

• Exiting base. From the name it can be understood that such a coating extends beyond the outer walls of the house. This type of base will be used if they want to achieve additional heat resistance in frost or the style of the building itself requires it, because from an aesthetic point of view, this option is more attractive. So that water does not linger on the surface of the base, it is usually equipped with grooves or a drainage system.
• The plinth end-to-end with the outer walls has recently been used extremely rarely. This fact is due, first of all, to the absence of any useful properties in this type of base.
• The recessed base is used in the construction of residential buildings. Erected 6 cm deeper than the plane of the outer walls, this type of base can save money on organizing a drain for water, and also ensure the safety of the waterproofing layer.

What should be the width of the base

The dimensions of the basement directly depend on the material from which the walls of the building will be erected. Such information is always contained in the general plan and on the project drawing. With walls made of a foam block (which is sometimes also called a gas silicate brick) with a long surface of 60 cm, a width of 30 cm and a height of 20 cm, the masonry must be at least 30 cm thick.

If further construction involves the equipment of an additional insulation layer on top of the walls, then the width of the basement should ideally be 38 cm.However, in the case when a brick is used as a decorative element built on top of walls from foam concrete blocks, the thickness of the basement increases by another 22 cm. after which it will be at least 60 cm.

Determining the height

Until now, the construction masters do not have an unambiguous answer to the question of what the height of the basement should be. As the level at which the upper point of the masonry should be located, it is best to take the height of atmospheric precipitation that has fallen over the past few years. This masonry technology is the most reliable and guarantees a future building, erected on a strip brick foundation, a long service life.

But in practice, most often there is a basement masonry with a height equal to the floor of the first floor in the building. This technique also applies to structures with a basement floor. Fashion and style trends in our time imply the presence of a high and massive basement in the house, which are able to highlight the living space, giving it grace and elegance.

Insulated brick plinth on strip foundation

We remind you that all work on the organization of the basement is carried out on the erected strip base.

Outline the corners

One of the most important rules in the construction of not only the basement, but also any building in general, can be considered the correct definition of the corners of the structure. Negligence in this matter will certainly lead to the curvature of the surface of the walls, which ultimately will lead to their partial or even full bearing capacity.

Several technologies are used to correctly align the angles, but the following technique is considered the simplest:

1. A row of bricks is laid in all corners of the building's base without using cement mortar. In this case, the planned width of the future structure must be observed. The corners are inserted using a building level.
2. Next, measure the length and width on both sides, as well as the diagonals. All readings must match to the nearest centimeter. Measurements are carried out using a tape measure or twine.
3. It does not hurt to check the future walls for irregularities again. To do this, use the same twine.

Waterproofing the base surface

In order to ensure reliable protection of the basement masonry from groundwater, care should be taken to organize the upper part of the foundation with an insulating layer, the functions of which can be performed by roofing material folded in half. It is glued to the surface of the base using bitumen mastic, a burner or heated bitumen. Also, glass insulation, euroruberoid or an improved type of roofing material is used as a waterproofing layer, which is based on cardboard - rubemast.

Bricklaying

Having provided the foundation surface with a waterproofing layer, you can start laying a brick base. For stapling the bars, a solution of cement, sand and water is used. When erecting a basement, only red brick is used without holes and cavities.

To lay out the basement, start from the corners, placing the rows opposite each other, and covering the surface of the material with a solution 2-2.5 cm thick. After laying out several radars, the surface is checked with a level.

Having reached the minimum height of the plinth, which is 4 rows of standard bricks, you can begin to erect the walls. Finish the surface of the basement with decorative stone or siding. They often resort to decorating the basement with finishing tiles. With the help of the basement, the strip foundation is leveled with a brick.

If there is a basement in the room, openings in the basement should be provided for ventilation. They are located at a height of 10-15 cm from the soil. The dimensions depend on the diameter of the vent pipe. From above, the basement is covered with a waterproofing layer, the same as the surface of the foundation was covered earlier.

Video about laying bricks on a strip base:

Tsokol - the lower part of the outer wall of a house, built on a foundation and designed to keep the walls from the destructive effects of moisture. A house without a basement is at risk of mold and rotting, it can lose its ability to resist cold weather and increase heat transfer between the interior and the street.

One of the indisputable conditions is the strength of the basement, because the entire weight of the walls of the house falls on it. That is why the materials used must be of high quality, characterized by frost resistance, low moisture resistance and pressure resistance.

There are three base / plinth options used in construction:

• Going beyond the wall. This option is justified in two cases - it is part of the design of the building (aesthetically, it is more advantageous), or there is a need for reinforced insulation of the basement floor. It must be supplied with a slope or groove for water drainage.

  Exit base / plinth sample

• Standing back to back with a wall is an unpopular option today due to the lack of useful qualities.
• Recessed 6 cm into the wall of the house is the most optimal when building a house. It has a number of advantages: savings during construction, protection of the base / wall junction, which ensures the safety of the waterproofing layer, the absence of an indispensable condition for water discharge.

  Recessed plinth example

Plinth width

To select the total width of the basement, it is worth referring to the building project drawing to determine the material that will be used for the construction of the walls. For example, for gas silicate bricks (commonly known as foam concrete) with a side size of 600 X 300 X 200, the thickness of the masonry should be 30 cm, and if additional wall insulation is planned in the future, then the width of 38 cm is what you need. But when using bricks as a decorative element on top of foam concrete blocks, the thickness increases to 60 cm.

Plinth height

The question of where the base ends is still controversial. The most reliable option is considered to determine the height based on the maximum amount of snowfall over several decades. The base, calculated using this simple technique, will protect the walls from the effects of capillary moisture, thereby increasing the reliability and durability of the built house.

But basically, the height corresponds to the level at which the floor of the first floor of the building is located. This rule also applies to houses with a basement.

Designers usually prefer tall, as it gives the home a lightness and grace.

Erection of a recessed brick plinth on a strip foundation made of reinforced concrete.

(The following instructions are intended for building on a ready-made base.)

• Exposing corners when erecting a basement.

One of the most important rules for laying a basement is the correct setting of the corners, because incorrectly set corners will lead to further curvature of the walls and, accordingly, marriage in the construction of the building.

The simplest way is as follows:

In all corners, put a number of bricks on a dry place, determining the width of the planned basement. The corners are level.

Measure the lengths of all sides and both diagonals with a tape measure or twine - the dimensions must coincide up to centimeters and be respectively equal.

It is also worth checking the future walls for possible curvature, using the same twine along the inner side of the line from corner to corner.

The process of erecting the base

Waterproofing the upper surface of the foundation.

Insulation is necessary for additional protection of the plinth from groundwater.

Two layers of roofing material are laid on the foundation in the following ways:

1. for bituminous mastic or heated bitumen;
2. joining with a burner, treating the surfaces of roofing material.

You can use rubemast, glass roofing material (glass insulation), euroruberoid.

Basement waterproofing

Brick plinth masonry

After setting the corners, it's time to start laying the base. To create it, a brick is usually used, fastened with a cement-sand mortar. For construction, only solid red brick is used.

It is advisable to start the masonry from the corners, then lay the rows opposite each other on one side with the thickness of the applied solution somewhere around 20-25mm.

The plumb line checks the accuracy of laying the vertical surface after 3-4 rows of bricks.

After the final check of the corners, the laying of the wall begins. To make the row even, a thick fishing line is stretched between two corners.

Brick plinth masonry

The minimum height is at least 4 stacked rows, and can be finished with natural stone, tiles or siding.

If the house has basements, ventilation holes are left on each side of the basement at a height of 10-15 cm from the soil, measuring from 7 x 25 to 15 x 25 cm. closed with nets or fine gratings.

Brick plinth finish

Basement waterproofing

To protect against moisture penetration, you need to lay waterproofing materials, making a distinction between the basement and the brick wall; for cheap construction, you can use, for example, roofing material folded in half. Of course, it is not necessary to do only with them, the choice of materials for insulation is now quite extensive. Double waterproofing is necessary in order to protect the house not only from the external effects of the elements, but also from the influence of groundwater on the foundation.

Basement waterproofing scheme

Video - how to make a brick base

The basement is the outer part of buildings, located on the foundation and, which is the transition from the base to the walls. In addition to its bearing capacity, the base must withstand various external influences. Therefore, it is necessary to choose all materials with special care and responsibility!

Features of a brick base

Before starting masonry work, you need to familiarize yourself with the important details:
If the building material is brick, then you need to decide on the thickness of the frame.

Tip: Based on what size the building will have and what material the walls will be made of, the thickness of the foundation also directly depends. For example, the thickness for a brick structure should be from 500 mm (in 2 bricks), for a wooden one - at least 250 mm (in 1–1.5 bricks).

Before making brick laying, it is necessary to apply a layer of waterproofing on the strip foundation, which will protect against moisture.

A good roofing material is used as waterproofing, but in some cases, bitumen-based coating compounds are used, which must be applied with a layer of 1.5–2 mm. Roll material will still be not only more reliable, but also easier.

The brick is laid flat so that the upper layer of masonry overlaps the seams of the lower row. Before proceeding with the laying, it is necessary to pull the cord along the foundation. Each row must be checked for evenness using a building level.

It is worth remembering that the thickness of the brick base will be different for each material from which the walls of the building are erected.

Preparatory work

This includes the purchase, preparation, followed by the laying of the selected mortar (cement or cement-sand). It is best to purchase solutions labeled M75 for such work.

The prepared mixture is spread on the foundation gradually with a layer of 2 cm and slightly leveled. In the middle of the layer, it is required to lay a mesh of reinforcement; for its manufacture, a VR-1 wire with a diameter of 4 mm is required.

Preparatory work consists of 2 stages:

1. Checking the diagonal and horizontality of the foundation, which is carried out using a hydro level, which first of all needs to check the corners and only then the entire area.
2. Leveling the surface. If you want to make a foundation under 0, then you need to think it over while pouring it. And if it is already completely ready, but there are deformations, then they need to be corrected.

What do you need?

To complete the masonry, the following material will be required, which must be reliable and of high quality:

• brick;
• Cement mortar;
• Net.

For work you will need:

1. Master OK;
2. pick;
3. shovel;
4. ordering;
5. cord;
6. jointing;
7. levels for construction work and water;
8. metal rod;
9. trough;
10. plumb line.

To build a foundation, in addition to bricks, you need to buy the optimal amount of sand and cement.

Installation work

The most crucial stage at the beginning of the construction of the basement is the construction of the corners. The first row must be laid out strictly along the entire width of the structure. A mortar of cement, water and sand should have the following proportions 1: 3: 3.

ADVICE: sometimes a soap solution is used as a plasticizer. During the construction of the foundation, it is necessary to take care of high-quality ventilation. You can start work only when the angles are equal to 90 degrees, and the dimensions of the width, length and diagonal match.

ATTENTION! If the masonry of the basement is only made of bricks, then its width should be at least 50 cm, it can be less only if the insulation is made of foam. If the building has a basement, then the height of the basement is 70-100 cm, if not, then 40 cm.

The brick basement is insulated from the inside at will, and the outside requires mastic, which is applied with a brush, roller or a specialized apparatus. Laying is carried out with constant monitoring of the level and the cord.

ATTENTION! It is impossible to correct inaccuracies with the help of the thickness of the mortar between the rows of bricks - the wall may collapse and then you will have to disassemble the entire structure!

Setting the corners

Setting corners when laying a plinth is one of the main tasks, incorrectly placed corners will lead to curvature of the walls!

To do this, put on a dry row of bricks in the corners and determine the desired width of the base. All corners must be level.

Using a twine or tape measure, it is necessary to measure the length of all sides and 2 diagonals - if the corners are set correctly, then the dimensions should be identical.

ADVICE: in order to check future walls for curvature, for this they measure along the inner side of the line from corner to corner.

Brick plinth masonry on top of the foundation

Installation can be started only after all measurements have been made. To fix the bricks, a cement-sand mortar is required in a ratio of 1: 3, diluted with water to the required density of the mortar.

The main condition for this work is the thorough filling of vertical or horizontal joints with prepared mortar for the strength of the foundation.

Insulation of the basement

To insulate the foundation, waterproof materials are required, such as expanded polystyrene, which need to process the entire external surface, fix it with a special glue - which does not include acetone and solvent - that harm it.

Basement waterproofing

Before proceeding with the construction of the structure, you need to make sure that all waterproofing materials are in stock - plaster, stone, ceramic tiles.

Waterproofing methods:

• Waterproofing is carried out at 2 levels - at the very bottom, in front of the first brick laying, and on top of the bricks. The easiest way is to lay the roofing material in two layers. The first layer guarantees the wall moisture protection, and the second layer provides protection.
• Extruded polystyrene foam, which is fixed to the outer surface of the base. Due to the fact that this material has zero water absorption, it has high protective properties. It also has thermal insulation, and therefore will give the structure additional protection.
• Bituminous grease is applied to the entire surface of the bricks in a thick layer in several passes. Various plaster mixtures.

ATTENTION! If you combine all the options, you end up with high waterproofing!

Ventilation

In the foundation masonry, there must be holes that are 15 cm above the ground, which will ensure good ventilation. You need to cover the holes with a metal mesh or shutters.

Brick base / plinth protection

Protection is required if it is necessary to stop construction work. To do this, a film is laid on the structure being erected, which protects the frame from various adverse environmental conditions.

Despite the fact that this article describes detailed instructions on how to lay a brick plinth, they will not help if there is not even a little experience with these materials.

A brick plinth on a strip foundation is the lower part of the wall to increase the stability of the structure, the masonry of which is made on the surface of the base of the house. From the first days of its existence, brick has gained immense popularity in the construction industry, especially low-rise buildings and country houses. In our article we will talk about the features of the characteristics and implementation of laying a brick base.

Main characteristics

The type of material and shape of the base directly depends on the foundation. A strip base is characterized by a flat coverage above the ground. The laying of a brick plinth plays a very important role in the stability of the structure.

If the brick is chosen incorrectly or the construction is performed in violation of the technology, then the box may deform. This part of the building is located - between the blind area and the walls. Building codes must necessarily comply, since the basement is constantly susceptible to rainfall and mechanical damage.

The choice of material is also a very important part of the process. The best option is considered to be red fired brick, which has a uniform structure and a smooth surface. It is worth noting that silicate stone may also be suitable for these works, but only in the area above the waterproofing.

Important! If you use sand-lime brick, it is necessary to protect it from atmospheric precipitation.

Tools and materials for work

For these works, a material of high strength and undeniable quality is required. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with the best bricks for masonry.

When masonry is being done, materials such as:

• Bricks;
• Mortar made of cement, sand, water and plasticizer;
• Masonry mesh.

In addition, we need tools to get the job done:

• Master OK;
• Pickaxe - hammer;
• Shovel shovel type;
• Ordering;
• Cord;
• Level for construction tasks;
• Water level;
• Jointing;
• Metal rod;
• Trough;
• Plumb line.

When building a basement, in addition to bricks, you need to purchase the optimal amount of cement and sand - the main ingredients of the solution.

Attention! When leaving for a purchase, remember that it is better to let the materials be more than the norm, than there will not be enough of them.

Preparing the foundation for laying

The preparatory stage of work consists of two such actions:

• Checking the horizontality of the foundation and its diagonals;
• Leveling the surface.

The first point can be diagnosed using a hydro level, with which we first check the corners, and then the entire area.

Attention! To make the foundation under zero, you need to think it over even when pouring it. If he is already ready and has some deformations, then it is imperative to correct the flaws. After analyzing a large number of videos and photo instructions, we have compiled the main ways to fix this.

When creating a foundation for zero, certain actions must be performed:

• We check the position of all corners with a special device with a hydraulic level. We write down all deviations in this way: if the angle is 20 mm higher, then write +40.
• We mount the formwork on the base of the house;
• In all corners of the formwork, mark the zero points, which will be the level when pouring the mortar. Each such layer must be higher than 30 mm, otherwise the concrete will not be strong enough.
• Create cuts, which at the bottom must be identical with the zero points;
• We carry out the installation of fittings;
• We mix the ingredients for the solution: 1 part of sand to 4 parts of cement;
• We moisten the base of the house with water and fill the formwork with mortar;
• Check the zero value through the cuts with the rope.

In addition to this work, there is a need to analyze the state of the diagonals. If this is a rectangular base, then there should be them and the parallel sides should coincide in length. All this together will create the evenness of the walls of the house.

Attention! The divergence of the diagonals can be corrected while the masonry is being laid. Namely, the length of the walls decreases and the short structure increases.

Basics of the waterproofing process

Waterproofing is performed to protect the basement from various types of precipitation. For our case, when the material is a brick, this process is performed twice, namely:

• Under the plinth on the base;
• Under the wall on the plinth.

The waterproofing layer may contain a solution of cement or a special roofing material on the mastic. A protective crane can be installed along the perimeter, which is made of asbestos-cement or reinforced concrete slabs.

The principle of leveling the foundation with brickwork

It is worth considering that the walls of the house exert constant pressure on the foundation. The stability mechanism of the building box depends on the proportionality and evenness of each of its components.

To make an even foundation during the laying, you need to find the following tools:

• Shovel;
• Plumb line for construction purposes;
• Roulette;
• Hammer;
• Cement tank;
• Master OK.

To create the perfect bottom, you need to start spreading a layer of sand. The lower part is not visible, but all the irregularities affect the further work.

Attention! The lower compartment, then it will not work out to align, so you need to take care of this right away.

High quality formwork will allow you to create a smooth interior and exterior. However, in isolated cases, the bosom does not help.

Foundation leveling methods

• Using formwork and pouring concrete;
• Brick lining method;
• Covering with a mesh, which is covered with plaster;
• Creation of an additional layer of thermal insulation.

Important! There is a certain standard for the thickness of the horizontal seam: for example, the largest value should not exceed 1.2 cm; the deviation should be no more than 1.5 cm from the horizontal for every 10 m. These norms are recorded by SNIP.

Step-by-step instructions for laying the basement

Initially, the masonry process begins with the first dry layer of bricks. This process is necessary in order to perfectly plan the subtleties of the row. Next, we mark the foundation for future vertical seams.

Cooking brick

For this project, a red solid brick is best suited to us, which must be treated with water. In order for the material to be always at hand, it is necessary to spread it over the base area in small groups.

Making a solution

One serving of the solution contains the following ingredients:

• Cement - 1 part;
• Sand - 4 parts;
• Water;
• Plasticizer.

Attention! The proportions can vary depending on the desired result. Basically, 3-6 portions of sand can fall on 1 part of cement.

Plinth masonry process

Here are the top tips taken from monitoring video recommendations:

• Laying should start from the corners of the structure. This action will guide you in the further process;
• The thickness of the horizontal seam according to building codes should be 1.2 cm, with reinforcement - 1.6 cm;
• To obtain such a seam, we recommend using a 12 by 12 metal rod, which must be placed along the edges of the future base.

A number of steps in this process:

• The solution is laid out using the trowel method;
• The brick is placed on cement and pressed slightly;
• With the level we check the vertical and horizontal of the building;

Advice! If there are discrepancies or inconsistencies, the materials must be tamped with a hand trowel.

We carry out the laying of walls

Wall masonry is performed in the following sequential steps:

1. We pull on the mooring cord, which will help create an even row between opposite rows of the same horizontal;
2. We make the first row of bricks along the line of the cord.

Attention! The thickness of the joints and the location of the first row are based on the marks on the foundation, which are made when laying without mortar. That is dry.

1. Further rows are laid out according to the principle of bandaging the seams;
2. Constantly monitor the cleanliness of the walls and embroider the seams in time - until the mortar is dry.
3. Reinforcement is recommended every five rows.

We insulate the structure

The most optimal solution for insulating a structure is a solid heat insulator, which is easy to install, does not lose its shape and retains moisture. In this way, the masonry is insulated with glue without sorbent and acetone. In this process, the formation of gaps must be avoided.

Attention! If they appear, then it is necessary to fill them with polyurethane foam or mineral wool.

The final action of this process is plastering.

The last stage is finishing work

When performing the cladding process, you need to choose only strong and reliable materials that have a high level of waterproofing and resistance to atmospheric precipitation.

Such materials include the following types:

• Ceramic tiles;
• Plaster;
• The stone is natural or artificial.

Attention! Experts advise to perform facial masonry, which is faster and more profitable.

A brick plinth is the most reliable and rational solution for construction tasks.