Basement structure can be described as the part of a constructed building that is partly or entirely below the ground level. Some of the materials that can be used to construct a basement are, concrete blocks, bricks, precast concrete, poured concrete or sometimes treated wood. 

A basement can be constructed in your new home, in areas of the water table, in areas of poor soil conditions and even on sloping lots. This is achievable by creating a waterproofing membrane that is capable of bridging the cracks.

 

Examples of Basement Constructions 

Basement construction can be categorised into three different types. They include;

1. Poured Concrete Basement Construction

Poured concrete in construction is the building material that is prepared and poured on-site. Poured concrete basement is the most preferred method used by contractors in construction.
This type of basement construction is simple and easy to use. The concrete is poured to form the footing of the foundation. The foundation has forms that hold the walls until they are set and dry. The forms are oiled inside before pouring the concrete, this is done to avoid the form from sticking. 

Benefits of Poured Concrete Wall Basement
Poured concrete wall basement has the following benefits.

• Solid concrete can be able to resist the lateral pressure of the surroundings and stop cave-inns. 
• Solid concrete is fire resistant as it is denser and joins free.
• Solid concrete is more resistant to water than concrete blocks because of its fewer and smaller voids

2. Precast Panel Basement Construction

Precast panels are walls that are fabricated somewhere else then transported to the construction site for installation. These precast panels are moulded and their integrity is almost similar to that of poured concrete. 

They require a crane to lift and install them on the footer as they are heavy and big. However, this step may increase the cost of basement construction. The precast panels are more resistant to water because they use high-strength and low-water concrete mix during preparation. 

 

3. Masonry Walls Basement Construction

The masonry blocks are used to construct the basement walls. The masonry units connect each other at different points. 

The masonry blocks are big and hollow and can be reinforced with steel rebar and concrete.

These hollow interiors are for pouring concrete in the centre. This strengthens the walls and gives them strong stability.

The joints along the masonry blocks should be reinforced and the wall’s water proved to prevent water seepage.

 

Moisture Prevention of Basement Construction

Water is known to damage any structure, in this case, water will be visible along the joints especially in between the walls and floor. There are two types of moisture prevention during basement construction. They include; 

• waterproofing
• Damp proofing 

Waterproofing is done by adding a membrane of bridging the crack on the walls. Dampproofing is controlling moisture so that it does not penetrate the interior spaces. This will reduce dampness along the basement walls.

Advantages of Having a Basement in Your Property

Having a basement includes in any commercial or residential building is crucial because it can be used differently, basements can be used as;

• An extra storage room
• An additional bedroom or washroom
• A recreational room for the kids

A basement is an added value to your property. It can increase the value by 70%. In other words, a basement is a good future investment plan.

 

Conclusion

Once basement construction is complete, you can decide to bury it underground, this can only be arrived at when an excavation is done before the foundation is built. 

Basement construction is another way of creating space both for commercial and residential use.