Basements in Munster

john_aero

Ok,

with our first meeting with the architect done we are looking at advice on basements.

Its on a gentle sloping site, full of gravel so drainage isn't an issue. Also to the rear it may not be fully enclosed (depending on final house layout and if basement is used). My be rear wall and 1/2 the side walls closed in with front open to the elements. From front of house see bunglow, from rear se 2 storey sort of idea.

My parents built house further back on the side and while the area is a very gravely area (have our own quarry in the hill in middle of the field) they still had to dig down 9 feet of a foundation

We will more than likely have to do the same, so if going to build a foundation 9ft deep I would like take advantage of it and convert it into a workshop, storage area. We are restricted to a small dormer or large bungalow due to other houses being of similar height so storage space is premium.

I have gotten rough quotes for pre cast units, about 30k for a 8x16m sealed unit with concrete floor ready to build our house on.

I want to get as much help and advice with options and any recommended suppliers in the Munster Limerick/Kerry region

Builder is very good but he wont do a basement as he doesn't have experience building them. He has build many of my relatives houses and I know is quality is very high.

Cheers

John

BryanF

Perhaps you could simply dig out for foundations and have a retaining wall that's back filled

john_aero

do you mean leave part foundation open for store room, then retaining wall to hold back in the trunking in the closed up area?

Not sure best solution for tanking and sealing it in either

Also there are block built and precast choices.

murphaph

Do Irish site investigation reports recommend anything with respect to basements? Our site investigation over here in Germany specifically recommended construction in accordance with DIN something or other (waterproof concrete due to high groundwater).

john_aero

murphaph wrote: »

Do Irish site investigation reports recommend anything with respect to basements? Our site investigation over here in Germany specifically recommended construction in accordance with DIN something or other (waterproof concrete due to high groundwater).

In not sure i would take it they do.

Ill do some searching on the county council site or ring them

Metric Tensor

By site investigation report murphaph means the report prepared by an external company who you employed to drill/dig test holes and check the ground conditions. Nothing to do with the council

This is done for very few domestic projects in Ireland - usually due to the expense.

OP - the basement design has two facets to it.

Structurally - It is very similar to a retaining wall and/or underground tank. It's invariably reinforced concrete walls and bases.

Water Resistance - This is what differentiates a basement - you need it to be dry. There are a range of different waterproofing methods (subsets of which are often referred to as "tanking") and which is best for your project will vary based on the groundwater conditions and drainage conditions on your site.

You need an engineer to design the wall and drainage for you - don't just rely on the builder to do it. You'll be getting an engineer to design your foundations anyway.

After that you need to talk to the engineer about local contractors that he knows can do it. The structural stuff is nothing too fancy but the water and radon proofing need careful thought.

john_aero

Metric Tensor wrote: »

By site investigation report murphaph means the report prepared by an external company who you employed to drill/dig test holes and check the ground conditions. Nothing to do with the council

This is done for very few domestic projects in Ireland - usually due to the expense.

OP - the basement design has two facets to it.

Structurally - It is very similar to a retaining wall and/or underground tank. It's invariably reinforced concrete walls and bases.

Water Resistance - This is what differentiates a basement - you need it to be dry. There are a range of different waterproofing methods (subsets of which are often referred to as "tanking") and which is best for your project will vary based on the groundwater conditions and drainage conditions on your site.

You need an engineer to design the wall and drainage for you - don't just rely on the builder to do it. You'll be getting an engineer to design your foundations anyway.

After that you need to talk to the engineer about local contractors that he knows can do it. The structural stuff is nothing too fancy but the water and radon proofing need careful thought.

Once basic house design is done ill be meeting with engineer and doing in dept site survey so ill talk to him then

BryanF

BryanF wrote: »

Perhaps you could simply dig out for foundations and have a retaining wall that's back filled

Perhaps we have our wires crossed. Best if you seek structural advice - which would best priced with various options by a Qs.

john_aero wrote: »

do you mean leave part foundation open for store room, then retaining wall to hold back in the trunking in the closed up area?

? Sorry don't understand your lingo ?

Not sure best solution for tanking and sealing it in either

I think you'll find it's the cheapest

Also there are block built and precast choices.

thats nice