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Correct blind area with your own hands. Creating a blind area with your own hands. Blind area around the house: how to repair a concrete system with your own hands

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After completing the construction of the house, it is mandatory to install a blind area. It will protect the foundation from soaking and cracking, and will also significantly extend the life of the building. The design is quite simple and therefore the blind area can be made with your own hands - step-by-step instruction and recommendations will help you go through all stages of installation without errors.

Appearance of the blind area

The structure of the blind area around the house is quite simple and consists of two main elements: a substrate and a covering. The main role of the substrate is to create a smooth and durable base for laying the protective coating. Typically, the substrate is two layers of clay or sand and crushed stone. The good thing about using clay is that it can perform a waterproofing function and not allow moisture to pass through, but to do this it will need to be laid well and the layer must be uniform. Sand is easier to use, as it can easily smooth out any unevenness in the soil surface.

Any coating can be used suitable materials, which have the following properties:

Have sufficient strength to withstand expected mechanical loads.
They have high-quality waterproofing properties.
Resistant to sudden temperature changes.
Thanks to the smooth surface, they are able to efficiently remove moisture from the foundation.

Therefore, concrete, asphalt, stone or tile coverings are mainly used for blind areas.

Related article:

Photo of the blind area around the house: main types of structures

When designing photos, blind areas around houses will greatly simplify their selection. There are these types of structures:

Tough. They are structures based on hard coatings that, under load, retain their shape without deformation. Usually made of concrete or asphalt. Their service life is usually compared with the duration of operation of the building. In terms of installation cost, rigid structures will be more expensive than others, as they require mandatory insulation and waterproofing. Requires medium or high density soil for installation.

Soft. They feature simple installation technology and minimum requirements during operation. In fact, it consists of several layers of bulk materials. Requires minimal cost and physical effort to install. The service life is on average 5-7 years. They can be laid on any type of soil, including loose ones. They are used mainly for temporary purposes, since their appearance is not entirely aesthetic and is unlikely to fit into the design of the building facade.

Semi-rigid. They represent a compromise between hard and soft structures in terms of financial and physical costs. The outer layer is usually laid with tiles, stone or reinforced concrete slabs. The service life can be up to several decades. Possess excellent maintainability, since part of the structure can be replaced or rearranged without any problems. However, they are limited to use in high elevation areas groundwater, on soils with a large freezing depth and on heaving soils. Cost installation work will cost less than hard ones, but at the same time the highest quality aesthetic appearance will be achieved.

Determining the parameters of the blind area

In order to understand how to properly make blind areas around houses, you need to choose it correctly technical specifications. One of them is width. It is determined by the current building codes and regulations, which state that it must be 20 cm longer than the most protruding part of the roof slope. Usually this size is measured from the gutters. The width of the blind area around the house is determined based on the selected type of material, the density of the soil on the site and the magnitude of the expected variable and static loads. In most cases, the width of the structure for private houses is made at least 1 m.

Another parameter is the degree to which the structure is buried in the ground. It is mainly influenced by the level of soil freezing. In regions where there is a significant decrease in air temperature, the structure is significantly affected by soil properties such as heaving, which can damage it literally within a year without the possibility of recovery. Therefore, the filling level must provide sufficient strength so that it effectively resists heaving and does not deform. The minimum depth is at least 10 cm, including a layer of sand and crushed stone cushion. If constant loads are expected, it is recommended to increase the thickness to 15-20 cm.

Helpful information! Where the porch adjoins the house there is no particular need to lay a blind area, since the main foundation in this case will be protected. However, if a monolithic or brick porch is built, then it is recommended to protect it too, since the weight per unit area is quite large and the likelihood of subsidence is high.

For high-quality sediment removal, the surface must have a certain slope. The magnitude of the angle to the horizontal, on the one hand, is influenced by the amount of precipitation in a particular region, and on the other hand, by the ease of use of the structure as a pedestrian path or for other purposes. A value of 2-3° is considered optimal.

In order to prevent flooding of the structure, it is recommended to make it 5 cm higher from the ground surface. If there are trees or bushes near the house, you will need to uproot them to a distance of approximately 1.5 m from the house.

Attention! You can protect the structure from destruction by the roots of trees or any plants by installing a border.

Preparatory work

Preparation for installation is carried out in several stages:

Marking the territory.
Carrying out earthworks.
Laying the underlying layer.

We mark out the area for installation of the blind area

Using pegs, markings need to be made around the perimeter of the house. To do this, use a tape measure to measure a distance of 1 m from the walls and drive wooden pegs into the corners to a depth of 0.5 m so that it is possible to carry out excavation work without moving them from their place. We pull a rope on them.

Helpful information! If the building has a large area, it is recommended to install additional pegs along the walls every 2.5-3 m.

Excavation stage

Using a shovel, you need to dig a trench according to the markings. The depth is determined by the type of structure chosen, climatic conditions and soil composition. The layer should be removed evenly with a slope of 2-3° from the building. This is quite easy to do by setting the digging depth along the building and along the marking line.

Since the main foundation and the structure of the blind area will have different coefficients of thermal expansion, it is recommended to create a thermal gap between them of 1-2 mm. To do this, after stopping digging, you need to lay a damping layer based on polyurethane tape along the wall.

The bottom of the trench should be carefully compacted with a special tool, which is a steel rod with a flat sheet welded on the lower end. If such a device is not at hand, then you can use a regular log.

Laying a pillow under the blind area

It is necessary to lay waterproofing at the bottom of the prepared trench and fill it with a layer of sand 10-20 cm thick, depending on the type of structure and the depth of the trench, with careful compaction and leveling. For ease of work, it is recommended to spill the layer generously with water in order to compact it as much as possible. However, before laying the outer layer, you will need to wait until the pillow dries.

Important! If construction is carried out in an area with high groundwater, a drainage system will need to be installed. It is a pipe with holes in the upper part, which is located around the perimeter of the building and is connected to the storm sewer system.

It is necessary to pour gravel with a fraction size of up to 5 cm on top of the sand, and level the top layer with crushed stone with a grain size of up to 5 mm. This will save building material on the outer layer due to the absence of the need to fill the pores formed.

Helpful information! Crushed stone can be replaced by other types of stone or even broken bricks. The most important thing is to use a homogeneous material so that areas with different strength characteristics are not created.

How to properly make a blind area around the house?

The installation process depends on the type of structure and the selected material. For example, when installing a soft structure, no additional work will be required, but when installing a hard structure, you will need to lay several waterproofing layers. How to carry out installation correctly will be described in the following subsections.

Installation of a rigid blind area

It is recommended to install a rigid structure on a heat- and waterproofing layer, which will significantly extend the life of the structure. For these purposes, it is recommended to use thermal insulation materials that are highly resistant to moisture and have increased strength under significant mechanical loads. An example would be expanded polystyrene or foam boards.

Attention! Before laying, it is necessary to install the formwork, for which it is recommended to use boards lined with a waterproofing film on the inside. This solution will prevent the absorption of moisture from the subsequently poured concrete solution and it will be able to gain design strength. Otherwise, the dehydrated parts will become brittle and the service life will be significantly reduced.

To understand the technology of pouring a blind area around a concrete house, how to make formwork and what sequence of actions to follow, you need to read the step-by-step instructions. It looks like this:

We install the first slab from the corner of the building along the wall, checking the correct position using a building level.
We fix the insulation onto a suitable type of fastening, pressing it tightly against the wall.
We install the next one butt to the first plate with a minimum gap.
We secure the slab and carefully seal the joint with construction foam.
Similarly, we lay the entire perimeter of the walls with heat-insulating material.

Attention! If the blind area is installed in the northern regions, then it is recommended to lay two layers of insulation with ligation of the joints of the two layers. This will avoid the formation of cold bridges.

Before pouring concrete into the formwork, it is necessary to lay the reinforcing mesh. For these purposes, ready-made meshes with a rod diameter of 8-10 mm and a cell size of 10-15 cm are used. It is important to lay them in such a way that the steel rods are in the concrete layer. To do this, you need to use special plastic supports.

It is recommended to fill the structure with concrete mortar grade M400 or higher, and at one time, so that the structure acquires maximum strength. Therefore, you need to calculate the approximate volume in advance and order the solution in the right quantity at a cement plant.

When pouring, it is important to create a uniform layer, for which you carefully smooth the concrete over the surface using a shovel or mop. Additionally, the solution must be stirred to remove air bubbles from the layer. After driving the layer to the level of the edges of the formwork, it is necessary to level the surface as a rule. The side parts of the formwork will serve as guides.

At the final stage, the surface of the blind area must be sprinkled with a thin layer of cement. To ensure ideal conditions for concrete hardening, you will need to cover the entire top part with a layer of polyethylene. Every day it is necessary to moisten the surface with water. The curing time is 28 days depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment.

Installation of a soft blind area

The soft blind area around the houses is laid on a waterproofing layer laid on top of a sand cushion. It is recommended to use rubemast as an insulating material, which has an increased service life. Laying is done overlapping at a distance of 10-15 cm not only along the main surface, but also on the walls of the main building. The connecting seams are sealed with bitumen under the heat of the burner.

On top of the waterproofing it is necessary to pour a 10 cm layer of a dry mixture of sand and crushed stone in equal proportions. Then the surface should be thoroughly compacted and leveled. In this case, it is imperative to maintain the angle of inclination. Another layer of crushed stone with a grain size of no more than 5 mm is laid on top of the embankment and also compacted.

DIY semi-rigid blind area: step-by-step instructions

Is it possible to create a semi-rigid structure on your own in the absence of suitable experience? The task is completely solvable and you can create a reliable blind area with your own hands - step-by-step instructions will allow you to go through all the stages without errors. It is installed directly on a prepared sand-crushed stone cushion, on top of which an additional layer of sand 8-10 cm thick is poured. For paving

It is necessary to control the angle of inclination with a level to prevent distortion.

The next tile is placed end-to-end with the previous one.

To level, it is necessary to lay a wooden plank on the surface of the tiles and, by tapping, achieve their correct location.

If there is subsidence in one of the corners of the tile, then you need to add a little sand and repeat the leveling using a mallet.

If you need to cut tiles for laying under the wall of a house or along a border, you need to use a grinder.

We carry out installation over the entire area of the blind area.

How to repair a blind area?

The blind area around the house, if you do not know the nuances of laying technology, how to properly pour concrete or lay tiles, will certainly contain defects that will emerge sooner or later and require repair work. Restoration is carried out depending on the degree of damage:

If there are cracks no larger than 1 mm, repairs are not required, since they are not critical and will in no way worsen the performance characteristics of the structure.
If the crack size is up to 3 mm, then it is recommended to use water-cement mortar in equal proportions. After the solution dries, a durable layer will be created that will provide maximum protection to the building foundation.
For cracks up to 3 cm, it will be necessary to fill them with concrete mortar, having previously cleaned them of dirt and treated them with a deep penetration primer. It is also possible to use waterproof putties or sealants.

Cracks larger than 3 cm - it is necessary to study the strength of the structure and evaluate its maintainability. It may be necessary to remove part of the top layer and level the pillow. After making sure there are sufficient load-bearing capacity The structure should be filled with concrete.
The crumbling of the blind area is eliminated by applying a water-cement mixture to the surface in order to strengthen it.

Conclusion

It has been shown that a do-it-yourself blind area can last a long time if step-by-step instructions are used and followed construction technologies. The main installation methods for all types of blind areas are given. Some methods for repairing damage to the external surface of a structure are indicated.

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Reliable protection of the foundation from destruction by surface water is facilitated by the presence of a concrete blind area surrounding the building. The undoubted advantage of the design is its ease of manufacture. The only one alternative option creating a barrier will be a multi-tiered “pie”. The integrity of the building directly depends on the quality of the foundation, so it needs full protection. In parallel with the main function, the blind area provides comfortable movement along the building and gives its external appearance completeness. Let's look at how to make a blind area around the house with your own hands in detail.

Blind area parameters

The dimensions of any construction structure and the rules for its arrangement are regulated regulatory documents, in our case this is SNiP 2.02.01-83. The correct concrete blind area corresponds to the following indicators:

The construction of a blind area around the house is carried out in a certain sequence, version with lining made of paving slabs shown in the diagram below:

Types of structures

The scope of work on decorating the blind area around the house with your own hands varies depending on the type of structure chosen, which can be rigid, semi-rigid and soft. Let's look at the main advantages and pitfalls of each option.

Tough

This group includes monolithic concrete products. The finishing coating is poured concrete or asphalt.

Comment! If the protective structure is planned to be insulated, a rigid type of system is the only acceptable device option. It is not practical to organize insulation of semi-rigid and soft blind areas.

The operation of monolithic products continues throughout the service life of the building. But the construction of concrete protection around the house is accompanied by negative aspects:

The process is labor-intensive and takes considerable time.
High material costs.
Asphalt pavement requires tar. It is practical to use this binder only in the case of large-scale asphalt paving work.
In the absence of additional cladding, it does not have a sufficient decorative effect.

Semi-rigid

The protective underground layer of the semi-rigid system is represented by a multi-layer cushion. Decorative covering can be made from paving or ceramic tiles, paving stones. Sometimes reinforced concrete slabs, cobblestones or porcelain stoneware are used for this purpose.

To fill around the house, much less labor and materials will be required than for a monolithic blind area. The device technology is simpler, but unacceptable for heaving soil, which can cause system deformation. A comparative analysis of cost, quality and external characteristics makes the semi-rigid blind area a leader compared to other types of protection around the house.

Advice! The matching of the blind area made of paving slabs and other paved paths contributes to the formation of an aesthetic appearance personal plot.

Advantages of a semi-rigid structure around the house:

If the technology of the device is followed, the service life is from two to three decades.
There are no climate restrictions, with the exception of permafrost.
It can be done with little financial investment.
Easily amenable to preventative repairs.

Soft

To protect the foundation of a soft type around the house, you will need a multi-layer cushion covered with a layer of crushed stone on top. This design is characterized minimal costs funds and time. But it will bring benefits for a maximum of seven years. It can be done in any region, but they resort to a similar solution to install temporary protection around the house when there is a lack of finances.

A concrete blind area, made in compliance with all the rules, is presented in the following video:

Technology for manufacturing concrete blind area

Installing a protective structure made of concrete around a house begins with the purchase of materials. For these purposes you will need:

Cement. It is optimal to choose the M500 brand.
River or quarry sand without impurities that can spoil geotextiles.
Crushed stone fraction from 5 to 10 mm.
Natural clay or geotextiles will help you create a hydraulic lock around your house.

Site preparation

Excavation work to create a blind area around the house begins with removing the top layer of soil. The use of herbicides will help eliminate vegetation activity under a concrete structure. To accurately mark the boundaries of the blind area relative to the edge of the roof slope, use a plumb line. To mark around the house, the rope is pulled onto stakes. In addition to the corners, to avoid sagging, they are installed with an interval of 5-6 m. Make correct angle The installation of beacons on the base around the house at intervals of 1.0-1.5 m will help to tilt the blind area.

Hydraulic lock

A hydraulic lock can be made using a layer of fatty clay, the thickness of which is 10-15 cm. A waterproofing material - roofing felt, geotextile, PVC film - serves as a complete replacement. The film will maintain its integrity if you protect it with a sand layer 5-10 cm thick, located under and on top of the material.

Attention! The sand under the future blind area must be leveled, moistened and compacted.

The installation of the material should be done correctly without tension, so that it can move around the house along with the soil. When constructing a hydraulic lock with clay, only one sand layer is formed.

Shaping the pillow

Next, according to the technology of the device, it is necessary to make a pillow around the structure of the blind area. Initially, an embankment of crushed stone 5-10 cm thick is formed. The use of material of different fractions ensures better compaction. Gravel or broken bricks can be a substitute for crushed stone. If it is located close to the groundwater area, between sand and crushed stone, it is necessary to make an additional waterproofing layer of geotextile. The edges of the material should extend onto the formwork.

The optimal thickness of the sand layer is 10-15 cm, taking into account high-quality compaction. The work can be done manually; a vibrating plate can facilitate the labor-intensive process. Periodic wetting with water increases the density of the sand cushion for the blind area around the building.

Important! The formation of a cushion around the house takes place with strict observance of the angle of inclination of the concrete blind area.

A well-arranged blind area around the house with your own hands contains high-quality drainage. The following design can cope with the task of drainage:

Around the house you need to make a trench about 20 cm wide and 10 cm deep.
The recess is filled with crushed stone or lined with a drainage pipe.
The pipe is laid with a slope to ensure complete drainage.

At the same stage, storm water inlets are being installed around the house.

Installation of formwork

It is better to make formwork around the house from boards 30-40 mm thick. The height depends on the size of the concrete blind area. If dismantling of the structure is not planned, the boards are treated with an antiseptic solution, and it is also advisable to waterproof them using roofing felt.

Correctly make formwork around the building for a concrete blind area using a level. Stakes hammered with outside. Angles on bolts with a diameter of 10 mm will help to fix the formwork structure at the corners. In order for the blind area to have an attractive appearance upon completion of the work, it is necessary to make the internal seams of the formwork boards invisible.

Important! To make a blind area around the building correctly, you will need to create an expansion joint.

The seam is located at the junction of the walls of the structure and the blind area, as well as across the system. The absence of this element will cause cracks to appear in the concrete protective structure. It is necessary to make transverse seams at intervals of 2 m. Boards 20 mm thick will help to create gaps of the required size. If pouring concrete for the blind area around the building is not planned, the stage of arranging the formwork is excluded.

Installation of insulation

The following algorithm of actions will help to ensure high-quality insulation of the blind area:

Sheets of foam plastic are tightly laid around the structure, and bricks are used as temporary fixation.
The space between the plates is filled with polyurethane foam.
After it dries, the protruding parts are removed with a sharp knife.
On top of the foam plastic, it is necessary to make a second layer of thermal insulation for the blind area made of concrete in the form of polystyrene foam slabs.

Reinforcement and pouring concrete

To ensure the strength of the concrete blind area around the building, reinforcement is required. The cell size is 25 cm. Apply chain-link mesh not recommended due to excessive flexibility of the material. If there is no insulation layer, the reinforcement frame is placed above the blind area cushion at a height of 2-3 cm. This design contributes to the high-quality distribution of the concrete solution.

The key to pouring concrete is to ensure that the solution is evenly distributed and there are no air bubbles. “Bayoneting” will help eliminate voids, which is best done metal rod. During the drying process of the cement composition, it is periodically moistened with water to avoid the appearance of cracks. Also, a blind area cast from concrete can be covered with a film to slow down the evaporation of moisture and uniform hardening of the protective structure around the house.

Conclusion

To protect the concrete blind area, you can make it iron-plated. There is a dry and wet processing method. As an option, the surface is coated with a primer, liquid glass or enamel.

To make the protective concrete structure around the building decorative, it is preferable to make cladding. Suitable materials include tiles (clinker or paving), natural stone, and pebbles. In such a situation, concrete acts as a binding solution.

Another option on how to make a reliable blind area around a building is presented in the following video:

Do-it-yourself blind area at home: step-by-step instructions, videos, and expert advice presented in this article on the website will help you do this work yourself. The most reliable way to protect the foundation of a house is blind area: step-by-step instruction for the construction of this structure is so simple that you can easily do without the help of qualified specialists. By following simple and clear recommendations, you can build capital protection for the foundation of your own home at minimal cost and thereby prevent damage to the foundation by surface water.

Blind area around the house you can do it yourself, even without much experience in construction

Do-it-yourself blind area of the house: step-by-step instructions for the initial stage of construction

At the initial stage of construction, you should decide on the choice of blind area and the main parameters responsible for the quality and reliability of the structure. Private houses and cottages are not immune from erosion of the foundation by surface water, so it is recommended to use additional protective measures to strengthen the foundation of the building.

Not only protects the foundation of the building, but can also serve as paths

Note! The construction of a concrete blind area around the house, which has a complete coating, provides an almost 100% guarantee of protection from moisture. No other material has such capabilities. Otherwise, for the sake of additional reinforcement, you will have to equip a multi-tiered “pie” structure, which in itself is difficult and will entail significant costs.

The foundation of the building is influenced by various natural factors:

low temperatures;
excess moisture;
damage to mechanical properties due to soil swelling.

The stability of the entire building depends on the condition in which the foundation part of the cottage is located, so the protection must be thorough and reliable. This function is the main one for the blind area, the protective properties of which also extend to the basement of the house.

Scheme of a blind area around a house with a top layer of crushed stone

Photo of the blind area around the house and its purpose

The construction of a structure such as a blind area is designed to minimize the negative impact of natural factors on the foundation part of the structure. Of course, it is impossible to completely protect it, but you can achieve the following:

drain rain (as well as melt and flood) water from the basement of the house. In the short-term presence of moisture there will be no significant harm, however, long periods of stagnation of liquid can damage the integrity of this part of the building. Due to constant exposure to moisture, concrete is subject to crumbling, the reinforcement part of the base is exposed and damaged by corrosion. As a result, the rigidity of the frame part of the structure is significantly reduced;
stop soil movement. Soil is a mobile and capricious substance that affects any building. Depending on the type of foundation part, as well as the area chosen for placing the cottage, the following problems may be observed: shifts in soil layers, subsidence or, conversely, swelling of the soil surface, changes in the height of the water horizon. The blind area will reduce the stress on the building caused by these changes;

Blind area around a private house built of concrete and tiled

maintain the temperature of the foundation and prevent a significant drop in this value in winter time. The construction of an insulated blind area around the house helps in solving this problem, since during the cold period special requirements are put forward for the foundation part hidden underground (it must be stable);

Helpful advice! Insulation work related to the blind area is carried out during the formation of the main platform and its pouring.

improve the appearance of the cottage. The blind area can play the role of a frame, making the facade of the building complete and harmonious. This area is lined with plinth siding, decorative stone, and paving slabs.

The blind area made of paving slabs harmoniously combines with the design of the building itself

How to determine the width of the blind area around the house and other parameters

All the main parameters used for the construction of the blind area are regulated by a number of relevant SNiPs. These data make it possible to produce technologically correct and durable designs.

If we talk about a concrete product, then its width should be 20 cm greater than the end point of the protruding overhang roofing material. If there is a drainage system, these parameters must also be taken into account and included in the calculations. The final width is influenced by the characteristics of the soil and its type. The generally accepted width for a blind area is 100 cm. A monolithic concrete surface will not only provide freedom of movement along the wall of the house, but will also serve as a path.

The final indicators of the width and depth of the blind area are influenced by the characteristics of the soil: its features and type

The depth level (the depth of the blind area relative to the ground) is calculated based on the level of soil freezing in winter. Most often this indicator is requested from the information department local government architecture or installed according to the table. Blind area must have the ability to move along with the ground, otherwise all its functions will be reduced to only one - water drainage.

Note! Communication systems placed in the soil have a direct impact on the depth of its freezing.

The minimum acceptable value for the thickness of the concrete blind area around the house is 7-10 cm (surface layer). If the building design includes a garage, this figure should be increased to 15 cm so that the structure can withstand high weight loads.

Diagram of a blind area around a concrete house

Protection is required for the entire perimeter of the building, so the length of the blind area depends on the length of the perimeter. You can skip the installation area of the concrete porch, since it itself is a reinforcing structure.

Blind area around the house: how to properly fill the structure, additional parameters

The maximum permissible surface slope is in the range of 1-10 cm/m. In other words, it is 1-10%. In this case, the angle of inclination should be directed strictly from the foundation. Such a large gap is explained by the fact that the slope angle directly depends on the type of soil, as well as the amount of precipitation characteristic of the region. The most commonly used slope is 2-3 cm/m (that is, 2-3°). If you take more, during frosts and icing the blind area will not be able to be used as a path.

Step-by-step instructions for building a concrete blind area around the house. Step 1: marking and preparing the area. Step 2: digging a trench, insulating the foundation with roofing felt

The level of the blind area above the ground (height from the soil level) should be at a height of at least 5 cm. Thanks to this, moisture will not accumulate at the edges of the structure and destroy it. Damage is especially likely to occur in the winter when water hardens and expands, causing cracks in the concrete.

The minimum height of the base part is 50 cm (if you are building a hard concrete structure) and 30 cm for a soft blind area.

As for the border, this part has a decorative purpose, so the need to install it is dictated solely by your budget and personal preferences.

Note! If blackberries, raspberries, plane trees or poplars grow next to the blind area, they root system may destroy the structure. In such conditions, installation of a curb is mandatory.

Step-by-step instructions for building a concrete blind area around the house. Step 3: filling with clay in layers of 10-15 cm with layer-by-layer tamping (practice when working with unfavorable soil). Step 4: installation of formwork, pouring a layer of crushed stone 10-12 cm

Blind area around the house: construction and preparation for work

The construction of a concrete blind area is based on the formation of a reinforced belt around the perimeter of a residential building.

The design itself has only two main elements:

The underlying layer is formed on the basis of materials with high level hygroscopicity, due to which the penetration of water to the foundation part of the building is blocked or slowed down. It is best to use sand or clay, geotextiles for these purposes, and small crushed stone is also suitable. It is permissible to use several of the listed materials at once.
Decorative coating – used exclusively for decoration.

Creating a blind area around the house with your own hands: types of structures, tools

The scheme for creating a blind area has much in common with the construction of the foundation part:

ditch formation;
production of a shock-absorbing cushion consisting of layers of crushed stone and sand;

Step-by-step instructions for building a concrete blind area around the house. Step 5: laying the film. Step 6: laying reinforcement

installation of reinforcing bars to create a frame for concrete;
fill;
finishing.

There are several types of blind areas, which differ from each other in the following ways:

service life;
design features;
materials used for construction.

Based on the characteristics described above, 3 types of products are distinguished:

hard;
soft;
semi-rigid.

Step-by-step instructions for building a concrete blind area around the house. Step 7: pouring concrete. Step 8: Leveling the Concrete Surface

Each of these blind areas has its own characteristics, capabilities and construction technology.

To carry out the work you should be armed with:

Construction mixer - if you don’t have such a tool in your arsenal, you can always rent one (without this tool it is impossible to mix the entire volume, and mixing the solution in batches will lead to separation).
Tools for excavation work - crowbar, pickaxe, shovel.
Auxiliary tools - spatulas, trowel, building level, paint brushes.
Containers for preparing the batch.

The process of constructing a blind area from paving slabs

Features of the blind area around the house with your own hands made of concrete (rigid structure)

This group of structures consists of monolithic concrete-based products, coatings made using cement pouring, as well as asphalted blind areas.

Helpful advice! If you plan to build a structure with subsequent insulation, only a rigid type of system is suitable for these purposes. It is impractical and ineffective to insulate semi-rigid and soft blind areas.

Monolithic structures can last almost as long as the building around which they are organized. But building such a system has several significant disadvantages.

Firstly, this process is quite labor-intensive and requires some effort and time. Secondly, construction costs are high. This problem also affects blind areas with asphalt covering, which cannot be organized without tar. The use of this binder pays off only if large-scale asphalt laying work is carried out. Within household this is not advisable.

For the construction of a blind area with insulation, only a rigid type of structure is suitable

The decorative characteristics of a monolithic system can also be attributed to its disadvantages, since the appearance of an asphalt or concrete site cannot be called beautiful.

Features of the blind area around the house made of paving slabs (semi-rigid structure)

In semi-rigid systems, the base layer is a multi-layer pad. The upper part of the structure is formed from paving stones or paving slabs. In addition to these materials, other types of coatings can be used:

porcelain stoneware;
cobblestones;
reinforced concrete slabs.

It takes a significant amount of time to fill a semi-rigid blind area around a house. less funds and effort in comparison with monolithic structures. The construction technology in this case is quite simple, however, it cannot be used on heaving soils, which can compromise the integrity of the system.

Scheme of arranging a blind area around a house made of paving slabs

Otherwise, semi-rigid blind areas are considered the best option for all the most important indicators:

external characteristics;
price;
quality.

Helpful advice! If the site has paved paths made of paving slabs, use the same type of material to organize the blind area. This will allow you to achieve unity of design in the exterior of the entire yard.

Advantages of semi-rigid systems:

Long service life - provided that all the requirements of construction technology are met, the structure can last for 20-30 years.
There are no restrictions regarding climatic conditions - the only exceptions are zones with permafrost.
High level of maintainability.
Low construction costs.

If the construction technology is followed, a tile blind area can last more than 20 years

Features of a soft blind area around the house

To build a soft type system, a multilayer cushion is formed, which is covered with a layer of crushed stone on top. This type of blind area requires minimal cash costs and effort, which cannot affect its service life. The average is only 7 years.

On the other hand, this type of construction can be used in any climate zone. There are no significant restrictions regarding the type of soil. As for repair work, this process in this case is quite simple.

In fact, the use of a soft system is advisable only as a temporary measure, for example, if you are limited in financial or labor resources or simply do not have free time. The need to replace the structure every 5-7 years is the main disadvantage of a soft blind area.

Diagram of the arrangement of various types of blind areas around the house

Making a blind area around the house: the right choice of materials

To create a blind area around the house with your own hands, you will need the following materials:

components for preparing concrete mortar. If you are not well versed in this issue, you can purchase a ready-made version of the mixture in dry form. The quality of concrete can be in the range of 100-1000. This indicator is called grade - it reflects the amount of cement contained in the solution. In addition, concrete has such a characteristic as strength. It is reflected by the material class. Modern mixtures can have a class in the range B3.5-B8. If we take class B15 as an example, then 1 m3 of concrete pouring with dimensional parameters of 15x15x15 cm is able to withstand a pressure of 15 MPa. Optimal quality of cement for work: class B15, grade M 200;

Helpful advice! All work should be completed before the onset of frost, so that there is time for complete drying and hardening.

sand - necessary to form the bottom layer of the pillow. It is recommended to use quarry or river sand in the form of large particles without impurities, as they can damage geotextiles;

Crushed stone for the construction of a blind area must be clean and free of unnecessary impurities

crushed stone with granule size 1-2 cm;
geotextile or natural clay - used in the construction of a hydraulic lock.

Do-it-yourself mortar for a blind area around the house: how to fill the structure correctly

To create a solution with my own hands You should prepare all the necessary components in advance.

As we found out earlier, the grade of concrete is determined by the grade of cement, as well as by its amount in the components of the solution (% content). To make a blind area, it is recommended to take Portland Cement M 400. It must be fresh, since every month of delay is fraught with the loss of 5% of the useful properties of the material.

Checking how fresh the cement is is quite simple. To do this, you need to take a handful of material and tightly clench your hand into a fist. Cement with an expiring shelf life will crumple into a lump, while a crumbly structure will indicate freshness. The fresher the material and the higher its grade, the better the quality of the solution.

To obtain a higher quality solution, additional additives are required, for example, liquid glass

The sand must be sifted and clean. It is better if it is thoroughly washed to remove impurities of clay, soil, etc. Optimal size crushed stone fractions for preparing the solution are 0.5-1 cm. You will need water at room temperature.

To obtain a high-quality solution, additional additives are required. They increase the frost resistance of concrete. Most often, liquid glass is used for these purposes.

Note! In addition to the basic tools (containers, mixers, buckets, shovels, measuring devices), you need to take care of the presence of a vibrating plate or tamping log.

Blind area around the house: how to make the grout yourself (proportions)

The quality of the pour, its strength and durability depend on the proportions of the main components of the concrete solution. The amount of materials is determined by weight only.

Calculation of proportions for the solution:

The concrete mixture has special requirements regarding the amount of liquid. Excess water can dilute the solution and reduce the strength of concrete, since cement flour is gradually released into the upper layer. As a result, the density of the components will be unevenly distributed.

The most commonly used ratio of water to cement is 1:2. If you want to get the most accurate value, you should check it using the water-cement ratio table for concrete mortar (W/C).

The introduction of components into the solution is also carried out according to a strict sequence:

Cement is poured into a concrete mixer (you can use a different container if you are using a construction mixer for mixing).
Water is poured in and the solution is mixed until laitance is formed.
Sand is poured in portions as mixing continues.
Crushed stone is added.

The process of preparing concrete mortar

Helpful advice! Allow 5 minutes before serving each subsequent component. Thanks to this, you can achieve high-quality mixing of the mixture.

Making a cushion for the blind area around the house correctly

The cushion, which serves as the underlying layer, has the same construction scheme regardless of what type of blind area is chosen. An exception is the process of making a blind area around a house with your own hands from concrete with a monolithic type of construction. It will require different technology.

The main components of the pillow are:

sand;
clay;
priming.

If you prefer to organize a soft type system around the house, a layer of crushed stone is poured on top. For semi-rigid structures, an additional layer of crushed stone and sand will need to be poured over the formed cushion. Only after this can you begin laying paving stones or paving slabs.

Diagram of a concrete blind area with a top layer of large pebbles

Before pouring a blind area with a rigid platform around the house, you should arrange a sand and gravel cushion:

pour sand;
fill in crushed stone;
install insulation;
perform reinforcement procedures and other types of work.

Do-it-yourself blind area around the house: preparing the construction area

First, you should outline the perimeter of the blind area by forming a trench. Its depth directly depends on the type of soil. The minimum value is 0.15-0.2 m. Construction works on heaving soil types are accompanied by special requirements. In this case, the depth of the trench increases to 0.3 m.

Helpful advice! Pre-made markings will greatly facilitate the work.

The markings will facilitate subsequent work on the installation of the blind area

A simple way to apply markings:

Metal rods are driven into the soil at the corners. An alternative is to use wooden pegs.
Intermediate pegs are placed along the perimeter.
By pulling a mooring cord or any other rope, all the pegs are connected. This line will be used as a guide and marking.

At this stage of work, it is possible to create a gap separating the blind area structure from the foundation part of the building. For these purposes, it is recommended to use polyurethane-based sealant and damper tape.

Next, the required slope of the system is set. This is done based on the type of design you choose. To achieve a certain slope, you need to dig a trench in such a way that there is a different depth at the points of the slope.

The process of building a blind area around the house: digging a trench

The bottom of the formed trench must be carefully compacted, using the most ordinary log. To do this, it is installed vertically, raised and lowered with force so that the soil at the bottom is compacted.

Construction of a blind area around the house: how to install formwork correctly

For work you will need boards with a thickness of 30-40 mm. The height is selected taking into account the parameters of the future design. To make your work easier, you can mark the height of future layers of the pillow on the material in advance. At the corners, the structure can be tightened and strengthened using corners. This is done from the outside. It is recommended to use bolts, since they are easiest to remove during dismantling of the formwork. Optimal diameter fasteners – 10 mm.

Helpful advice! If the formwork structure will not be dismantled in the future, all wooden parts should be treated with an antiseptic before installing it. It doesn’t hurt to wrap the formwork with insulating material, such as roofing felt. This will protect the wood from rotting processes and increase the service life of the blind area.

Diagram of the formwork for the blind area

In order to ensure the stability of the boards of the formwork structure, you can use inclined supports or install blocks and bricks. During the work, an expansion joint will be required. This seam should run not only at the junction of the building walls with the blind area, but also across the system. If you ignore this requirement, over time the natural displacement of the soil, provoked by temperature changes, will lead to the appearance of cracks in the structure.

The arrangement of transverse seams is carried out at a certain interval. A distance of 2 m will be sufficient. To form gaps of the required size, you can use boards whose thickness is no more than 20 mm.

If you are planning a system that does not require pouring, you can do without installing a formwork structure.

The formwork can be dismantled upon completion of work or remain as part of the structure

Blind area at home: how to make a sand and crushed stone cushion

The formed trench is filled with a layer of sand. The thickness of the sand layer depends on the total depth of the trench - the optimal parameter is 100-150 mm. For these purposes, it is recommended to use fine river sand. This layer will act as waterproofing.

After this, the sand should be thoroughly compacted in a similar way, as was done previously when forming the bottom of the trench. To achieve high compaction, the layer can be moistened with water.

Note! The required thickness (100-150 mm) of the sand layer is obtained not after backfilling, but after compaction is completed. Therefore, it is necessary to fill the material with a small margin in order to achieve this result.

A 50-100 mm thick embankment of crushed stone is formed on top of the sand. It is better if material with different sizes fractions, which will ensure maximum filling of voids and high cushion density. Crushed stone can be replaced with other types of materials, for example, broken bricks or gravel. This layer is designed to drain water that penetrates through the sand.

The process of creating a sand-crushed stone cushion. Step 1: pour sand in a layer of 10 cm with pouring and tamping, lay roofing material along the wall of the house with a height from the base of the trench to the expected top of the blind area (expansion joint)

If there is groundwater in the construction area in close proximity to the surface, geotextiles should be laid between a layer of sand and crushed stone to provide additional waterproofing protection. In this case, it is worth laying the material with a small margin so that the edges extend onto the walls of the formwork structure.

In the process of forming a cushion of crushed stone and sand, do not forget to maintain the angle of inclination, if any. At this point, the work on arranging the pillow is completed. The further procedure depends on the type of design chosen.

The process of creating a sand-crushed stone cushion. Step 2: place geotextiles on the compacted sand, fill with crushed stone with a fraction of 20-40 mm and a layer thickness of 10 cm, compacting with a vibrating plate

Construction of a concrete blind area around the house: cost of work, recommendations

The concrete structure of the blind area is suitable for cottage owners who prefer capital products with a long service life. The price of a blind area around the house is quite high compared to other system options. However, the costs in this case are fully justified by the long service life, high strength and reliability of the blind area.

An excellent option would be a reinforced concrete system with insulation. Thanks to the interlayer thermal insulation material the operational and technical characteristics of the basement and foundation parts of the house and the entire building are increased.

Note! The stage of laying insulation can be excluded from the technology, otherwise using the construction recommendations without changes. But such a decision will affect the quality of the resulting structure, because thermal insulation for the blind area is extremely important.

Diagram of a concrete blind area with insulation

The optimal width of the system with insulation should correspond to the soil freezing depth or exceed this value. The price of a blind area around the house, which cannot be done without significant financial investments, according to experts, in this case will be too high. In addition, the system will take a lot usable area. Therefore, you should limit yourself to 0.7-0.9 m.

Concrete blind area around the house: how much does it cost to make the structure?

The construction of the structure around the house can be done independently or you can hire workers specializing in the construction of blind areas for this purpose. If you are not confident in your own knowledge and abilities, it would be wiser to entrust the work to professionals. In this case, the expense item will contain not only the cost of purchasing materials, but also paying for the services of craftsmen.

Services for the construction of a blind area around the house (price per square meter):

Name of service	Cost of work, rub./m²
Dismantling the old structure	65
Marking and soil preparation (removal of soil to a depth of 0.6 m)	300
Construction of a hydraulic lock (clay)	100
Installation of insulating material (geotextile, film)	40
Forming a pillow (0.5 cm sand layer + tamper)	80
Forming a pillow (crushed stone layer 10 cm)	80
Installation of a storm drain	250
Pipeline installation (m.p.)	50
Forming a blind area from the finished mixture	300
Forming a blind area + mixing concrete mortar	650

The average cost of construction (services of craftsmen) costs approximately 1,300 rubles. If we talk about price, making a blind area around a concrete house with your own hands is much cheaper than hiring qualified specialists for these purposes, since in this case financial investments are required only for the purchase of materials.

Building an insulated blind area with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

Can be used as insulation for blind areas various materials. For concrete structures, it is recommended to use extruded polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. The technology in this case will change slightly, since it will not be possible to remove the wooden formwork. The insulation is glued to the boards using a specialized adhesive composition for expanded polystyrene.

Step-by-step instructions for the construction of an insulated blind area: 1 - marking, preparing the trench; 2 - creating a sand cushion; 3 - sand compaction; 4 - laying roofing felt along the foundation; 5 - installation of formwork; 6 - laying insulation (penoplex)

Helpful advice! As an alternative solution, slate can be used, pre-wrapped with plastic film. It should be buried in the ground along the line of the blind area. Even if visible parts of the formwork remain after construction, it can be disguised quite easily. Hiding wood is much more difficult.

After installing the side thermal insulation boards, you need to form a pillow using the technology that was discussed earlier.

Making a concrete blind area around the house with your own hands: installing insulation

In this case, two-layer thermal insulation technology using extruded polystyrene foam and polystyrene will be used.

This is done in the following order:

Installation of a foam layer (during installation, the slabs should be laid very tightly, temporarily fixing their position with bricks).
Filling the gaps between the plates using polyurethane foam.
Removing protruding parts of the foam after it has completely dried (use a sharp knife for this purpose).
Installation of extruded polystyrene foam boards on top of foam plastic.

Step-by-step instructions for constructing an insulated blind area: 7 - laying a layer of geotextile or roofing felt; 8 - dividing the perimeter into sectors no more than 2 m long, installing lintels taking into account the slope; 9 - placing lintels at corners at 45% relative to external corners for convergence of slopes on different sides of the blind area; 10 - laying reinforcement; 11 - pouring concrete; 12 - leveling the concrete surface using a rule or a regular board

There are grooves on the end zones of the expanded polystyrene slabs, eliminating the possibility of gaps appearing between the elements after installation. Installation is carried out in such a way that the seams of the upper layer do not coincide with the seams of the lower layer of foam. To cut the material, you can use a regular knife with a sharp blade.

Blind area around a concrete house: how to make reinforcement

The next step is reinforcement. A ready-made mesh can be used as the base material. You can make it yourself using reinforcement 0.8-1 cm thick. To do this, a mesh with a cell size of 15x15 cm is formed from rods. Fixation is performed in the areas where the reinforcement intersects. Stores sell specialized fasteners that make this process easier.

Helpful advice! To save money, you can use tie wire instead of fasteners.

The mesh is laid on the base with a slight indentation. To do this, you can use support clamps. Instead of fasteners, it is allowed to use other materials, for example, stones, broken bricks, etc.

You can make the mesh for reinforcement yourself or purchase a ready-made version

The foundation part is poured with an indentation of 5 cm. But in this case, such an indentation will significantly affect the height of the structure, so a gap of 0.5-1 cm should be left.

Blind area around the house: video on how to fill the structure and protect it

With the preparation of concrete for pouring, the construction of a blind area around the house begins; how to properly make the mixture has already been described earlier. For a reinforced concrete structure you will need grade M 400 (minimum). Cement should be mixed with sand and gravel in a ratio of 1:3:4 respectively. The amount of liquid is selected in such a way that the result is a mass of normal thickness. The solution must be plastic and homogeneous.

The prepared solution is poured onto the base. It must be distributed over the surface with a mop or any other suitable tool, for example, a rule. The side walls of the formwork structure can be used as beacons.

The process of leveling the concrete surface

After the pouring is completed, the concrete must be pierced in several places to free up excess air. Use reinforcing bar for these purposes. Then you should seal these holes with the mixture and sprinkle the surface with a thin layer of cement (dry powder). According to technology requirements, at least 28 days should be allowed for drying of the fill.

The structure needs protection from the effects of precipitation. The blind area must be covered with polyethylene film.

Helpful advice! To improve the quality of the concrete system, it is recommended to lift the polyethylene and wet the concrete every two days a small amount water.

Now you know how to do a blind area around a house with your own hands, a video review of the technology will help you understand this issue in more detail:

Blind area around the house: how to make a soft structure

To create a soft blind area around the house with your own hands, you need to create a trench and fill in a layer of sand. Don't forget to set the embankment to the required angle of inclination.

Next it is laid on the sand waterproofing material. Ruberoid is the most popular material used for these purposes, but rubemast, despite its cost, has a longer service life.

For a formwork structure 0.8 m wide, you will need to cut the material, because rubemast is sold in the form of rolls 1 m wide. If you do not want to cut it, you can simply bend the excess parts and glue them to the wall with molten bitumen.

Scheme of a soft-type blind area with a top layer of gravel

On the waterproofing layer you need to make an embankment (10 cm) of sand and crushed stone (these materials are mixed in equal proportions). It needs to be compacted and leveled, while maintaining the required angle of inclination.

A soft blind area needs an additional layer of crushed stone. Crushed stone (3-5 cm) is poured over the mixture and compacted. Thanks to this additional layer, the blind area will not be subject to subsidence during operation. Finally, you can disguise the boards of the formwork structure with decorative borders.

You can use additional information for the construction of a blind area around the house. The video on how to make each layer clearly reflects all the features of this process:

Arranging a blind area from paving slabs with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

The construction of a blind area from paving slabs and paving stones is carried out in the same way. The choice of topcoat depends entirely on your budget and preferences.

Note! When using paving stones as a finishing coating, there are some restrictions: the foundation must be waterproofed.

Paving stones have only one significant drawback - the price of tiles for blind areas around the house is much lower than this material.

Average prices for paving stones:

Name, dimensional parameters	Number of elements per 1 m²	Cost, rub./m²
Name, dimensional parameters	Number of elements per 1 m²	Grey	Red	Brown	Blue	Green	Black
Rectangle (190/90/57)	58,5	360	430	430	510	540	430
Wave (220/110/60)	39	400	460	460	660	560	460
Coil (198/163/70)	35	420	460	460	690	590	460
Flower (110/110/60)	78	440	460	460	660	560	460
Shell (188/173/70)	30	420	460	460	690	590	460
Brick (200/100/70)	50	410	460	460	690	560	460
Monomakh's hat (brick+2 pentagons)	8/16	430	460	460	690	590	460
Pentagon (280/240/70)	20	430	460	460	660	590	460

Having analyzed the data from the table, you can see that the cost of purchasing paving stones or tiles for a blind area around a house largely depends on the size parameters, shape and color of the material.

Blind area around the house: video on how to make a structure, paving technology

For the blind area, a sand-crushed stone cushion is formed from tiles in the same way as described earlier. Only in this case will you need to make an additional layer of sand on top of it (8-10 cm).

When constructing a blind area from paving slabs, it is necessary to create a sand or sand-crushed stone cushion

Paving technology is simple enough that this procedure can be performed independently. You can start installing tiles from any angle that seems convenient to you. As you paving, you should move away from you. During the work process, it is recommended to use the bricklaying method.

Note! The arrangement of elements can be any. It can be invented or used ready-made options, of which there are many on the Internet.

To ensure that the tiles fit tightly to the base, it is better to use a special tool - a rubber mallet.

Scheme for installing tiles using a mallet:

lay tiles on the surface of the base;

When paving tiles or paving stones, it is better to use a special tool - a rubber mallet

a wooden plank should be placed on top of the tiles;
Using a mallet, you must gently and carefully press the tile, tapping the tool on the board.

Remember to use a building level to check the tile surface. Not only the tile itself, but also all the rows should be positioned evenly in relation to each other. In some cases, you may experience material subsidence. This problem is solved by pouring sand under the corresponding coating elements. Protruding areas can be brought into place using a mallet.

When paving, it is very important to maintain the required slope of the blind area. The entire surface of the system is laid with tiles. To cut the material to the desired size, it is recommended to use a grinder.

Blind area around the house: how to repair a concrete system with your own hands

During operation concrete blind area may be subject to destruction. But if you repair the blind area around the house with your own hands, you can not only extend the service life of this structure, but also significantly save on paying for the services of craftsmen.

The most common problems:

occurrence of cracks;
surface delamination;
crumbling

The cost of repairing the blind area around the house, done with your own hands, depends on several factors. First of all, the cost of the work depends on the degree of neglect of the structure, as well as the method that was chosen to repair the damage. The type of material and its quantity are also important.

Elimination of cracks in the blind area using sealant

Do-it-yourself methods for eliminating cracks in a blind area

Cracks in the blind area can be of different types. Such damage may be classified as cracks, concrete breaks or cracks. It depends on the depth of the damage. Methods for dealing with cracks in each case will be appropriate to the depth and severity of these damages.

Helpful advice! All work to eliminate cracks in the blind area must be performed in the off-season (autumn/spring).

Table of methods for repairing blind areas and necessary materials:

Depth of damage	Elimination method	Repair materials
1 mm	"self-healing"	small cracks are not dangerous to the structure; they self-correct as you walk along the blind area
1-3 mm	"cement paste"	cracks are filled with a solution consisting of cement and water in proportions 1:1
3-30 mm	pouring concrete; formation of a hydraulic seal; use of sealants	pouring concrete requires preliminary expansion of cracks to a cone shape and application of a primer (Ceresit ST-17); to form a hydroseal you will need Lugato 5 Mortel putty; ISOSEAL P-40, TEKTOR 103 is suitable for sealing cracks with sealant
more than 30 mm	pouring concrete	damage of this size are considered structural splits and can only be repaired by pouring concrete

How to eliminate delamination and crumbling

The second most common problem is delamination. Experts call this process delamination or dusting of concrete.

There are several prerequisites for the appearance of delamination:

Uneven hardening of the concrete solution (occurs in spring when concrete is poured onto a cold base).
The structure is too thick.
Exceeding the norm of air content in the solution.
Exceeding the proportion of crushed stone in the concrete solution.

Detailed instructions for repairing the blind area

If the surface of the blind area crumbles or delaminates, the structure should be treated using “cement dough”. To eliminate this problem, the use of compositions with liquid glass is allowed. The main components of the solution are water, cement, and liquid glass in equal proportions.

Damage elimination scheme:

Analysis of the situation, determination of damage boundaries.
Cutting down part of the concrete.
Treatment of the edge zone with a primer.
Applying the solution to the damaged area.
Covering the solution with film.

The area of the completed repair should be kept under the film until the solution dries completely.

Note! If the damage is not repaired in time, you will subsequently have to dismantle the blind area and form new design. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out everything renovation work in a timely manner.

Blind area around a private house made of paving stones

Additional protective measures

There are several ways to protect a concrete blind area from premature destruction:

ironing method;
coating with a primer;
liquid glass processing;
cladding with natural stone or installation of tile covering.

Regardless of what type of structure you choose (rigid, semi-rigid or soft system), it is recommended to install a storm drain next to the blind area. With the help of this element, you can prevent siltation of your personal plot by diverting the flowing water to a suitable place.

During construction, it is very important to properly make the blind area around the house. It allows you to reduce the amount of splashes of dirt during rain, which reduces contamination of the facade. However, poor design can lead to waterlogged foundation walls. There are several opinions among specialist builders about how to make a blind area around a house correctly with your own hands.

Some believe that making a moisture-proof blind area, for example from concrete, will effectively drain rainwater from the wall. Others argue that this element is built purely for aesthetic reasons, serving as narrow “sidewalks” along the façade.

The third popular opinion is that the main function of the blind area is to keep the house clean, as it helps to avoid contamination during rain.

So, how to make a simple blind area around a house from stone, tiles and other materials, what to pay attention to, how to prepare the base and what materials to choose - this will be discussed in the article.

Blind area around the house - how to do it correctly and what is it for?

First of all, it’s worth figuring out how rainwater affects external walls building. When it rains, water soaks into the ground (through the lawn or permeable strip around the house made of crushed stone, tiles or other materials). Some of the water will be absorbed to the groundwater level. However, some of it will rise up through the soil capillaries and evaporate from the surface, which is sometimes called “self-draining” of the soil. If a waterproof blind area is made, for example, from concrete, a constantly wet zone of soil may appear directly under the house, in contact with the foundation walls. In practice, this will have an adverse effect on the foundation walls; moisture can penetrate into the building and contribute to the development of fungus, especially if the house has a basement.

How to properly make a blind area around the house - video

Many specialists in last years It is recommended to insulate foundations using a waterproofing membrane film. Diffusion film membranes allow the walls to “breathe” and better drain water from the foundations (through a system of channels in their structure). This is only true if there is a place for the water to pass through to evaporate. If we place a membrane film under a waterproof blind area, it will not do its job.

In this case, the blind area must be made water-permeable, for example, from decorative stone or tiles laid on sand, gravel or gravel mixture (concrete or cement-sand bedding cannot be used). The border of the blind area must also be made, for example, a concrete rim or a plastic rim.

Functions of the blind area

According to most experts, the blind area of a house performs two main functions:

First of all, it allows you to leave the facade clean, since rainwater splashes, bouncing off tiles or stones, which leads to mud splashing the walls.
The second function is to improve the aesthetics of the building (of course, this is a matter of taste for each of us).

This is not the only thing possible application. This building element can also serve as an auxiliary path around the house, as well as a support for stairs or scaffolding for façade maintenance or window cleaning. Every year it becomes more and more important, since mechanical ventilation is becoming widespread, in which non-opening windows are often installed in the house. In this case, the only access to them is the outer wall of the building.

How to choose the correct blind area width?

In order for the blind area to perform these functions, it cannot be too narrow. However, the most commonly used width is 40-60 cm, it will be enough to complete the main task, but it will not work in any of those listed above additional functions. A width of 80 - 90 cm will make the blind area relatively comfortable. For the passage of two people, this width increases to at least 120, but better to 150 cm. As for the “path around the house” function, in practice it does not have much practical use, since it is much more convenient to move along paths built directly in the garden than on the narrow sidewalks at the front.

It should be borne in mind that paths leading to the entrance to the building located too close to the wall will lead to much faster contamination of the facade. For the same reason, you should not connect the blind area to the group of the main communication line. If there is enough space, it is better to separate it with a narrow strip of greenery from the sidewalk. This will greatly improve ease of use and help maintain cleanliness.

Finally, the width of the blind area is selected to match the module of the selected tile or stone format. For example, we decided to use 18.2 x 18.2 cm tiles - then there is no point in creating a 70 cm wide strip, because this means cutting out almost all elements and significantly increasing labor and waste costs. Instead, it is better to choose 55 cm (18.2 × 3), 73 cm (18.2 × 4) or 91 cm (18.2 × 5). This will reduce the amount of waste to almost zero (tile elements will be laid whole or cut in half). For the same reason, when choosing trapezoidal tiles or other uneven-sided shapes, it is better to place them along the facade.

How to make a blind area around the house with tiles or stones?

We already know how to choose the shape of the blind area and what functions should correspond to it. Therefore, the only question is how to properly make a blind area? This is not particularly difficult, since it is structurally no different from other sidewalks and paths made of stone or paving slabs.

Best choice is a blind area made of paving slabs or stone; it can be made of decorative stone, pebbles or the more popular paving slabs. The main function of this design is to protect the facade from dirt and slush, as well as protect the foundation from moisture.

The most popular blind areas are natural stone, gravel, and paving slabs.

Work begins with a trench (it is important to remove all humus, which is quite simple to do), then a foundation, a leveling pad and a surface of tiles or stone are made. However, there are some additional rules.

First of all, you need to make sure that the level of the planned strip will be below the top edge of the vertical foundation insulation. Otherwise, the walls of the building may become damp. To protect against snow, it is recommended to perform vertical insulation at least 30 cm above the level of the blind area.

The second important point is the slope. It must provide drainage from the building. For normal conditions the slope should be 2%. This means a 2 cm height difference for a strip width of 1 m. It is also important that the top edge of the curb does not protrude above the plane of the tile. It should be flush with its bottom edge.

Exterior wall building.
Border of the blind area.
Tile, stone.
Priming.
Vertical building insulation.
Sand bedding.
Bedding with a slope.
Foundation of the building.

This design is very simple to implement and does not require precise compliance with height differences. This is due to the fact that water penetrates very quickly through the stone layer into the soil. What is the best way to make a blind area around a house from decorative stone? The top layer can be made using decorative stones or coarse gravel. The most aesthetic solution is white stone, but at the same time it can quickly become dirty.

It is recommended that the top layer of stone has a thickness of about 15 cm. The stones should be scattered on an even layer of sand about 10-15 cm thick. This solution will ensure that the flow of rainwater quickly penetrates into the ground, as well as the rapid drying of the substrate.

The structure should be surrounded by a concrete or granite border. Lack of a border will quickly lead to the rocks "spreading" into the garden. However, any stones that fall on the lawn can damage the lawn mower.

For a gravel and stone strip, install a curb so that it protrudes about 2 cm above the level of the stones. This will protect the blind area from stones or gravel falling onto the grass. At the same time, you need to make sure that the lawn behind it is also located about 2 cm lower, which will prevent dirt from being deposited on the layer of stones.

To keep the side stable and ensure a constant width of the blind area for many years, it is worth strengthening it from the outside with concrete, or building a support. In addition, this design will allow you to later work in the garden directly near the house (for example, digging a trench for drainage or laying cables, etc.) without damaging it.

Paving slabs are much easier to maintain than stone structures. In the case of stones, after a few years it is often necessary to replace their top layer (about 5 cm) with new, clean stones in the desired color (usually white stones). At the same time, we must not forget that it is undesirable to use concrete pouring or a cement/sand mixture, as this will interfere with the free movement and evaporation of water.

You can use paving slabs or granite 4-6 cm thick to pave the house. There is no need to use road slabs (8 cm thick), since there is no traffic or other extreme impact.

Geotextiles can be laid under paving slabs and sand. The cost of creating such a structure depends mainly on the material of its top layer.

In terms of functionality, both solutions are similar. Therefore, it is better to make the choice mainly by considering the decision from the point of view of financial issues, since the cost of sand and sand-gravel mixture in each region is different, as is the availability of any of these materials on the construction market.

In the case of paving slabs, it is important to maintain the proper height difference between the blind area and the lawn. It is recommended that this difference be 1-2% or even 2-4%, which means with a strip width of 0.5 m, the difference in levels will be 1-2 cm. You cannot tilt the angle of the height difference to the wall of the building so that the water does not stand along walls and foundations (water penetrates into the cracks between the tiles much more slowly than through a stone path).

When laying tiles, it is very important to thoroughly compact the layer of sand bedding, since if the sand is not compacted, the tiles will settle unevenly. If the blind area is made of decorative stone, careful compaction of the sand is not necessary (only slight compaction of the surface is required).

The tile must be limited by a side. In the case of a concrete border, it is recommended that it be slightly lower than the tiles (0.5-1 cm), which will improve the drainage of rainwater onto the lawn.

Border for paving slabs - concrete, granite or plastic?

In the case of a decorative blind area made of stone the best solution there will be a concrete sidewalk curb 6 or 4 cm thick. A granite option is also available. In turn, in the case of paving slabs, you can use both concrete and plastic curbs for paving slabs.

Laying geotextiles in the blind area of a house

Placing geotextiles (or so-called permeable agrofiber) under a layer of sand will limit the growth of weeds and other vegetation. However, it is important that the fabric is permeable in both directions (top and bottom). Sealed insulating films must not be placed in this location.

Geotextiles can be laid out along the entire length of the blind area of the house, with an overlap of subsequent strips of about 30-50 cm. This material will not completely limit the growth of vegetation, but will significantly reduce the scale of this phenomenon. In practice, this will make it easier to maintain a good appearance of the structure.

To improve the appearance, you can mark between the elements of paving slabs or stones lighting, diversify the design with flower beds and other garden decor.

When it comes to aesthetic issues, color is of paramount importance. It should be remembered that the blind area around the house is not the most important element of the whole, therefore it should not dominate environment. It should be harmonized with the facade, but it should merge with it, since this can greatly spoil the proportions of the building. If we don't have much experience in choosing colors and we're afraid of experimenting, “safer” will be a little more dark color than the facade of the house. It is also good if it is made of a material and color that matches garden paths around the house.

Building a house is a complex process. It consists of several main stages, most often obvious and necessary. But there are a few things that can be overlooked that, if done, will greatly improve the aesthetics and comfort of the building. These include the blind area around the house. It will, first of all, protect the lower part of the facade from dirt, and also provide an aesthetic separation of the house from the garden. However, in order for the architecture of the building to be complemented and not spoiled, it is important to carefully consider the project and choose the appropriate material.

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Regardless of the purpose of the building, it requires a blind area. Useful tips will help you answer the question: “How to make a blind area around the house with your own hands?” This is a useful building element, which is a strip of concrete mixture that is adjacent to the building along the entire perimeter of the house. This design protects the foundation from soil displacement, groundwater and precipitation. It is important to fill it before the onset of cold weather, since frozen soil puts a lot of pressure on the foundation.

A high-quality concrete ribbon around the building looks very aesthetically pleasing and is a great addition landscape design

Before installation by pouring, you need to select the optimal strip width. In this case, the minimum size is 0.9 meters. This element can reach a width of 2.5 meters.

In addition, the water drainage tape is used as a walking path. It is worth calculating the size so that the concrete element extends 30 cm beyond the boundaries of the eaves.

It is also important to choose the correct slope of the strip in the direction away from the walls. In this case, the area near the wall will have a small height, and the edge of the tape will be level with the ground.

When deciding how to make a comfortable blind area around the house with your own hands, you should consider raising the height of 16 mm by 1 meter. At the same time, you can walk on it, and liquid will not accumulate.

Helpful information! During winter cold, this option can turn into an ice skating rink.

Preparation: important steps

Before pouring the blind area, preparatory work is carried out. It is necessary to make a foundation. In this case, a concrete screed is performed:

At a certain distance from the wall, pegs are driven in and markings are made. The cord should be pulled along them;

excavation is carried out, while the soil layer is removed by 20-25 cm. The depth of the recess should be the same everywhere;

the layer of sand needs to be spilled with water and compacted several times;

Helpful advice! The sand should have a uniform structure without crushed stone and broken bricks.

How to make a blind area around the house with your own hands: important stages of work

Most often, the completed trench is concreted using formwork. Along the entire contour of the concrete strip, specially equipped recesses (grooves) are installed to drain water.

Related article:

How are expansion joints made?

At the junction of the wall and the protective concrete sheet, an expansion joint is made, the size of which varies from 1 to 2 cm in width. It is filled with sand and roofing felt. You can also use a rope of polystyrene foam with a piece of plywood.

To simplify the installation of the blind area, you can install the tape in separate blocks. For this, slats are used that are installed across the formwork.

Helpful advice! To prevent water from penetrating between the concrete and the lath, it is better to seal these areas with sealant.

How is formwork poured?

When deciding how to make a blind area around the house with your own hands, you should use concrete. The composition is prepared from one part cement, part sand and three parts crushed stone. The mixture is poured in portions.

In this case, the end parts at the top of the lintels coincide with the surface of the blind area. The concrete composition should be leveled with a wide spatula. The mixture is compacted with an iron rod or vibrator. The reinforcement section is immersed in concrete and rotates.

Punctures help eliminate bubbles. This makes the concrete more dense. To add strength, dry cement should be scattered over the concrete to absorb excess moisture. Then, using a metal trowel, cement is rubbed well into the surface until it turns dark gray.

The finished tape should be covered with burlap from the sun's rays. If there is no rain, then the material must be periodically wetted, otherwise it will not gain strength. A blind area can be created by a person who does not have construction skills.

Do-it-yourself blind area around the house: video and useful recommendations

A monolithic tape around the building allows you to strengthen the waterproofing properties of the base and walls. This part also has functional properties and also performs an aesthetic function. The width of the tape should be more than a meter. This parameter depends on the projection of the roof structure.

DIY concrete blind area around the house: video and installation features

When determining how to make a blind area around the house with your own hands, you need to properly excavate the soil. Be sure to treat all the walls of the excavation with a special compound that will help destroy weeds. If this is not done, the weeds will destroy the structure.

Along the entire contour of the structure is laid out curbstone or removable formwork. Then the underlying material is produced and carefully compacted. Depending on the material that will be used, the structures will differ in installation methods:

laying stone or cobblestones. In this case, the height of the material should not be more than 10 cm. Installation is carried out on a laid sand floor. If crushed stone is used, the thickness will be less. The space between the cobblestones is filled with sand;
If you make a blind area around the house with your own hands, then you do not need to lay an additional layer of fine gravel and sand. All voids between individual tiles are also sprinkled with sand. To make laying the tiles simple, you need to make a strip of such a size that you do not have to trim the tiles.

Application is the most profitable and optimal option for arranging a blind area. Because it has many advantages. This allows the coating to be repaired in parts and has a long service life.

If the soil is not heaving, then clay is used. If the soil is heaving, then a sand layer is also used along with the clay.

Installation of any blind area consists of the following steps:

A sand cushion is placed on the soil base. A layer of crushed stone is leveled on top;
There is a deformation layer between the two surfaces at the junction. It will prevent cracking and deformation of the tape. Several layers of roofing material are installed between the surface of the base and the blind area;

Correct blind area with your own hands. Creating a blind area with your own hands. Blind area around the house: how to repair a concrete system with your own hands

Photo of the blind area around the house: main types of structures

Determining the parameters of the blind area

Preparatory work

We mark out the area for installation of the blind area

Excavation stage

Laying a pillow under the blind area

How to properly make a blind area around the house?

Installation of a rigid blind area

Installation of a soft blind area

DIY semi-rigid blind area: step-by-step instructions

How to repair a blind area?

Conclusion

Blind area parameters

Types of structures

Tough

Semi-rigid

Soft

Technology for manufacturing concrete blind area

Site preparation

Hydraulic lock

Shaping the pillow

Installation of formwork

Installation of insulation

Reinforcement and pouring concrete

Conclusion

Do-it-yourself blind area of ​​the house: step-by-step instructions for the initial stage of construction

Photo of the blind area around the house and its purpose

How to determine the width of the blind area around the house and other parameters

Blind area around the house: how to properly fill the structure, additional parameters

Blind area around the house: construction and preparation for work

Creating a blind area around the house with your own hands: types of structures, tools

Features of the blind area around the house with your own hands made of concrete (rigid structure)

Features of the blind area around the house made of paving slabs (semi-rigid structure)

Features of a soft blind area around the house

Making a blind area around the house: the right choice of materials

Do-it-yourself mortar for a blind area around the house: how to fill the structure correctly

Blind area around the house: how to make the grout yourself (proportions)

Making a cushion for the blind area around the house correctly

Do-it-yourself blind area around the house: preparing the construction area

Construction of a blind area around the house: how to install formwork correctly

Blind area at home: how to make a sand and crushed stone cushion

Construction of a concrete blind area around the house: cost of work, recommendations

Concrete blind area around the house: how much does it cost to make the structure?

Building an insulated blind area with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

Making a concrete blind area around the house with your own hands: installing insulation

Blind area around a concrete house: how to make reinforcement

Blind area around the house: video on how to fill the structure and protect it

Blind area around the house: how to make a soft structure

Arranging a blind area from paving slabs with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

Blind area around the house: video on how to make a structure, paving technology

Blind area around the house: how to repair a concrete system with your own hands

Do-it-yourself methods for eliminating cracks in a blind area

How to eliminate delamination and crumbling

Additional protective measures

Blind area around the house - how to do it correctly and what is it for?

Functions of the blind area

How to choose the correct blind area width?

How to make a blind area around the house with tiles or stones?

Border for paving slabs - concrete, granite or plastic?

Laying geotextiles in the blind area of ​​a house

Preparation: important steps

How to make a blind area around the house with your own hands: important stages of work

How are expansion joints made?

How is formwork poured?

Do-it-yourself blind area around the house: video and useful recommendations

DIY concrete blind area around the house: video and installation features

Do-it-yourself blind area of the house: step-by-step instructions for the initial stage of construction

Laying geotextiles in the blind area of a house