T.H.E.M.
¨We believe in the judgment; we believe this first judgment will take place as God revealed, in America...¨
T.H.E.M.
¨We believe in justice for all, whether in God or not; we believe as others, that we are due equal justice as human beings.¨
Off The Grid News: Get Started On That Root Cellar You’ve Always Wanted
Greetings,
Get Started On That Root Cellar You’ve Always Wanted
Written by: Tara Dodrill How-To
Image source: honeyedheaven
Off-the-grid families, homesteading Americans, and the prepper community have many things in common, one of which is the desire to live a self-reliance existence on a shoestring budget. It is entirely possible to build a cheap, sturdy and earth-friendly cellar that doubles as a storm shelter – without any extensive construction knowledge.
When building an earthen root cellar or storm shelter near your home, four important aspects must remain a top priority throughout the process.
First, the entryway must boast a door which seals completely to prevent as many spiders, snakes, squirrels and mice from taking up residence inside.
Second, the shelter must be designed large enough to accommodate not only significant stores of canned items, but must also possess enough open space that the family and any regular visitors can still fit inside when used as an emergency shelter.
Third, the interior temperature must remain at a constant 32 to 40 degrees and possess a humidity level of 85 to 95 percent. A dual gauge, made of plastic and available for a few books at most pet stores, can be affixed to a storage shelf to help monitor the environment inside of the root cellar.
The cool temperature decreases the release of ethylene gas and thwarts the growth of microorganisms that cause decomposition. The humidity percentage will help prevent the loss of moisture through evaporation. A drainage pipe needs to be properly positioned and angled so that excess water drains away from the cellar, should any get inside.
Build your way to a more self-sufficient lifestyle!
Fourth, the structure should also be placed in a location that will remain out of direct sunlight so carrots, onions, apples and other produce don’t go bad. Some of the best spots for root cellars and storm shelters are along a soil bank about 10 to 20 yards from the home. If the family must run to the shelter during an emergency, it needs to be as close to the house as possible to enter and secure the door quickly.
If a lot of time is spent inside a barn or workshop away from the house, consider building a secondary (or even third) shelter when it is economically feasible. Getting caught out in the field working the land or livestock could turn deadly very quick if the individual is forced to run multiple acres to reach a shelter.
The thickness of the walls will both help keep the interior of the structure cool and enhance the strength of the earthen building. If possible, take advantage of geothermal offerings and build at least the back, and if feasible, one side, of the shelter into a hillside. Stay away from areas near large trees, as the roots grow and the cellar walls could become cracked.
One of the most popular, sturdy, and low-cost ways to make a storm shelter and root cellar combo structure is to use a 1,500-gallon plastic stock tank or an unused septic tank. Such tanks are routinely stocked at agriculture retailers, and their stated use is for liquid holding, but they will work well for this type of project as well…..Story continues here with 2 videos
Copyright 2014 Hiram's 1555 Blog