Correct laying of the blind area. Do-it-yourself blind area: possible variations
How to make a blind area around the house with your own hands in short time? The blind area is carried out in two layers - the underlying layer and the overlap. The underlayment is required to obtain a compacted, even base for laying the pavement. This layer is made of crushed stone, sand, carving or clay. The last option is considered the best.
Underlayment material selected depending on coverage. Thickness - from 20 to 30 centimeters.
The cover must be waterproof. It is made of paving slabs, concrete, clay, small cobblestones and asphalt. It happens that the blind area is made from a mixture of clay and sand, or clay with rubble. Thickness - from 5 to 15 centimeters.
Types of blind area
There are several types of blind area, depending on the material used in the manufacture:
- concrete;
- cobblestone;
- from concrete slabs;
- ground;
- brick;
- asphalt.
Work performance technology
How to make a blind area around the house with your own hands? You should start with excavation. A trench is dug around the perimeter of the building, its depth should be approximately 30 cm.
The integrity of the blind area can be broken by the roots of plants, so the soil should first be treated with herbicides. Then, a removable formwork or curb stone is placed along the width of the blind area. Under a slope in the trench, the underlying layer is laid.
Laying concrete pavement
Concrete construction is the most common type of coating.
Its useful to note that in severe frosts, the blind area can fail. To prevent this from happening, rails are mounted on the edge across the blind area every 3 meters, they must be treated with bitumen in advance. Next, the solution is poured with concrete and leveled.
Concrete reinforcement helps to increase the operational life of the blind area. In this case, concrete performs work in compression, and metal in tension. A metal crate is installed in increments of 100 by 100 millimeters. Further along the level, cement mortar is poured.
The finished surface is covered with dry concrete and leveled. Then it is covered with a dark film and left for a week, periodically watered.
How to inexpensively make a blind area around the house? If there is a desire to reduce costs, it is worth giving preference to the blind area of reinforced slabs. Their shape is chosen depending on the structural features of the roof and the characteristics of the site. The best option is plates of 60x60 centimeters.
When using ready-made slabs as a coating, the work becomes much easier. After laying them on a pre-prepared surface, the seams are filled with mortar. If this is necessary, the blind area is insulated with heat-insulating materials.
The construction of insulation and slab is placed in such a way that there is an air cushion under it. As a basis for it, bitumen-impregnated and carefully compacted crushed stone serves.
Slope and Width
When erecting a blind area, it is necessary to observe the required slope and width.
In subsiding soil width can be more than 1 meter, on average it is 80 centimeters. At the same time, it should be 20 centimeters larger than the overhang of the eaves.
Slope from the wall building and up to the storm drain should reach approximately 5 °. A storm drain is a groove along the perimeter of the blind area, necessary for drainage. Instead, you can build a channel that collects water in a storm well.
Waterproofing and insulation
In the event that your house has a basement or basement, it is necessary to waterproof and insulate the blind area. Waterproofing materials suitable for this purpose are bituminous mixtures, PVC and polyethylene films, roofing material.
under waterproofing layer insulation is installed on the ground.
It can be expanded polystyrene, foam glass and other materials.
The main functions of the blind area
- practical function. If the blind area will act as a pedestrian zone, then it should be performed taking into account the characteristics of the object and design loads.
- Protective function. A high-quality blind area reliably protects the foundation of the building from melt water, precipitation, and deformation. It transports water a sufficient distance from the foundation.
- decorative function. The blind area is a logical continuation of the building. The finishing layer is selected taking into account the style of the house and the design of landscape design.
- Warming. The thermal insulation properties of the building, if there is a blind area with an insulation structure, increase.
In order for the blind area to fully fulfill its purpose, you have to follow some rules:
- The slope is formed both during the laying of the coating and during the installation of the underlying layer.
- Pay attention to the junction of the wall of the house and the blind area. There should be an expansion joint. The best result is obtained with two layers of special sealant or roofing felt and sealant.
- The blind area should be performed around the entire house continuously. Only in this case the base will be reliably protected.
- The cheapest option for covering is crushed stone laid with tamping. The most reliable is pouring compacted rubble with cement mortar.
So, building the right blind area around the house with your own hands is within the power of everyone.
However, before starting work, should decide on the type of blind area It depends on what materials you need. Do not forget about observing the width and slope. If the building has a basement or basement, insulation and waterproofing will be required.
Concrete blind area is an important element of the house. Often this construction seems insignificant, but if you look into the matter, it is very important. It is necessary to follow the technology and choose the right type of construction. How to fill the blind area yourself around the house, is described below.
What is she for?
Concrete pavement is a must. Its device performs a very important function - the protection of the foundation. This element around the house removes rain and melt moisture from the perimeter of the basement walls, which reduces the load on the drainage system and vertical waterproofing.
Before you make a blind area with your own hands, you should decide on its width. To perform a given function, its protrusion of the blind area around the house is taken equal to one meter. This value allows you to reliably protect the walls of the basement. In some cases, it is allowed to reduce the width, but only if absolutely necessary (for example, tight conditions on the site). The minimum value is 80 cm. It is important to take into account the protrusion of the roof eaves. Its projection on the ground must be at least 20 cm less than the protrusion of the concrete protection.
The main role of the blind area is to protect the foundation from water
In addition to waterproofing, the blind area takes on several more functions:
- completion of the architectural appearance of the house;
- arrangement of a pedestrian zone around the building (the blind area plays the role of a footpath).
It is possible to use the blind area as a path only for low-rise individual buildings, provided that ice is removed from the cornice and snow from the roof in a timely manner.
To perform the main function - the flow of water, the blind area must be made with a slope. The decrease in height occurs away from the walls of the house.
The blind area around the building assumes a slope of at least 0.015.
This value means that for every horizontal meter there is a vertical change of 1.5 cm. Before pouring the blind area, you should calculate its height at the walls of the house.
The design of the blind area and materials
The concrete pavement is arranged quite simply. Filling the blind area around an individual house is within the power of even a non-professional. The device requires the preparation of the following materials:
- Adding, which must be done before pouring the solution with your own hands. You can make bedding from various materials. The design allows the use of medium or coarse sand, sand and gravel, crushed stone or gravel of a not very large fraction. Do not pour cement mortar over fine sand. Such a base can shrink, which will cause the concrete for the blind area to crack. It is best to make a pillow from two types of material. The first layer must be done in order to compact the base soil and level it. To do this, use gravel or crushed stone. Make the second layer of sand.
- To increase the strength, pouring the blind area involves reinforcement. You can make reinforcement of the element around the house with your own hands using reinforcing mesh. It is recommended to make meshes from reinforcement with a diameter of 6-8 mm, depending on the characteristics of the base soil. The blind area device assumes the size of the grid cells 30x30 or 50x50 mm.
- Before pouring, it is necessary to make formwork. It is necessary to make wooden shields around the perimeter of the blind area so that the concrete solution does not spread. For the manufacture of formwork, wooden boards will be needed. The width is selected depending on the thickness of the blind area. To keep the solution, it is enough to purchase material with a thickness of 22-25 mm.
- The main material for the manufacture is concrete mortar. The most important thing here is to choose the right brand of mixture. The strength class of concrete must be at least B15 (old marking M200).
You can use a solution of higher grades, but this is not profitable from an economic point of view. To make a durable building element, you also need to think about frost resistance. The grade of concrete for the blind area in terms of frost resistance must be at least F50. It is best to make a choice in favor of the F100 brand, such a solution will provide the best resistance of the element to temperature extremes. When preparing concrete, it is important to observe the proportions of its components.
The composition of concrete for the blind area
To do high-quality work with your own hands, you will need to correctly select the concrete mix. There are two ways to get a filling solution:
- purchase at the factory and transportation by concrete mixer;
- self cooking.
It is better to opt for the second option. This is due to the following factors:
- buying a ready-made mixture is always more expensive than making it yourself;
- a small amount of concrete is required for the blind area, and factories sell it in fairly large volumes;
- no need for transportation costs.
The home master in the manufacture of the mixture should only correctly select its components and observe the proportions. The composition of concrete for the blind area is as follows:
- cement (it is better to use PC400);
- sand (the best option is medium, fine is allowed);
- coarse aggregate (crushed stone or gravel);
- water.
The proportions of each of these components are set depending on what brand of concrete you need to get. For concrete grade B15 (optimal for the blind area), the proportions must be done as follows:
- cement -1 part;
- sand - 2.8 parts;
- coarse aggregate - 4.8 parts.
These proportions from 10 liters of cement make it possible to obtain 54 liters of concrete mix. For every 6 parts of water by weight, there should be 10 parts of cement.
If you need to create a material of a different brand and there is no way to more thoroughly familiarize yourself with the information, you should remember that in general the proportions look like this: 1:3:4 (cement: sand: crushed stone, respectively).
Work order
The do-it-yourself device involves performing actions in the following sequence:
- first you need to mark the blind area on the ground;
- digging a trench along the perimeter of the building to the depth of the blind area (depending on the thickness of the layers of backfill and concrete);
- tamping the base;
- installation of formwork panels and fastening them together;
- laying of bulk materials (sand, crushed stone) with compaction;
- laying of reinforcing meshes;
- installation of boards that will play the role of expansion joints that prevent concrete from cracking in winter) in increments of 2 meters;
- concrete laying and compaction, leveling;
- surface ironing;
- waiting for time to set strength, concrete care.
The blind area around the house is a special design that is designed to remove precipitation and protect the foundation from premature destruction. Also, the blind area is necessary in conditions of heaving soil or in areas with a high level of groundwater, which can undermine the foundation. Let us consider in more detail how the do-it-yourself blind area is performed, as well as what options for its implementation are most effective.
In addition to protecting the foundation, the blind area also performs practical and design functions. Very often it is used as a track, so it must have sufficient hardness and abrasion resistance. When choosing a blind area, you should also consider landscape design and the exterior of the house. The correct blind area around the house helps to emphasize the architectural style of the building, to make the local area more accurate and practical.
Filling the blind area can be carried out simultaneously with the construction of the foundation. However, it can be made after finishing work. If this moment is neglected, cracks may appear in the foundation over time, and the thermal insulation performance of the structure will also decrease. Thus, the role of the blind area at home should not be underestimated. This is one of the main stages of building a house, which directly affects the quality of the building. 
Paving around the house
Before starting the construction of the blind area with your own hands, you need to decide on the materials from which it will be made. Most often, concrete, asphalt, bricks, wood, reinforced concrete slabs or tiles are used for these purposes. The correct blind area around the house should have at least two layers. The upper layer contains the main coating, and the lower one is a pillow of sand, fine gravel, carving or clay.
Ideally, the blind area around the house should be done simultaneously with the foundation. The width of the blind area should be about 80 - 100 cm or 20 - 30 cm more than the eaves. The wider the blind area, the faster the water is drained. In this case, one should remember about the slope, which should be 3 - 7ᵒС. A small drainage groove can be made around the perimeter of the blind area. This will eliminate the stagnation of water during heavy rains or during the melting of snow masses. 
How to make a blind area with your own hands
Making a blind area with your own hands is quite easy. The construction process does not require special knowledge and is carried out in several stages:
- Foundation preparation.
Do-it-yourself installation of a blind area begins with leveling the surface, removing plant roots, removing the top layer of soil with a shovel and cultivating the earth with herbicides. It is necessary to install restrictive boards around the perimeter and make a sand cushion. To do this, a layer of sand is poured onto the prepared surface, compacted and filled with water. Next, a layer of rubble or brick battle is poured.
- Waterproofing and insulation.
Insulation of the blind area allows you to increase the thermal insulation of the foundation, which is especially important if the house has a cellar or basement. Polystyrene foam, foam glass or foam plastic can act as a heater. The air gap between the concrete layer and the ground can reach 15 cm. The blind area is waterproofed using PVC film, bitumen or roofing material. 
- Installation of temperature cuts.
Temperature cuts can be made using storm trays or flat slate. Between the wall and the blind area, it is necessary to leave an expansion joint by placing roofing material, sealant or bitumen in it.
- Pouring concrete.
Concrete for the blind area can be made by combining 0.5 shares of water, 1 share of cement, 3 shares of sand and 4 shares of crushed stone. Cement is better to take brand M-300. Filling is carried out carefully within the bounding boards.
- Ironing.
After 15 - 20 minutes after pouring the solution, the surface is sprinkled with dry cement and smoothed with a spatula. Thanks to this technique, the blind area is stronger, smoother and more moisture resistant.
The blind area around the house can be made of concrete slabs. As in the first option, the base is prepared for this, after which the finished slabs are laid out, and bitumen is poured. Also recently, profiled membranes have become increasingly popular, which are placed immediately on the ground, covered with crushed stone, sand, after which any coating is installed.
Alternative blind area at home
The most popular option in our country is a concrete blind area 15 cm thick. If earlier this type of blind area was the most affordable, then in our time a wide variety of building materials, heaters and waterproofing films have appeared, with the help of which the cost of the blind area around the house can be significantly reduced. Consider several alternative options for mounting the blind area with your own hands.
Soft blind area for difficult soils
A soft blind area is one of the simplest options for a blind area that can be used for heaving soils. It is carried out in several stages.
Blind area with rubemast
Rubemast is an inexpensive waterproofing material made on the basis of fiberglass or fiberglass with bituminous impregnation. With the help of rubemast, you can build a high-quality blind area, adhering to the following action plan:
Geotextile blind area to protect against weeds
Installation of a blind area from geotextiles is carried out in several steps:
Building a blind area in Finnish
This type of blind area is widely used in the construction of Finnish houses. It is fundamentally different from the technologies familiar in our area and is carried out according to the following principle:
- A corrugated pipe with holes is laid around the perimeter of the house.
- Gravel is poured over the pipe, foam plastic is overlapped and covered with soil.
- Next, the pipe is connected to the drain wells.
- At a distance of about 40 cm from the walls of the building, crushed stone and decorative pebbles are poured.
The variant of the Finnish blind area is quite effective, drains water well and prevents the foundation from freezing.
Russian blind area - cheap and cheerful
This version of the blind area is very unusual and was invented by Russian craftsmen. It is carried out using glass bottles in several stages:
- A thin layer of concrete is poured onto a small sand cushion.
- Next, ordinary glass bottles are laid, and the next layer of concrete is poured.
- After that, reinforcement is performed, and the next layer of concrete blind area is poured. If necessary, the surface is ironed, i. sprinkled with dry cement.
The advantage of this technique is the absence of expansion joints and low consumption of concrete. In addition, the bottles leave an air gap in the blind area, increasing its thermal insulation without additional insulation.
In general, there are quite a few options for the execution of the blind area around the house. If desired, it can be made of different heights, decorated with natural or artificial stone, tiles, covered with pebbles or gravel. 
Video blind area device
It is popularly told about formwork devices and pouring the blind area.
During construction, it is very important to properly make a blind area around the house. It allows to reduce the amount of splashes of dirt during rain, which reduces the pollution of the facade. However, poor design can lead to waterlogged foundation walls. There are several opinions among specialist builders on how to make a blind area around the house correctly with their own hands.
Some believe that the implementation of a moisture-proof blind area, such as 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 pollution during rain.
So, how to make a simple blind area around the house from stone, tiles and other materials, what to look for, how to prepare the base and what materials to choose - this will be discussed in the article.
The blind area around the house - how to do it right and why is it needed?
First of all, it is worth understanding how rainwater affects the outer walls of the building. When it rains, water soaks into the ground (through a lawn or a permeable strip around a house made of rubble, tiles, or other materials). Part of the water will be absorbed to the groundwater level. However, some of it will rise up the soil capillaries and evaporate from the surface, which is sometimes referred to as "self-draining" of the soil. In the case of a waterproof blind area, for example, made of concrete, a permanently wet zone of soil directly under the house may appear, which is in contact with the foundation walls. In practice, this will have an adverse effect on the walls of the foundation, moisture can penetrate into the building, contribute to the occurrence of fungus, especially if the house has a basement.
How to make a blind area around the house - video
Many experts in recent years recommend isolating foundations with a waterproofing membrane film. Diffusion film membranes allow the walls to “breathe” and better drain water from foundations (through a system of tubules in their structure). This is only true when the water has a place through which it will pass to the outside 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 (in this case, concrete or cement-sand bedding should not be used). The border of the blind area must also be made, for example, a concrete rim or a plastic rim.
blind area functions
According to most experts, the blind area at home performs two main functions:
- First of all, it allows you to leave the facade clean, as rainwater splashes, bouncing off the tiles or stone, which leads to mud splashing on the walls.
- The second function is to improve the aesthetics of the building (of course, this is already a matter of taste for each of us).
This is not the only possible application. This element of the building can also serve as an auxiliary walkway around the house, as well as support for stairs or scaffolding for facade maintenance or window cleaning. Every year it becomes more and more important, as mechanical ventilation becomes widespread, in which windows that cannot be opened 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 right blind area?
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 for the main task, but it will not work in any of the additional functions listed above. 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 preferably up to 150 cm. As for the “walk around the house” function, in practice it does not have much practical use, since it is much more convenient to navigate along the paths built directly in the garden than along the narrow sidewalks on the facade.
It should be borne in mind that paths leading to the entrance to the building located too close to the wall will lead to a much faster pollution of the facade. For the same reason, you should not attach 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 usability and help maintain cleanliness.
Finally, the width of the blind area is selected to the module of the selected tile or stone format. For example, we decided to use 18.2 x 18.2 cm tiles - then it makes no sense to create a 70 cm wide strip, because it means reducing almost all elements and a significant increase in labor and waste costs. Instead, 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 entirely or cut in half). For the same reason, when choosing trapezoidal tiles or other non-equilateral shapes, it is better to place them along the facade.
How to make a blind area around the house with tiles or stone?
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 make a blind area? This is not particularly difficult as it is structurally the same as other sidewalks and paths made of stone or paving slabs.
The best choice is a pavement 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 area is natural stone, gravel, paving slabs.
Work begins with a trench (it is important to remove all the humus, which is quite simple to do), then a foundation is made, a leveling pad and a surface of tiles or stone. 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 upper edge of the vertical insulation of the foundation. Otherwise, the walls of the building may become damp. To protect against snow, it is recommended to carry out vertical insulation at least 30 cm above the level of the blind area.
The second important point is bias. 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 upper edge of the border does not protrude above the plane of the tile. It should be flush with its bottom edge.
- The outer wall of the building.
- Blind area border.
- Tiles, stone.
- Priming.
- Vertical insulation of the building.
- Sand bedding.
- Sloping bedding.
- The base of the building.
This design is very simple in execution and does not require precise compliance with height differences. This is due to the fact that water very quickly penetrates through the stone layer into the soil. What is the best way to make a blind area around the 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 be about 15 cm thick. The stones should be spread on an even layer of sand about 10-15 cm thick. This solution will ensure that rainwater flows quickly into the ground, as well as the substrate dries quickly.
The structure should be fenced with a concrete or granite curb. The absence of a border will quickly lead to the "spread" of stones into the garden. In this case, any stones that fall on the lawn can damage the lawn mower.
For a gravel and stone strip, a curb should be installed so that it protrudes about 2 cm above the level of the stones. This will protect the blind area from falling stones or gravel onto the grass. At the same time, you need to make sure that the lawn behind him is also about 2 cm lower, which will prevent dirt from being applied to the layer of stones.
In order to keep the side stable and ensure a constant width of the blind area for many years, it is worth reinforcing it from the outside with concrete, or building a backup. In addition, this design will allow you to work in the garden in the immediate vicinity of the house (for example, dig a trench for drainage or laying cables, etc.) without damaging it.
Paving slabs are much easier to maintain than stone construction. In the case of stones, after a few years it is most often necessary to replace their upper layer (about 5 cm) with new, clean stones in the desired color (most often white stones). At the same time, we must not forget that it is undesirable to use concrete pouring or a mixture of cement / sand, as this will interfere with the free movement and evaporation of water.
You can use paving slabs or granite with a thickness of 4-6 cm for the blind area of the house. There is no need to use paving 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 upper layer.
In terms of functionality, both solutions are similar. Therefore, it is better to make a choice mainly considering the decision in terms of financial issues, since the cost of sand and sand-gravel mixture in each region is different, as well as the availability of any of these materials in the construction market.
In the case of paving slabs, it is important to maintain a proper height difference between the pavement 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. walls and foundations (water in the gap between the tiles penetrates much more slowly than through a stone path).
When laying tiles, it is very important to carefully compact the layer of sand bedding, because if the sand is not compacted, the tiles will settle unevenly. If the blind area is made of decorative stone, thorough sand compaction is not necessary (only a small surface compaction is required).
The tile must be necessarily limited by the side. In the case of a concrete curb, it is recommended that it be slightly lower than the tile (by 0.5-1 cm), which will improve the outflow of rainwater onto the lawn.
Curb for paving slabs - concrete, granite or plastic?
In the case of a decorative stone pavement, a 6 or 4 cm thick concrete pavement curb is the best solution. A granite option is also available. In turn, in the case of paving slabs, both concrete and plastic curbs for paving slabs can be used.
Laying geotextiles in the design of the blind area at home
Placing a geotextile (or so-called permeable agrofibre) under the sand layer will limit the growth of weeds and other vegetation. However, it is important that the fabric is permeable in both directions (top and bottom). In this place, the placement of sealed insulating films is not allowed.
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 between the elements of paving slabs or stone, you can mark lighting fixtures, 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 the environment. It should be harmonized with the facade, but it should merge with it, as this can greatly spoil the proportions of the building. If we do not have much experience in choosing colors, and we are afraid of experimenting - "safer" will be a slightly darker color than the front of the house. It is also good if it is made of a material and color that matches the garden paths around the house.
Building a house is a complex process. It consists of several main steps, most often obvious and necessary. But there are also a few things that can be overlooked, but if done, they will greatly improve the aesthetics and comfort of the building. These include the blind area around the house. First of all, it will 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 right material.
The most reliable way to protect the foundation part of the house is a do-it-yourself blind area: the step-by-step instructions for building this structure are 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 a minimal cost and thereby prevent damage to the foundation by surface water.
Do-it-yourself blind area: step-by-step instructions for the initial stage of construction
At the initial stage of construction, it is necessary to 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 the erosion of the foundation part by surface waters, therefore it is recommended to apply additional protective measures to strengthen the foundation of the building.
The base of the building is under the influence of various natural factors:
- low temperatures;
- excess moisture;
- damage to mechanical properties due to swelling of the soil.
The stability of the entire building depends on the state in which the foundation part of the cottage is located, so the protection must be capital and reliable. It is this function that is the main one for the blind area, the protective properties of which also apply to the basement of the house.
Photo blind area around the house and its purpose
The construction of such a structure 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:
- divert rain (as well as melt and flood) water from the basement of the house. With a short-term presence of moisture, there will be no significant harm, however, long periods of stagnation of the liquid can violate the integrity of this part of the building. Due to the constant exposure to moisture, the concrete undergoes crumbling, the reinforcing 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 displacement. The 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 the cottage, the following problems may occur: shifts in soil layers, subsidence or, conversely, swelling of the soil surface, a change in the height of the water horizon. The blind area will reduce the stress on the building caused by these changes;
- maintain the temperature of the foundation and prevent a significant drop in this value in winter. 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);
- improve the appearance of the cottage. The blind area can play the role of a frame that makes the facade of the building complete and harmonious. This area is lined with plinth siding, decorative stone, paving slabs.
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 allow us 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 of the roofing material. If there is a drainage system, these parameters must also be taken into account and included in the calculations. The final width indicator is influenced by the characteristics of the soil, its type. The generally accepted width for the blind area is considered to be 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 level of penetration (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 of the local office of architecture or set from a table. The blind area must have the ability to move along with the soil, otherwise all its functions will be reduced to only one thing - water drainage.
The minimum allowable value for the thickness of the concrete pavement 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.
Protection is required for the entire perimeter of the building, so the length of the blind area depends on the length of the perimeter. The concrete porch installation area can be skipped, since it itself is a reinforcing structure.
The blind area around the house: how to properly fill the structure, additional parameters
The maximum allowable slope of the surface 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 (i.e. 2-3°). If you take more, during frosts and icing, the blind area cannot be used as a track.
Step-by-step instructions for building a concrete blind area around the house. Step 1: marking and preparing the territory. Step 2: digging a trench, isolating the foundation with roofing material
The level of the blind area above the ground (height from the soil level) should be at a height of at least 5 cm. Due to this, moisture will not accumulate at the edges of the structure and destroy it. Damage is especially likely in winter, when the water hardens and expands, causing breaks in the concrete.
The minimum height of the basement is 50 cm (if you undertake the construction of a rigid 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 the possibilities of your budget and personal preferences.
Step-by-step instructions for building a concrete blind area around the house. Step 3: backfilling with clay in layers of 10-15 cm with layer-by-layer compaction (practiced when working with unfavorable soil). Step 4: installation of formwork, falling asleep a layer of crushed stone 10-12 cm
Blind area around the house: construction device and preparation for work
The construction of a concrete blind area is based on the formation of a reinforced belt along the perimeter of a residential building.
The design itself has only two main elements:
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 pillow, consisting of layers of crushed stone and sand;
- installation of reinforcing bars to create a frame for concrete;
- filling;
- finishing.
There are several types of blind area, which differ from each other in the following ways:
- terms of service;
- structural features;
- materials used for construction.
Based on the features 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 arm yourself with:
Features of the blind area around the house with their own hands made of concrete (rigid construction)
This group of structures consists of monolithic products based on concrete, coatings made using cement pouring, as well as asphalt pavement options.
Monolithic structures can last almost as long as the building itself, around which they are organized. But the construction of such a system has several significant drawbacks.
Firstly, this process is quite laborious and requires certain efforts, as well as time. Second, construction costs are high. This problem also affects blind areas with asphalt, which cannot be organized without tar. The use of this binder pays off only if large-scale asphalt paving works are carried out. This is not practical within the household.
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 of paving slabs (semi-rigid construction)
In semi-rigid systems, the underlayment is a multilayer cushion. 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 significantly less money and effort to fill a semi-rigid blind area around the house in comparison with monolithic structures. The construction technology in this case is quite simple, however, it cannot be used on heaving soils that can violate the integrity of the system.
Otherwise, semi-rigid blind areas are considered the best option for all the most important indicators:
- external characteristics;
- price;
- quality.
Advantages of semi-rigid type systems:
Features of soft blind area around the house
For the construction of a soft type system, a multilayer pillow is formed, which is covered with a layer of crushed stone from above. This type of blind area requires the most minimal cash costs and efforts, which cannot affect the service life. The average is only 7 years.
On the other hand, this type of construction can be used in any climatic zones. There are no significant restrictions regarding the type of soil. As for the repair work, this process in this case is quite simple.
In fact, the use of a soft system is only advisable as a temporary measure, for example, if you are limited in money, 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.
Making a blind area around the house: the right choice of materials
To make a blind area around the house with your own hands, you will need the following materials:
- components for the preparation of concrete mortar. If you are not well versed in this matter, 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 the brand - 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 of 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;
- sand - is necessary for the formation of the lower 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 the geotextile;
- crushed stone with a granule size of 1-2 cm;
- geotextile or natural clay - used in the construction of a hydraulic lock.
Do-it-yourself solution for a blind area around the house: how to fill the structure correctly
To create a solution with your own hands, you must prepare all the necessary components in advance.
As we found out earlier, the brand of concrete is determined by the brand of cement, as well as by its quantity in the mortar components (% content). For the manufacture of a blind area, it is recommended to take Portland cement M 400. It must be fresh, since every month of delay is fraught with a loss of 5% of its useful properties for the material.
Checking how fresh the cement is is quite simple. To do this, you need to take a handful of material and tightly squeeze your hand into a fist. An expiring cement will crumple, while a crumbly texture will indicate freshness. The fresher the material and the higher its brand, the better the solution will be.
The sand must be sifted and clean. It is better if it is thoroughly washed from impurities of clay, soil, etc. The optimal size of crushed stone fractions for preparing a solution is 0.5-1 cm. Water at room temperature is required.
Additional additives are needed to obtain a high-quality solution. They increase the frost resistance of concrete. Most often, liquid glass is used for these purposes.
Blind area around the house: how to make a solution for pouring yourself (proportions)
The quality of the pour, its strength and durability depend on the proportions of the main components of the concrete solution. The quantity of materials is determined only by weight.
Calculation of proportions for the solution:
Concrete mix puts forward special requirements regarding the amount of liquid. Excess water can dilute the mortar and reduce the strength of concrete, as cement flour is gradually removed to the top 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 against the table of water-cement ratio for concrete mortar (W/C).
The introduction of components into the solution is also carried out according to a strict sequence:
We make a pillow for the blind area around the house correctly
The pillow, which performs the function of the underlying layer, has the same construction scheme, regardless of which type of blind area is selected. An exception is the process of making a blind area around the house with your own hands from concrete with a monolithic type of construction. It will require a 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 pillow. Only after that you can start laying paving stones or paving slabs.
Before pouring a blind area with a hard platform around the house, you should equip a sand and gravel cushion:
- pour sand;
- fall asleep rubble;
- perform the installation of insulation;
- perform the reinforcement procedure and other types of work.
Do-it-yourself blind area around the house: we are preparing the construction zone
To begin with, you should outline the perimeter of the blind area by forming a trench. Its depth directly depends on the type of soil. The minimum figure is 0.15-0.2 m. Construction work on heaving types of soil is accompanied by special requirements. In this case, the trench depth increases to 0.3 m.
An easy way to mark up:
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 a polyurethane-based sealant and a damper tape.
Next, the required slope of the system is set. This is done based on the type of design you have chosen. To achieve a certain slope, you need to dig a trench in such a way that there is a different depth at the slope points.
The bottom of the formed trench must be carefully tamped, using the most common log. To do this, it is installed vertically, rises and falls down with effort so that the soil at the bottom is compacted.
Building a blind area around the house: how to properly install the formwork
For work, boards are required, the thickness of which is 30-40 mm. The height is selected taking into account the parameters of the future design. To facilitate your work, you can pre-mark the height of the future layers of the pillow on the material. At the corners, the structure can be pulled together and strengthened with the help of corners. This is done from the outside. It is recommended to use bolts for this, as they are easiest to remove when dismantling the formwork. The optimal diameter of the fastener is 10 mm.
In order to ensure the stability of the formwork boards, you can use inclined supports or install blocks, bricks. In the process of work, an expansion joint will be required. This seam should run not only at the junction of the walls of the building with the blind area, but also across the system. If this requirement is ignored, 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 with a certain interval. A distance of 2 m will be sufficient. To form gaps of the required size, boards with a thickness of no more than 20 mm can be used.
If you are planning a system that does not involve pouring, you can do without the installation of a formwork structure.
Blind area at home: how to make a sand and gravel pillow
The formed trench is covered with a sand layer. 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 play the role of waterproofing.
After that, the sand should be carefully compacted in the same way as was done earlier when forming the bottom of the trench. To achieve high compaction, the interlayer can be moistened with water.
An embankment 50-100 mm thick of crushed stone is formed on top of the sand. It is better if a material with different fraction sizes is used, which will ensure maximum filling of voids and a high density of the pillow. Crushed stone can also be replaced with other types of materials, for example, brick fight or gravel. This layer is designed to divert water that penetrates through the sand.
The process of creating a sand and gravel pillow. Step 1: pour sand with a layer of 10 cm with pouring and tamping, put roofing material along the wall of the house 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 the layer of sand and gravel to provide additional waterproofing protection. At the same time, it is worth laying the material with a small margin so that the edges go onto the walls of the formwork structure.
In the process of forming a pillow from crushed stone and sand, do not forget about observing the angle of inclination, if any. This completes the work on arranging the pillow. The further procedure depends on the type of structure chosen.
The process of creating a sand and gravel pillow. Step 2: put geotextile on the compacted sand, fill in crushed stone with a fraction of 20-40 mm and a layer thickness of 10 cm with trombling with a vibrating plate
Construction of a concrete blind area around the house: price of work, recommendations
The concrete construction of the blind area is suitable for cottage owners who prefer capital products with long service lives. The price of the 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 layer of heat-insulating material, the operational and technical characteristics of the basement and foundation parts of the house and the entire building are increased.
The optimal width of the system with insulation should correspond to the freezing depth of the soil or exceed this value. The price of the 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 up a lot of usable space. Therefore, it is worth limiting yourself to 0.7-0.9 m.
Concrete pavement around the house: how much does it cost to make a structure
The construction of the structure around the house can be done independently or hire workers specializing in the construction of a blind area for this purpose. If you are not confident in your own knowledge and strength, 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 the cost of 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./m? |
| Dismantling of 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 |
| Cushion formation (sand layer 0.5 cm + tamping) | 80 |
| Pillow formation (crushed stone layer 10 cm) | 80 |
| Installing a storm water inlet | 250 |
| Pipeline installation (m. p.) | 50 |
| Formation of a blind area from the finished mixture | 300 |
| Blind area formation + concrete mortar mixing | 650 |
The average cost of construction (services of craftsmen) costs about 1300 rubles. If we talk about the price, making a blind area around the house of concrete with your own hands is much cheaper than hiring qualified specialists for this purpose, since in this case financial investments are required only for the purchase of materials.
Do-it-yourself construction of an insulated blind area: step by step instructions
As a heater for the blind area, various materials can be used. 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 binder for expanded polystyrene.
Step-by-step instructions for the construction of an insulated blind area: 1 - marking, trench preparation; 2 - creation of a sand cushion; 3 - tamping sand; 4 - laying roofing material along the foundation; 5 - formwork installation; 6 - laying insulation (foam)
Having completed the installation of the side heat-insulating plates, it is necessary to form a pillow according to the technology that was considered earlier.
Making a concrete blind area around the house with your own hands: installation of insulation
In this case, the technology of two-layer thermal insulation using extruded polystyrene foam and polystyrene will be used.
This is done in the following order:
Step-by-step instructions for the construction of an insulated blind area: 7 - laying a layer of geotextile or roofing material; 8 - dividing the perimeter into sectors no longer than 2 m, installing jumpers, taking into account the slope; 9 - setting jumpers at angles of 45% relative to external corners for convergence of slopes on different sides of the blind area; 10 - laying reinforcement; 11 - concrete pouring; 12 - leveling the concrete surface using a rule or a regular board
On the end zones of the expanded polystyrene plates there are grooves that exclude the possibility of cracks between the elements after laying. Installation is carried out in such a way that the seams of the upper layer do not coincide with the seams of the lower foam layer. To cut the material, you can use a regular knife with a sharp sharpening of the blade.
The blind area around the house of concrete: how to make reinforcement
The next step is reinforcement. The finished mesh can be used as the main material. It can also be made independently, using reinforcement 0.8-1 cm thick. To do this, a grid with a cell size of 15x15 cm is formed from the bars. Fixation is performed in the intersection areas of the reinforcement. Specialized clamps are sold in stores that facilitate this process.
The mesh is laid on the base with a slight indent. To do this, you can use clamps-supports. Instead of clamps, it is allowed to use other materials, for example, stones, brick fight, etc.
The foundation part is poured with an indent of 5 cm. But in this case, such an indent 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 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 make the mixture correctly has already been described earlier. For a reinforced concrete structure, grade M 400 (minimum) is required. 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 density. The solution must be plastic and homogeneous.
The prepared solution is poured onto the base. It must be spread over the surface with a mop or any other suitable tool, such as a rule. The side walls of the formwork structure can be used as beacons.
After the pour is completed, the concrete must be pierced in several places to free the outlet for excess air. Use a reinforcing bar for this purpose. Then you should close these holes with a mixture and sprinkle the surface with a thin layer of cement (dry powder). According to the requirements of the technology, at least 28 days should be allowed for the filling to dry.
The design needs to be protected from the effects of precipitation. The blind area must be covered with a film of polyethylene.
Now you know how the blind area around the house is done with your own hands, a video - an overview of the technology will help you understand this issue in more detail:
The blind area around the house: how to make a soft structure
To arrange a soft blind area around the house with your own hands, you need to organize a trench and fill up a layer of sand. Do not forget to set the required slope angle for the embankment.
Next, a waterproofing material is laid on the sand. Ruberoid is the most popular material used for these purposes, but rubemast, despite its cost, has a longer service life.
For a formwork structure with a width of 0.8 m, cutting of the material will be required, because rubemast is sold in rolls with a width of 1 m. If you do not want to cut it, you can simply bend the excess parts and glue them to the wall with molten bitumen.
On the waterproofing layer, you need to make an embankment (10 cm) of sand and gravel (these materials are mixed in equal proportions). It must be tamped and leveled, while observing the required angle of inclination.
The soft blind area needs an additional layer of rubble. Gravel (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 mask the formwork boards with decorative borders.
You can use additional information on building a blind area around the house. A 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 the blind area from paving slabs and paving stones is carried out in the same way. The choice of finish depends entirely on the possibilities of the budget and preferences.
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 in 1 m? | Cost, rub./m? | |||||
| 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 |
| Cap of Monomakh (brick + 2 pentagons) | 8/16 | 430 | 460 | 460 | 690 | 590 | 460 |
| Pentagon (280/240/70) | 20 | 430 | 460 | 460 | 660 | 590 | 460 |
After analyzing the data from the table, you can see that the cost of purchasing paving stones or tiles for blind areas around the house largely depends on the size parameters, shape and color of the material.
Blind area around the house: video how to make a design, paving technology
For a blind area from a tile, a sand-gravel cushion is formed in the way that was described earlier. Only in this case it will be necessary to make an additional layer of sand (8-10 cm) on top of it.
The paving technology is simple enough that this procedure can be performed independently. Installation of tiles can be started from any angle that seems convenient to you. As you paving, you should move in the direction away from you. In the process of work, it is recommended to use the brickwork method.
In order for the tile to fit snugly to the base, it is better to use a special tool - a rubber mallet.
Scheme for mounting tiles using a mallet:
- lay tiles on the surface of the base;
- a wooden plank should be placed on top of the tile;
- with the help of a mallet, it is necessary to gently and carefully press the tile, tapping the tool on the plank.
Remember to use a building level to check the tiling. Not only the tile itself, but all the rows must be evenly spaced in relation to each other. In some cases, you may experience material sagging. This problem is solved by pouring sand under the corresponding coating elements. The protruding sections can be put in place with a mallet.
When paving, it is very important to observe the necessary slope of the blind area. The entire surface of the system is tiled. To cut the material to the desired size, it is recommended to use a grinder.
The blind area around the house: how to repair the concrete system with your own hands
During operation, the concrete blind area may be destroyed. But if you repair the blind area around the house with your own hands, you can not only extend the life of this structure, but also significantly save on paying for the services of craftsmen.
The most common problems:
- the occurrence of cracks;
- surface delamination;
- crumbling.
The price of do-it-yourself repair of the blind area around the house 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. Equally important is the type of material, its quantity.
Do-it-yourself methods for eliminating cracks in the blind area
Cracks in the blind area are of a different nature. Such damage can be classified as crevices, concrete breaks or gaps. It depends on the depth of the damage. Methods of dealing with cracks in each of the cases will be appropriate to the depth and severity of these damages.
Table of ways to repair the blind area and the necessary materials:
| Damage depth | Elimination method | Repair materials |
| 1 mm | "self-healing" | small cracks are not dangerous for the structure, they self-repair in the process of walking along the blind area |
| 1-3mm | "cement paste" | cracks are filled with a solution consisting of cement and water in proportions of 1: 1 |
| 3-30mm | pouring concrete; formation of a hydroseal; use of sealants |
pouring with concrete requires preliminary expansion of cracks to a conical shape and the application of a primer (Ceresit ST-17); to form a hydroseal, Lugato 5 Mortel putty is required; ISOSEAL P-40, TEKTOR 103 is suitable for sealing cracks with sealant |
| over 30 mm | pouring concrete | damage of this size is considered structural splits and is repaired only by pouring concrete |
How to eliminate delamination and crumbling
The second most common problem is stratification. Experts call this process delamination or concrete dusting.
There are several prerequisites for the appearance of stratification:
If the surface of the blind area crumbles or delaminates, the structure should be treated with a "cement test". To eliminate this problem, the use of compositions with liquid glass is allowed. The main components of the solution are water, cement, liquid glass in equal proportions.
Damage repair scheme:
The repair area should be kept under the film until the solution is completely dry.
Additional protective measures
There are several ways to protect the blind area from concrete from premature destruction:
- ironing method;
- primer coating;
- processing with liquid glass;
- natural stone cladding or tile installation.
Regardless of which type of construction 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, it is possible to exclude silting of the personal plot by draining the flowing water to a suitable place for this.
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