Constructing a concrete cellar can be a fulfilling do-it-yourself project that enhances your home’s useful storage space. A well-built cellar can be the ideal solution if you need a place to store your harvest, preserve homemade goods, or maintain the ideal temperature for your wine collection. You can construct a sturdy and useful cellar in your backyard with a little preparation, some simple tools, and some materials.
The durability of a concrete cellar is one of its main advantages. Excellent insulation is provided by concrete floors and walls, which keeps the interior stable and cool all year long. Because of this, it’s perfect for keeping perishable goods safe from the weather. Additionally, concrete is pest-resistant, so your stored items will be safe from trespassers.
There are several steps involved in creating a concrete cellar, from selecting the ideal site to completing the interior and pouring the concrete. To guarantee a successful build, each step must be meticulously planned. We’ll walk you through every step of the procedure in this guide, offering precise, detailed instructions. You can take on this project with confidence and build a dependable, long-lasting cellar by following these steps.
Assemble all required equipment and supplies before beginning, and be sure to review any applicable building codes or laws. For the construction process to run smoothly and effectively, preparation is essential. Are you prepared to begin? Let’s get into the specifics and discover how you can construct a concrete cellar by hand.
- What you need to know about a cellar before construction
- Which version of concrete cellar construction to choose
- Monolithic
- Prefabricated
- Advantages and disadvantages of concrete cellars
- Calculation of the composition of concrete
- Video on the topic
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What you need to know about a cellar before construction
Prior to gathering building supplies and getting to work, you should be aware of all the subtleties, benefits, and drawbacks of various strategies. Prior to project implementation, certain features need to be studied and considered.
Key details to consider when building a cellar:
- A concrete cellar can be underground, above ground, built separately from the house or inside the building, depending on the depth and location. It is most effective to arrange a cellar completely in the ground, but this option will require large expenditures of money, time, and effort. Partially buried structures (approximately half the height) are often built, which is quite enough to protect the premises from freezing and ensure comfortable operation.
- Any materials except porous ones are suitable for building a basement. It is not worth building a cellar from the currently popular gas blocks: the material absorbs moisture, will cause it to accumulate in the room, and can quickly collapse. Gas blocks can only be used if several layers of waterproofing are installed all around, but this is very expensive.
- A good modern option can be a ready-made plastic cellar box, which comes with a hatch, shelves, a ladder, a ventilation system. A concrete caisson needs to be made for it, and plastic cellars are expensive, but they eliminate many problems.
- A concrete basement is the most acceptable option today, since it is inexpensive, durable and reliable.
- The roof of the cellar can be arched (for partially buried or above-ground projects) or flat (for a room completely buried in the ground).
- The floor is left earthen (if the groundwater lies significantly lower) or filled with concrete and waterproofed (more reliable).
- Cellars are insulated with the same soil that was removed during the excavation process.
Which version of concrete cellar construction to choose
You can definitely construct a concrete cellar by hand. However, you must first choose the construction method. The basement can be built using prefabricated reinforced blocks or by filling formwork that has been prepared and reinforced with steel rods. A monolith is typically applied to heaving soils that have a high loam content.
It is important to keep in mind that in each scenario, the cellar floor needs to have a waterproofing layer and drainage system installed. It also needs to have the surface reinforced and filled with a minimum of 20 centimeters of concrete mixture. In any case, it is advisable to construct a sturdy and reinforced floor because both the soil load on the structure and the level of groundwater are subject to change. Furthermore, the foundation can support roughly 30% of the wall load.
Prefabricated buildings are more expensive, less long-lasting, and more prone to moisture than buildings built with concrete slabs and blocks.
Monolithic
Concrete is poured into a box to create monolithic concrete cellars. Prior to beginning any work, the area must be thoroughly studied. This includes figuring out the groundwater level and identifying any gas mains, water supply lines, communication, cable channels, sewer pipes, etc. on the property. d.
A concrete cellar is constructed by first choosing the kind of structure (underground or above ground), excavating a pit to the necessary depth, filling it with a drainage layer, installing formwork, reinforcing with steel rods, and then pouring concrete into the structure.
Consequently, the basement proves to be dependable, robust, and able to withstand the weight of soil, moisture, and the influence of numerous adverse elements.
Prefabricated
A prefabricated concrete cellar is constructed using foundation blocks and is ready to use once the floor is poured. Masonry mortar containing additives for waterproofing is used to assemble blocks. Special grooves and masonry mortar enable assembly. The blocks are completely coated with a waterproofing substance (like Degidrol Lux brand 3) after assembly.
Building a prefabricated concrete basement by hand is very challenging because of the weight of the blocks, which start at 100 kg, which is difficult for one person to lift even in theory. Here, make use of specialized tools.
The primary benefits of constructing a basement using prefabricated blocks are their quick and simple construction, their resilience to biologically harmful elements like mold and fungus, and their ability to withstand frost. The blocks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so selecting components with the ideal measurements won’t be tough. Even with a high groundwater level, a prefabricated basement can be installed as long as the waterproofing layer is put in correctly. The high cost of the blocks themselves and the labor involved in using them is one of this option’s drawbacks.
Constructing a self-built concrete cellar can be a fulfilling endeavor that offers useful storage capacity for food and other goods. You will be guided through every step of the process with this step-by-step guide, from choosing the ideal location and getting the site ready to pouring concrete and finishing the interior. Even with no prior construction experience, you will be able to build a sturdy and useful cellar that suits your needs if you adhere to these simple and straightforward instructions.
Advantages and disadvantages of concrete cellars
It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of concrete structures before designing and executing a project.
The primary benefits of a concrete cellar include:
- Durability – the ability to withstand considerable loads, resistance to seasonal shifts.
- Simplicity – it is not difficult to do everything yourself and it is quite possible for one person.
- Long service life – more than 20 years.
- Frost resistance – provided that waterproofing is performed in the cellar, there will never be frost, regardless of the ambient temperature and the level of soil freezing.
- Hygiene.
- Resistance to various chemical influences.
- Low cost.
The following are some drawbacks of a concrete cellar that are worth mentioning: a high heat conductivity (which means that thermal insulation and waterproofing should be done), and the possibility of cracks during installation (which usually results from not following the technology).
Because poured concrete cellars have so many benefits and so few drawbacks, they are thought to be the best option.
Calculation of the composition of concrete
The quality of the material is important because it is desirable to prepare concrete for the cellar with high moisture resistance characteristics. The cement needs to be sifted through a 1×1 mm sieve to eliminate lumps, as there shouldn’t be any.
Typically, the ingredients are as follows: one part cement, one part sand, three or four parts crushed stone or gravel, and the right amount of water to achieve the right consistency in the solution. You can use a specific online calculator to do calculations for concrete grades more precisely.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Planning | Decide on the size and location of the cellar. Make sure it is away from water sources to prevent flooding. |
| 2. Excavation | Dig a hole according to your plan. Ensure the depth is sufficient for your needs. |
| 3. Foundation | Pour a layer of gravel for drainage, then lay a concrete foundation to provide a stable base. |
| 4. Walls | Construct the walls using concrete blocks or pour concrete into forms. Reinforce with steel bars for added strength. |
| 5. Roofing | Build a sturdy roof using concrete slabs or beams. Ensure it is well-sealed to keep moisture out. |
| 6. Waterproofing | Apply a waterproof membrane to the outside walls and floor to prevent water ingress. |
| 7. Ventilation | Install vents to allow air circulation, which helps prevent mold and mildew. |
| 8. Finishing | Apply a coat of waterproof paint inside and add shelving or storage as needed. |
Creating a concrete cellar by hand is a satisfying project that improves your house’s usability. A robust and effective storage area can be made by following a methodical plan. Every step is essential to guaranteeing the longevity and usability of the cellar, from clearing the space and building the foundation to building the walls and adding the finishing touches.
Thorough planning and site preparation are the first steps in the process. To prevent problems later on, it’s essential to have a strong foundation and adequate drainage. The performance of the cellar will be greatly improved if you pay close attention to details like insulation and reinforcement as you progress through the building stages. To prevent any accidents, always remember to take your time and follow safety precautions.
Your concrete cellar can be made into a useful and comfortable area by adding ventilation, waterproofing, and finishing touches after the main structure is finished. While waterproofing keeps the cellar dry and secure, proper ventilation will help avoid moisture and mold. Whether it is being used for food storage, wine storage, or other purposes, personalizing the interior can make the area more useful.
You will not only save money by doing this project yourself, but you will also feel proud of yourself and acquire useful skills. Your concrete cellar can serve your family well for many years with perseverance and hard work, offering a dependable storage option and raising the overall value of your home.
