Building a cellar under an existing house: How to Add a Basement to a House

How to Add a Basement to a House

By Terry Schutz

Terry Schutz Writer

Terry Schutz is a freelance writer specializing in home renovations, DIY advice, and construction topics. Terry has worked in the construction industry for over 30 years—acquiring knowledge as an installer, manager, salesperson, and business owner.

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| Published on Mar 1, 2023

Reviewed by Katie Barton

Katie Barton Home Improvement Expert

Katie Barton is a home improvement freelance writer. For as long as she can remember, she’s had a passion for making homes beautiful. She specializes in cleaning, organizing, and home improvement projects.

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Can you add a basement to a house? Definitely. Do you want to build a basement under an existing house? Maybe. Do a lot of research before committing yourself to adding a basement under your home. This article will help you learn more about how to add a basement to a house.

You Can Put a Basement Under Most Buildings

Basements are built for many types of existing buildings. In most instances, the basement is constructed; then, the building is moved to the location and set on the basement. Finally, services are hooked up, and any required finishing is completed.

House-moving companies and foundation companies are very adept at coordinating these types of projects.

Modular Homes.
Trailers.
Houses moved to new locations.

Basement building permit

It is impossible to build basements in some locations. High water tables, underground streams and springs, and soil types are problems. (Many parts of Florida, for instance, have no basements.)

A call or visit to your local government building permit department will tell you if a basement under your existing house is possible.

Note: If you proceed with adding a basement, you will get to know city or county engineers, plumbing, sewer, heating, and construction inspectors better than you ever thought possible.

The Benefits of Adding a Basement Under your House

Adding a basement under your home can improve your living arrangements. It could be worth the time, cost, and effort if you cannot move or do not want to move. Adding a basement is a good option if building an addition, garage, storage shed, or outbuilding is not feasible.

Increases Living Space

Ideally, adding a basement adds the same amount of floor area as you have on the main floor. Some possible uses for your newly finished basement include:

Mother-In-Law Suite.
Children’s Bedrooms.
Rental Suite.
Entertainment Theater.
Exercise Room.
Whatever You Desire.

Increases Storage Space

Hundreds of square feet in a new basement stores a lot of overflow. From six years of tax files to unused exercise equipment, getting it out of your living area is a relief. Other options, such as a storage shed–if available–may be more cost-effective.

Increases Resale Value

For resale purposes, agents only list the area of the floors above grade–not basements. Well-designed and finished basements are great selling points. Remodelling Magazine says the national average Return on Investment (ROI) for finishing a basement is over 70%.

The 70% does not factor in the cost of building the basement, but it is an indication that finished basements have significant value. Add to that the years of benefit and pleasure you derive from the extra space, and the investment may be well worth it.

The Cons of Adding a Basement Under Your House

Living in a house with a basement has many benefits, but there are some cons to building the basement after the house.

Expensive

Adding a basement under your house costs between $50. 00 and $75.00 per square foot if you have an existing crawl space. More if your home sits on a concrete pad. (Breaking up and removing the pad while salvaging plumbing and sewer connections adds to the price.)

The entire project probably takes 9 – 12 months to complete. You will not be living in your home while it happens. Be prepared for the additional costs of renting or the annoyance of living with relatives.

Miscellaneous Concerns

Most other concerns like flooding, leaking, rodents, and pests are non-issues if you have a good contractor who ensures solid water-tight and pest-tight construction. Make sure you pay attention to the possibilities and ask questions.

How to Build a Basement Under Your House

If I haven’t convinced you to add space in another way–let’s get to it. Unless you are a general contractor by trade, this is not a DIY project. Start by getting quotes from reputable general contractors–preferably three who have experience with this type of project.

Ask for references, names, and addresses of previous customers. Get permission to see and talk to them. You are engaging in a major league contract. Be diligent with your money.

Adding a basement under a house involves almost as many trades as building a complete house – building movers, excavators, cribbers, plumbers, and electricians. A general contractor is experienced in scheduling and supervising multiple tradesmen and obtaining all required permits.

Spend time with your contractor during the entire process. You may not know the difference between a 15 amp breaker and a tin basher, but you are writing the checks and will have to live with the result. Being on-site can prevent the temptation to take a shortcut.

Planning

Once you have chosen a contractor, get a plan drawn. The dimensions have to match your house. Plumbing rough-ins, electrical panel locations, footings, etc., must be clearly marked. Basement locations have to match the main floor locations.

Note: You will need detailed plans to get permits.

Preparation

You are going to lift and/or move your house. Remove anything that might break and tie down everything else, drain all the water lines, and disconnect power.

Remove anything in your yard that might get in the way or get crushed – backhoes, gravel trucks, and concrete trucks need a lot of space. Make sure the neighbors are fully informed. Men and equipment may encroach on their property.

Moving the House

Most contractors prefer moving the house right off the basement location to make work easier and safer. In many situations, there is not enough space close by. They will then raise and block the house high enough to work under it. Make sure that you understand and approve of the method that will be used.

Excavation

If the house is removed, they can dig a hole using a large track hoe, which is quick and efficient. If the house can only be raised in place, the excavation will have to be done with a tractor-mount backhoe and loader. A ramp is dug to allow the hoe to get under the house, and the process is a much slower operation.

Pouring the Walls

Before the footings are poured, contractors will install all water and sewer lines. They will pour the footings and post pads, then the walls. Then, they’ll install weeping tile around the footings and waterproof the exterior walls. (Pouring a $100,000.00 basement that leaks is not funny.) Finally, they’ll backfill the hole, ensuring proper grading for water drainage.

Replacing the House

The last step is to place the house on your new basement and secure it to the concrete. Once that’s finished, the contractor will hook up all of the services, pour the basement floor, install the HVAC system, and install stairs to the main floor.

Is It a Good Idea to Build a Basement Under an Existing House?

It’s almost never a good idea to build a basement under an existing house if you have other options. If you do not have options or refuse to use them, make sure that you are adding the basement for your own needs and pleasure. There is a very good chance you will not recoup your investment in dollar value only.

Can You Add A Basement to An Existing House?

Updated February 15, 2022

Photo: Anatoli / Adobe Stock

Highlights

Before breaking ground, check that your state or climate is conducive to basements first.
Basements are great for providing increased storage, space for entertainment, and resale value.
The average cost to build a full 2,000-square-foot basement with no existing crawlspace is around $110,000.
If you already have a crawlspace, you can add a basement for about $45,000.
Alternative options include a home addition or converted attic.

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Adding a basement to a house is a perfect way to create a workspace, entertainment area, or simply to have more room for a growing family. But while you can add a basement to a house, it doesn’t mean it’s always worth it.

You need to keep in mind that you’re affecting your home’s foundation, and you need to look into whether your state or climate is conducive to basements in the first place.

Benefits of Adding a Basement to a House

If adding a basement is on your wishlist, then you’re likely suffering from a storage or space problem. Building up isn’t always an option, so why not see if there’s room to build below? This is especially true if you already have a crawl space underneath your home.

If your bedroom closets are overflowing with extra baby stuff, clothes, or holiday decorations, a new basement can give you a significant storage boost.

Living or Entertaining Space

Basements also allow people to hang downstairs and away from the kitchen while you’re prepping dinner. An added bonus: The concrete walls offer good soundproofing for your kiddos’ drum set and act as a perfect overflow room during large parties.

Increase in Home Value

Because you’re creating additional square footage, you’re likely going to see an increase in the value of your home. However, you will need to waterproof your basement to ensure it retains that value. To keep things dry, the cost of waterproofing a basement can run an additional $20,000.

“Basements are often below the water table, so waterproofing is key,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “Keeping water out involves a combination of waterproofing and water-pumping. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your basement dry in many places.”

Negatives of Adding a Basement to a House

While basements bring plenty of benefits, they do come with some drawbacks. You need to consider flooding, the initial construction costs, and whether it’s even possible to build one in your home.

Not Possible in Some Areas

In states such as Florida and Georgia, you’re unlikely to find any basements at all. This is because both the climate and local aquifers make it impossible to build more than a few feet into the ground.

The soil in these areas is also prone to shifting, making the basement likely to collapse. These areas also tend to experience high amounts of rain, so you’ll need to look into tips to prevent basement flooding.

Photo: Jason / Adobe Stock

High Cost to Build

While adding on a basement to an existing house does increase its value, it’s not likely going to recuperate the initial cost to add on. The average cost to build a full basement is around $110,000 for 2,000 square feet if there’s no existing crawl space. If there is an existing crawl space or even a partial basement, the cost is closer to $45,000 for 2,000 square feet.

This doesn’t include the cost of finishing the basement, which is typically around $20,000 for the inside and around $10,000 for waterproofing the outside. You’ll also want to add in flooring, have your HVAC system hooked up, and ensure the walls are complete. Some flooring options perfect for basements include vinyl, ceramic tile, and stone tile.

Attracts Pests

While the scary stories you were told as a kid about spooky monsters in the basement weren’t true, the basement is an ideal spot for pests. The high moisture combined with low lighting makes basements a prime candidate for all the creepy crawlies and critters if not sealed properly.

Alternatives to Adding a Basement to a House

So, if you’re still undecided about whether you should add a basement, there are a few other options you can consider to accomplish your goal of additional space.

Home Addition

The cost to build on a home addition is around $140 per square foot on average. So if you only need around 200 square feet of extra space added on, you’re looking at spending around $28,000.

Converted Attic

Maybe you consider the attic an unused space. If you can’t build down, why not look into building up? The average cost to convert and finish an attic into a bedroom is around $19,000, depending on the square footage.

Who Should Add a Basement to a House?

If you’re looking to maximize the amount of space in your existing home and you don’t plan on leaving anytime soon, you might want to consider adding a basement. You’re going to get the most square footage possible, and you don’t need to deal with the stress of moving into a bigger home.

However, if you live in warmer regions, a basement may not even be an option for you. You also need to put a hefty amount toward getting a basement, so if you only need an extra bedroom, then adding another room or finishing the attic is a better option for you.

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Learn more about our contributors

As a recent graduate from the University of Central Florida, Matt has a knack for clever, budget-friendly home improvements. He has a passion for helping others, mainly in the form of writing informative articles. He has written for companies including Lenovo and NutriGardens.

Robert Tschudi has 16 years of experience in general contracting, home building and home remodeling. He and his wife currently co-own a remodeling business that they started in 2004.

Basement in the ground under the house: choosing construction technology

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Construction of a small basement is within the power of everyone

Basement is the best option for increasing the usable area of the building. In an apartment building, it is mainly used to host communication networks. In a small private house (dacha or cottage), the underground space can be used as an underground garage, laundry, boiler room, equip a swimming pool or a gym. The entrance to it can be done both from the ground floor and from the street. [toc>

Design features of underground rooms

A basement under a private house can be implemented in several ways. basement arrangement in the country house is best planned when designing. This will take into account all the features of the building and geodetic conditions. Also, it is worth considering its location:

basement under part of the house;
basement under the entire area of the house, as is done in an apartment building (for example, with a tape type, it will completely match the configuration of the first floor).

It is worth considering in advance how the foundation will be laid. You can use the method with the preliminary creation of a pit or pour reinforced concrete walls.

A high-quality basement laid at the start of construction is a reliable foundation for the house

Planning stage

Starting the design, you need to clearly know why the basement is being made in the house. An underground room to be used as a living room must have a certain height. In this case, it is recommended to observe the minimum standard values - at least 2.5-3 m, as in a normal residential floor. If the basement in the building will be used more as a technical room (for example, a boiler room or cellar), a height of 1.8 – 2.2 m will be enough. The depth of the pit, in turn, should be equal to the height of the room + 0.5-1 m. The reserve will be spent on floor screed, ceiling finishing.

Important! The walls in the basement must be thicker than those on the first floor, as they must withstand a greater load. In fact, they will perform the function of the base.

Therefore, even with an identical layout, the area of the underground space will be slightly smaller than on the ground floor. Also, it is worth remembering that wall materials have different tensile strengths. If we compare block material and monolith, then the latter is much more reliable, although it requires large financial costs. You also need to consider the entrance to the basement or the entrance if it is intended to be used as a garage.

Entrance to the basement from the street

Choosing a location for the basement

Arranging a small basement in the country is a dream of any owner. However, making a basement in the ground under an existing building is not always economically viable. Therefore, some experts suggest placing a basement on a free plot in the country. The best place to place it would be a hill. Elevation in the country ensures that groundwater passing through the ground will not enter the basement. Accordingly, you can save a little on waterproofing. Another positive side of building a basement in a country house on a hill or hillock is that the minimum load from the weight of the soil will act on the walls of the basement. The entrance to the basement will be located from the street. It can be equipped or hidden by plantings. It depends on the preferences of the owners. You can also make a pit for natural light. Device technologies may vary, but a rough diagram is as follows:

A hole (pit) breaks out in the ground. With small areas, you can not use special equipment.
Cushion made of sand with crushed stone.
Waterproofing.
Building walls.
Basement ceiling.
Interior arrangement.

A well-equipped cellar is a great place to store preserves and wine

The advantages of this option are, first of all, lower costs compared to building a cellar under an already standing house. However, there are also disadvantages. First of all – the entrance to the basement from the street: you need to go to the underground room. In the usual basement, you can make an entrance from the first floor. Although it will perform other functions in the same way as a regular basement. Building a cellar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEFDBnjejXo

Basement technology with excavation

In the first case, it is necessary to dig a hole in the ground, which in its configuration will slightly exceed the dimensions of the planned basement. On each side, the difference should be at least 30-50 cm. After the pit is dug, a pillow is placed on its bottom, which consists of sand and crushed stone, and then a reinforced concrete slab is mounted, which, in fact, will serve as the foundation of the whole house.

Foundation pit for a house with a cellar

The slab that is placed on the cushion must be protected from moisture. Usually, rolled roofing material is used for insulation. Two or three layers of insulation are laid on the top surface of the slab, after which the concrete layer is poured. It is he who will act as the basis for the walls of the future basement. Brick, foam concrete blocks or other materials are used as the material for the walls. After their construction, it is necessary to carry out work on isolation from water.

Foundation waterproofing structure

After the walls, it is necessary to build a ceiling. Often, a monolithic slab is used, although the use of wood, concrete beams also takes place. The last step is to eliminate the free cavities that remain between the walls of the room. They are covered with earth with the addition of gravel. After that, you can proceed to the device of the first floor. Features of this method:

The construction of a basement by digging a foundation pit must proceed without delay, because if the dug hole is left for a long time, its walls may begin to collapse. This, in turn, will lead to the need for additional work to restore the boundaries of the pit.
Often, digging a pit occurs only with the use of special equipment.
A fairly large part of the costs will be occupied by waterproofing, especially if brick or blocks are used as wall material. In places of their joints, cracks can form, into which moisture will constantly penetrate.

Also, it is worth noting that this option requires significant costs, because you will have to use special equipment and workers. It will not be possible to complete all the stages of work on your own. Foundation pit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XyCKPv519A

Technology for building a basement by pouring reinforced concrete walls

If in the first option a pit is pulled out, then in this case trenches are dug in the ground. They must pass in those places where the walls of the basement will be erected. In this case, parts of the strip base will act as the walls of the basement. Also, it is worth considering whether formwork is necessary. If the walls are reinforced concrete, then formwork must be made above the ground level. But, if the base is made from other materials, then formwork is not needed. Before proceeding directly to the installation of reinforcement and pouring trenches, you need to take care of waterproofing. Although the thickness of the walls provides a minimum level of hygroscopicity, with prolonged exposure to moisture, the life of the building will be significantly reduced and the basement will need to be repaired very soon. Reinforcement should be laid in the prepared trenches. Its diameter is selected taking into account the loads that the walls must withstand. The next step is pouring the cement mortar. Before proceeding to the next stage of work, it is necessary to wait until the mortar hardens.

Structural strip foundation

After the poured walls have hardened, the excavation can begin. As in the case of digging a pit, a sand cushion must be laid on the bottom, after which reinforcement and pouring of the base of the future basement are carried out. The main problem when using this technology is the laying of reinforcement in trenches. If there is not enough experience for the independent implementation of this stage of work, it is best to involve specialists. The remaining stages of work can be done independently and at the same time with a small investment of time. Basement wall concreting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY5rngA03AU

Basement in a finished house

It is not uncommon for people to think about building a basement after the house has been built. It is almost impossible to do this on your own, so it is recommended to contact construction offices. It should also be understood that the device will not be very cheap, so experts in most cases recommend making a basement under part of the house. You need to think in advance:

where the premises will be located;
what will be its dimensions;
whether there will be a pit;
where the entrance to the basement will be.

The technology for arranging an underground room has the following stages:

Excavation is made along the perimeter of the room under which the basement will be. The depth of this excavation must be 1.5 m.
Next, the floor and walls of the future premises are strengthened with sheet asbestos cement.
Waterproofing is done in several layers.
Arrangement of fittings and pouring of the floor. Thickness must be at least 20 cm.
Concrete walls are made along the perimeter.

It should be understood that the room itself should not be large. Next to it, a stepped foundation should also be arranged, which will connect the two parts of the building. Basement in the house https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRy2e1Tnqpg

What should not be forgotten when building a basement

In addition to technology, the choice of materials for construction, waterproofing, there are several important factors. Pit and ventilation are some of the important points that should not be forgotten.

Ventilation system in a house with a basement

Pit device

Pit can be found both in an apartment building and in a small private house (for example, in a country house). An important factor in the arrangement of the basement, whatever function it performs, is the availability of natural light and access to fresh air. To do this, make window openings that are located slightly below ground level. Next to such a window, you need to equip a pit, which must be protected from moisture, dirt and debris. Thus, the pit allows sunlight to enter the room, but at the same time, precipitation and debris will not enter due to the presence of protection.

Light wells should be designed in such a way that the maximum amount of sunlight enters the basement through the windows. To ventilate the basement, as well as the rooms of the next floor, special ventilation ducts are made. They can be made of bricks, plastic pipes, corrugations and other materials suitable for this purpose.

Important! The ventilation duct must start under the basement ceiling, go to the roof of the building and end above the roof level.

Usually, during the warm period, there is not enough draft to provide sufficient air flow even for one floor, so some people install a fan in the exhaust pipe. In a country house or in an apartment building, the basement is a multifunctional room. It can store preservation, unnecessary items, or equip it as a living space. In an apartment building, the basement is built during the construction of the building and its further change is impossible. In an existing small cottage, even if it was designed without underground spaces, you can change the situation and make a small underground space under part of the house or nearby. Do-it-yourself basement ventilation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZnDwRYCqmw

Construction of a cellar in a private house. Features of the choice of materials for the construction of cellar walls

Contents

Construction of a cellar in a private house. Features of the choice of materials for the construction of cellar walls
Cellar in a country house. Cellar construction technology from asbestos-cement sheets
Mini-cellar in the house. Do-it-yourself plastic cellar: a worthy alternative or pampering?
- Introduction to the plastic cellar
- Types of plastic caissons
How to make a cellar in a wooden house. Choosing a place
Do you need a cellar in a private house. Why is a house with a basement better than without it?
Cellar in the house or separately. What is better to build: a cellar under the house or separately

Construction of a cellar in a private house. Features of the choice of materials for the construction of the walls of the cellar

The room can be located underground, on its surface, in the basement semi-buried floor or adjacent to the wall of an existing building. If the cellar is planned under the house, then construction begins with it.

Use different materials for your cellar walls

Choose a location based on groundwater. With a low GWL, the cellar can be arranged deeper. If underground flows are close to the surface, the building is raised higher. In any case, the floor should not approach the HW level closer than 0.5 m. When backing soil moisture, even the most hermetic waterproofing will not help to avoid a leak. The only reliable option for a buried cellar is a metal or plastic caisson, which is immersed in a pit. Its device will cost 30% more than the above-ground premises.

To build a cellar you will need:

sand or gravel for filling;
floor concrete;
wall materials;
timber and board for wooden flooring, slab, reinforcement, concrete – for monolithic reinforced concrete;
materials for waterproofing – coating, pasting, penetrating;
pipes for drainage;
for finishing – lime, plaster mortar.

All cellar structures operate in high humidity conditions, so they must be protected from rotting or corrosion.

In this

High humidity in storage can be handled by good ventilation, either natural or forced. For its device, metal, plastic or asbestos-cement pipes are used. The diameter is determined at the rate of 15 mm of cross section per square meter of the room.

Read more: do-it-yourself cellar ventilation.

The cellar is equipped with a ladder, which can be fixed or portable. It is made of wood or concrete, or use a finished factory production.

If possible, the cellar is lit from the mains. Then you need wires, switches and a lamp. It is necessary to provide for the safe use of equipment.

A certain temperature and humidity regime must be maintained in the cellars, otherwise the stored stocks will quickly become unusable. Especially demanding in this regard is wine, which requires special conditions for aging. To maintain the required air parameters, special climatic equipment is installed.

Finally, you will need an insulated door or manhole cover. In cold regions, double structures are arranged in the opening to prevent freezing.

Cellar in a country house. Cellar construction technology from asbestos-cement sheets

Such a cellar can only be built in dry soils. It is made not only quadrangular, but six-, eight- and decagonal.

Construction takes only a few days.

Asbestos cement sheets or boards have standard dimensions: 1200 X 900 X 10 mm, so the cellar area can be calculated based on the number of its sides. The hexagonal cellar will have an area of 4.3 square meters. m, octagonal – 5.7 sq. m, decagonal -7.8 sq. m.

Fastening is carried out on bolts. Sheets are cut with a hacksaw.

The construction of the cellar begins, as usual, with a foundation pit. After the excavation is ready, the installation of the lower row of asbestos-cement slabs is done. They are connected to each other with the help of corners on bolts and nuts. The result is a closed structure that has the form of a polygon in plan.
Cellar from asbestos-cement sheets: 1. – asbestos-cement sheet; 2. – corner; 3. – bolt; 4. – shelf; 5. – cross member; 6. – hatch.

The base is made of concrete. While the concrete has not yet hardened, the assembled asbestos-cement walls are gently and evenly pressed into the concrete base of the floor to a depth of about 10 cm. Then they are left for 5-7 days so that the concrete hardens and the lower tier of the walls is firmly fixed, after which the next tier plates are attached to it. The number and height of the slabs depend on the chosen depth of the cellar. The seams between the plates are rubbed with cement mortar.

If the floor of the cellar is earthen, then under the lower tier of asbestos-cement slabs, a foundation is made along the perimeter of the cellar. The depth of the foundation is 30 cm, the width is 40 cm. The walls are covered from the outside with a layer of hot bitumen in two stages. Surfaces are pre-cleaned and primed.

The ceiling is also made of asbestos-cement sheets: on the ends of the corners of two oppositely lying slabs, two channels are laid parallel to each other and the cellar axis passing through the middle of these opposite sheets. Overlapping sheets are attached to the channels. They should also be primed and covered with two layers of hot bitumen.

For better waterproofing, it is recommended to make a clay castle of crumpled clay 15-25 cm thick. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the bituminous insulation.

An inlet in the form of a hatch is arranged in the ceiling of the cellar between two channels. It is made double from sheet steel with a thickness of 1.5-2 mm, and the strapping is made from angle steel. Some well-known heat-insulating material is placed between the manhole covers. The hatch does not have to be made by welding, it can be assembled on bolts and nuts. The dimensions of the hatch are 60 X 60 or 75 x 75 cm. A metal or wooden ladder is attached to the hatch.

Ventilation provided by two pipes. One is brought out higher, the second is set so that it is located 5-10 cm above the ceiling. The diameter of the pipes is about 10 cm. The lower pipe is sealed with a metal mesh with small cells to protect against penetration of rodents into the cellar. From the inside, the walls are covered with water-based paint or lime mortar. Along the inner perimeter of the cellar, you can make shelves on brackets from metal corners. They are cut and bent so that the desired shape is obtained. The cellar can be divided into cells, the same asbestos-cement sheets will serve as partitions.

If the cellar is not located under the house, but stands separately on the site, a canopy is made above it to protect it from atmospheric precipitation, and along the perimeter – a pavement made of clay or concrete. The blind area has a slope in the opposite direction from the cellar at an angle of 2-5 °.

Mini-cellar in the house. Do-it-yourself plastic cellar: a worthy alternative or pampering?

9 min.

Adjoining territory

The cellar is a very useful building, you can’t do without it either in a private house or in a country house. Until recently, the owners of suburban areas had only two options – the construction of storage facilities for vegetables, fruits and blanks made of brick or concrete. Both methods are quite laborious, but they are not a salvation from moisture if the groundwater level is very high. In this case, there is only one way out – to make a plastic cellar with your own hands. Such a design, called a caisson, has several undeniable advantages that storage facilities built from traditional, familiar materials lack. Everything about the plastic cellar, its pros, cons, obstacles that may appear on the way to the goal, and it is better to know about the operating rules in advance.

Getting to know the plastic cellar

A modern box made of plastic or fiberglass is a completely hermetic design. It has an impressive volume of several thousand liters. The walls of the plastic cellar are of medium thickness. Inside, the chamber is equipped with everything that may be required for perfect operation: a sealed manhole cover, stairs, shelves, food racks. Despite their spaciousness, plastic caissons look quite compact: height, length and width do not go beyond three to four meters. Standard sizes are 1500×1900, 1900×2100 and 2100×2500 mm.

Plastic cellars are manufactured at the factory from propylene (fiberglass) having a minimum thickness of 10 mm. The strength of the structure is guaranteed by an internal metal frame, complemented by stiffening ribs. The floor in such a box can be made of concrete or wood. The main advantage of this ready-made caisson is its complete internal equipment. The cellar has:

wooden (metal) stairs;
wooden shelving;
waterproof fixture;
supply and exhaust ventilation;
humidity and temperature sensors (optional).

It is possible to order an individual package, but the range is so wide that it makes it possible to find the perfect design even among the presented models with basic “outfit”.

Types of plastic caissons

These storages are made in two ways: plastic sheets are welded or cast in layers. There is no difference which method is used, the result is the same in both cases. When welding, the plastic melts, so the finished caisson has no seams – the surface of the cellar looks (and is) monolithic. Judging by the reviews of the owners, they, as a rule, do not observe leaks in the seams.

How to make a cellar in a wooden house. Choosing a location

You can place a cellar in a wooden house or on a plot.

Once you have decided on the type of structure, its depth and the materials from which it will be built, you need to find a suitable place for the basement. There are two main options:

Location of the cellar

Features and benefits

Under the house

Cellars are often located under the dwelling house. This is beneficial from several positions at once: the house protects the basement from surface moisture and frost, it is convenient to go down into it without going outside, it is easier to bring communications. However, if the cellar was not taken into account and dug out during the construction of the house, it will be very difficult and inconvenient to work later

On a plot separate from the house

This location will require more 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 walls of the foundation. Again, basement odors will not enter the house.

Usually, when building a house, the presence of a basement is provided for by the project, and it is dug out and strengthened even 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 the house, consider this wish when designing.
Digging and equipping a basement inside a finished building is extremely inconvenient and difficult.

If you decide to locate the cellar on a plot separate from the house, then you should carefully study the landscape here. The best option is a flat open place, located on a small hill.

Slight elevation is the best place.

It is important to take into account the general ensemble of buildings on the site. Cellars are not placed near compost pits, toilets, septic tanks, collectors, enclosures with cattle. But near the summer kitchen, house, utility shed, it will be quite appropriate.

It is advisable to provide a convenient and short path from your kitchen to the cellar, as you will have to walk along it quite often. It is better to turn on the light double: from the house and directly in the cellar.

Consider a convenient location in relation to other objects on the site.

Important!
Near the cellar, trees and plants with a powerful and developed root system should not be planted, as it can destroy the waterproofing of walls and ceilings.

Do you need a cellar in a private house. Why is a house with a basement better than without it?

The basement is, of course, non-residential premises. You can’t live in it, but this does not mean that the basement floor is necessarily “extra meters”. It is more correct to consider it as an auxiliary useful space.

An interesting fact is that almost all buildings that were built in Soviet times had basement floors. If there was no basement in the house, its role was partially performed by a cellar or barn located nearby. The main reason is our harsh climate and long winter (it was possible to store food for a long time in cool basements without any problems).

Of course, homeowners don’t have that need these days – most groceries can be bought at convenience stores or malls, and almost everyone has large multifunctional freezers in their homes.

Nevertheless, having a basement in the house will still prove to be a profitable solution for many homeowners: both for large families who are preparing to move to a country cottage for an extended stay, and for older people who are used to preparing food for the winter. And here’s why:

In the basement (cellar) you can store everything without exception. What takes up a significant place and does not physically fit in the refrigerator: a bag of flour or sugar, jam, compotes and much more;
If a family prefers to live in an apartment during the winter, the cellar of their house is also used to preserve the summer harvest;
If the homeowner is a professional farmer or an avid gardener, he usually has huge plots and seedlings, and therefore crops. “A couple of tons of potatoes” need to be stored somewhere – the basement is most welcome for this;
The basement floor is also indispensable for homeowners who are engaged in winemaking and home brewing. Or just connoisseurs of old wine. To preserve their qualities for a long time, a dark, cool place is needed;
If the area of the house or plot is small, the basement will be useful as an auxiliary space where not only food, but also household items will be stored: garden, sports equipment, bicycles, tools, skis, sleds, etc.

Cellar in the house or separately. What is better to build: a cellar under the house or separately

When building a private house, the owners always think about building a cellar that allows you to store the harvest harvested in the fall. However, many are faced with the problem of choosing its location. Options for building a cellar under the house or separately have their own advantages and disadvantages.

The classic cellar is a building consisting of two parts. The underground part is a storage room, and the above-ground part prevents it from overheating in summer or freezing in winter. The above-ground part is equipped with an entrance door made of thick boards, upholstered from the inside with insulation. The walls of the underground part are made of reinforced concrete or brick. Outside, they are protected by waterproofing, which prevents the penetration of ground moisture into the premises and the formation of condensate. The floor and ceiling are made of reinforced concrete.

The buried cellar is completely underground. A hole for him is dug to a depth of 2.5-3 meters. Reinforced concrete slabs, wooden beams or thick slabs are used as floors. To prevent moisture ingress, the ceiling is covered with a layer of waterproofing. It can be roofing material, thick polyethylene or other similar materials. Thermal insulation made of extruded polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam or ordinary slag is laid on it. The heat-insulating layer is also covered with waterproofing.