A traditional cellar is designed so that its entire room is located below ground level. This design has a lot of advantages: stable temperature throughout the year, free space on the site, and the ability to store food. The ceiling of the cellar with this arrangement is at ground level or slightly above.
Before making any cellar, the level is taken into account groundwater. If it is located above the storage floor, then you need to do effective waterproofing premises so that during seasonal water movements the premises do not flood. As a rule, the most simple materials- roofing felt and brick.
First of all, the walls of the room are plastered cement mortar. This needs to be done on both sides. After this, roofing material is attached to the walls (best in 2-3 layers). Then this simple waterproofing needs to be pressed using brick wall. Such a building, despite all its simplicity, can withstand groundwater, preventing it from penetrating inside the cellar. The floor of the room can be insulated in the same way, but initially you need to make a good cushion of sand and crushed stone.
Pouring a monolithic concrete ceiling
Upon completion of the work related to the construction of walls and waterproofing of the room, the moment comes when it is necessary to resolve the issue of covering the cellar. In some cases, a conventional monolithic concrete slab, which is made of concrete and a reinforcement frame, is used for this.
All the work can be done with your own hands. It is very important to construct timber formwork before pouring concrete.
- The size of the ceiling must exceed the dimensions of the room, because the walls of the cellar will serve as its supports.
- Before pouring the floor, special supports should be installed, which should hold the wooden formwork structure while it is filled with concrete and when it dries. In this case, the formwork must be pre-sealed so that the solution does not leak during the pouring process.
- The next step after creating the formwork is knitting the frame concrete slab. The frame, as already noted, is made of reinforcement. The distance between the individual rods should be approximately 20–25 cm. If your cellar is small in size, then one reinforcement frame will be enough, but when the dimensions of the storage are significant, for greater reliability it is better to use paired reinforcement of the slab. The reinforcement network should extend beyond the cellar walls by several centimeters from different sides.
As soon as the work on creating the formwork and reinforcing mesh is completed, the pouring process can begin concrete mortar, which will form the future slab. As a rule, the height of the slab does not exceed 30 cm. It is reliable, monolithic and high quality ceiling, which will serve you for decades.
Concrete should be poured as evenly as possible, without interruptions, until the entire slab is formed. To prevent cavities from forming inside the structure, the solution must be subjected to vibration before pouring, which is done using a regular board or special devices.
After pouring the concrete slab, you need to wait some time (about 3-4 weeks) for it to completely harden and take on its final form. According to experts, such an overlap is the most durable and effective. In addition, if desired, you can even use it as the foundation of a small outbuilding above.
We use prefabricated monolithic slabs
Flooring made from prefabricated monolithic slabs is suitable for various types cellars But, we must take into account that in order to carry out construction work You will need to hire special lifting equipment.
The installation of such a ceiling is carried out by a crane, so, in fact, you don’t have to do anything with your own hands. It is enough to entrust the work to an experienced crane operator, who will install the slab in the required place.
If concrete slabs are used, the dimensions of the cellar will have to be correlated with their standard dimensions.
Certain difficulties are associated with standardizing the sizes of the slabs, so you will have to either adjust the dimensions of the cellar to the dimensions of the slab, or find out the dimensions of the structure in advance, and based on the information received, make a storage room of the required length and width.
Several prefabricated monolithic slabs can be laid on the cellar. They are fixed to each other using steel beams. At the same time, do not forget about a high-quality thermal insulation layer, which must be laid in the hollow parts. This approach will allow you to maintain normal temperatures in the cellar throughout the year. Upon completion of all the work, a certain number of joints are formed that can be covered with a layer of concrete.
This method of constructing a floor is simple and quick, but it is usually considered to be very expensive (of course, if you don’t have a familiar crane operator). In addition to the use of special equipment, a serious workforce will also be required. It is worth noting that the ceiling of the vault can be finished as desired.
Option on load-bearing beams
To make a high-quality ceiling for your cellar, you can use load-bearing beams. Metal beams are best for this. If possible, you can even use ordinary rails, which can often be purchased at construction warehouses or scrap metal collection sites. Often the beams from which the ceiling of the structure is supposed to be made are ordered individually at factories.
Even ordinary rails are suitable as load-bearing beams.
When choosing this method of creating a cellar ceiling, at the stage of its construction it is necessary to provide for the presence of special holes in the walls that are required for attaching load-bearing beams. The ceiling of your cellar will experience significant loads. That is why the walls must also be as strong as possible, capable of supporting the weight of the beams and soil poured on top. By and large, the walls will be the “foundation” for the ceiling.
Special holes are provided in the walls for laying beams.
The order of work is as follows:
- Load-bearing beams are laid in pre-prepared holes in the wall. By and large, this work can be done independently, but with several assistants, because even the rails have significant weight.
- In the space that will be formed after laying the load-bearing beams, it is necessary to mount reinforcing bars and then secure them with special wire. Next, the reliability of the connection and the durability of the beams are checked. If all is well, then wooden formwork is made and a waterproofing layer is applied to it.
- After installing the formwork, it is necessary to install supports that will be designed to take the load of the cement mortar.
- You can mix the cement mortar with your own hands or order it ready-made at any construction company. The solution must be poured as evenly as possible and without long breaks into the metal frame. All compartments of the frame must be filled with concrete; nothing should be left out. Upon completion of pouring, distribute the solution throughout the entire thickness of the structure.
- The overlap that is obtained after use this method, needs high-quality thermal insulation. In principle, anyone is suitable for this. thermal insulation material.
As a result, you get a reliable floor slab that can withstand serious loads. In this case, the ceiling of the cellar will be perfectly strengthened, insulated and will not cause problems during operation. After all insulation work, the resulting floor must be covered with soil, making a small mound. In some cases, it additionally sets gable roof, which will protect the cellar from precipitation.
We provide ventilation
After installing the ceiling, you should also think about organizing high-quality ventilation system, on the operation of which, in fact, the safety of products in storage will depend.
Ideally, it is necessary to install two pipes at once, and one will be an exhaust pipe (its purpose is to eliminate excessively wet and warm air from the premises), and the second supply (responsible for the flow clean air to the cellar). When using these two pipes in the cellar, optimal temperature and humidity conditions will be maintained throughout the year.
In fact, ventilation needs to be taken care of even at the stage of installing the ceiling. For example, you can make two small holes into which you will later install ventilation pipes. If your cellar is small, then you can get by with just one pipe.
When installing pipes, you need to take into account the fact that the air flow can be hampered by precipitation or debris, so you need to make a small cap over the pipe, and install a metal mesh inside, which will also protect against insects and rodents from entering the cellar.
Floor insulation
Polyurethane foam evenly fills all seams and cracks.
If you are a connoisseur of everything modern and innovative, then pay attention to polyurethane foam. Today this is one of the the best materials, which is capable of providing the highest level of thermal insulation of the room. In addition, when using it, you will not need to insulate or fill anything additional, because when sprayed, polyurethane foam will fill all cracks and other defects in the wall. It is worth noting that using this method is very expensive, because polyurethane foam is sprayed using special devices. And for this you will have to hire specialists.
In fact, when insulating a cellar, you can use any thermal insulation material that is suitable in accordance with certain conditions. After all, the specifics of the construction and operation of cellars can be different. Therefore, it is necessary to choose exactly what will suit all parameters. For all questions, it is best to consult with specialists in advance.
Everyone who has plot of land vegetable garden or garden, you probably wondered about the need to build a cellar in the yard. After all, this structure has been serving people as a natural refrigerator for thousands of years. Due to the fact that the temperature in the cellars in summer does not exceed 4 - 5 degrees, and in winter does not fall below 2 degrees, it is difficult to imagine a place more suitable for storing vegetables and fruits. Making such a useful structure is not so difficult. This article will discuss how to build a cellar on the street yourself.
Important measurements and calculations for cellar construction
Before you begin building a cellar on your summer cottage, it is necessary to carry out certain geological surveys. To do this, it is not at all necessary to involve professionals. The first thing to do is to determine the level of groundwater rise. The depth of the cellar itself depends on this knowledge. To conduct such a study, you need to drill a well or dig a hole 2.5 m deep in the lowest place of the site. You need to lower a pipe into it, which you want to monitor. If water appears in the pipe soon, then any underground construction will be problematic due to the high groundwater level. To ensure that the indicators are correct, observations are not made during the hottest period of the year. If there is a well or borehole on the site, then you do not need to do anything; it is enough to know their depth in order to make an adequate decision.
If the study reveals that groundwater lies above 2.5 m from the surface or there is so-called high water in the ground (upper water), then to build a full-fledged cellar you will need a device drainage system. For this purpose, a trench is dug along the perimeter of the site where the cellar is planned to be built to a depth below the groundwater table. They put her in it drainage pipe, which is taken to a special container or to the lowest place on the site. Crushed stone or expanded clay is poured around the pipe, covered with geotextile on top, and then buried with permeable soil. The slope of the pipe must be made at the rate of 5 - 10 cm for every ten meters.
In addition to the depth of water, it is necessary to note the presence of such a phenomenon as soil heaving. It manifests itself as a result of severe freezing of moisture-saturated soil. As this ice melts, the soil is destroyed. It becomes covered with a huge number of pores and loses its density. Construction on such a site must be done with great care.
Based on the above, we can identify several basic rules for building a cellar on a personal plot:
- It is necessary to plan the construction of a cellar in advance in order to make all the necessary observations.
- Construction should only be done during the warm period of the year, preferably in July or August.
- If the site has uneven terrain, then it is better to choose the highest place.
- All cellar rooms must be equipped with a good ventilation system.
- Wooden elements of the storage structure must be impregnated with antiseptic agents or molten bitumen
- If the cellar is made with a full-fledged vertical entrance door, then it must be installed on the north side of the structure.
If these rules are clear and well understood, then you can proceed directly to the construction itself.
Excavation
Typically, a street cellar is made with dimensions close to 2.5x2.5x2.3 m. To do this, choose the highest place on the site where the pit is being dug. They do this with shovels, but if possible, it is better to use earth-moving equipment. The length and width of the pit should exceed the dimensions of the cellar by 30 - 40 cm. This is necessary for the construction of waterproofing and for the convenience of constructing walls.
The bottom of the pit is carefully compacted and sand and gravel are poured onto it. The layer of sand should be 20 cm, and gravel 10 cm, for a total of 30 cm of drainage cushion. After this, the gravel is compacted so that it penetrates the sand as deeply as possible. Reinforcement with a diameter of 8 mm is laid on top of the resulting pillow and the rods are tied with wire or used welding machine. Then they make a concrete screed in the usual way, diluting cement and sand in a ratio of 3:1. After waiting for the concrete to dry, which is about a week, waterproofing is laid.
How to properly waterproof
In a structure such as a cellar, high-quality waterproofing has a very important. It is done both on the floor and on the walls. Even the cheapest will work well for underground storage roll covering- roofing material. To apply it, ordinary tar is melted and sheets of roofing material are glued in several layers crosswise. Each layer is glued with tar. If waterproofing is done after the walls have been erected, then the edges of the roofing material must be folded over them. In our case, there are no walls yet, so we cover only the floor with roofing felt.
Construction of walls
In order to make walls, there are various materials. The most simple option There are boards, but they will quickly rot, so we won’t even consider such a project. It is best to make walls from brick or concrete. You can also bury a ready-made metal container, but in this case, no special instructions are required. Therefore, consider the option with brick and concrete. Before erecting the walls, a reinforcing frame 10 cm wide is laid. For this, reinforcement rods 10 mm thick are needed. They are installed vertically around the entire perimeter and connected to each other using knitting wire.
After installing the reinforcement, wooden formwork is assembled along all walls. When it is ready, they begin to fill it with solution. Concrete should be mixed as needed so that it does not have time to harden. One serving should be enough for 1 – 2 hours of work. During the pouring process, concrete should be shaken with a construction vibrator. This will eliminate problems with the formation of voids inside the monolith. The poured formwork should be left for 2 - 3 weeks. Only during this period will the concrete completely harden.
If we start making walls out of brick, then for masonry mortar We use cement grade M200. The best option for a cellar is walls made of 2 layers of solid brick. If the soil is dense enough and the groundwater is deep, then you can get by with just one layer. Be it concrete or brick, they require waterproofing. For this purpose, a coating type is used. All walls are coated with waterproofing mastic in 2-3 layers, after which a roll of waterproofing material is glued on.
WITH outside The walls are lined with soft clay. This allows you to create high-quality protection against moisture and condensation. The clay layer is made more than 10 cm, after which all voids are filled with soil. Inner surface The walls are whitewashed with lime. This cheap material, which in addition to the coloring effect also has antiseptic properties. Lime is a good protection against fungus, germs and mold.
What could be the entrances to the cellar?
The simplest option for entering a cellar is a regular manhole or hatch that has a horizontal lid. It is laid out of brick or cast from concrete. This option is most often used in completely buried cellars. The hole is a channel with a square cross-section. There should be a distance of about 1 m from the lid to the ceiling of the cellar. In addition, this structure should act as a gateway in winter period. To do this, install another cover at the bottom of the hole or simply place planks, which are removed in the summer. The space between the lids is filled with bags of straw or sawdust for the winter. To descend into the cellar, in this case, use a regular staircase with horizontal rungs.
The option with a hatch is simple, but not very convenient, since lowering bags of vegetables down such a ladder is problematic. In addition, it is also very dangerous. To create maximum convenience, you need to make a full-fledged door with a sloping, gentle staircase to the storage room. Such an entrance can even become a decoration for your site, if you apply a little design imagination.
The doors to the cellar are made of wood, but with inside they must be sheathed waterproofing material. With such a device, it is also advisable to arrange a vestibule, which will prevent the penetration of cold air from outside. The staircase with such an entrance device is made with full steps. Its tilt angle should optimally be 45 degrees. If the angle is greater, then handrails must be provided. The steps of the stairs need to be covered with some non-slip material. Otherwise, in winter it can pose a danger due to the appearance of frost.
Various roof options
Any cellar on the street must be equipped with a roof. It can be single or double slope. Completely buried cellars are covered with a layer of soil on top, so the roof is not visible, but there should be one. A partially buried cellar can also be covered with a layer of soil and turf, which creates additional thermal insulation. The roof is made in the usual way for all buildings. First, the floor beams are laid, after which the floors themselves are arranged, on top of which they are made rafter system, sheathing and the roof itself are made of waterproof material.
To install a floor without a visible roof, it is better to use a slab, which is placed with the flat side down. The bottom is plastered and whitewashed with lime. The top of the slab is covered with roofing material, after which it is coated with a straw-clay mixture. After this, the entire surface of the ceiling is covered with moist soil and turf, on which there is moss or grass. This technique is often used when the upper part of the cellar is located at a slight elevation above the ground.
A gable roof is made of boards that cover the entire pit by about half a meter. Then the precipitation will flow away from the walls of the cellar. The ridge is made of wooden beams with a cross-section of 50 mm, and roofing material is laid on the slopes, on top of which ordinary straw is placed. You can use any more modern roofing material; slate, metal tiles, corrugated sheets.
Ventilation device in the cellar
For ideal air circulation in the cellar, it is necessary to properly arrange ventilation in it. For this you need 2 pipes with a diameter of 100 mm. One pipe is installed so that its lower end does not reach the bottom 30 cm. The second pipe is made under the ceiling. This will ensure the inflow and outflow of air in constant circulation mode.
Internal structure and quality control of construction
Inside the cellar, shelving is made from boards or a metal corner. There will be jars with various preparations on them. Boards must be treated with antiseptic agents to avoid the appearance of fungus on them. Metal parts are painted with red lead or a special primer.
Separate boxes are made for potatoes, beets or carrots. Some owners store them in special boxes, which is very convenient. It is advisable to install electricity in the cellar to provide lighting there. The outer part of the cellar and its roof can be landscaped in accordance with the concept chosen for the design of the entire site.
At the end of the entire construction, the strength of all installed structures. They must withstand a fairly large mass, since in winter a large amount of snow will be added to the soil poured onto the floors. It is necessary to eliminate shortcomings immediately, since doing this later will be problematic.
Today, the cellar is called upon to fulfill not only its unitary function of storing vegetables and winter preparations, but must also fit into overall design the entire dacha plot. Its visible parts must be independent decorative elements, which can be decorated very beautifully using artificial or natural finishing materials.
The value of the harvest collected at the dacha directly depends on its preservation. Insure the family budget from unnecessary expenses and serving a fresh vitamin harvest to the table all winter long - these are the main tasks performed by the cellar. No home refrigerator, even the size of a linen closet, can replace it.
The word cellar is most often associated with a country house. Here on the veranda or in the kitchen there is a hatch leading to basement or shallow pit.
Free-standing cellars outside the house for storing vegetables, fruits and canning are less common and many summer residents are practically unfamiliar with them. This article will help you evaluate the advantages, study the varieties and understand the features of the construction of such structures.
The difference between a cellar and a basement
Despite the same purpose, a free-standing cellar is structurally different from a basement. Open air storage requires reliable roof and powerful insulation.
The need to build a cellar on the territory of a dacha arises in two cases:
- At high groundwater levels.
- For storing large volumes of fruits and vegetables.
The type of structure depends on the water saturation of the soil. Surface storage is built in cases where it is impossible to go deeper into the ground than two or three “bayonets” of a shovel.
If the maximum level of soil water rise is at a depth of 1.5-2.0 meters, then the structure is buried in the ground to half its height. When buried deep aquifer the storage facility can be completely dug into the ground, leaving a flat roof covered with turf on the surface.
Entrance to a semi-buried cellar
Some may say, why would I make a cellar in the yard when I can dig it under the floor of the kitchen or porch? There are several serious objections to this argument.
First. It is best to dig a cellar under the house during the construction of the building. In the existing dacha, the floors will have to be dismantled, and then, in cramped conditions, tons of earth will have to be manually removed.
Second. The construction of a bulk storage facility under a house can disrupt the soil conditions of the foundation and cause the building to settle.
Third. The ground may contain radioactive radon gas, which will enter residential areas.
Fourth. The dimensions of the basement are limited by the size of the room in which it is located. For street cellar(storage) such limits do not exist.
Fifth. In winter, heat from the house significantly increases the temperature and humidity in the basement, worsening storage conditions and activating the growth process of potatoes.
General information on cellar construction
As we said above, the solution to the question of which cellar is better to make depends on the groundwater level. If they are close to the surface of the earth, then the only option is above-ground storage.
Ground cellar - the best option for damp soil
Original appearance above ground cellar liked by lovers of rock gardens and other miniature “mountain massifs” created in the country.
As the “upper water” moves away from the surface of the earth, the storage for vegetables and fruits can be lowered deeper.
The lower the water, the deeper the storage
Along with the increase in the depth of a country storage shed, the problems inherent in all underground structures become more acute: the need for high-quality drainage, waterproofing of walls and ceilings. To solve them, a trench is dug along the perimeter of the pit, filled with crushed stone and sand. This reserve "pocket" will collect excess moisture that fell into the ground after melting snow or heavy rains. Backfill The walls are made not with earth, but with a crushed stone-sand mixture that drains water into a drainage trench.
Regardless of the quality of drainage, an outdoor cellar needs waterproofing. Today it is easy to do. On the market you can find many hydrophobic impregnations and mastics that protect the bottom and walls of the building from soil moisture.
Water protection is needed outside and inside
Any summer resident knows that long-term storage of crops requires a certain temperature and humidity. During the winter in country cellar The temperature should be maintained from +2 to +4C with air humidity from 80 to 90%. It is easy to control using a thermometer and hygrometer. But how to ensure that the room is warm enough and not too damp?
The first problem is solved by insulation. In surface and semi-buried storage facilities, this role is played by the soil used to line the walls.
The best natural heat insulator is peat. Unfortunately, it is quite rare. Therefore, if you decide to build a cellar at your dacha with your own hands, buy polystyrene foam boards 5 or 10 cm thick to insulate the floors and walls. They are covered with earth on top and fixed to the walls with glue or bitumen mastic. To prevent erosion of the embankment soil, it is sown with grass or covered with layers of turf cut from the soil.
Regulates humidity in storage simplest system natural ventilation. It consists of a long supply pipe and a short exhaust pipe.
Pipe A – inflow, pipe B – exhaust
There is a very effective and cheap way accumulation of cold in a storage facility - a glacier. Our great-grandfathers successfully used it to store meat and dairy products. This is a shallow pit with ice (in our time, its walls are made not of wood, but of concrete). There is nothing clever in the design of the glacier, but the cold release from the ice blocks is very impressive and persists for several months.
What types of cellars are there?
The simplest cellar is wooden frame made of logs on which the slab roll rests. A layer of roofing material is laid over it and soil is poured.
This is what a wooden vegetable cellar looks like
Wood, even antiseptic, will not last more than 15 years in a buried storage facility. Therefore, most often the walls of cellars are built from brick, cinder blocks or monolithic reinforced concrete. The ceiling is made from standard hollow core slabs or use concrete pouring on the reinforcement frame.
Sometimes wooden beams are used for the ceiling, between which expanded clay insulation is poured or mineral wool is laid.
Covering a concrete storage facility from wooden beams
Insulation of floors with expanded clay
For underground storage of vegetables, in addition to concrete and brick, you can use metal or plastic. A finished cellar for a summer residence is a container with stiffening ribs, which is buried in the ground to a given depth. The metal is treated with bitumen coating before installation. Plastic in additional protection does not need.
Metal cellar in the process of installation
During the period of seasonal rise of the “high water”, a powerful buoyant force acts on the caisson cellar (Archimedes’ law). Therefore, a prerequisite for its trouble-free operation is the use of ballast - a monolithic or prefabricated concrete slab. It is placed with a crane or poured at the bottom of the pit before installing the tank and secured to it with anchors.
When considering the option of purchasing a ready-made storage unit made of plastic or metal, you need to take into account the following considerations:
- The price of a container for storing fruits and vegetables (including installation) is higher than the cost of building a structure made of concrete or brick.
- Despite the high factory readiness of the caisson, completely abandon the earthen and concrete works you will not succeed (a pit and a ballast slab are necessary).
- Drive the crane to the equipped country cottage area It is problematic to install the slab and container without damaging green spaces, paths and fences.
The only one real advantage plastic and steel structure is absolute tightness - an important factor for buried cellar.
The average cost of a 5 cubic meter plastic cellar (without installation) is 95 thousand rubles. Installation work will cost 50 thousand rubles.
The approximate price of a metal storage facility of the same volume (walls made of steel sheet 5 mm thick) is 85 thousand rubles. You will have to pay at least 45,000 rubles for installation.
Looking for inexpensive option street vegetable storage, pay attention to concrete rings. They are used for septic tanks and other underground structures. Having done concrete base and by installing several rings on it, you will get a reliable shelter for the grown crop.
Factories make not only round, but also rectangular concrete sections
The floor in the cellar made of prefabricated rings and its walls must be treated inside and outside with a waterproofing compound (coating or impregnation). A prerequisite for tightness is the presence of joining locks on the concrete sections.
Construction of the underground storage facility is nearing completion
You won’t have to manually cast a concrete lid for such a cellar. It can be bought together with rings.
If the farm is idle old slate, then the problem with the cellar can be considered solved. Having made a frame from a corner or pipes, it is lowered into the prepared pit. After this, the slate sheets are attached to the profile with self-tapping screws.
A slate cellar on a metal frame is a simple and inexpensive option
Having made sand and crushed stone preparation and installed reinforcing mesh, the bottom is filled with concrete. The next stage is laying electrical wiring, coating slate and frame bitumen mastic. The work is completed by concreting the floor and backfilling.
Monolithic slate ceiling
Regardless of the type of material used to build the walls, a well-executed cellar floor design includes several layers indicated in the diagram.
Floor design
To conclude our review, we will consider two options for above-ground mini-storages. The first of them is a “box” made of boards with a gable roof and a door. By insulating the space between its outer and internal lining mineral wool (thickness of at least 150 mm), you will get inexpensive and functional storage.
The second option for an above-ground mini-cellar is a structure attached to the wall of the house. The benefit of this solution is twofold: saving space and one finished wall.
The ceiling here is made of boards covered with crumpled clay and a layer of roofing felt. The embankment is made with soil, which after laying is moistened, compacted and covered with turf.
The absence of a cellar at the dacha can lead to the loss of a significant part of the harvest. For this reason alone, it is worth building such a important object. Let's look at this process step by step in our review and video.
Cellar in the basement
Often in country house There is a basement with an area equal to the area of the house. This is convenient because... it can be used as a workshop, a storage room for storing tools and equipment, but in most cases it is a garage. You can’t call it a cellar, the temperature and ventilation system in it are not at all what is needed for storing crops collected in the garden, but some part can be equipped as a cellar by taking several steps:
Having a basement, of course, simplifies the work of building a cellar, but if it doesn’t exist, you’ll have to create it from scratch. In the next section, we’ll look at how to build a cellar in a country house with your own hands, step by step.
What types of cellars are there?
Cellars, as separate structures, come in 3 types:
- Entirely located in the ground. Their depth usually exceeds 2 m.
- One part of the cellar rises above the ground, and the second is buried a meter and a half into the ground.
- The structure is buried no more than 1 m, and the rest rises above the ground.
Layout: underground cellar
When choosing the type of cellar, you should know at what level the groundwater is located. When they are very close (from 0.5 to 1 m), then there is only one option - a ground-based project, and when their depth is more than 2 m, you have to choose between a buried and half-buried cellar. If there is a hill on the site, then this the best place for construction.
Advice: if conditions and funds allow, build a deep cellar. It is the most reliable, because... it always maintains the temperature at the same level.
Construction of a semi-buried cellar
The cellar construction work consists of several stages:
- site preparation;
- foundation device;
- walling;
- waterproofing;
- installation of the ceiling;
- sprinkling;
- final design.
Blueprint: Semi-buried cellar
Preparation, installation of the base and walls
To carry out all construction work, we first stock up on tools and materials:
- shovels - bayonet and pick-up;
- tamping;
- tape measure;
- level;
- bitumen mastic;
To build a cellar you will need two types of shovels
- roofing felt;
- crushed stone;
- sand;
- cement;
- rolled metal;
- wood.
Ruberoid
Preparation consists of clearing the area where it is planned to build the cellar from vegetation. Next we make markings and dig a hole. Professionals consider the following parameters to be the best:
- The maximum width of the pit is 4 m.
- The length is optional.
- Depth - 1.8-2 m.
Cellar pit
Where there will be a staircase, we select the soil at a slope, thus forming steps. Having dug to the required depth, we level the floor and walls. Next, we follow the following technology:
Important: to concrete walls were not formed air gaps, while pouring the solution, stir it constantly. This will increase the density of concrete.
The walls in such a unique food safe can be lined with other materials:
- stone, concrete blocks, brick;
Construction of walls from concrete blocks
- wooden beams, logs, pre-treated with an antiseptic, otherwise they will simply rot after a while;
- asbestos cement sheet fixed on a wooden sheathing.
- Do not use metal for wall cladding; it does not allow you to hold the necessary temperature regime.
- In order not to make racks for storing products separately, you can immediately insert a corner or profile pipe at a distance of about 0.7 m horizontally and vertically. Then boards are laid on these embedded parts and convenient racks are ready.
Cellar cover
The simplest option is to make a frame of 5 x 5 cm timber around the perimeter of the pit and attach a lid to it on hinges. Insulate it and the ceiling with the door is ready. The most reliable overlap is made from reinforced concrete slabs, but this is both a considerable cost and the need to attract construction equipment, because there is no way to move them manually. There are more economical and less labor-intensive options - using metal profile or logs, slabs, strong blocks of wood.
Pouring reinforced concrete screed cellar ceilings
Let's consider the case when this important element cellar is being carried out from rolled metal. Since the ceiling rests on the walls, its perimeter must exceed the area of the base. The design algorithm is as follows:
If the overlap is performed from wooden beams or logs, after appropriate processing we wrap them in roofing material, securing the latter with a stapler. We lay the wood with emphasis on long walls, in which special grooves are left for this purpose and do not forget about the entry hole. The next step is to secure the ends of the beams by pouring concrete.
Floor made of wooden beams
The principle of constructing a half-buried and completely buried cellar is the same, only the depth of the underground part remains different. To build an above-ground cellar, we go deep just a little - first we select 40 centimeters of soil around the perimeter, then we go a little deeper, simultaneously increasing the size of each side of the perimeter by 0.3 m. Then, using familiar technology, we arrange the floor, strengthen the walls and build an above-ground compartment.
Construction of the above-ground part
The above-ground part or cellar can be quite simple in the form of a small vestibule protecting the hatch, but sometimes it is a full-fledged room that performs certain functions - a summer kitchen, a gazebo. We set up a primitive cellar as follows:
Arrangement of the above-ground part of the cellar
- We make the frame from logs or boards, previously protected from rotting with an antiseptic.
- We glue roofing felt on the outside.
- We arrange the same wooden floor. Mix clay with straw and coat the structure.
- We lubricate the clay-straw surface with bitumen mastic, wrap it in roofing felt, and cover it with soil.
- We sow flowers or lawn grass.
Interior improvement of the cellar
To go down to the cellar you need a ladder. You can knock it out of wood and lower it down, but this is not very convenient, especially if you visit this place often. It is much more comfortable to go down the stationary stairs. When the earthen foundation for this structure was left for another preparatory stage, then the steps are lined with brick, while it is laid flat on the tread and vertically on the edge. The side walls are also covered with bricks, carefully sealing the seams. They also make steps from concrete using a reinforcement frame. Masterfully executed metal staircase It can also be convenient, but the cost is not always satisfactory.
Arrangement of steps
Walls, ceilings, and floors require additional treatment. If the surface is flat, then simply whitewash the walls twice with lime. If brickwork If it turns out not quite smooth, then before whitewashing we plaster it with a solution containing cement and sand. We carefully inspect the ceiling; if there are cracks, we seal them. Wall joints must also be sealed. If possible, we lay linoleum or boards on the floor. We paint the shelves.
Another job that needs to be done is to prevent the cold from getting into the cellar through the door. We line it from the inside with insulation, and to ensure the necessary microclimate in frosty winters, we install additional door, separating the room from the stairs.
Thermal insulation of the floor using expanded clay
We make or purchase special caps for ventilation pipes to prevent snow or raindrops from flying inside.
Attention: do not obstruct anything ventilation holes, this will disrupt the air exchange and condensation will appear in your storage.
Building a cellar in a country house is a difficult task, but with a strong desire, any owner can do it; the main thing is to choose a project that you have enough strength, skill and money to implement.
How to build a cellar: video
All photos from the article
Country farming requires storage space for prepared foods, vegetables, fruits and pickles. The ideal place for such purposes would be an earthen cellar, as it supports optimal temperature and keeps food fresh.
We want to tell you how to build a wooden cellar with your own hands.
Wooden cellar
Peculiarities
Construction tradition underground storage facilities has been known for a long time, since before we did not have refrigerators at our disposal, and there was a need to keep food supplies fresh. One came to the rescue here interesting feature our soil.
The fact is that upper layer the soil freezes in winter or warms up in summer to a depth of no more than 1 - 1.5 meters for middle zone Russia. In the northern regions this value increases for winter, in the southern regions for summer. Below this depth, an approximately constant temperature remains throughout the year at a level of 5–9 ˚С, which is comparable to the temperature in a modern refrigerator.
Important!
You can check the temperature regime of underground layers by measuring the temperature of spring water in winter and summer.
As a rule, it remains around +8 ˚С.
There are three main types of cellars according to the depth of immersion in the ground:
- Ground. This type of design provides for a minimum depth of up to 25 - 30 cm, since such structures are installed in places with very high level groundwater. In essence, this is an ordinary shed or storage shed for storing vegetables;
- Semi-recessed. A depth of up to 60 cm is provided here; in this case, groundwater should be no higher than 1.5 - 2 meters from the soil level. Often the towering upper part of the structure is covered with a thick layer of earth and turf for better thermal insulation;
- Recessed. Structures whose depth exceeds 1.5 meters are considered completely buried. As a rule, such cellars are completely buried underground to a depth of 2–3 meters.
Important!
The most effective option will be a completely recessed one.
It is guaranteed to protect your supplies from freezing in winter and overheating in summer.
Materials for construction can also be different.
The most commonly used are:
- Rubble stone. Allows you to build strong and durable structures, but the work will be labor-intensive, and the price of the material and its delivery will be significantly high;
- Brick. Better to use ceramic brick, since its moisture resistance is higher. Good material for the basement, but quite expensive and labor-intensive to work with;
- Concrete plates. It is possible to construct the room from reinforced concrete blocks and slabs, but this will require the work of a crane. The design will be very strong and durable;
- Monolithic concrete. You can install formwork in the pit and fill the walls with concrete. If it is possible to order ready-mixed concrete, then this option is well worth considering;
- Wood. A traditional, time-tested option that is distinguished by an excellent microclimate, complete environmental safety and availability of materials.
Choosing a tree as building material for a cellar, you should remember its features, such as fear of moisture, rot and mold.
Important!
Wood is the best option in terms of microclimate and environmental safety inside the cellar, subject to correct fulfillment of all requirements for protecting the structure from moisture and mold.
Selecting a location
Once you have decided on the type of structure, its depth and the materials from which it will be constructed, you need to find a suitable location for the basement. There are two main options:
| Cellar location | Features and Benefits |
| Under the house | Cellars are often located under residential building. This is beneficial from several points of view: the house protects the basement from surface moisture and frost, it is convenient to go down into it without going outside, and it is easier to install communications. However, if the cellar was not taken into account and dug during the construction of the house, subsequently it will be very difficult and inconvenient to work |
| On a plot separate from the house | This arrangement will require more serious protection from precipitation and frost. At the same time, you are not limited in choosing the size of the room, and the work will not be constrained by the foundation walls. Again, basement odors will not penetrate the house. |
Usually, when building a house, the presence of a basement is provided for in the project, and it is dug out and strengthened at the stage of laying the foundation. Working in a built house will be much more difficult and costly.
Important!
If you want to have a basement inside your home, take this into account when designing.
Dig and arrange a basement inside finished building extremely inconvenient and difficult.
If you decide to place the cellar on a site separate from the house, then you should carefully study the landscape here. The best option considered level open place, located on a small hill.
It is important to take into account the overall ensemble of buildings on the site. Cellars are not placed near compost pits, toilets, septic tanks, sewers, or enclosures with livestock. But about summer kitchen, home, utility shed, it will be quite appropriate.
It is advisable to provide a convenient and short path from your kitchen to the cellar, since you will have to walk along it quite often. It is better to turn on the lights twice: from the house and directly in the cellar.
Important!
Trees and plants with a powerful and developed root system should not be planted near the cellar, as this can destroy the waterproofing of walls and ceilings.
Construction of a wooden cellar
Construction starts from earthworks. If the groundwater level allows, then dig a pit 2.5 - 3 meters deep so that the room is completely underground and has a ceiling height that is normal for a person.
You can check the groundwater level at the gardening association, with your neighbors, or at the regional geodetic service. You can also measure the depth of the water surface in a nearby well.
As an example, we have compiled instructions for building a recessed wooden cellar:
- We dig a pit 3 meters deep. Dimensions should be 50 – 60 cm more room in each direction for ease of wall processing;
- The soil should be compacted at the bottom, and four holes 70 cm deep should be dug in the corners at a distance of at least 50 cm from any of the walls;
- The bottom of the pits is covered with a 15 cm thick layer of sand and gravel, and then covered with polyethylene with a full wrap around the walls. 2.5-meter sections of 100x100 mm pine beams are installed in the pits and concreted. The part of the beam to be concreted must be covered with bitumen;
- The floor is covered with a layer of crushed stone, which is spilled with melted bitumen or resin. You can leave the dirt floor if the soil inside is dry;
- When the pillars gain strength, they are tied. To do this, a 100x100 mm beam is laid on the upper ends, connecting it into half a tree and nailing it to the ends of the pillars with two nails;
- Walls with outside sew up with a strong board 40–50 mm thick or with a slab. For fastening, it is better to use galvanized nails or self-tapping screws with an anti-corrosion coating. On one side it is necessary to make a doorway and dig a descent for the stairs opposite it;
- The ceiling can be made of logs or timber. A durable board 150x50 mm or glued is also suitable wood slab. On top of the ceiling you should lay polystyrene foam in a layer of 100 mm or fill it with expanded clay, straw or sawdust;
- Don’t forget to remove the ventilation pipes, one for exhaust, one for ventilation;
- The outside walls should be coated, then the entire structure should be covered. waterproofing membrane, polyethylene or roofing felt. It is desirable that the insulating carpet has a minimum of seams;
- A staircase should be built opposite the doorway. It can be assembled from boards or made of concrete, brick or stone;
- The pit should be filled with clay. It will create an additional barrier to moisture;
- A canopy needs to be built over the entrance. Usually they make a classic basement entrance with a sloping roof or a gable canopy. Subsequently, a barn or summer kitchen can be placed above the cellar.
Important!
Everything wooden parts must pass before work deep impregnation complex antiseptic with antifungal action.
Conclusion
Wooden cellar – a good place for storing any food, vegetables or preserves. You can do it yourself, provided you follow all the rules for preparing the material and waterproofing the structures. The video in this article will make our instructions clearer.
