Building a foundation in winter is a rather laborious and troublesome business, but feasible. It is believed that the time from April to November is the most favorable period for the installation of the foundation of any structure. But there are situations when work falls in the winter. Thanks to modern construction technologies, it is possible to build a reliable foundation that will not be inferior in its characteristics to the foundation laid in the warm season. From this article, you can find out what foundation pouring in winter is, whether it is possible to fill in and how to make such a foundation.
When is winter foundation pouring necessary?
With careful observance of all the rules of construction, the construction of a strong foundation is quite feasible even in severe frosts and, as a result, frozen soil. Filling the foundation in winter is not always required, it all depends on the project. Most often, the decision to start construction in the cold season is associated with soil characteristics. There are areas where the soil crumbles in the summer, and only in winter, when the ground is well frozen, can you dig a good foundation pit. In this case, the installation of the foundation is an excellent solution in the implementation of the task. In many regions of Russia, winter is the main time of the year, and there is practically no summer. Therefore, to build the foundation of another period simply does not happen. In addition, it is believed that the cost of material and work in the winter is much lower than in the summer months, although serious savings are unlikely to have to be expected. Sometimes foundation pouring in winter is necessary when it is necessary to complete the construction process as quickly as possible.
Types of foundations in winter
There are several types of foundations for equipping the foundation of any structure in the winter. Let's consider them in more detail:
1. The most common among developers is the strip foundation. In this case, experts advise reducing the so-called “wet” operations, for example, using ready-made concrete blocks for laying them in a foundation pit.
2. The base of concrete piles. This type of foundation is ideal for light buildings, in particular wooden houses. Observing building technology and adhering to the basic rules, you can get a solid pile foundation, not inferior in quality to other types. Further from the article you can find out everything about pouring the foundation in the winter.
How to fill the foundation with piles? First of all, you need to distinguish between their types. Piles of concrete are bored and bored. The screw pile foundation is ideal for winter work. Suitable for any difficult soil.
Concrete preparation
When arranging the foundation, the question often arises: "Is it possible to fill the foundation in winter using ordinary concrete?" No. For these purposes, one that includes special modifiers is suitable. Thanks to additives, concrete manages to gain the necessary qualities, it does not set ahead of time. In addition, modifying additives greatly facilitate the pouring of concrete into the formwork.
When choosing modifiers, you should pay attention to the indicators of frost resistance and the speed of hardening of concrete. The required amount of substance is determined on the scale indicated on the package.
How to apply modifiers?
When using modified additives, it is necessary to focus on some key points:
- The use of frost-resistant substances can reduce the amount of water consumed by 10-15% in the manufacture of concrete mortar.
- The minimum temperature at which the use of modifiers is acceptable is 25 degrees below zero.
- When air humidity reaches 60%, the use of additives is prohibited.
- It is necessary to take into account such factors in which the individual components of the modifiers interact with some metals.
- The use of additives does not negate some additional measures when arranging the foundation in the cold period. When the air temperature is low, additives alone that affect the frost resistance of concrete are not enough. It is necessary to warm concrete, to equip additional thermal insulation to maintain a certain temperature of the finished structure.
The use of additional tools that make it possible to fill the foundation in winter
Another way in which the answer to the question of whether it is possible to fill the foundation in winter is positive, is to ensure the base is heated. It is known that concrete gains its highest strength during the first two days. It was during this period that the foundation especially needs protection against low temperatures. To heat the base around the entire perimeter, special equipment is used - a heat gun. With its help, the temperature necessary for solidification of the concrete mortar is provided and maintained. The larger the foundation, the higher should be the power of the device
Also, the foundation can be heated by electronic current. This method allows you to maintain the temperature necessary for solidification by transferring heat (from hot to cool). Concrete is heated with reinforcement rods, to which an electric current (380 V) is supplied.
Negative moments of foundation pouring in winter
So, the answer to the question "is it possible to fill the foundation in winter" is obvious. However, despite the many positive arguments in favor of this process, there are some negative points:
- Although the cost savings of building materials are obvious, at the same time, the price of earthworks in frosty weather is increasing significantly. Also, you will incur additional costs for heating the concrete mortar, structures, therefore, in general, saving construction in winter is very doubtful.
- Efficiency in winter is much lower than in summer, since working in the cold is much more difficult.
- The price of additives and modifying substances that affect the properties of concrete is low, but for the construction of even a small foundation, a lot of them are required. And therefore, the price of building material increases significantly.
- Sometimes it is necessary to use special equipment, in particular for digging a pit.
Therefore, before thinking about whether it is possible to fill the foundation in winter, it is necessary to calculate all the costs and consider all the pros and cons of this venture.
The list of basic materials and tools for creating the foundation
To equip and fill the foundation, the following materials and tools are required:
- shovel;
- sawdust;
- building level;
- hacksaw;
- Master OK;
- cement and concrete mortars;
- modifying additives;
- thermal insulation;
- reinforcing mesh;
- crushed stone.
How to fill the foundation in winter?
Is it possible and is it worth it? These questions are often of concern to beginners in construction. After all, it is very difficult to carry out any work in the cold; snow and frost can interfere. Expert advice will tell you how to fill the foundation with your own hands in winter. The rules of work are as follows:
- First of all, a trench or pit is dug, while the soil moisture is controlled, which will be collected at the bottom. Water at freezing temperatures freezes, ice forms, which must be removed, since nothing can be put on such a foundation.
- Next, mix the concrete using the right modifiers and warm the mixture to the desired temperature.
- The next step is the installation of formwork and frame of reinforcement. Formwork is poured with concrete mixture. The necessary positive temperature must be maintained for a certain period of time (to accelerate the setting process) using heating equipment. Immediately after pouring, the foundation can be insulated with roofing material, a plastic film. Top can be sprinkled with a layer of sawdust (20-30 cm). As a result, we have a ready foundation in the winter.
Is it possible to fill in for the winter? The answer is yes. But to erect walls on such bases is still recommended at positive temperatures, since concrete mortar needs a certain time to gain strength. Having prepared the foundation in the winter (taking into account all the rules and nuances), you can get a strong and durable structure.