To build a bathhouse in regions where there is no timber is not a problem. Gas silicate blocks are the best option for its construction. The technology of building a gas silicate bath is not much different from the technology of erecting buildings from other blocks. Let's consider it in detail. Content:
- Peculiarities
- Choice of materials
- Foundation construction
- Walling
- Window and doorways
- Heat insulation works
- Bath roof
A bath made of gas silicate blocks is becoming very popular, since it is not difficult to build it yourself. In addition, gas silicate blocks will cost you much less than a wooden frame or brick. To build a bath from gas silicate blocks? no need to hire a whole team of builders - just one or two people.
Feature of gas silicate blocks
Gas silicate blocks are composed of gypsum, cement, aluminum powder and lime. They are produced by a chemical reaction between Portland cement and aluminum powder and are hardened at 180 ° C.
The gas silicate block contains a certain amount of gas, therefore it is often used as a heater, and not only as a building material. Using a gas silicate block in the construction of a bath, you can significantly save on the thermal insulation of the building. Positive qualities of gas silicate blocks: Environmentally friendly material, heat-resistant, durable, easy to cut, resistant to fungus and rot, lightweight. Taking into account the small weight of the block, the construction of a bath from gas silicate blocks is progressing rather quickly. The structure itself turns out to be quite light and, as in the case of frame baths, a gas silicate bath also does not need a complex foundation.
Negative sides:
- Brittleness - it is easy to damage it in the process of chemical influences.
- Not moisture resistant - you need to pay special attention to high-quality waterproofing.
It is important to consider that the foundation for an aerated concrete bath should be at least half a meter, or even a meter - this will protect the structure from an excess of moisture and destruction.
Materials for the construction of a gas silicate bath
Experts recommend using aerated concrete for a gas silicate bath, the density of which is up to 500 kilograms per cubic meter. This will provide good thermal insulation.
Material that will be needed for construction:
- Gas silicate blocks (about 100 rubles apiece);
- Sand (from 50 rubles per bag), cement (about 200 rubles a bag);
- Wood (about 1,000 rubles per cubic meter), asbestos-cement pipes (about 400 rubles per piece) or bricks for posts (depending on the type of foundation);
- Construction glue (from 35 rubles per kilogram);
- Thermal insulation material (about 1,000 rubles per roll);
- Waterproofing material (from 500 rubles per roll).
Foundation - tape or columnar
To build a bath from gas silicate blocks, the simplest foundation will do.
Consider the features of the construction of the strip foundation:
- We dig a trench around the perimeter of the building and under the load-bearing walls, about 0.5 meters deep.
- At the bottom of the finished trench, pour a layer of gravel (approximately 10-15 cm thick), after which a layer of sand of the same thickness.
- We collect wooden formwork around the trench.
- We insert the reinforcement cage inside our trench.
- The final touch is to fill everything with concrete.
The process of building a columnar foundation for a gas silicate bath is as follows:
- We dig holes 30-40 centimeters deep, they are located in the corners of the structure and in places where the inner walls will adjoin.
- At the bottom of each hole, create a pillow of 10-15 cm and tamp it, leveling it with sand.
- We make brick posts in each hole. The height of the post is from 50 cm, and the width is two bricks.
It is also worth mentioning the foundation made of asbestos-cement pipes - it is made even easier. We bury small pieces of pipes in the ground, according to the scheme of a columnar foundation and fill them with concrete.
Important: no matter what type of foundation is chosen, remember - you need to build high-quality waterproofing. For this, a roll or bituminous waterproofing material is well suited, which must be laid on the foundation in two layers.
Bath walls made of gas silicate blocks
An important point - before you start laying the walls, you need to slightly moisten the blocks. To do this, you can use a wet cloth or spray bottle. By doing this, you will improve the adhesion (gluing) of the gas blocks to each other.
Laying process:
- Laying starts from the corners. We make the first row perfectly even with the help of a level. Subsequent rows are staggered.
- We put the first row on cement mortar, and the next row on construction glue. Then the seams will be smaller, and this contributes to thermal insulation.
- We reinforce every third row. To do this, drill a hole, fill it with glue and insert reinforcement about 8 mm thick.
- Pay attention to the vertical seams - they need to be offset by 15 cm in each new row.
When laying walls, experts recommend making the first 2-3 rows of red brick. It is more hardened and will protect the room well from moisture. Keep in mind that in conditions of high humidity, gas silicate blocks should not be laid, as the chances of its destruction increase when the weather changes. Thus, a do-it-yourself gas silicate block bath can be built in a couple of weeks.
Creation of window and door openings in a gas silicate bath
To create smooth window and door openings, you should take into account some of the nuances:
- We purchase special gas blocks (they come in a non-standard shape).
- We fill the finished cavities in the blocks with reinforcement and fill it with concrete.
- To make it easier to install, use temporary supports.
It is not necessary to use blocks of non-standard shape, you can also use regular ones, but with them there will be more work with cutting and making cavities for reinforcement.
Insulation of walls in a gas silicate bath
After 2-3 days after the construction of the walls, you can safely proceed to the insulation and waterproofing of the bath from the gas silicate block.
Procedure:
- We stuff wooden slats on the walls.
- We put insulation - it can be fiberglass or glass wool, at your discretion. Remember that the advantage of the gas silicate block is its low thermal conductivity, so you can insulate it with any material.
- When the insulation is laid, we trim the walls with any material. Usually in the steam room they are trimmed with pine clapboard, in the shower room you can tiled.
- We carry out waterproofing of external walls.
Remember that the gas silicate block absorbs moisture very well, so pay special attention to waterproofing.
Bath roof made of gas silicate blocks
The roof can be made single-pitched or gable. In the case of the first one, one of its sides is supported on the Mauerlat, the angle of inclination should be small in order to protect the structure from the wind. The scheme is usual: put any kind of roofing on top of roofing material - corrugated board, ondulin or ordinary slate. Do not forget about ceiling insulation and waterproofing. For this, a membrane waterproofer is well suited. It perfectly protects against condensation.
Video review of the construction of a bath from gas silicate blocks:
If you adhere to the entire construction technology, then the bath will serve you for many years. For this it is important to have a good drawing. Projects of baths from gas silicate blocks can be found on construction sites or created on your own.
