DIY blind area repair

In detail: do-it-yourself blind area repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

The destruction of the blind area around the building, the appearance of cracks and the germination of vegetation in them under the influence of time is a common occurrence. Especially if the coating was laid in violation of construction technology. If the problem is obvious, then repairing the blind area near the house with your own hands or with the involvement of competent workers must be carried out promptly, since the blind area has an important role to play - protecting the foundation from the penetration of precipitation and the formation of damage during severe frosts.

A blind area is a covering around a building with an average width of 80 to 150 cm, which protects the foundation from moisture and freezing... It is equipped with a certain slope to ensure the drainage of rainwater from the house. According to construction standards, the slope should be 5-10 cm for each meter of the blind area, while the edge adjacent to the wall of the house should rise, and the opposite should be level with the ground.

The lathing for pouring concrete during the repair of the blind area begins to be made from the lowest place, that is, from the point where the water is drained.

Then they move to the opposite side of the house, constantly monitoring the level of the slope.

The materials used to equip the protective structure with your own hands are:

concrete;
cement;
artificial and natural stone;
paving stones;
asphalt;
tile.

To repair the coating around the house with your own hands you will need:

shovel;
bucket;
wheelbarrow;
puncher;
materials for heat and moisture insulation;
building level;
sand;
crushed stone;
fittings.

Step 1. Preparation for pouring the solution.

Before carrying out the main work, the surface of the old coating should be cleaned from dust and dirt. Expand cracks and remove completely destroyed areas. Prime the edges of cracks to improve adhesion. To close the gaps that have formed, to save cement mortar, you can use pieces of the old destroyed blind area. To do this, they are laid out there before pouring.

Video (click to play).

The stage of preparing the blind area for pouring the solution

Step 2. Preparation of the solution.

For this, the following ingredients are used: sand - 2.6 parts, cement M500 or M400 - 1 part, crushed stone - 4.5 parts, water - 125 liters per 1 cubic meter. ready-made solution, as well as other additives. The shelf life of the finished mixture is about 2 hours.

Preparation of a solution for repairing the blind area

It is better to start pouring concrete from the highest point, periodically monitoring compliance with the planned slope. Repair of large areas of damaged blind area should be carried out using a reinforcing mesh.

The third step is pouring concrete.

After pouring, the concrete is compacted and leveled.

After completion of the work, the surface is covered with a damp cloth and left to dry gradually, occasionally sprinkling with water, so that the concrete does not dry out too quickly and does not crack.

After complete drying of the concrete, the formwork is removed.

Lack of a waterproofing layer. This is an important structural element that separates all other layers from the ground and prevents the penetration of moisture from the outside.
Poorly compacted, uneven backfill. Insufficient thickness of the top layer.
Construction work under unfavorable climatic conditions. According to the technology, it is impossible to carry out such work on the eve of frost, in the heat, before the onset of rains. All these factors will have an extremely negative effect on the quality of the coating, disrupt the process of solidification and germination of cement crystals.
Lack of expansion joints. Multiple changes in temperature throughout the year lead to expansion, contraction, frost heaving of the soil, which increases the likelihood of destruction of the concrete structure. To prevent this from happening, expansion joints should be placed in it, which can partially compensate for these phenomena. Usually they are placed every 1.5-2 meters in order to distribute the emerging vibrations, but less is possible.

The strength and durability of the foundation, as well as the absence of unplanned waste of time and money for repairs, depends on the quality of the concrete structure, made in compliance with the technology. It is easier to do everything once with your own hands in accordance with the established norms than to deal with the consequences of incorrect laying of the coating all the time.

The appearance of cracks, cracks, vegetation germination, swelling are common problems for the old blind area. There are many reasons for the violation of the integrity of the concrete surface or paving slabs - this is non-compliance with laying technologies, the negative impact of moisture, atmospheric precipitation. The cracked blind area does not fulfill its functions and in order to protect the foundation, work should be done to repair the coating.

Pervaya Dacha Company offers a major overhaul of old blind areas or the elimination of small cracks both in Moscow and throughout the Moscow region.

The company's specialists know how to repair the blind area in a short time. Contact us on the specified data right now, and we will eliminate even the most difficult problems.

Before you repair the blind area around the house, you should understand the features of its design.

A blind area is called a tape of concrete, asphalt or paving stones 0.8-1.5 m wide, framing the house around the entire perimeter and serving to protect the foundation from the negative effects of moisture, frost and other climatic troubles.

The role of the blind area is extremely important: a protective belt, erected over the foundation, minimizes the risk of cracks, flooding and subsidence of the building, and increases the operational life of the foundation.

Any blind area consists of two layers:

Subbase that provides a solid base for the top layer and consists of sand, fine gravel or crushed stone.
Covering, preventing the penetration of moisture to the foundation. The pavement is erected from a concrete mixture, asphalt or paving slabs.

Even the most durable blind area is not immune from cracks and subsidence. Faced with such a problem, contact the specialists of the "First Dacha Company", who will accurately determine the cause of the destruction and will professionally restore the concrete or slab structure.

Often, the blind area, erected over the foundation, undergoes deformation, which can lead to a violation of the integrity of the walls. There are several known reasons for the appearance of cracks and cracks in the blind area, for example:

Time factor: the old coating was often exposed to atmospheric precipitation, temperature changes, as a result of which the blind area begins to crumble, small cracks form in it, which expand more and more over time.
Uneven foundation settlement: the appearance of gaps in the old foundation protection is due to a violation of the tightness between the blind area and the basement surface. The belt is detached from the house, and water penetrates into the formed cracks. In order to avoid the destruction of the foundation, it is necessary to urgently repair cracks and cracks.
Shrinkage of the protective belt due to soil subsidence.

The most common problem with the blind area should be highlighted as a separate point - we are talking about a violation of the technology of laying the protective contour. Routine repair of the blind area is often required due to improper installation of the strip above the foundation. In an effort to save on building materials and reduce labor costs, home owners run the risk of getting a low-quality result.

There is nothing surprising in the fact that after a few years, deformation changes occur with such blind areas and the structure requires urgent repair work.

There are many mistakes made when laying the belt. We focus on the most typical cases:

the blind area has subsided: the reason lies in the absence of a leveling layer or its insufficient thickness;
cracks appear in the blind area: the problem is the absence of a sand and gravel layer or the absence of gutters;
the blind area is crumbling: the path width may have been set to the wrong width, and it is cracking under the influence of water flowing from the roof of the building.

Remember the time! It is not recommended to install the belt on the eve of cold weather, in conditions of intense heat or heavy rains. These processes disrupt the process of hardening and germination of cement crystals, which means that the coating will be fragile and soon it will be necessary to repair the concrete blind area.

Cracks and cracks: how to repair the blind area around the house?

What if the blind area is cracked? Carry out repair work immediately - on your own or by contacting the First Cottage Company. However, do not forget that saving on the services of specialists is not always profitable, because if you violate the technology for protecting the foundation, you may face new problems in a year.

To repair a concrete strip (for 1 sq. M) you will need:

Concrete mix - 32 kg of M 500 cement, 0.08 cubic meters of crushed stone, 0.05 cubic meters sand.
Pillow - 1 sq. m. geotextile, PVC films, 0.05-0.1 cubic meters. sand, 0.1 cubic meters rubble.
Reinforcement - 12 lm fittings with a diameter of 0.6 cm, 1 sq.m. reinforcing mesh 50x50 with a diameter of 0.3 cm, 1 sq.m. nets 150x150 with a diameter of 0.3 cm.

For repair work with a tiled blind area, you will need (taking into account the consumption per 1 sq. M.):

Pillow - 0.05-0.1 cubic meters of clay, 0.15-0.2 cubic meters of sand, 0.1 cubic meters of crushed stone with a diameter of 0.3-1 cm, as well as PVC film, geotextiles.
Finishing layer - 10 kg of cement M 500, 3-10 kg of sifted sand.
The front layer is a tile, a border.

The managers of the First Dacha Company will help you not to make a mistake in the calculations. After ordering the current work with a blind area, our specialist will arrive at the facility, calculate the amount of material required to seal the cracks and display all costs in the estimate.

When it comes to the foundation, do not postpone the work with the blind area. Noticing that the protective strip is cracking or that the blind area has subsided, immediately purchase building materials and start restoring the old structure. There is another option: contact "Pervaya Dacha" - a company that will help fill up all the cracks and cracks in a short time.

Repair of the blind area is divided into major and current. What is the difference between the two types of repairs and how to organize work with the foundation and blind area?

If in some places the blind area is cracked and cracks with a small thickness appear on it, minor current repairs will help out.

The repair technology in the case when the blind area has burst or cracked, involves the following actions:

Step # 1. Cleaning the surface in the area of a gap or chip.

Step # 2. Treatment of each crack with several layers of deep penetrating primer mortar.

Step # 3. Sealing defects with a cement-sand mixture in a ratio of 1: 2 using a spatula. After the filling is dry, we rub the surface with dry cement.

Step # 4. Elimination of peeling by cleaning the surface and filling the areas with a composition containing:

75% mastic;
15% asbestos;
10% crushed slag.

At the final stage, sprinkle a layer of sand over the strip.

Repair work with a blind area sometimes requires major intervention. The decision to restore the protective belt for the foundation is made only after a detailed analysis and determination of the technical condition of the structure.

Dismantling and major restoration are carried out exclusively in the event of complete destruction of the old blind area. The range of services includes work on:

renovation of slabs, installation of a new concrete base;
replacement / restoration of drainage;
renovation of foundation waterproofing;
repair of the reinforcing layer;
dismantling the blind area or partial replacement of its elements.

Often, overhaul is impractical, because the higher the degree of damage to the tape, the more expensive it is to work with the blind area. If the strip sagged, separated from the base, cracked in several places, it is cheaper and easier to mount a new belt for the foundation.

The specialists of the First Dacha Company will tell you which type of repair will be more profitable in each specific case - current or capital. If the blind area is cracking, call us immediately: we know what to do even in the most difficult situations.

Some problems with the blind area can be solved on your own without resorting to the help of professionals. The recommendations of specialists for independent work with revenge relate to the following issues:

the formation of gaps between the blind area and the foundation: we eliminate delamination with a sealant or waterproofing filler;
the appearance of cracks with a large thickness: we clean the gap and fill it with concrete, after a few days we treat the surface with a primer;
complete destruction of the strip: we demonstrate the destroyed part and rebuild the blind area.

Still have questions? Contact the representatives of the "Pervaya dacha company" who understand all the intricacies of protection of the foundation. We will provide free consultations on cooperation and will send an expert to the site as soon as possible!

You can familiarize yourself with all types of blind area here.

The blind area around the house is an integral part of the building, protecting the foundation from rainwater entering it. It is a waterproof coating located around the perimeter of the entire building.

After some time, the protective strip can be destroyed. This can be due to a number of factors:

Such phenomena as partial shedding, cracking, delamination indicate the need for current repairs of the protective coating of the house.

Consider the reasons associated with the destruction of the blind area and the specifics of the repair of the protective tape.

There are several types of blind area:

Its restoration depends on the materials used in its manufacture.

Repairing a cobblestone defensive line involves replacing damaged areas. This will require a chisel and hammer. With these tools, deformed boulders are removed from the structure. On the empty space, it is necessary to pour a mixture of sand and gravel or crushed rubble to level the layer, then tamp everything well, fill it with cement mortar and put in a suitable cobblestone. If there are small cracks, it will be enough to seal them with concrete.

A protective strip made of concrete is used most often due to its affordability in price, as well as positive performance.

Repair of a concrete blind area is divided into two types:

Covering up small single discontinuities.
Replacing large destroyed areas when the house subsides.

To prevent further deformation of the coating and the ingress of water into the foundation of the house, repairs must be carried out immediately after the detection of defects.

To eliminate destruction, you can use a mixture of concrete and construction glue, special polymer materials, moisture-resistant foam... Penetrating into the formed cracks, such mixtures quickly harden. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that cement is not suitable for these purposes, because it does not cover the entire depth of the crack, but only its upper part.

When restoring the asphalt belt, all areas to be repaired must be dismantled to its full depth. The resulting pit is cleaned and the bottom and edges are treated with liquid resin. After that, a new layer of asphalt is covered and compacted with a roller, while the new layer must be higher than the old one.

The rolling of the new coating must be done from the edges towards the center.The result is a stronger grip.

Restoring a blind area from a tile involves replacing a defective part of it. Before replacing a new one, rubble or sand is added to the recess, after which a new tile is laid.

If it is necessary to replace a large part of the tape, you can use a mixture of sand and cement in a dry form using gunning (the solution is applied with a cement gun under compressed air pressure). After gunning, the surface must be moistened for 14 days.

The desire to reduce costs when choosing a structure, building materials and technology leads to the fact that soon after the construction of the protective tape it has to be repaired. And the upcoming repairs will require a lot of money.

Consider the most common mistakes made in strip manufacturing:

The lack of a leveling layer will lead to a rapid settling of the protection. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to make a good abutment of the tape to the foundation.
A thin leveling layer and poor tamping will result in sagging and cracking.
The absence of longitudinal and transverse expansion (temperature) joints between the strip and the foundation - with temperature drops and soil movements, the structure will not be able to contract and expand. As a result, recovery may be required after the first winter. The expander can be a roofing material folded in two layers, located between the foundation and concrete.
Absence of a sand and gravel layer - when placing concrete directly on the ground, heaving of the soil will lead to deformation of the protective strip.
When the thickness of the tape decreases towards the edge, its destruction occurs under the action of streams of water flowing down from the roof of the building.
Absence of gutters - the surface of the blind area crumbles from the flowing water.
Not reinforcing the concrete strip - in this case, the service life of the structure is reduced.
Using a mixture of sand and clay when laying the blind area - under the influence of frozen clay, parts of the concrete can flake off.
Pouring concrete without dividing into segments will lead to the rapid destruction of the entire belt.

The decision on the need to repair the protective strip is made after a detailed study and establishment of the technical condition of the strip and foundation.

Major restoration is carried out in the event of almost complete destruction of the blind area.

This type of restoration includes:

renewal of slabs;
replacement or restoration of the drainage system;
repair of the reinforcing frame;
renovation of waterproofing;
moss and lichen removal;
dismantling the old tape or replacing new parts.

Small cracks existing in one area are combined into one zone, embroidered and then crushed stone is poured into the resulting depression and poured with polymer concrete.

During major repairs, a layer of concrete is poured above the level of the previous protective strip - this ensures better adhesion of the new to the old one.

To repair the blind area, you need to use high-quality materials and be clearly guided by construction technology.

Consider the list and quantity of materials required to perform work to eliminate defects in the protective strip.

To repair a concrete blind area (width 1 meter, thickness 10 centimeters) you will need:

For the preparation of concrete (1 m2):

cement M 500 - 32 kg;
screenings or crushed stone (5-10 mm) - 0.08 m3;
sand - 0.05 m3;

For the pillow:

geotextile, PVC film - 1m2;
sand - 0.05-0.1 m3;
screenings or crushed stone (3-10 mm) - 0.1 m3;

Reinforcement:

reinforcement, diameter 6 mm - 12 lm;

reinforcing mesh 50x50, diameter 3 mm - 1m2;

reinforcing mesh 150x150, diameter 3 mm - 1m2.

For the repair of a tiled blind area (width 1 meter), consumption per 1m2:

clay - 0.05-0.1 m3;

geotextile, PVC film - 1m2;

sand - 0.15-0.2 m3;

screenings or crushed stone (3-10 mm) - 0.1 m3;

Finishing layer:

cement M 500 - 10 kg;

sifted sand - 2.5-10 kg;

Face layer: Image - DIY blind area repair

The technological process of sealing small cracks and chips consists in performing the following actions:

cleaning the surface of the protective line in the area of the recess or chip;
shallow cracks are treated with two layers of a deep penetrating primer solution;
Defects are repaired with a cement-sand mortar in a ratio of 1: 2. A spatula is used in the work. Half an hour after covering the cracks, the place of sealing must be wiped with a wooden trowel and dry cement;
defects such as peeling are eliminated by cleaning and filling the areas with a composition of bitumen mastic, asbestos and slag. It is recommended to use the composition in proportions: 75% - mastic, 15% - asbestos, 10% - crushed slag. After embedding, pour a layer of sand onto the surface.

Restoration work is best carried out in early spring or late autumn, then all defects open up best, and the concrete is at rest (does not expand under the influence of high temperature and sunlight).

It is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the protective strip and timely repair it. This is not particularly difficult and does not require special efforts and qualifications in construction.

One of the most problematic areas of the blind area is where it connects to the base of the house. About half of all problems occur when the blind area is peeling from the foundation.

If the delamination is small, you can use a sealant or waterproofing fillers.

If a large gap forms, it must be immediately eliminated, but this will require much more effort, time and money.

When repairing on their own, professionals advise to carry out the following work:

Clear the gap of sand, earth and debris.
Fill cracks with concrete. For durability, steel mesh can be added during concreting.
A few days after the solution has hardened, the surface must be treated with a primer for external work.
For prevention purposes, it is recommended to dig a recess of 20-30 centimeters and fill it with a solution.
To eliminate cracks and cracks, it is best to use the material that was used for the construction of the blind area.
In the event of complete destruction of the protective tape due to subsidence of the soil, the destroyed part should be completely dismantled, the soil should be removed, then the backing layer should be restored. In the depression, clay is trampled down with a 20-centimeter layer, then sand with a layer of 10-15 centimeters, which can be moistened and tamped again. Cover the sand with crushed stone or broken brick with a layer of 10 centimeters. Then the formwork is built and the concrete is poured. For reliability, the repaired area is covered with a reinforcing mesh. To achieve a better connection, the old area needs to be increased by 1-2 centimeters.

The cost of restoring the blind area depends on the cost of the materials used in the work.We give approximate prices for making an estimate (for example, material consumption per 1 m2 is taken) when doing work with your own hands.

Concrete blind area:

preparation of concrete - 318 rubles;
pillow - 340 rubles;
reinforcement - 180 rubles;
formwork - 800 rubles.
Tiled blind area:
- pillow - 420 rubles;
- finishing layer - 110 rubles;
- front layer - 2360 rubles.

Carrying out repairs by specialists will require large material costs.Here is the approximate cost of work (per 1 m2):

excavation to a depth of 25 centimeters with the removal of plant fragments - 160 rubles;

laying and tamping a sand lining (height 10 centimeters) - 500 rubles;

the construction of formwork and the formation of an expansion joint around the perimeter of the house - 50 rubles per running meter;

backfilling of a drainage 10-cm layer of crushed stone and tamping;

laying a reinforcing mesh 1х2 m in size - 50 rubles;

installation of drains - 100 rubles per running meter;

pouring concrete 10 centimeters high with the formation of an angle of inclination from the wall to the edge - 1000 rubles.

The blind area is an integral part of constantly operated buildings. This is a protective structure that is located around the perimeter of the structure and is designed to prevent moisture from entering the foundation and plinth.It can also be considered as an additional precautionary measure that will prevent premature destruction and preserve the integrity of the foundation for a long time.Blind areas are made of paving stones, natural and artificial stone, cement, concrete. Different types of tiles are popular, less often asphalt and other materials are used.The strength and integrity of the blind area are the main factors that ensure the performance of the functions assigned to it. Various in scale and complexity of destruction, which are formed in it over time - the lot of not only old buildings, but also quite new buildings.Numerous circumstances have a certain influence on this state: from the climatic features of the area where the building is located, and ending with mistakes in the performance of construction work.In any case, problem areas need to be repaired. In most cases it is possible to do this yourself. You should start with a visual inspection and identify the reasons, only then get down to work. Image - DIY blind area repair

Blind area flaws can appear in the form of superficial or deep cracks, chipping of individual areas or edges, subsidence and displacement of individual fragments relative to each other.

Peeling of the slab from the basement of the building is also possible. To understand why this happened and what factors became the root cause of such a problematic state of the blind area means to correctly carry out repair work and no longer return to this for years.

The reasons can be very varied. The most common are described below.

And our next article describes how to make a garage from foam blocks.

This can be attributed to the absence of waterproofing in the "pie" (layer-by-layer construction of the blind area), which is designed to separate the soil from the entire structure, and to exclude the penetration of moisture from the soil layers.

The next row is backfill. Its unevenness and looseness lead to the fact that the front cover becomes unstable, and therefore vulnerable.

Not conforming to the norms, or rather less than it should be in depth and width, the thickness of the upper layer is more susceptible to destruction. It is impossible to carry out work in the heat, if rains or early frosts are approaching. They are all bad friends with fresh, still uncured fill or mortar.

Artificially arrested chemical hardening process will lead to the fact that the cement crystals do not germinate properly. As a result, this will be expressed in a lot of defects.

Execution of the blind area using a concrete solution requires adherence to the correct recipe for their preparation. Stirring by eye is not advisable.

If there is a lot of binder, the surface will crack, if there is not enough, it will crumble. The brand of cement also matters; cement intended for interior work cannot be used outdoors.

It is also impossible to use the already set mortar, as well as fill the blind area in parts - on one side of the building, then on the other. All work must be performed at the same time and throughout the entire site.

Seasonal temperature fluctuations also lead to corresponding changes in the soil, such as movement, expansion, contraction and heaving.

They occur constantly, significantly reducing the stability and stability of any structure, which increases the risk of destruction. It is possible to compensate for these phenomena and extend the service life of the blind area using expansion joints.

They are located between the plinth and the slab, acting as a shock absorber and allowing the resulting vibrations to be correctly distributed.

Rainwater can stagnate on a level surface. This has a detrimental effect on conventional cementitious surfaces and artificial stones.

And according to all the rules, she needs to be given the opportunity to calmly leave this territory. A slight slope of a few degrees away from the house will allow the water to drain naturally.

Spring melting of snow and night freezing of puddles leads to the formation of first small cracks, and then deeper ruptures. It's all about physics. As you know, water expands during thawing.

The usual structure is less durable, and, therefore, more susceptible to destruction. Reinforcement gives it strength and durability.

This operation is not mandatory according to the current building codes, but can be considered as an additional measure that will help to avoid unnecessary problems.

Such foresight will not be superfluous - the stronger the structure, the longer it will retain its performance.

And in this article we will tell you how to build a blind area.

The blind area needs to be inspected from time to time for problems and eliminated. One of them is a longitudinal crack that forms between the plinth and the blind area. If it is small, you can proceed as follows:

thoroughly clean the seam from dust and dirt;
prime it;
repaired with cement mortar, leveling with the blind area.

It is likely that such repairs will be sufficient and in the future the repaired structure will behave normally. If the gap appears again or it is large, you need to do it differently:

clean from small fragments and debris;
moisten the repair site;
press the damper tape to the base;
fill the crack with polyurethane sealant;
top up with cement mortar.

Such repairs are considered more extensive. The likelihood of relapse in this case is less likely.

Repair of the surface of the blind area is carried out in different ways, depending on the size and nature of the damage. The material from which it is made also matters:

About what mistakes during the construction of the blind area lead to defects and destruction, see this video:

The blind area is an integral part of constantly operated objects. It is a protective structure that is located around the perimeter of the building and is designed to prevent moisture from entering the basement and foundation. But sooner or later, the owners think about how to repair the blind area around the house, which we will talk about below.

Blind areas can be considered as an additional precaution to protect the foundation structure from damage. They are built from artificial and natural stone, paving stones, concrete, cement. Different tiles are popular, less often asphalt and other materials are used.

The integrity and strength of the blind area are the main factors ensuring the performance of its functions. Different in complexity and scale of destruction, which are formed in it over time, are the lot not only of old buildings, but also of fairly new buildings.

This condition is influenced by many circumstances: from the climatic features of the area where the building is located, and to errors in construction technology.

Be that as it may, it is important to repair problem areas. In the vast majority of cases, you can do this yourself. It is worth starting with a visual inspection and finding the reasons, and only then begin to repair the blind area around the house.

Reasons for the formation of blind area defects

Blind area flaws often appear in the form of deep or superficial cracks, displacement and subsidence of individual fragments relative to each other, chipping of individual edges or areas.

Peeling of the slab from the base is also possible. To understand why this happened, and what factors caused such a destruction of the blind area, allows you to make the right repairs and not return to this for years.

It should be noted right away that the reasons can be very different, and we will consider the most common of them.

Violation of laying technology

This includes the lack of waterproofing in the "pie", designed to separate the soil from the structure and exclude moisture from the soil layers.

The next row is backfill. Its looseness and unevenness leads to an unstable face covering, that is, it becomes vulnerable.

Violation of the norms, namely the discrepancy in width and depth, causes destruction in the thickness of the upper layer. It is forbidden to carry out work in the heat, or if an imminent frost or rain is approaching. All these factors negatively affect the still uncured, fresh fill or mortar.

If the chemical hardening process is artificially left, it will lead to the fact that the cement crystals will not germinate properly. As a result, this will result in many defects.

Incorrect proportions of cementitious mixturesExecution of the blind area using a concrete solution implies the exact adherence to their preparation. You cannot knead them by eye.If there is not enough binder, the surface will crumble, if there is a lot, it will crack. The cement brand also plays a role. On the street, it is better not to use cement, which is intended for interior work.Also, you cannot use the already set mortar and fill the blind area in parts - first on one side of the building, then on the other. All work must be performed simultaneously and throughout the site.Lack of a damper layerAs a result of seasonal temperature changes, significant changes occur in the soil: expansion, movement, heaving and compression.They occur constantly, thereby reducing the stability and stability of the structure, which increases the likelihood of destruction. However, it is necessary to compensate for such phenomena and increase the service life of the blind area using expansion joints.They are located between the plate and the base, acting as a shock absorber and allowing you to correctly distribute any vibrations. Image - DIY blind area repair

Rainwater often stagnates on a flat surface. This will negatively affect artificial stones and conventional cementitious surfaces. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an opportunity for the water to quickly leave this territory. Making a slight slope a few degrees from the house will allow the water to drain naturally.

The blind area must be periodically inspected for problems and eliminated in a timely manner. One of them is a longitudinal crack that forms between the blind area and the plinth. If it is insignificant, then it is enough to perform the following steps:

thoroughly clean the seam from dirt and dust;

prime it;

close up with mortar, leveling with the blind area.

Most likely, such a repair of the blind area around the house will be quite enough, and in the future the renovated structure will not cause any trouble. If a new gap appears or it is too large, you should do it differently:

clean up debris and small fragments;

moisten the repair site;

press the damper tape to the base;

fill the crack with polyurethane sealant;

seal up with cement mortar.

This type of repair is considered to be of better quality. In this case, the likelihood of relapse is practically zero. Image - DIY blind area repair

Attention! The blind area is a conditionally movable structure. It is important that it always remains structurally free. Therefore, you should not fasten it tightly to the plinth.

Unfortunately, the conventional structure is not so strong, which means it is more subject to destruction. Thanks to the reinforcement, it gives it durability and strength.

This operation is not required by building codes, but can be considered as an additional measure to avoid unnecessary problems.

Naturally, such foresight will not be superfluous - the stronger the design, the longer it will be able to maintain its characteristics.

Attention! Before you repair the blind area around the house, inspect the destruction. It is rational to carry out repairs only if it has a few destructions. If more than 30% of defects are detected, it is much easier to redo everything, but not to patch up the old holes.

Repair of the surface of the blind area is carried out in various ways, depending on the nature and size of the damage. Of great importance is the material from which it consists:

Minor flaws in the concrete can be repaired with a simple cement mortar. But it must be liquid. A crack is simply poured into it, which, when set, must be carefully rubbed over. If single fragments of the blind area have crumbled, they must first be removed and then filled with a solution of the hole.

Large gaps require different repairs. First, you need to remove all the lagging fragments that do not hold in place. Then expand the seam itself and fill with concrete, but not with cement mortar, as was the case in the first case.

Large cracks are formed throughout the entire thickness of the concrete, which appeared as a result of subsidence of the blind area. It is necessary to remove the damaged fragment, eliminate the cause that caused the subsidence. These are usually problems associated with a multi-layer pillow. First, you need to put it in order, namely pour it in, align and properly compact. Then put the formwork and fill with concrete.

Cracks in the cobblestone floor can be easily repaired as follows. All stones are removed around the damaged area. As in the above case, the root cause is eliminated. Then the space is filled with a solution, the lining is returned to its place. Small single defects are spilled with a liquid solution.

Cracks formed on the surface of the tiles can be repaired with cement mortar. However, this does not always look aesthetically pleasing. It would be more correct to pull out the damaged fragments and replace them with new ones. In this case, the algorithm of preparatory actions is identical with the previous options: remove all unnecessary, prepare the base, fix a new tile.