The foundation of a building is where the construction of a house begins, and the destruction of the entire structure can also begin with it. Cracks appear at the base of the building, which will compromise its integrity. The reason for their occurrence is improper foundation ventilation or its complete absence. If you do not equip vents at the base of the house, then wooden elements - walls or floors - will begin to rot, which will entail irreversible destruction of the entire structure. Often during construction these small but important holes are forgotten, thereby reducing the life of the building:

In what cases is it not necessary to install vents?

Vents or vents are important elements of the foundation of a house that need to be thought through at the stage of building the foundation. They are small holes. Their organization has some rules and parameters that must be followed. This is laid down in the basic rules of construction. These structures are necessary in order to keep the temperature difference between the floor and the underground room at a level of no more than 2 degrees. Such conditions are created in the presence of properly organized ventilation.

But there are cases in which the arrangement of vents is not necessary. This is possible if:

• the basement is used as a cellar or food storage;
• there is a direct passage between the underground space and the living rooms above it;
• the material that was used to finish the basement is a vapor-proof film material, laid on top of each other in a layer of at least 15 cm;
• in the basement there is a ventilation system that pumps from 0.5 to 1 liter of air per second for every 5 square meters. m. area;
• When processing the inner surface of the foundation and the soil inside it, heat-insulating materials were used.

The foundation design does not provide for the presence of vents in it in the cases listed above, but in other cases it is necessary to design the correct ventilation of the underground rooms.

How many vents to make and what size?

The number and size of vents is calculated individually in each individual case. This indicator depends on the conditions in which the building is operated. When calculating, the following factors should be taken into account:

• climatic conditions;
• the composition of the soil on which the house is being built;
• landscape features of the area.

Foundation design technology provides the largest possible number of vents for swampy lowland areas or climates with high rainfall. Experienced builders recommend making vents in every wall of the foundation, even those laid under the internal wall of the building.

The size of the vents is calculated as follows: the total floor area is measured, then this figure is divided by 400. The resulting value is divided by the number of vents that are planned to be made. This figure will be the size of their optimal area. It is not difficult to calculate how many vents you need to make - the holes should be located every 2-3 meters along the entire length of the walls.

But these calculations are not correct for all climatic zones. For areas with high humidity, experts advise basing your calculations on the following example: per 100 sq. m of the basement, make 25 vents with a diameter of 11 cm.

Building regulations state that in a room that is not equipped with exhaust ventilation, vent openings must be sized in a ratio of 1 to 400, relative to the area of ​​the entire basement. Make holes less than 5 square meters. cm is not allowed. If the area has a high radon content, the estimated number of vents should be increased by 3-4 times.

Arrangement of vents

Before you begin, you need to prepare your tools. To arrange vents you will need:

• shovel;
• sledgehammer and hammer;
• hammer drill or drill;
• drill for wooden materials 2.5 cm thick;
• metal drill 1.4 cm;
• straight and semicircular chisel;
• pipes with a round cross-section, diameter - from 11 to 13 cm, material - plastic or asbestos cement;
• sand.

The design of vents must begin at the stage of laying the foundation. For a strip foundation, this process begins during the installation of formwork for pouring concrete. The distance from the soil to the vent must be at least 30 cm. This is necessary so that when the snow melts, moisture does not get into the hole. In parallel walls, all openings must also be parallel.

To make the vent, round pipes are used; you can use a wooden beam, but in this case it may be difficult to remove it. Read below for information on how to properly remove timber from frozen mortar.

The process of laying vents looks like this:

• The pipes are cut into pieces, the length of each piece must correspond to the size of the formwork and the width of the base of the house.
• Sand is poured into each pipe, the ends are covered with rags or paper so that sand does not spill out of the pipe and building material does not get inside the pipe.
• The prepared pipes are placed in places designated for vents. This must be done so that they rest tightly against the parallel sides of the form.
• The pipes are filled with concrete.
• In the case of making vents from wooden bars, the process looks approximately the same, but the bars are laid in the concrete, which are left for a month until the solution is completely dry, and then removed.

How to remove wooden beams from concrete

Wooden beams embedded in wet concrete must be removed. To carry out the work you will need the following tools:

• Set of drills for metal.
• Electric drill or hammer drill.
• Wood drills.
• Semicircular chisel.
• Straight chisel.
• Sledgehammer or heavy hammer.

Routing:

• Using a metal drill, make two parallel holes around the perimeter of each wooden block. For a thin bar, one hole in the center is enough.
• Use a wood drill to make a through hole in the marking areas.
• Take a semicircular chisel and widen the hole towards the side of the beam. Using a straight chisel, use a straight chisel to break off a piece above the hardened concrete. Remove two timber corners in this way.
• Take a sledgehammer and break off the remaining two corners.

For small concrete blocks into which small cross-section bars are placed, you can use the traditional method. Lubricate each block with any oil in advance. Removing the bar is much easier and does not require physical force. The ends of the vents are freed from paper and sand after the concrete mortar has hardened on the strip foundation. Foundation ventilation needs protection; for this purpose, a special grille is installed at each ventilation hole. A preventive measure necessary to ensure a constant flow of air into any room, including the basement. The mesh will additionally prevent rodents and insects from entering the house. The lattice can serve as a decorative element of the decoration. Modern industry offers different colors and types of these products.

To effectively supply air to the vegetable storage room, ventilation ducts are provided. A common option for installing a system is to install paired pipes. One is placed under the ceiling, the second is lowered to a distance of 0.5-0.7 m from the floor level. Natural traction is created. A hood can decorate the exterior of a house and the foundation; photos with interesting, original types of grilles will help you determine your need for such a design and choose the option you are interested in.

Carry out seasonal cleaning of ventilation vents. Purchase a long, strong, lightweight stick or pole. Place a polypropylene whisk on one end and insert it into the hole to the maximum possible depth. Rotate the tool several times clockwise and counterclockwise. Rinse in clean water and clean again. Wash protective nets or grilles with a soda solution, not a soap solution.

What to do if the vents were not designed in advance

There are many reasons for the lack of vents in a built house. There is only one way out of the situation - to correct the defect.

Method one, for the case of an unfinished building.

• One of the radical and reliable ways to eliminate deficiencies in the construction plan would be to erect a plinth on the foundation. Ventilation holes are made in the basement floor. In a brick plinth, it is enough to insert the brick edgewise to form an vent.
• In a concrete, poured base, a hole for ventilation is made according to the method described above for a concrete foundation.
• If it is impossible to raise the floor level using a plinth, holes for vents are made in the foundation. You will need a special drilling device. It can be a pneumatic hammer, a diamond drill, or a hydraulic hammer. The process is difficult and responsible. Impact instruments cause dynamic destruction, microcracks form, fragments of the base collapse, and the structural configuration of the reinforcement is disrupted. Subsequent operation of the building will lead to moisture penetration into cracks, oxidation of the metal frame, and scree.
• It is reasonable to invite a specialist with modern working tools to perform this section of the work. Find advertisements for companies, read several offers, choose based on the advice of former clients.
• When drilling the foundation, ensure that the frame is inserted. This is an important point. The frame will bear the pressure of the concrete and will not allow the vent to deform.

Method two for a residential building:

• Create a ventilation system not through the foundation, but through the living rooms. A place in the floor that is not subject to load changes is selected and holes are drilled. The optimal areas are located in rooms under furniture legs, in corners, under stairs. The vents are covered with metal mesh.
• Ventilation in the foundation is carried out not so much due to the classics of construction, but for one’s own comfort. High-quality vents are guaranteed to protect the wooden parts of the building and auxiliary buildings inside the house from moisture, rot, and mold. For strip foundations, the installation of vents is a mandatory measure to protect the building from premature deterioration.
• The construction of a foundation with holes for vents provided in advance extends the life of the building, eliminates the need for constant repairs of basements and cellars, and protects the house from subsidence.

Creating optimal conditions for storing various workpieces in the underground - foundation ventilation is responsible for this. If it is not done well enough, the inside will be too humid and the air will stagnate. In addition, it is not difficult to arrange ventilation holes.

What are vents for?

A gradual increase in humidity in any room quickly leads to the formation of condensation. Water will enter the room from the ground and through the ceilings. Subsequently, you will find it on the floor, pipes and ceilings.

Don't underestimate the danger of the situation. At high humidity and positive temperatures, harmful microorganisms actively develop in the room.

As a result, you will experience rapid wood rotting. It may appear on the walls. Materials will fail faster. And the atmosphere in such a room cannot be called healthy.

You are mistaken if you think that stale air in the underground is not critical. Over time, it will lead to the formation of an unpleasant odor, and it will penetrate into living spaces. The comfort of living in the house will definitely decrease. And the radon content inside will gradually increase. In advanced cases, this will affect the residents.

Do you need vents in a foundation without a basement? Often it will be enough to provide good waterproofing and cover it with a sand cushion.

When can you do without perfumes?

In some cases, a private house can be deprived of ventilation in the underground space. You don't have to worry about vents in the following cases:

1. The subfloor is a closed space. For example, it is covered with sand, and a concrete slab is laid on top. Actually, there is no room under the house. Accordingly, it will not need ventilation from below.
2. The underground soil is covered with high-quality waterproofing. There will simply be nowhere for moisture to penetrate. However, fresh air will not flow here either.
3. A ventilation system (natural or forced) has already been installed, but its productivity must be at least 1 liter per second over an area of ​​10 square meters.
4. The subfloor has an air connection with heated, ventilated rooms.

If you have a wooden house installed on a low grillage, ventilation holes in the foundation are also not needed. The house is well ventilated from below. Of course, you need to study your case and make a conclusion. The relevance of arranging ventilation or vents in the foundation is determined simply. If condensation appears inside, start working.

What should be the ventilation of the foundation?

Ventilation holes can be made round, rectangular or square. The most important thing is that they can provide sufficient air permeability; for this, calculate the vents in the foundation. The dimensions of the hole are determined by the area of ​​your subfloor in a ratio of 1:400. The minimum area is 500 square centimeters.

Ventilation holes are installed in the foundation at a distance of about 20 cm from its upper edge. If this is not possible due to insufficient elevation above the ground, it is worth making a small dig, but in any case it is not worth leaving the underground floor without ventilation.

If there are several vents, they should not be placed nearby, so as not to spoil the exterior of the building and affect the strength of the foundation. Vents in the basement must be at a minimum distance of 2 meters. If there are partitions in the subfloor, ventilation must be provided in them as well.

If there are several vents in the foundation, it is preferable to create one large hole in the partitions.

To prevent pests from settling in your underground, and to prevent debris from flying in during strong winds, grates will come in handy. It is preferable to make them from metal to make it more difficult for rodents to get inside.

How to close the vents in the foundation? There is a non-standard solution - instead of a grate, use a pipe with two corners. It should bend upward, and there - in the same direction as the vent itself. There is no need to install a grille.

How to close the vents in the foundation for the winter? Many people put heat preservation in the building first. There is definitely logic here, since the floor on the ground floor is one of the main reasons for the decrease in room temperature. In addition, a cold surface does not have the best effect on the health of residents.

But if winter has already arrived and the situation is urgent, you will still have to close several holes for a while. This problem will need to be addressed properly next year. When to open the vents? As soon as the temperature rises to a comfortable level. If you open too early, you will incur higher heating costs for a while.

How to make perfume

How to make an outlet in the basement of a private house? Making perfumes yourself is quite possible, and you don’t have to involve specialists. Natural ventilation will be sufficient; forced ventilation is rare in basements. The most important thing is to make the right calculations and correctly use the outlets that already exist.

Even at the stage of building the foundation, the builder must attend to the issue of arranging ventilation ducts. If you have a strip base, which is most often the case, install the embedded parts immediately after installing the reinforcement.

Embedded parts are usually made of metal, but they can also be made of plastic. But in this case, you need to fill them with sand and close them tightly so that they do not deform during the process of pouring concrete.

Ventilation of the foundation in a private house can be represented by rectangular vents made of wood. When building a brick plinth, sometimes you will have to install half, leaving a hole. The same applies to monolithic blocks. You can also use multiple blocks with through holes. This way you will lose less in the strength of the foundation.

How to make vents if the foundation is ready

Errors during the construction process are not uncommon. An inexperienced master may well forget to install the vents or make them not large enough. Fortunately, this problem can be solved on its own, in several ways:

1. If there are already vents, but their area is not enough to organize good air exchange, you can expand them. You can also drill new ones. This is not an easy, but completely feasible task. You will need the largest diameter drill bit. Make many holes over the entire area, and then hollow out the hole. Sand the surface and cover with a grid. You can order professional diamond drilling if you don’t know how to make vents in a finished foundation in your case.
2. To increase the ventilation capacity, you can bring several holes to the roof using pipes. Thanks to the pressure difference, air will quickly enter the underground.
3. Another good way is to use forced ventilation. Install temperature sensors inside and outside that will trigger the system when there is a difference in temperature outside and in the underground. You will have to spend money on electricity and monitor the performance of the fans.
4. Reduce the amount of moisture entering the room. The main threat is soil. Cover it with thick (about 160 microns) plastic wrap. Lay the sheets overlapping, securing them to each other with double-sided tape. Then make a sand mound on the floor.
5. If the house has stove heating, the air for it can be removed from the underground. Just make a vent below the floor. When the oven is constantly running, ventilation will be more than sufficient. This is a good option for a bath.

In any case, foundation ventilation is necessary; without it, the building will last less, and this will not have the best effect on the quality of life of the residents. Be sure to create large enough vents in your crawl space using these simple tips!

Making air in the underground space - video

To get rid of moisture that accumulates in the underground space, vents are installed in the foundation. Thus, it is possible to ensure proper ventilation and increase the service life of the entire building. Let's look at how to make vents in the foundation below.

Are vents needed in the foundation?

The presence of vents in the foundation allows you to extend its service life by at least 5-8 years. Since these elements help ensure normal ventilation of the underground or basement space.

Excess moisture that accumulates in the absence of ventilation can destroy the foundation, since due to moisture, mold accumulates on it and fungus grows. In addition, the absence of moisture under the foundations will not contribute to its accumulation on the lower sections of the walls in the room. In addition to excess moisture, radon, a radioactive substance, which is also removed in the presence of ventilation, can accumulate in the underground space.

Most often, vents are installed in a strip foundation, which also has a base. The appearance of the vent resembles a small hole, round, square or rectangular. When determining the length of the vents, they are guided by the width of the foundation strip.

A rather important aspect is the correct design of the ventilation system of the underground space. It is the arrangement of the vents opposite each other that will allow you to obtain a high-quality ventilation system.

Thus, the vents contribute to the creation of a so-called draft. The higher the ventilation of the space, the less moisture will accumulate inside the foundation. With proper ventilation equipment, home owners will not find out about fungus or dampness on the walls.

It is advisable to plan the construction of vents in advance, even during the construction of the foundation. However, the option of their further production is possible. Please note that the holes must be located at a height from the ground, at least 300 mm. Since there is a risk of water getting into them in the spring and autumn.

The height of the vents depends on the individual climatic conditions in your region, the location of the building and the individual characteristics of the area.

Vents in strip foundation dimensions:

• the diameter of the hole determines the value of the perimeter of the building, its optimal value is 50-100 mm, with an increase in the value of the perimeter, the diameter of the vents also increases;
• the installation of vents is carried out exclusively in the opposite direction to each other, the vents are installed in increments of 250-300 cm, if there are jumpers around the perimeter, they are also placed in the holes.

It is quite difficult to create vents using wooden beams. There have been cases that during the process of pouring the foundation, beams measuring 100x100 mm were installed in place of the vents, however, after the foundation hardened, it turned out to be very difficult to remove the beams. However, if there is no other option, then to work you will need to have:

• hammer;
• sledgehammers;
• a very long drill designed for metal surfaces;
• wood drill;
• half-twist.

All work begins after the concrete has completely dried. First, a drill is installed for working with metal surfaces. The beam is drilled on each side and in the center. Then, using a drill for working with wood, another through-type hole is drilled. Use a chisel to widen the hole to the desired size. A straight chisel will help in chipping away the side that has stuck to the concrete. This process has certain difficulties and subtleties of implementation, so we do not recommend using it unless necessary.

The easiest way to arrange vents is to use a pipe with a round cross-section, the diameter of which is about 10-14 cm. It is possible to use both plastic and asbestos-cement pipes. However, in order not to damage the pipes during the process of pouring concrete into the foundation, we recommend filling their cavity with sand. The surface of pipes that are hollow inside can collapse under the heavy weight of concrete.

An excellent option for arranging air vents are sewer pipes or boxes made of wood. The main requirement is that the vent diameter corresponds to the required value. When installing vents, a wooden box will help replace the timber; removing it will require less effort and time.

In answer to the question of how to close the vents in the foundation, we recommend using special gratings that will protect the surface of the underground space from the penetration of mice and other insects. In addition, this way, debris will not get in through the vents.

If there are no vents already in the finished building, you will need a saw or a diamond-coated disk to install them. In this case, you should mark the pre-drilling locations. At the same time, you should not pay attention to the reinforcement, since diamond bits can cope with any kind of drilling, even through reinforcement.

The diameter of the drilling nozzle is selected in relation to the ventilation cap. Don't forget to arrange the vents opposite each other. The optimal value for diamond-coated crowns is 10-15 cm. The result is a perfectly smooth coating, into which all that remains is to install a ventilation grille.

Another important and controversial issue is the closure of vents during the winter period. If you do not close the vents for the winter, this can lead to heat loss in the house. Therefore, in this matter one should proceed from the individual characteristics of the home. If by opening the vents in the house it becomes colder, you can close them. However, you should periodically open them for ventilation, especially on days with high humidity. If, without closing the vents for the winter, no significant changes are observed in the heat losses of the building, then leave them open.

All international and domestic organizations have requirements that food outlets must be open in winter. High-quality floor insulation will help protect your home from heat loss.

Important: Air vents installed in a wooden house should never be closed during the first five years of its operation. With the help of ventilation holes, moisture will gradually be removed from the underground space, and mold will not accumulate in it, which contributes to the destruction of the wood.

Dimensions and layout of vents in the foundation

In accordance with the requirements of SNiP, basements or underground spaces must be extremely dry. Moreover, if the area is characterized by radioactive danger, then the size of the vents in the foundation increases.

The minimum size of one vent is 5 millimeters square. The maximum area is determined individually, in relation to the climatic conditions of the area. A ventilation hole that is too large must be reinforced.

The shape of the vents has virtually no significance in the quality of their work. Rectangular holes have a more aesthetically attractive appearance. In addition, they are the easiest to purchase grilles for.

Try to arrange the vents in an even pattern. To avoid the appearance of an unventilated space, the interval between the corner of the building and the outer vent should be a maximum of 90 cm. An even number of vents and their symmetry is the key to obtaining high-quality ventilation of the underground space.

The minimum interval between the ground and the lower part of the vent is 20-25 cm. The optimal value for installing the vent from the ground is 30 cm. In addition, it is preferable to arrange the vents as high as possible from the ground. This rule helps to increase ventilation in the underground space.

We offer you to familiarize yourself with two examples of choosing the optimal amount of vents for the foundation:

1. Option one.

In the foundation of the building, its internal dimensions are 500x600 cm. The optimal values ​​for vents are 20x25 cm. In this case, you will need to find out how many ventilation holes will ensure proper ventilation of the underground space.

Performing calculations:

Required vent area:

To determine this value, it is necessary to divide the total area of ​​the underground space by 400. The resulting value is 7.5 square centimeters. This value will help determine the required number of vents in the foundation. To do this, we divide the area of ​​the vents by the area of ​​one vent, in our case, 0.5. It turns out two airflows.

As a result, four vents should be built to avoid the appearance of unventilated areas in the corners of the house. The location of the vents is individual and selected in relation to the appearance of the house. Better ventilation will be ensured by placing the vents opposite to each other. If the house has external walls not only outside, but also inside, then the vents must pass through the surface of all underground spaces. In this case, it is recommended to build one vent in each of the walls.

2. Option two.

The house has an underground space, which is divided into two sections using a strip foundation. The first and second parts have a size of 900x400 cm. The optimal size of the vents is 20x25 cm. We will try to determine the minimum number of vents to ensure proper ventilation.

In this case, to determine the required area of ​​the vents: (900+400+900+400) divided by 10, it turns out 7.2 cm square. 100 is the value of the increased radiation zone, since the building, for example, is located in such a zone.

To ensure proper ventilation, you should calculate the number of vents installed in the foundation:

Divide 7.2 by 0.5 to get 14.4, that is, it is necessary to equip about 15 vents. Installing such a large number of vents around the perimeter of the building will lead to a decrease in its load-bearing capacity and to the rapid destruction of the foundation. Therefore, the size of the vents should be increased to 0.75 cm square.

In this case, divide 7.2 by 0.75 to get 10 products. There will be 5 vents installed in each underground space of the house. In this case, three vents will be located in the inner wall. This arrangement of vents in the foundation will ensure proper functioning of ventilation.

It is possible to calculate the number of vents for the foundation using a special calculator. In this case, it is necessary to indicate the perimeter of the internal walls of the foundation and other individual terrain indicators.

Vents in strip foundations: manufacturing features

Vents installed at the foundation construction stage are easier to install. However, there are situations when the need for ventilation is remembered only after the construction of the house. In this case, you should choose one of the options:

1. Punching or pushing through the vents yourself.

For these purposes, you can use a special diamond attachment or call specialists. Specialized organizations will do all the work quickly enough, and this will not in any way affect the quality of operation of the foundation. In addition, such organizations will calculate the required number of products themselves.

If you decide to save money and do all the work manually, then first you should determine the optimal number of vents required for high-quality ventilation of the underground space. Next, you should determine the optimal location for them and make marks. The optimal diameter for drilling vents is 10-15 cm. At the same time, this process should be taken especially seriously. Since too many vents in the foundation contribute to a decrease in the load-bearing capacity of the base of the house, and an insufficient number of vents leads to the appearance of unventilated space and the accumulation of moisture under the floor.

The cost of work performed by specialized organizations depends on the material from which the foundation is constructed and on the thickness of the walls that need to be drilled.

2. The second option involves making the floors of the first floor directly on the ground. In this case, no vents will be required. Thus, it is possible to get rid of most of the problems associated with the accumulation of condensation in the lower part of the floor, the formation of fungus and mold there. The floor, in this case, has high load-bearing capabilities, does not sag and has good performance properties. Therefore, by lowering the house, it is possible to save money both on building the floor and on making vents.

Thus, by properly arranging the vents, it is possible to extend the life of the foundation and the entire house for many years.

The foundation is an important part of any building. The duration of operation of the house depends on the correctness of its arrangement. It is from the foundation that the irreversible destruction of the house begins. Therefore, great attention is paid to the correct arrangement of the foundation of the building.

One of the important factors for long-term operation of a home is proper foundation ventilation. It can be created in different ways. However, the purpose of such a system remains unchanged. Proper ventilation can prevent the occurrence of rotting processes and premature destruction of the foundation. You can create it yourself.

Need for ventilation

Plays an important role. It helps prevent the accumulation of condensation. In enclosed spaces, increased humidity appears due to temperature fluctuations. Droplets of condensation can be observed in this case on floor materials, walls, etc. Over time, mold and mildew will appear in such places.

In the absence of ventilation, moisture will accumulate in the soil under the building, in the basement, on boards and beams. High humidity and the contrast between a heated living space and an unheated basement lead to condensation. Rotting processes will gradually develop, destroying the materials of the foundation, ceilings, etc.

Also, in some cases, radon may be released from the soil. In some cases it becomes a lot. This is a radioactive gas. Over time, it will begin to penetrate into living spaces. This leads to various ailments and poor health. Rot and mold can also contribute to the development of various diseases. Therefore, great attention must be paid to the process of creating ventilation.

When is ventilation not required?

In some cases foundation ventilation in a private house not required. Should be considered when such a system is not required. In some cases, the basement can be used as a cellar. Food products will be stored in it. In this case, ventilation is not required. However, surface finishing will require great attention.

You can also neglect the arrangement of ventilation if you use a vapor-proof film during finishing. It should be laid in several layers. Also, ventilation will not be required if high-quality thermal insulation materials were used when creating the foundation of the building.

In the above cases, the creation of vents or other ventilation systems will not be required. The basement will be dry and warm. In this case, there will be no temperature contrast.

Types of ventilation

There are two main approaches, how to ventilate a foundation. In the first case, when creating a construction project, the presence of vents is provided at the base of the house. They have a certain size, their number corresponds to the structural features. In this case, the air naturally enters the basement and then gradually leaves it. At the same time, excess moisture, fungal spores and bacteria are safely removed from the room.

This approach is simple to set up. Natural ventilation using vents has a number of disadvantages. In this case, the aesthetics of the base is violated. In winter, more energy resources will be required to heat the room. Large heat losses will be observed precisely at the base of the floor.

The second method involves bringing the pipe out of the basement through the roof of the building. Air will flow inside using grilles from the premises of the building. In this case, you will need to use insulation. They are used to finish the base, foundation and blind areas. The soil is also covered with waterproofing. This option is preferable.

Vent size

There is a special technique how to make ventilation in the foundation of a house. In this case, you will need to study building codes. When calculating the size and number of vents, it is necessary to take into account the climate, type of soil and landscape. Next you need to calculate the size of the holes.

The building codes state that the total area of ​​the vents should be 1/400 of the total area of ​​the subfloor. To perform the calculation, it is necessary to measure the length and width of the base of the building. Next, the resulting result is multiplied. For example, a house project involves the construction of a 10x10 m building. In this case, the underground area will be 100 m². This result must be divided by 400. It turns out that in total there should be vents in the foundation for a total area of ​​25 cm².

Please note that the minimum hole size must be greater than 5 cm². Thus, for rectangular holes, the minimum dimensions should be 25x20 cm or 50x10 cm. The diameter of round vents should not be less than 25 cm.

Quantity

Or with a room in the basement is made taking into account the total area and space inside such a room. In this case, the holes in the foundation can be of any configuration. Most often they are made rectangular or round. If desired, you can choose any shape.

If the house is multi-story, the vents are made quite large. In this case, their number can be reduced. However, for a private cottage this option is unacceptable. It significantly spoils the aesthetics of the facade. Therefore, small but frequent holes are made. They are placed at a distance of 2-3 meters. For example, for a house with an area of ​​100 m² and a hole size of 5 cm², you will need to make 5 holes. Their total dimensions will be 25 cm² required by SNiP. If there is a large emission of radon in the area where the house is built, the number of ventilation holes will need to be increased by 4 times.

Location

Requires correct placement of vents around the perimeter. All holes must be made at a distance of 15 cm from the top edge of the base. For a low base you will need to make a pit. Ventilation must be positioned exactly as recommended.

The holes should be spaced evenly. They should be on opposite sides of the building opposite each other. This will allow air to circulate properly in the crawl space. Depending on the direction of the wind, the air flow will fly into one vent and fly out through another.

If there are partitions in the basement, at least one vent must be provided for each separate compartment. The distance between the holes should be a maximum of 3 m. In climate zones with high rainfall, it is recommended to increase the size of the holes.

Tools and materials

Holes in the foundation for ventilation must be provided for at the planning stage of the future structure. In some cases, it will be necessary to create vents after construction is completed. However, it is better to make such holes at the stage of creating the formwork for the strip foundation.

Also, to create ventilation with your own hands, you will need to prepare a number of materials and tools. To create vents in a strip foundation, it is recommended to use pipes of the required diameter. A rectangular wooden beam after the concrete has hardened is quite difficult to remove. To prevent animals and insects from getting inside, the ventilation vents must be covered with a metal mesh. Its cells should be small.

You will also need to prepare the appropriate tools. You will need a shovel, a hammer, a hammer drill, a wood drill (2.5 cm) and a metal drill (1.4 cm). You will also need a chisel. In addition, you need to prepare the sand.

Creating round vents

Most often it has a round shape. When creating a strip foundation, this option is preferable. Plastic or asbestos pipes of the required diameter are cut into pieces. Their length must correspond to the width of the formwork.

Next, each workpiece is installed at the required distance into the prepared formwork. They should fit snugly against the walls of the mold. Next, concrete is carefully poured into the prepared formwork. After the solution has hardened, the sand can be removed from the pipes. The holes are perfectly round.

Rectangular ventilation holes

May be rectangular in shape. To do this, you will need to prepare wooden blocks with the appropriate dimensions. The process of laying them will correspond to the technology presented above. The bars are installed in the formwork. Next, concrete is poured into the mold.

The wooden blocks remain in the concrete until the concrete dries completely. This will require you to wait a month. Next, the blanks will need to be removed. First, using a metal drill, you need to drill two parallel holes around the perimeter of the block. If the material is thin, you can make one hole in the center. Next, in the marking areas, the material is drilled through using a wood drill.

Next, using a chisel, you need to widen the holes made. Next, using a chisel, you need to knock out some of the wood above the concrete. Two corners of the block can be removed. Next, use a sledgehammer to knock out the workpiece.

How to create vents in a built house?

May not be included in the plan. In this case, the owners can create holes in the base of the house themselves. There are two approaches that will help correct the shortcomings of builders.

If the house has not yet been completed, you can create an additional one. It will be located on the foundation. It will be possible to make corresponding holes in the base. For a concrete base, the above method is used. If the foundation is brick, you need to place building elements edge-on in certain places.

If it is not possible to create a basement floor, you need to use special drilling equipment. With its help, holes are created. A hydraulic or pneumatic hammer or a diamond-coated drill is best suited for such purposes. This process will require a lot of effort and time. You will need to insert the frame into the resulting holes.

Another way

in a residential building can be created using a different technique. In this case, the holes will be created not in the foundation, but in the floor of the living premises. You need to knock out holes in an unloaded area of ​​the base. It is best to create similar holes in the floor under furniture legs, under stairs or in corners. They need to be covered with a strong metal mesh.

If necessary, you can provide a pipe for removing moist air and a basement to the roof. It should be designed correctly. To do this, it is recommended to turn to professionals. In this case, the building will not be subject to rotting processes of the ceilings and basement.

The operation of the building will be long. There is no doubt that fungus and mold will not spread inside the basement. It is best to provide such openings in the building plan. However, the builders' shortcomings can be corrected. Although this will require more effort and time.

Having considered the features of the arrangement foundation ventilation, everyone can create the necessary holes themselves if they wish.

Proper ventilation of a country house provides effective protection of the structure from the destructive effects of dampness and mold. By paying secondary attention to the location of special openings, you will ignore the rules of foundation laying technology. To protect the object from the accumulation of moisture, dampness, and specific odors, ventilation is organized in the strip foundation. When planning how to properly make vents, keep in mind that they should provide maximum circulation of air masses between the first floor and the basement.

Feasibility of ventilation

Moisture in the confined space of the underground is converted into condensate, which enters the house in the form of steam through the ceilings. If there are no vents in the foundation, then dampness accumulates on the walls of the basement, in the soil under the building, and settles on the floors and floor beams.

Features of ventilation for wooden houses

A humid environment and constant above-zero temperatures are ideal conditions for the growth of fungus and bacteria. The load-bearing elements of the building - the lower crowns - under regular exposure to water reduce their performance properties due to the fragile texture of the wood and its susceptibility to rot.
Ventilation in the foundation of a wooden house will contribute to:

• increasing the operational life of the structure up to 8 years;
• normalization of ventilation of the basement and basement spaces;
• removal of excess moisture;
• preventing destruction of the foundation;
• minimizing the percentage of radon.

Ventilating the foundation of a wooden house with the help of ventilators is practical, environmentally friendly and has a low price range. How effectively the exhaust system will function depends on the location of the ducts. The best option is through ventilation. To create intense air flows and natural circulation, the holes are placed parallel to the walls, but opposite each other in equal numbers.

When are holes not made?

A vent in the foundation is not provided in the following cases:

• the basement is equipped with a ventilation system;
• the hood is built into the floor covering;
• the use of building materials that do not interfere with good aeration of the basement;
• the use of sand and vapor-proof materials when laying the foundation.

Whether vents are needed in the base structure depends on the presence of which have an empty closed space between the ground and the floor joists, the answer is clear.

Compartment Specifications

Ventilation holes in the foundation are arranged in the shape of a circle, square or rectangle. The configuration largely determines the aesthetics of the building, but the main purpose of the structure is to provide waterproofing and prevent the destructive effects of groundwater.
Channels in the base are necessary for a recessed and shallowly recessed belt, a pile foundation with a low concrete grillage. The design and installation of vents during the construction of the basement allows you to correctly calculate the number and area of ​​the artificial ventilation system.
A vent at the base of the underground space is planned at the design stage of a residential building. Ventilation in the foundation prevents the saturation of the concrete mixture with moisture, the formation of corrosion on the reinforcement, and the destruction of the structure and finishing materials.

Regulatory requirements for products

The parameters of ventilation holes are regulated by SNIP standards 01/31/2003. According to the standards, vents in the foundation must meet the following requirements:

• be from 1/100 to 1/500 of the total floor area, but not less than 0.85 square meters. m,
• have a minimum area of ​​one element - 0.05 square meters. m;
• move away from each other at a distance of 2.5 to 3 m;
• the distance of the outer vents from the corners of the foundation is 0.9 m;
• ventilation recesses with dimensions of 300x300 and above require reinforcement of the structural material;
• the height of the ground surface must be at least 0.3 m to prevent flooding in the spring. This indicator depends on the climatic characteristics of the area and the amount of precipitation.

The vents in the finished foundation are covered with a metal grill - protection from rodents and other living creatures.

Vent construction technology

The question of how to make vents in the foundation should be rationally solved at the stage of its construction. Haste and failure to follow recommendations can lead to damage to the integrity of the foundation and the entire structure. Methods for arranging the ventilation system determine the features of the construction of the base.

Rules for making holes

The installation of vents in the foundation must be indicated in the project. Construction experts recommend compliance with a number of requirements:

• cut holes at a height of 0.3 m from the ground. Reducing the distance will lead to spring waters flowing into them;
• choose the diameter of the hole based on the total area of ​​the house, but taking into account that as the square footage of the building increases, the size of the vents increases. The optimal diameter is 5-10 cm;
• maintain parallelism and opposition and parallelism of products;
• maintain a step of 250 to 300 cm.

If there are jumpers on the main perimeter, vents are placed on them. The technology for constructing ventilation openings is determined by the type of basement base.

Brick foundation

The easiest way to organize natural ventilation is in the foundation of a house made of concrete blocks or brickwork. Preliminary calculations must be accurate so that the load-bearing capacity of the wall is not affected.

Technologically, the work is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. Counting from the blind area or soil level, lay 2-3 rows of bricks.
2. At a height of at least 0.3 m from the ground, space is left for ventilation.
3. A steel pipe of round or square shape is mounted in the hole, and masonry is applied on top.
4. The top row is formed in such a way that it covers the pipe.

Further work preserves the sequence of the first 3 rows. The completion of construction will be the installation of locks and gratings.

Monolithic base

For a solid foundation type, formworks with ventilation holes are available for sale. An alternative to finished products is to ventilate the base yourself. The algorithm of actions consists of the following technological steps:

1. Preparing a strip pit.
2. Backfilling the sand cushion.
3. Installation of the reinforcing frame.
4. Laying plastic pipes wrapped in roofing felt or geofabric.
5. Sealing joints with silicone.
6. Dismantling the formwork in 7-10 days.

For vents with a round cross-section, asbestos-cement or plastic pipes are used. To prevent the pipe from deforming under the pressure of cement, the contents are covered with sand, closing the edges with plugs.

Scheme of arrangement of vents for the finished foundation

Ventilation of a finished foundation in a private house involves the installation of a basement floor. An outlet should be made in the walls of the additional building. A diamond drill will help you cope with the task without compromising the strength of the supporting structure.
The next option for creating ventilation in a finished foundation is to organize controlled air exchange through the openings in the floor of the upper room:

1. The ventilation pipe is led to the roof, and grilles in the room will provide air flow.
2. A prerequisite is insulation of the external foundation, basement, blind area.
3. It is necessary to waterproof the soil inside the subfloor.

A manufactured ventilation compartment is used for an energy-saving, well-insulated design.

What materials may be needed?

When organizing vents on an existing building, use the following set of tools and materials:

• hammer;
• sledgehammer;
• long drill for metal 12-14 mm in diameter;
• a drill for wooden surfaces, the length of which is equal to the width of the base;
• straight and semicircular chisel.

You will also need consumables - sand and a pipe about 13 cm in diameter. The holes are cut with a grinder or a hammer drill. The work usually does not take much time, but requires certain labor costs.

To insulate in unfavorable weather conditions or not?

Owners of seasonal houses close the vents in the foundation for the winter. In winter, the ventilated compartment can be barricaded completely or partially.
It is not advisable to close vents in a room that is in constant use. The lack of natural ventilation will cause an increase in temperature, due to which condensation will appear in the underground, mold and mildew will form.
At the stage of pouring the base, the locking system and holes are equipped with special plugs in case it is necessary to prevent large heat losses. How to close the vents if special barriers are not provided? Vents in the foundation are sealed with improvised means: polyurethane foam, tow, rags.

Recommendations for arranging a ventilation system

When creating vents, it is better to abandon lumber beams, because it is almost impossible to extract wood from concrete. It is possible to achieve a positive result, but the integrity of the structure is jeopardized. First you need to drill out the wood around the perimeter, clean the edges with a chisel, and only then knock out the middle.

The ideal option for ventilation in the foundation would be an asbestos-cement pipe with a cross-sectional diameter of 120-130 mm. To create vents, you can use the remains of sewer pipes.
High-quality waterproofing does not completely solve the problem of ventilation for the foundation, equipped in a private or country house. Through holes in the base part are a generally accepted way to properly organize the movement of air masses, thereby extending the life of the building.