Difference between revisions of "Build an Underground House"

[[Category: House Designs and Plans]]

#Get permission from the state to dig. More official business. You need to pre-mark  the area on your property that you want to excavate with stakes and white paint. Then you call your state’s Dig Safe branch and describe the area that you plan to dig in. Hopefully they will grant you permission. You definitely have to do this to ensure that you’re not going to dig into a sewage system or something like that. <ref name="rf1"> http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/guidance-technical-assistance/agencies-and-divisions/dpu/dpu-divisions/pipeline-safety-division/dig-safe/frequently-asked-questions.html#one </ref>

#Hire a professional excavator or buy professional equipment. Hiring a professional to do it for you wouldn’t be the worst idea. Depending on the size of your house you probably are going to need to use heavy machinery, and if you have no experience with that hiring a professional is probably the way to go. Search for professional excavators on the internet or contact a local construction company. They should be able to quote you a cost and at the very least offer you some helpful tips. You may be able to negotiate a price to use their equipment if you can prove that you are trained to use it. <ref name="rf2"> http://snallabolaget.com/?page_id=1343 </ref>

#* You also shouldn't place your house near any concentrations of fuel or any hazardous materials. <ref name="rf2" />

#Design your house. As you design your house you should consider air and water filtration systems, potential light sources, and food storage space. <ref name="rf3"> http://www.survivopedia.com/how-to-dig-your-underground-shelter/# </ref> Draw a model of your house to scale using the structural plans that you already created. Now draw in where all the installed appliances will go first, then the furniture, then anything else you would like to include in your plan. Be aware of the following constraints as well:

#Include an entrance and exit in your design. This can be as simple as a ladder with a hatch on the top or even a tunnel leading up and to the outside. The easiest option is buying a staircase. You can buy a staircase online and have it delivered to your house, so it doesn’t even need to be part of the construction if you don’t want. <ref name="rf4"> http://www.winepress.us/forums/index.php?/topic/49649-free-inexpensive-diy-underground-spiral-wine-cellar-plans-ideas/ </ref>

#Consider a cut and cover strategy. Cut and cover works if you are digging in relatively soft soil. The idea is that you dig out an area, build a concrete structure inside of it, and then cover the hole thing up with dirt again. Obviously you want to keep your hatch or staircase exposed so that you can enter into your structure. However, if your soil will allow for it this is a good way to build a large framework for your home. <ref name="rf5"> http://www.subsurfacebuildings.com/page5.html </ref>

#Build a perimeter wood frame. You will pour concrete into this frame in order to create a footing. The footings will form the basis for your foundation. The boards should be built according to the specifications of your foundation in your designed plan. <ref name="rf6"> http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-lay-a-house-foundation </ref>

#Install footings to provide the base for your foundation. Remember to seal the footings to protect them from moisture. Use a high quality sealer. You can pour concrete either directly into trenches or into wood forms. <ref name="rf7"> http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/basement/a-strong-foundation-installing-the-foundation </ref>

#Consider using [[Form-Concrete-Walls|reinforced concrete]] on the walls. You will want to use it on the ceiling too if you plan to cover your roof heavily with dirt and soil. Living underground will keep the temperatures relatively moderate, but the earth also puts a huge amount of pressure on the walls and ceiling of your house.  <ref name="rf8"> http://www.offthegridnews.com/grid-threats/the-surprising-facts-about-earth-sheltered-living/ </ref>. It’s also essential to hire a structural engineer to design earthquake resistant elements if you live in an earthquake prone area. <ref name="rf9"> http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/QandA/earthshelter/how.htm </ref>

#Research the kind of underground shelter you would want. Believe it or not there are plenty of companies that specialize in underground shelters. You'll be able to find a number of companies on the internet that can sell you pre-made houses in a variety of different styles. You can go pretty crazy here if you’re willing to spend a lot of money. <ref name="rf10"> http://www.risingsbunkers.com/pricing-and-floor-plans/ </ref> Try to consider your price range and the amount of people that you plan to have living with you in this shelter.

#Purchase your underground house. In most of these situations you have to buy the shelter outright, because generally the idea is that you’ll be holed up in the shelter once you have it. However, some of these companies offer financing. <ref name="rf10" />.

#Obtain approval to dig on your property. You first need to pre -mark your excavation area with white paint or stakes. Then call your state excavation number to describe the exact area where you plane to excavate. You will not be allowed to dig outside of this area. In Massachusetts this number is 8-1-1, but it varies state by state. <ref name="rf1" /> This is important to ensure that you don't dig into a buried sewage system or fiber optic cable.