If coolness comes from the flooring, it will be extremely difficult to maintain an acceptable temperature in the house, this will require additional energy costs. This problem can be solved with the help of timely quality insulation of the foundation of the house from the inside.
The work associated with the internal insulation of the foundation, in addition to minimizing heat loss in the house, will improve the ventilation status in the basement, help reduce air humidity and prevent the formation of excessive condensate. Further, we will talk about how to insulate the foundation of the house from the inside with foam and other materials.
The choice of materials for internal insulation of the foundation
Of the diverse list of building materials, most often for the purpose of finishing work on the insulation of internal foundation structures, different names are used. So what is better to insulate the foundation of the house from the inside?
Synthetic boards
Synthetic boards made of extruded polystyrene foam (foam or polystyrene are also used) are suitable for those who think how to insulate the foundation of a wooden house from the inside with their own hands. Having a relatively light weight and a thickness of two to five centimeters, such plates can be in operation from twenty to fifty years. The polystyrene insulation does not emit toxic fumes, does not absorb water condensate, does not become moldy and, which is important for basements, it cannot be ruined by rodents.
Polyurethane foam
Foamed polyurethane foam, which is sprayed onto the inner surface of the concrete blocks of the foundation - is another material that is used to insulate the foundation of the house from the inside with your own hands. Thanks to this method of application, this insulation penetrates into all cracks, cracks and voids, the surface treated with polyurethane foam is very smooth and has no seams. Of the advantages of this material, good sound insulation and thermal conductivity can be noted. The only drawback is that a professional should work with him, since during spraying special means of protection against toxic fumes and construction equipment are needed.
Expanded clay
The most budgetary (economical) option for choosing a material for internal insulation is expanded clay. Expanded clay perfectly keeps the temperature even inside the basement, is not afraid of high external frosts, it is considered environmentally friendly. The material belongs to the category of refractory, not amenable to putrefactive processes.
The procedure for warming the inner surface of the foundation
The technology of insulation measures directly depends on the category of building material previously selected for such work.
Before using any insulation, the surface of the inner walls of the foundation should be as clean as possible from adhering dirt or dust, plastered and treated with a liquid waterproofing solution.
The most expensive type of insulation work is the use of balloon polypurethane. The mechanism for conducting such insulation is as follows:
- with the help of factory-made cylinders, foamed polyurethane mixture is sprayed onto the prepared surfaces;
- before applying it is necessary to put on a face mask and glasses;
- do not touch the applied composition for two to three days while it is in a soft solidifying state, so as not to interfere with it evenly distributed over cracks and voids.
The above method of internal thermal insulation is not recommended for use in completely enclosed or poorly ventilated rooms and spaces, since polyurethane foam can emit hazardous toxic fumes.
The most convenient, simple to execute, and at the same time effective, is considered to be the method of warming the foundation from the inside using polypenostyrene plates.
Technically, this process presents the following list of works:
- the walls are cleaned, sanded and treated with a waterproofing compound;
- insulation boards are covered with a layer of cement mixture similar to "Ceresit", or with bitumen mastic at the edges and center;
- plates are fixed tightly to each other and are fixed on the wall with dowels;
- voids between the laid plates are filled with polyurethane foam or any other sealant;
- the surface of the plates is plastered and painted.
In order to increase the service life of such a heat-insulating coating, it is possible to additionally sheathe the slabs with a reinforcing mesh (frame sheathing).
When using insulation methods using polypenurethane or liquid polypenostyrene to warm the inner surface of the foundation, it must be borne in mind that in the event of burning or smoldering, these materials emit highly toxic poisonous gases. Therefore, in buildings that are subject to increased fire safety requirements, it is better not to use these methods of insulation.
The most affordable method for warming basements for private houses is the use of bulk expanded clay. Such work is quite possible to carry out independently, having basic skills.
Work stages
The stages of foundation insulation with expanded clay clay are as follows:
- you will need ready-made wooden boards treated with wood antiseptics, from which formwork is knocked down by the size of the perimeter of the inner basement, the recommended formwork height is about half a meter;
- slopes are carried out, the floor (as the first layer protecting from moisture) is covered with a plastic film;
- the second protective layer can be laid with mineral building wool;
- expanded clay powder is poured to the height of the formwork.
Another known bulk method of warming the foundation is known, namely, filling the basement space with earth to the floor level. However, such a method of warming will not be able to provide proper ventilation of the room and will require a very large tonnage of raw materials (land), which is very expensive.
Recommendations from experienced builders
As in any other field, in construction some nuances and subtleties should be taken into account, which will help to avoid mistakes when choosing the necessary materials and ensure long-term operation of structures.
When choosing a heater, experienced specialists recommend paying attention to the density of the material indicated during the sale: the higher it is, the weaker the heat-saving effect will be.
You can achieve maximum insulation of the foundation of the house if you simultaneously insulate the bearing walls and partitions, prevent the presence of insulated corners and joints, as well as provide through ventilation.
When choosing a method of insulation, you need to take into account the design features of your house, including whether there is a basement, how many floors in the house, the basement will be operated as a functional room or access to it will be limited, as well as temperature conditions.