How to make a strip foundation for a fence correctly. We select the optimal foundation for various fence designs
Today, fences made of corrugated board are practically the most common, due to the relatively simple installation, durability, aesthetics and a variety of colors and shapes. Sheets are made of galvanized steel by cold rolling and painted. The sizes of sheets are different for each manufacturer. The most common one has dimensions in width of 1150 mm, useful width is 1100 mm, since it is mounted "overlapping". For fences, ordinary corrugated board with the marking C10 and the harder C21 is used, but the main thing is to choose the right foundation for the fence made of corrugated board.
A solid foundation is the guarantee of the duration of the "life" of any fence
Types of foundation for the fence
The main factors when choosing a foundation are:
Groundwater level in the area of work. The closer they are to the surface, the more thoroughly you will have to build.
Calculation of "windage" of sheets.
Soil type. The softer and wetter the soil, the deeper the foundation needs to be laid.
The presence of a number of busy highways and railways... Heavy vehicles cause vibrations in the soil, causing the fence to collapse.
The pillars driven into the ground will very soon go downhill
There are several types of foundations:
Columnar. This is the simplest and easiest type to perform. Its essence is that pits of the required depth are made with a hole drill, into which the vertical supports of the fence are hammered and the cavity is concreted.
Ribbon. When constructing the foundation, a trench is dug, the cavity is reinforced, vertical supports are installed, and concrete is poured.
Tape and columnar. This is a combined type of foundation, in which a trench is dug between the pillars and poured with concrete after reinforcement. The pillars can be either monolithic or made of brick or cinder block. For greater aesthetics, it can be finished with a facing stone.
Stone. The most expensive and time consuming type of fence, but the most reliable. The foundation is laid out of rubble stone and poured with concrete, after inserting the supports. The columns of the future fence can also be laid out of stone.
The most common, reliable and durable fence is rightfully considered to be a corrugated board fence on a strip foundation. Exactly strip foundation is most suitable for this fencing.
The strip foundation will not only serve for a long time, but also will not allow drains after rain and snow to pour into the yard
On our website you can find contacts construction companies who offer the service of building fences. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the Low-Rise Country exhibition of houses.
Stages of construction of a strip foundation and installation of a fence
Marking and digging a trench
The first step is to mark the location of the fence so that it does not go beyond your land plot, since after the foundation is installed, it will already be problematic to transfer it.
For marking along the perimeter, pegs are hammered and a strong twine is pulled. Next, you need to remove plants and shrubs along the entire length. After that, the locations of the posts are determined. To do this, measure the same distances from the corners with a tape measure, depending on the factors that were indicated above. The length of the gate and wicket must be taken into account.
Next, a trench is excavated with a width of 30-40 cm and a depth of 70-80 cm from the surface of the earth. This is done with a narrow bucket excavator or manually. It all depends on the type of soil and the desired build speed. In the presence of rocky soils, a hydraulic hammer is used or, in the manual version, a jackhammer is used. In this case, the depth of the trenches in such hard rocks can be reduced.
Then a sandy "pillow" is made with a layer of 10-20 cm. It must be tamped. It will serve as the foundation of our foundation and provide the necessary drainage.
In case of uneven terrain, it should be borne in mind that one section of the fence should be at the same level. In such cases, the fence is made "steps".
One way to plan your fence architecture for uneven terrain
Formwork installation
When arranging the formwork, its assembly is carried out 20-30 cm above the ground surface. It can be made of boards, metal sheets, plywood or professional formwork plywood, which will allow it to be easily separated when the concrete dries.
The uneven terrain adds to the difficulty in installing the formwork to make the foundation for the fence from corrugated board. Since one section will have one elevation, it is necessary to install the formwork at the planned height. In this case, the sections are divided among themselves using the same formwork. In this case, each compartment will subsequently be filled with concrete in stages. Naturally, concrete reinforcement will be arranged somewhat more complicated than with a flat surface.
Formwork assembly and reinforcement for the future foundation
Installation of supports and reinforcement
The next stage is to install vertical supports for the future fence. Usually a steel corner or a square profile of 30-40 mm is chosen. To increase the service life of the supports and longitudinal logs, it is necessary to prime and paint, having previously cleaned out the centers of corrosion, if any.
Video description
Fence supports can be as shown in this video:
The supports are driven into a trench at a distance of 2 - 3 meters and to a depth of at least 20-30 cm. In the presence of rocks, a hole is gouged under each support, which, after installing the support, is either separately concreted or covered with soil and compacted. In this case, it is necessary to arrange supports to ensure their verticality before pouring concrete. The distance between the supports is selected depending on the area of work and the height of the fence itself. Usually it is 2.5 - 3 meters. In windy areas, such a fence works like a sail and at long lengths there will be a high probability that the sheets will deform or even tear off the attachment points.
To increase reliability, reinforcement with a diameter of 10 mm is welded between the supports in the trench. At great depths, several such bonding joints should be made at different levels.
Reinforcement is also carried out using reinforcement 8-12 mm. Since the foundation does not bear practically any load, except for the lateral one, a special approach is not required. It is mainly required to ensure the integrity of the structure. Between the supports, pieces of reinforcement are driven in and along, 2-4 rows of reinforcement are imposed with a knitting wire, depending on the depth of the trench. For even greater reinforcement, crossbars are imposed. It must be borne in mind that the reinforcement should be at a distance of 2-3 cm from the edge of the formwork.
Reinforcing bars should not touch the formwork boards
Concrete work: foundation sludge and stripping
Next, it is necessary to fill the trench to the required formwork level with concrete or mortar using cement grade of at least 200. The strip foundation for the fence from the corrugated board is poured layer by layer to ensure the release of air bubbles from the solution. As the concrete dries, it is necessary to water it with water. During the first two to three days, it is desirable to do this every 3-4 hours. Watering will avoid cracking. Further, less often. The foundation stripping is carried out depending on the temperature conditions when the concrete gains 70% strength, and this is 2-4 days. When using additives that accelerate solidification, it is possible to remove the formwork in a day. However, the installation of the fence should be started no earlier than 7 days.
Installation of longitudinal profiles and fastening of corrugated sheets
This stage involves welding the profiles between the fence posts. It can be made both from a corner of 2-3 cm, and from a "P" shaped or square profile. In this case, several types of connection are used, as shown in the figure. If the painting has not been done previously, then after welding it is necessary to paint the frame of the future fence. Especially when painting, attention should be paid to the welds, since this is where corrosion most often occurs.
Fastening the corrugated board in relation to the posts is made in three ways
After that, the installation of the corrugated board is carried out using self-tapping screws with rubber gaskets in order to avoid damage to the sheets and the occurrence of rust at the attachment points. The distance between the fasteners depends on the size of the sheet.
To improve the appearance, the foundation can be finished with tiles, facing bricks or stone, just plaster and paint.
Video description
An overview of the process of creating a foundation and installation of a fence can be viewed in the video:
Frequent construction mistakes
Insufficient depth of foundation laying, as a result of which the fence can "float", warp and burst. This is especially true for wetlands with a close occurrence of groundwater (near reservoirs, ponds, etc.).
Conclusion
The same consequences can be if the layer of sand or gravel cushion under the foundation is insufficient or has been poorly compacted. And, of course, poor-quality reinforcement can lead to cracks and chips in the concrete. In general, we can say that the preparatory stage, before pouring with concrete, can be considered the main one in the construction of a high-quality fence.Any personal plot sooner or later requires fencing. Therefore, this problem is relevant for their owners. In order for the installed fence to serve as a solid structure and stand for a long time, it is required to lay out the foundation.
Features and functions of the foundation
The main bearing part of the fence is called the foundation. The service life of the entire fence will depend on the variety and quality of its implementation. With a weak foundation arrangement, or its absence, the fence may lop. Also, the swelling of the earth can lead to such a problem, which will entail the destruction of the enclosing structure.
The foundation for the fence performs the main functions:
- affects the stability of the fence;
- makes it possible to equally share the load on the entire structure;
- provides soil retention for summer cottage with showers and during the period of snow melting.
Base types
The most famous option is considered to be a strip foundation for a fence. It is a necessary element when making a stone fence. The foundation in this case makes it possible to make a uniform load. The strip foundation is applicable for making pillars in it.
Initially, you need to dig a trench according to the calculated data. Crushed stone with sand is poured on its bottom. Above the pit, a formwork is built, having a height of up to 30 cm, and support pillars and metal fittings are laid inside. At the end, the foundation is to be filled.
A cheaper option for building foundations is a columnar foundation. This type is often used for sandy or clayey soils.
Poles made of asbestos or metal serve as reliable protection. Concrete-based brickwork can also be a support. The gap between the two supports is approximately 1.5-2 m.
From what kind of soil and weather conditions, a trench is dug under the supports to a depth of 1-1.5 m. A sand-crushed stone pillow is poured at the very bottom of the pit, after which it is compacted. Then the pillars are placed in an upright position, and the trench is poured with concrete.
Often people use a combined foundation that combines the above two types of concrete. Its use is carried out in the construction of concrete-slab fences, structures made of profiled sheet.
The price of a foundation for a fence with brick pillars is made up of the prices of the used stocks. Based on whose production it is, the cost of one bag will come out. On average, it varies from 200 to 250 rubles.
Manufacturing
Preparing the foundation for the fence yourself is quite simple. You just need to first calculate everything and adhere to all points of the instructions when taking actions.
To determine the depth of laying the foundation, it is necessary to take into account the main points:
- design characteristics;
- the depth to which the soil freezes;
- terrain slope;
- the quality of the land layer and the height of the sandy waters.
For the correctness of all calculations, you need to calculate the base area from the foundation. For example, if the length of the supporting structure is 50 m and the width is 30 cm, then it is not difficult to calculate the area (15 m2). Subsequently, this parameter will be useful for calculating the depth at which the foundation is laid.
At the same time, it is necessary to identify what is its reliable area. We divide the pressure indicator of the aboveground part by the value of the bearing base, corrected by the reliability indicator, by the soil resistance and the coefficient of working conditions.
The final result needs to be compared with the expected area. The final one must be higher than the calculated one, otherwise it must be adjusted.
Fill
How to fill the foundation under the fence correctly? A heaping soil layer requires pouring a combined foundation. Before starting work, you need to dig a trench, the size of which must correspond to the calculated depth and width. In the place where the support pillars will be installed, holes must be drilled.
Then a timber formwork is made around the base to be prepared. On the bottom of each dug hole under the post, you need to lay roofing material, laid in half. After that, the installation of supports and the reinforcement of the foundation with the help of a reinforcing mesh is done.
Further, the foundation pouring under the fence begins in the horizontal direction. When pouring concrete, it must not be allowed that from one edge the formwork is hidden to the very top, and from the other it is completely absent. Drying time for concrete takes about 3 days.
In hot weather, the foundation should be moistened with water. The formwork is removed from the tape after 2 weeks.
Filling the strip shallow foundation is easier. It is laid above the frozen soil layer. For this reason, the correct foundation for the fence is resistant to off-season ground movements.
The foundation is carried out as follows:
- Make a trench to a depth of 0.5 m.
- Fill the lower part of the trench with sand (0.15 m) and press it down.
- Sprinkle the top with rubble (0.15 m).
- Drill holes for digging in the posts, pour sand on the bottom, insert the supports and align them.
- Connect the pillars to each other with reinforcement using a welding tool.
Install the formwork and pour the concrete mixture. At the end of the pouring work, you need to make sure that the pillars are installed evenly.
For other types of fences
Pouring a columnar foundation under a fence made of corrugated board will be required when the height of the fence is up to 1.2 m. In case of exceeding the parameters of the profiled sheet, you will need a strip foundation.
Since the columnar type of material has a high windage, it is subject to increased stress during a hurricane. As a result, the destruction of the support and everything else can occur.
To make a fence that holds on to brick pillars, you will need to build a sufficiently strong base for it. Such fences are susceptible to damage if uneven shrinkage occurs. A mortgage device is recommended in the pillars. It is tied to the crosspieces of the entire fence for a firm hold.
Photo of the foundation for the fence
If there is a desire to protect your site from neighbors, passers-by and to ensure the safety of private property, fences are used. But in order for the fence to be reliable and durable, you need to create a solid foundation. This raises the question - how to fill the foundation under the fence and what are the basic rules for performing this operation. The requirements for the base of the fence are the same as for living quarters, resistance to destruction and the ability to withstand the weight of the structure.
Types of foundation for fences
The most reliable fences are made of bricks, iron rods or concrete slabs, because of which the weight becomes quite large. This does not allow the use of shallow or shallow foundations, due to the insecurity of the possibility of collapses.
When choosing the type of foundation, it is worth considering the bearing capacity of the soil and the level of occurrence of groundwater. In this case, it is important which buildings or roads are located nearby. Without high-quality geological exploration, calculation and drawing up of a construction plan, a heavy fence is dangerous not only for owners, but also for passers-by.
There are 4 types of fence foundations:
- tape;
- stone;
- columnar;
- columnar-tape (mixed).
The belt evenly distributes the load from the fence to the soil and is used for heavy fences. With a foundation height of 50 cm or more, the ground part is only 10 cm, and the rest is placed in the ground. To create a strip foundation, bricks, monolithic blocks or concrete pouring are used.
In the stone foundation, large stones of various sizes and cement are used. This is a fairly durable way to fence. It is less susceptible to destruction, does not require special care.
The column foundation is used for light fences due to the fact that the load on the soil is transmitted pointwise. It is built from stones, bricks, piles or poured with concrete, easy to prepare and erect.
Columnar-tape. With this type of foundation, the main load goes on the pillars, and thanks to the strip base poured from above, it is evenly distributed. In this foundation, the strip base is deepened by a maximum of 20 cm. It is erected from reinforced concrete or metal piles, which are reinforced with cement mortar from above.
Strengthening the foundation
Any foundations, except for the pile type, can be strengthened by digging special supports into the ground. Such supports can be made of special wood, pipes and other materials that add rigidity to the base. This method is very popular for creating a strip base. After special processing, the supports are buried up to 2 m into the ground, with a step of 2-3 m.
If the fence is planned from corrugated board, then strengthening the foundation is required. The pipes will not only hold the foundation together, but also hold the fence sheets on them.
Before applying an anti-corrosion compound to metal reinforcements, it is necessary to clean them of rust or any other contamination. If metal pipes are used, then they must be not only covered with moisture-resistant compounds on the outside, but also inside. Another option for protecting against moisture contained in binder solutions is to install plugs at the ends of the pipes.
Preparatory work
To fill the foundation for the fence, you need to purchase materials and tools, as well as prepare the territory, depending on the chosen foundation. The main thing is to have a construction plan with accurate calculations, which will facilitate construction works, and save money on buying and reworking mistakes.
Tools and materials:
- Bulgarian;
- cement M400;
- reinforcement with a diameter of 0.8 mm;
- welding machine or knitting wire for fittings;
- metal pillars, with a diameter of 5 cm, to strengthen the pillars;
- profiled pipes for a fence made of profiled sheet;
- boards or other formwork materials;
- roulette;
- pegs for marking the territory;
- rope, creates boundaries earthworks, the ends are tied around the pegs;
- level, to check horizontal position;
- a concrete mixer, or a construction mixer with a container for creating a solution;
- shovels if the trench or pit will be created manually.
The construction of the foundation begins with marking. For this purpose, pegs are installed along the perimeter of the future foundation, four on each wall, and a rope is pulled between them. You should end up with a rectangle made of rope. In order to prevent the rope from sagging, additional pegs are installed. For a columnar foundation, mark the position of the pillars, placing stakes at their corners, and fastening the rope across the previous one, so that a square is the size of the future pillar.
For the strip foundation, an indent is made on each side of the border by 30 cm for mounting the formwork. If the foundation is of a mixed type, then the trench between the pits for future pillars is 30-40 cm deep.
If a brick foundation is used, then at least 2 m of free space must be provided. This is also necessary for a columnar foundation made of brick.
If the fence is built on a slope, then it must be borne in mind that the bottom of the trench should be stepped, and the base will consist of several sections. The bottom of each fragment should be absolutely flat, and to prevent slipping, the edges of adjacent sections are connected with pillars.
Create a strip-type foundation
At the bottom of the trench, crushed stone from 10 cm is laid, after which it must be leveled. 5 cm of sand is poured on top of the crushed stone, and compacted. After that, you can proceed with the installation of the formwork. The best way for concreting under a fence, it is a removable formwork made of boards. They are strong enough and cheap enough for private construction. First, you need to mount the boards in the shields, which will be the walls of the formwork, then lower them into the trench and install jumpers so that the foundation is of the same width. Creation of stops in the walls of the trench along the entire length of the formwork.
Before pouring concrete, you need to create a reinforcement. The armature can be welded or tied with wire, this does not particularly affect the result. The finished reinforcement should contain 4 horizontal rods, 2 each from the bottom and from the top, as well as vertical rods, with a step of 20 cm.The reinforcement should be 1.5-2 cm less than the future foundation so that the concrete completely covers it to prevent contact with moisture ... In place of the future gates or wickets, a grillage is welded on top of the reinforcement to enhance the bearing capacity.
How to properly fill the strip foundation under the fence, you can watch the video
To prevent the "concrete milk" from seeping into the ground, a dense film or waterproofing is laid on the bottom of the formwork, depending on the funds allocated for the construction. If this is not done, the substrate can be brittle and prone to cracking. With a small budget and the inability to use insulation, the trench is moistened with water so that the earth does not pull it out of the foundation. However, due to the drying time of the concrete mixture, this method is still less reliable.
Pouring the foundation
The mixture for the foundation is created in proportions of 4: 2: 1, sand, crushed stone and cement, respectively. For a homogeneous consistency, it is necessary to start mixing with cement and water, after obtaining a homogeneous composition, sand is gradually added, and then crushed stone. If the foundation is not sectional, then it is advisable to pour the mixture within 1 day. The concrete is poured into the formwork by 5–10 cm, after which the reinforcement is installed and the pouring is continued. It is better to fix the reinforcement at the top until the concrete mixture reaches its top, this will prevent possible distortions that can occur due to the heterogeneity of the concrete during pouring.
With a stepped foundation, the same is done only in sections, and the reinforcement at the edge of the lower one protrudes so as to be a continuation of the reinforcement of the upper one. After the lower reinforcement hardens, the formwork of the upper section and the connecting post is mounted and the casting is repeated. Thanks to this design, the uniformity of the foundation is achieved, which prevents possible landslides of the fence.
Before continuing with the construction of the fence, as in the foundation of the house, you need to lay insulating material. The most affordable is roofing material.
Fill difference columnar base from the tape, only in the end result. In a mixed basis, a grillage is welded onto the reinforcement of the pillars, and then the strip part of the base is poured.
When filling the base, one must remember that it must perform its functions for at least 10 years. A properly erected base will not require repair for a long time, it will allow you to install a heavy fence and gates that protect privacy from prying eyes.
Very often the most difficult question when erecting a fence, the question is whether a foundation is needed for it. The answer is unequivocal - you need it. The service life of the fence depends on this. Moreover, it is important to choose the right type of foundation for the fence.
What to look for when choosing a base
There are several types of fence foundations. Therefore, it is so important to choose the right type for a particular case. Remember that the correct base for the fence is fully compliant with:
- the weight of the fence;
- the materials used;
- fencing structures;
- the relief of the site;
- soil characteristics.
An important factor is the construction budget, which you can allocate. In most cases, you have to work in limited budget, which greatly complicates the construction process.
Each type of base is suitable for different fence designs:
- The pillar foundation is a support driven or dug into the ground. They are located at a distance of 1.5 m. The digging depth depends on the characteristics of the soil and the mass of the fence. They can reach up to 1.5 m. Can be used on different soils. As a rule, it is chosen for arranging a fence from a profiled sheet.
The pillar foundation is suitable for areas with swampy soil
- The monolithic base is suitable for fences made of stone, brick or reinforced concrete slabs. Also, just such a base can be an excellent solution if you are working on an area with swampy soils... This type of foundation is a support that is installed in the concrete layer. The most expensive but durable type of foundation for a fence.
A monolithic foundation is required for a fence made of bricks or reinforced concrete slabs
- Stone foundation. But this is rather just the basis for the fence, since it does not go deep into the soil. For manufacturing, massive blocks, metal frame and cement mortar are used. Suitable for lightweight fences.
A stone foundation, in essence, is not a foundation, therefore it is suitable only for lightweight structures
- Strip foundation. This is a closed tape around the perimeter of the building, made of reinforced concrete. Suitable for fences different types... The advantages of the strip foundation are in the optimal ratio of price and quality, as well as the ability to make it yourself.
Instructions for making a foundation for a fence
Almost any base for a fence can be made with your own hands, if you carefully study the technology and follow all its instructions.
Strip foundation
The process of creating this type of fence base consists of certain sequential stages. With the consistent and careful execution of each of them, in the end you will get a solid foundation for your fence. So, you need:
- Carry out a marking of the territory. To do this, along the perimeter of the site, which will be surrounded by a fence, you need to drive in pegs, between which to pull the string. Separately, it is necessary to designate the location of the wicket and gates.
- Dig a trench. The depth of the ditch is not less than 35 cm, in the places where the supports are installed - 60–90 cm. The width is about 40 cm.
- Install the support posts. Any material can be used in their capacity. Usually these are pipes with a diameter of about 80 mm. Their height should be such that when digging into the ground, it will be enough for the entire height of the future fence. They need to be installed in prepared holes, covered with broken brick, gravel or stone.
- Reinforce the bottom of the trench. To begin with, the bottom is covered with a layer of rubble or gravel. A horizontal reinforcement is laid on it, to which vertical pins are attached.
- Mount the formwork. It must be installed in such a way that it extends beyond the trench by 20-25 cm. At this stage, it is very important to ensure that the boards are installed strictly vertically. It needs to be properly fixed from the outside. This can be done with stones.
Formwork is usually made from planks
- Concrete the formwork. For the foundation, you must use two types of cement mortar. For the underground part, you will need a cement-sand mortar with the addition of gravel, for the aboveground part - without it. Remember that the concrete should be poured gradually, excluding the possibility of bubbles appearing inside the formwork. You can remove the boards the next day. However, the fence itself can be started no earlier than three weeks later.
The tape should protrude slightly above ground level
Video: strip foundation for a fence with your own hands
Base for a light fence made of corrugated board
For a fence made of profiled sheet, the foundation may not be so solid. Such a fence can be installed on a columnar foundation:
To increase the strength of the foundation, you can additionally dig a shallow trench, the bottom of which is covered with geotextile, covered with rubble and covered with a film. Next, install the formwork, reinforce the bottom, then fill it with a cement mixture.
For such a fence, large stones laid on top of each other can be used as a foundation. However, this has its own difficulties. Doing it yourself is not as easy as it seems at first glance, since the material differs both in size and shape, moreover, their surface is uneven.
Video: post base for the fence
Brick fence foundation
A brick fence needs a solid and solid foundation, because the mass of such a structure is impressive. The consequences of not following the technology or choosing the wrong type of base can manifest itself in the form of cracks on the fence itself. There are two options for arranging the foundation for a brick fence, which are equally suitable for both a three-meter structure and a small fence:
- strip foundation (depth 40-50 cm, width 40 cm), part of which is located above the ground (it must be reinforced with reinforcement 12-14, two at the top and bottom);
- the grillage is set up at the locations of the pillars to the depth of freezing, that is, 120–1250 cm deep into the soil, and between them is the usual reinforced tape.
The second option for arranging the foundation is more reliable in the case of building a brick fence.
Brick fence requires a solid foundation
There are secrets, knowing which you can significantly increase the life of the foundation:
- under the tape, you can equip a sand cushion, which can be additionally moistened with water, which will significantly reduce the risk of displacement of the base;
- use cement not lower than M-200 grade;
- pour concrete in one go;
- if you do not make the solution yourself, but are ordered from a specialized company, then you need to order 10% more, since part of the water will necessarily be absorbed into the soil;
- between the foundation and brickwork there must be a layer of waterproofing.
The basement part of the fence is integral with the foundation
Fence foundation with brick pillars
Brick pillars perform rather a decorative function than a practical one. However, such a fence can be installed in those areas when it is necessary to slightly equalize the height difference in the area.
Under brick pillars you can use a pile foundation
The process of creating the foundation takes place according to the following plan:
- Dig a ditch around the perimeter of the future fence up to 70 cm deep and at least 80 cm wide.
- Place a drainage pad on the bottom. You need to use sand and coarse gravel for this.
- Lay roofing material.
- Pour a 20 cm layer of cement mortar. In this layer, lay the reinforcement mesh. Use rebar with a diameter of 6 mm.
- After the concrete has completely hardened, cover it with roofing felt.
- Now you can equip the tape with two bricks. It will have to be raised to ground level.
- Now you need to reinforce the locations of the pillars. A wire with a diameter of 3 mm will suffice.
- Lay out a brick base, and both the base and the pillars are laid out as a whole. Further, the pillars are laid out with monolithic masonry.
It is possible to reduce the cost of such a foundation by replacing part of the bricks with reinforced concrete slabs, and simply revet it with bricks.
The strip foundation looks original under the fence with brick pillars
Features of pouring the base under the fence
In the process of creating a base for a fence, the stage of preparing concrete is very important, and it does not matter at all what kind of base will be on your site. There are certain rules that must be followed in mandatory... This is the only way to be sure of the quality of the foundation.
Concrete proportions
The concrete mix necessarily includes four main components:
- cement;
- sand;
- crushed stone;
- water.
Crushed stone is added to the mortar for the foundation under the fence only in the part that will be located underground.
The quality of the concrete also depends on the quality of the cement used. For the foundation, it is recommended to choose cement of at least M500 grade.
The quality of the concrete depends on the quality of the cement used
At this stage of making the foundation, it is very important to observe proportions. Do not think that the more cement you add to the mixture, the better the mortar will be. This is not true. On the contrary, it will become unnecessarily fragile, which will lead to the destruction of the foundation.
As for the proportions, they depend on the grade of ready-mixed concrete:
- concrete M 100 - 1: 5.8: 6.1 (cement: sand: crushed stone);
- concrete M 200 - 1: 3.5: 5.6 (cement: sand: crushed stone);
- concrete M 300 - 1: 2.4: 4.3 (cement: sand: crushed stone);
- concrete M 400 - 1: 1.6: 3.2 (cement: sand: crushed stone);
- concrete M 450 - 1: 1.4: 2.9 (cement: sand: crushed stone).
The optimal proportion for the foundation under the fence is a ratio of 1: 3: 5. As for water, it varies within 0.4–0.7.
Video: making concrete for the foundation with your own hands
The service life of the fence, its appearance depends on the foundation, as well. It is very important to choose the correct type of base, taking into account the soil, the relief of the site used to enclose the material.
In the process of preparing for the independent construction of the fence, you need to purchase not only high-quality materials for its arrangement, but also create a reliable, most durable and durable foundation for installing the fence.
The service life of the fence and its main characteristics largely depend on the quality of the foundation. There are several types of fence bases. You can deal with the device of each of them yourself. You just need to familiarize yourself with the features of the existing options and choose a suitable type of foundation.
Currently, several basic types of foundations are successfully used for the installation of fences. When choosing a specific type of foundation, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors, the most important of which are the following points:
The most optimal design option for self-erection is a strip-columnar base. This design perfectly withstands the loads created by most types of existing fences.
Peculiarities
It is a combined option. A concrete strip is prepared with pre-drilled holes to accommodate the supports. When choosing the width of the foundation strip and the optimal diameter of the supports, it is necessary to take into account the height and total weight of the fence.
To achieve maximum reliability and the required stability of the structure, the tape and columnar supports are reinforced without fail. Thanks to the reinforcement, the load will be distributed as evenly as possible throughout the structure.
The combined foundation will withstand the weight of a wooden and brick fence, as well as a corrugated board fence without any problems.
The most common concrete is used for pouring. In general, there are no problems with the foundation arrangement.
Arrangement
First step. Prepare the markup. Install wooden or metal pegs around the entire perimeter of the future structure. Pull any rope between the pegs. Such markup will help you to better navigate in the process of performing further work.
Second step. According to the markings, dig a hole with a width corresponding to the width of the concrete tape you are pouring and a depth of about 50 cm.
Third step. Prepare indentations in the trench to accommodate the support posts. The depth of the pits should be at least 80 cm, the pitch between the posts should be 100-250 cm.
It is difficult to give specific values of depth and distance between supports, since these parameters must be selected individually in accordance with the type of soil and the weight of the future fence. The heavier the fence is, the deeper the holes should be and the smaller the distance between the supports should be.
Pits can be made using an ordinary drill or other convenient tools.
Fourth step. Install the formwork around the perimeter of the future foundation. At the same time, it will prevent the earth from collapsing and will allow you to navigate the stage of pouring the foundation.
Fifth step. Fill the bottom of each pit with a pillow of roofing material folded a couple of times and lower the support pillars into the pits. The supports must be additionally driven into the ground up to about 200 mm. Tie up the posts with rebars at a depth of about 10 cm below ground level. Also, the reinforcement in the form of a mesh must be started up throughout foundation tape... Tie the mesh yourself from 8 mm rods.
Sixth step. Start pouring the foundation. Pour the concrete in horizontal layers, slowly and evenly, so that no voids appear that could reduce the strength of the structure.
The pot will dry for 3-5 weeks. In the heat, pour water on the concrete. The formwork can be removed approximately two weeks after the concrete is poured, but it is better to do this after the foundation has completely hardened and gained strength.
Such a structure will serve as long as possible, withstands even the heaviest loads.
Columnar base
Peculiarities
The arrangement of such a foundation does not require special skills and labor costs - it is enough to dig the required number of holes, install support pillars in them and fill the holes with concrete.
Among the advantages of such a foundation, it is necessary to note the simplicity of construction and an affordable cost. Columnar foundations best suited for lightweight fences made of wooden boards, metal nets, corrugated board.
Arrangement
First step. Take a garden drill and prepare holes around the perimeter of the future fence. There will be enough holes with a depth of about 1-1.5 m. The diameter of the recess should exceed the diameter of the support pillars by about 20-25 cm. Place the holes in increments of about 2 m.In general, be guided by the characteristics of the soil and the weight of the future fence. Recommendations on this matter were given in the section on the strip-columnar base.
Second step. Fill the bottom of the holes with approximately 20 cm of sand and gravel and compact the backfill.
Third step. Place the pillars in the pits, align them to the same level and fill the space around the supports with concrete.
It will take you several times to arrange such a foundation. less money compared to the previous type of foundation, because here you can save on the amount of concrete, rebar and formwork.
Tape base
Peculiarities
Shallow reinforced concrete foundation... For pouring, two hundredth concrete will be enough, as high as possible. Pre-prepare reinforcing bars with a diameter of 8-10 mm, formwork material (boards, panels or plywood can be used), coarse sand.
The tape can be of different thickness. If you are setting up a heavy welded metal fence, deepen the tape 80-100 cm. For light fences, 50 cm depth will suffice.
Arrangement
First step. Dig a trench about 80 cm deep and 30-100 cm wide, depending on the features of the future fence.
Second step. Backfill the bottom of the trench with a 15 cm layer of sand and gravel and compact the backfill thoroughly.
Third step. Lay the reinforcement mesh, retreating about 10 cm from the walls of the pit and about 7 cm from its bottom.
Fourth step. Install and secure the formwork.
Fifth step. Fill the trench with concrete. Leave the foundation to dry and gain strength for 1-1.5 months.
Such a foundation is ideal for the installation of heavy and large fences. A trench is dug, a layer of gravel is filled up, compacted, after which the foundation is poured in layers.
Moreover, each layer of concrete must be compacted. The fence supports are installed directly on the cast base. For fences from a professional sheet are not used due to the inexpediency of such a solution - there are simpler and more budgetary options.
Stone base
Peculiarities
For the arrangement of such a foundation, stones of a wide variety of sizes and shapes are used. Stone foundations are considered the most reliable and durable. They are mainly used for arranging stone fences or expensive forged fences.
The construction of a foundation made of stone requires significant financial investments... You can additionally save money by refusing the services of third-party specialists and completing all the relevant activities with your own hands.
Arrangement
First step. Dig a trench. Select the dimensions of the pit individually in accordance with the characteristics of the future fence.
Second step. Fill the bottom of the trench with a layer of gravel and compact the backfill thoroughly.
Third step. Start laying stones. Place large elements first, the gaps between them can be filled with smaller stones. Additionally fasten all elements with cement mortar. In total, the solution must account for at least 15% of the total volume of the base.
Thus, a wide variety of foundations can be used to build a fence. The most popular are columnar and tape-and-columnar (or simply tape) bases. With their arrangement, there will be no special difficulties even for an unprepared home master.
Remember: the foundation is essential building element... It is the foundation that sets the direction for further stages of work. The durability, integrity, reliability and overall quality of the entire building directly depend on the literacy of the foundation. Therefore, be careful at every stage and follow the instructions in everything.
Happy work!
Video - DIY fence foundation
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