Properly made do-it-yourself cellar will provide a "long life" for products that the owners store in it. A key element for long-term storage is good ventilation.
In the absence of the necessary air exchange, the room will damp quickly enough and become unusable, up to the need for a complete reconstruction. That is why during construction there is no need to try to save too much. You should carefully familiarize yourself with the rules for creating underground ventilation in advance.
The scheme of proper air exchange
Good ventilation in the basement garage protects you from a whole range of unpleasant moments. If a reliable air exchange system is not provided for at the construction stage, moisture will condense in the basement, which may ultimately lead to disastrous consequences. High humidity is the cause of mold, rotting vegetables and an unpleasant odor.
In winter, the temperature in the cellar becomes higher than in the garage itself, as the ground gradually heats the air. As a result, the air mass begins to move up, moisture appears in the garage, which leads to corrosion on the metal elements of cars and other things in the garage. To avoid this, the installation of ventilation should be carried out in accordance with all norms and rules.
If there is no ventilation under the garage, the products stored in it will be exposed to various toxins due to the operation of automobile engines, chemical solutions and other toxic compounds. To minimize the effects of these poisons - the air, in addition to being removed from the vegetable pit, must also enter. Installing a supply and exhaust system will help with the solution of this problem.
Such a cycle of air can occur both due to natural causes (warm air is lighter than cold), and through the operation of fans. The top of the pipe is located above the garage.
Which hood to install?
All negative factors are easily eliminated with your own hands, if you make the installation of a ventilation system. Fresh air will flow in through the supply pipe so that the products also remain fresh. And to remove excess moisture and purify the air from toxins, an exhaust pipe will serve. As a result of using this scheme, the air in the basement will circulate freely, maintaining a normal level of humidity.
So, the best air exchange system is combined, combining the supply and exhaust pipes. This type of ventilation is carried out in two different ways:
- natural ventilation. This option involves the elementary installation of supply and exhaust pipes. As mentioned above, the system works due to the difference in air temperatures inside and outside the cellar. A significant minus of such a system is that in the warm season the temperature is equalized, and the hood ceases to function, and in winter the pipe becomes clogged with snow. Based on the foregoing, this type of ventilation is best done in a small garage, where the owner will regularly clean and insulate the pipes;
- forced air exchange system. This system is based on the operation of fans or other devices. It is a pair of pipes, or one casement pipe.
Accessibility is perhaps the main advantage of a natural air exchange device. If you have a large garage, which can accommodate bulky vehicles, it is worth giving preference to forced exhaust.
Natural hood installation
The natural ventilation of the garage with the basement is elementary: in brickwork, it is necessary to lay a ventilation duct with a width of 1 brick. You can also make it out of concrete blocks. Despite its simplicity, this method has been tested by time and has proven itself well. When installing, be sure to protect the pipes with a metal mesh to prevent small animals, insects and debris from entering them.
As mentioned earlier, a natural hood consists of:
- a supply pipe providing cold air;
- exhaust pipe that produces exhaust air.
For efficient air exchange, the supply pipe must end at a distance of about 40 cm from the floor. The end of the exhaust pipe must be under the ceiling. The pipes themselves are made of tin, asbestos cement and other materials.
You can make a natural ventilation system with your own hands, if you adhere to the following scheme:
- The first step is to fix the exhaust pipe, so that one end is approximately two meters away from the floor. The outer end should rise 30-40 cm above the highest point of the roof of the garage. The ventilation duct must be additionally insulated if it is located on the rear wall of the garage.
- In the opposite side, the supply pipe is fixed, it is brought out about 25 cm.
- Upon completion of the installation, it is necessary to check the air draft and close the outlet with a metal mesh.
To control ventilation, it is necessary to install dampers, with the help of which it will be possible to change the air movement in the cold season. This is necessary to protect food from freezing.
As a cheap alternative to the supply pipe - you can make a hole in the bottom of the garage wall and cover it with the same metal mesh.
Do-it-yourself forced exhaust system
This type of device involves the installation of a fan system in the basement. It is mounted quite simply. The main advantage of such a system is its high performance at any time of the year.
The layout of the forced ventilation device is largely identical to the natural one: pipes are fixed in the same way, then a fan is installed in them. With its help, fresh air is supplied at any necessary time. It is also worth saying that the hood is created in other ways:
- a good result will be shown by diffusers-weathercocks working due to the pressure of the wind. Their installation is made at the top of the supply pipe;
- installation of ventilation deflectors in the cellar may also be an effective option. They are installed at the end of the chimney;
- the simplest option is to install a light bulb in the chimney. When it is turned on, an upward flow of warm air is created, so that cool begins to flow into the cellar;
- monoblock ventilation unit can be called the most technologically advanced. This option is considered the best, but with a high cost and additional costs for electricity.
Regardless of what kind of hood system the owner of the garage decides to make, it should be remembered that a well-made do-it-yourself ventilation system of the cellar is the key to a long life not only of products, but of the whole building as a whole.
