A blind area is not just a decorative strip around the foundation of a house. This is an important structural element that protects the base of the building from the destructive effects of surface water (rain, meltwater). A properly made blind area drains water from the foundation, prevents it from being washed away, frozen and deformed. However, during its construction, mistakes are often made that negate all its benefits.
Let's look at three typical mistakes that should be avoided so that the blind area really works, and is not just a concrete path around the house.
Mistake #1: Incorrect bias or lack thereof
The main task of the blind area is to divert water from the walls and foundation of the house. To do this, it must have a slope away from the building. This requirement is often neglected by making the blind area horizontal or even with a counter slope (to the house).
Effects:
- Stagnation of water. Water accumulates on the surface of the blind area near the wall of the house.
- Moisture penetration to the foundation. Standing water finds the slightest cracks and crevices, penetrating to the base of the building, causing it to get wet, freeze in winter and gradually collapse.
- The destruction of the blind area itself. Freezing water destroys concrete or tiles.
How right. The blind area should have a slope from the wall of the house of at least 1-2% (1-2 cm per 1 meter width). A slope of 3-5% is considered optimal. This slope is formed even at the stage of preparing the foundation for the blind area.
Mistake No. 2: Missing or incorrect construction of expansion joints
Concrete and other materials used for blind areas are subject to temperature expansion and contraction. They shrink in winter and expand in summer. In addition, the house and blind area may shrink unevenly. If compensation (deformation) seams are not provided, cracks will inevitably appear in the blind area.
Typical blunders:
- Complete absence of seams. This is especially critical for long-range concrete blind areas.
- Incorrect location of the seams. The seams should be both transverse (every 1.5-2.5 meters) and longitudinal – between the blind area and the basement of the house.
- Poor-quality filling of seams. The seam between the blind area and the house must be filled with an elastic material (for example, a special sealant, foamed polyethylene) to compensate for mutual movements and prevent water ingress. Transverse seams can be cut into concrete or formed during pouring by laying wooden slats (which are then removed or left).
How right. It is mandatory to arrange expansion joints: longitudinal along the wall of the house (1-2 cm wide) and transverse every 1.5-2.5 meters (about 1 cm wide). The seams are filled with elastic materials.
Mistake number 3: Poor preparation of the foundation
The blind area is not laid on bare ground. A reliable foundation must be prepared under it, which ensures drainage and prevents subsidence and heaving of the soil. Ignoring this stage is a direct path to rapid deformation and destruction of the blind area.
The main mistakes during preparation are:
- Insufficient soil compaction. The base under the blind area will sag unevenly.
- Lack of drainage layers. The underlying layers of sand and gravel (or gravel) not only level the base, but also drain water that can seep through the blind area or rise from the ground. Their absence leads to stagnation of moisture under the blind area and frosty heaving in winter.
- Incorrect thickness of the layers. The thickness of the sand cushion and crushed stone layer depends on the type of soil and climatic conditions, but is usually at least 10-15 cm for each layer.
How right. Remove the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm, carefully seal the bottom of the trench, lay a layer of sand (moisten and compact), then a layer of crushed stone (also compact). You can use geotextiles between the layers to prevent them from mixing. Only on such a prepared base can waterproofing (if required) and the finishing coating of the blind area (concrete, tile, asphalt) be laid.
We do it conscientiously
A properly made blind area is an investment in the longevity of the entire house. By avoiding these three common mistakes – lack of slope, ignoring expansion joints, and poor–quality substrate preparation - it is possible to build a structure that will effectively perform its protective functions for many years.
If you are not confident in your abilities or knowledge, it is better to entrust the blind area device to specialists. Error correction is always more expensive than initial compliance with the technology. Big spenders deserve special treatment. High roller bonuses are designed for players who deposit large amounts, typically 500€ or more per transaction. When you use a 1xbet app promo code nd make a substantial first deposit, the bonus percentage may increase, or the maximum cap rises significantly. For example, instead of 100% up to 130€, a high roller might get 100% up to 500€ or 50% up to 1000€. The wagering requirements for high roller bonuses are sometimes lower than standard offers. Some casinos also offer personal account managers, faster withdrawals, and exclusive promotions before registering.