How to build a bathhouse on a pile foundation

The bath building does not have much weight due to its size and low number of storeys, but requires a foundation to distribute the load on the ground. A bathhouse on piles is the best solution, because The technology for mounting the racks is not complicated and the work can be done by hand. Usually, screw piles are used to independently install them without the use of technology.

Choosing the type of foundation for the bath

For detached buildings, the support part is erected according to the general rules. The pressure on the foundation consists of the weight of the building materials, the payload (people, stove, other equipment), the action of snow, and faith. The addition result is multiplied by the safety factor.

The type of foundation is determined taking into account the factors of influence:

• marks of freezing of the ground;
• the level of ground fluid rise;
• soil strata and layer thickness;
• bearing capacity of the rock.

More often they choose a foundation for a bath on piles, so as not to overspend the material and speed up the construction time. Vertical rods are tied with a grillage around the perimeter, wooden frame or stone walls are made along it.

Advantages and disadvantages of the foundation on screw piles

The advantages of a pile support are in the absence of the need to excavate a large volume of soil, compared to a tape type or a monolithic slab. The zero cycle takes 3 - 5 days together with the surface planning, axis marking, screwing in the racks and installing the grillage.

Positive aspects of a screw foundation for a bath:

• build on different soils, except for stony rocks;
• do not wait 28 days to gain 100% concrete strength;
• the blades prevent squeezing upward, so the foundation does not move during frost;
• the cost of construction is less than other supports;
• environmentally friendly material for the environment.

The disadvantages of installation and use include the requirement for careful control of verticality. Metal elements can be destroyed by additional currents from nearby underground electricity cables.

Calculation of the number of screw piles for a bath, how much is needed

A standard bath on screw piles weighs no more than 3 - 3.5 tons, therefore the supporting part consists of four screw elements at angles, while additionally placing 1 post along the central axis of the partition inside and 1 piece each under opposite walls. Usually, screw rods with a diameter of 108 mm are used, the length is taken from 2.5 to 3.0 meters. When installing, maintain a gap between the supports of 1.5 - 3.0 meters, which is required by the rules of GOST.

Recommended number of rods:

• 9 piles are used for a 4 x 6 meter bath;
• for dimensions of 3 x 4 meters, take 6 pieces.

It is not always possible to screw piles to such a depth - they can stumble upon dense soil or stone. In this case, additional racks are placed, they are placed at a distance of 0.4 - 0.5 m from the main elements.

How to build a bathhouse on screw piles with your own hands

To install the pile, a special device is required, which is made independently. Elements of large diameter require significant screwing efforts and are installed in an automated way.

The construction of a bath from a log on piles is carried out in a phased method:

• marking, leveling of the soil;
• screwing in piles, strapping device;
• walling;
• roof covering.

If the soil is not homogeneous, the design provides for the installation of elements at different depths to take into account the bearing of the tip on a stable rock layer.

Territory marking

Initially, the irregularities on the surface of the earth are leveled, while 10-15 cm of the fertile layer is cut off. Manually, with the help of shovels, they make the layout of the construction site so that it is more convenient to mark the axes of the structure. On the ground, they set the direction of the center lines of the bath on the piles with their own hands, and the distances between the screw supports are laid along them.

The pile installation points are marked with stakes 60 cm long, which are made from rebar waste or cut out of wood. A strong cord is pulled between them in accordance with the center lines. Be sure to check that the corners are marked at 90 °, otherwise the walls will not be parallel, and there will be difficulties with overlapping.

Construction of a pile foundation

The metal sheet is cut at the corners, not reaching the middle by 50 mm, then the edges are folded inward and welded in the form of a glass. Mounting lugs are welded on top of the outer part. This device is placed on top of the pile. A scrap is inserted into the loops, two pieces of pipes 2-3 meters long (levers) are put on its ends.

The rack is set exactly at the mark, the verticality is checked. A magnetic level is attached to the barrel to coordinate the deflection during torsion. Two people use levers to screw the pile into the ground. After installation, all rods are cut to the same level and tips are put on to connect with the grillage.

The harness is made of wooden beams that are fixed with bolts. Regularly check the horizontalness of the installation with a level. The base frame is laid from 15 x 15 cm bars or 5 cm thick boards, which are placed on the edge, soaked from moisture and insulated.

Construction of walls and roof

The blockhouse of a bath from a bar on screw piles is made of logs or square in cross-section of sawn timber. The main racks are placed in the corners, between them additional vertical elements are placed. Racks are fastened with horizontal girders. Additionally, diagonal slopes are used to increase the stability of the frame.

At the top, they make a strapping with a beam of 15 x 15 cm, which plays the role of a Mauerlat in the roof structure. The rafters are supported on it. On the rafters, a crate is made with a 5 x 5 cm rail for stripping slate, corrugated board. The bathhouse should not lose heat, so the walls are insulated from the outside, and the roof along the ceiling and floor beams. It is imperative to use insulation from steam so that moist air does not destroy parts of the walls and roof.

How to make a floor in a bathhouse on screw piles

Some of the heat from the sauna goes into the ground, so the base of the floor is isolated from the outside cold. The subfloor is assembled from off-grade board material, unedged elements are used. Boards are placed on log beams and fastened with nails or staples. Expanded polystyrene, polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam and technoplex are taken as insulation. These materials have a low degree of moisture and poor heat conduction.

Be sure to put a membrane from moisture and vapor barrier. A system for draining water from the sauna is carried out in the floor, appropriate pipes are installed, which are insulated with a film. The floor is concreted in the space between the grillage beams, before that the surface is leveled, backfilled with expanded clay, slag is made. Logs are laid on the concrete base and a fine finish is made from planed boards.