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turkeyboyslim
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2019 09:57am
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So I've came up with a plan of how i want to build my outhouse and picked a spot for it. I wanted to know more info on the pit to dig and the material to line it. I've been told around 3.5' in circumference and 4' down, does that sound about right?
I've already started digging and the ground is very rocky and where there are not rocks there is clay, is this a problem for drainage?
I'm using PT 4x4s for the structure as the support, my plan to attach them together was using 6 1/2 long screws, would it be sufficient to drive 2 of these in each 4x4 to attach them?
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Princelake
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2019 10:05am
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Your on the right track. I went down around 5' and put a foot of gravel on the bottom. I cut down a bunch of jack pines around 6" wide and used it to crib the hole. I predrilled and nailed 1 12" spikes to attatch them. There is not a ton of drainage from an outhouse you should be fine.
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dmanley
Member
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2019 10:07am
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I used a 55 gallon barrel with the bottom cut out for my lining. That works very well for our use.
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2019 03:04pm
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Quoting: turkeyboyslim I've already started digging and the ground is very rocky and where there are not rocks there is clay, is this a problem for drainage?
Yep.
You might want to do a perk test yourself at the bottom. How to is on the internet.
In WV, they make you dig down 7 feet to see if there is any water. If not then they backfill 3 feet for a finish level of 4 feet. One could backfill with material other than clay.
You could line with 4x4 corners and 1x6 horizontal leaving 1 inch gaps.
The privey needs to be vented, hole to above roof. My neighbor uses powered lime to further control smell and aid in decomposition. I went in theirs and I could not smell anything.
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turkeyboyslim
Member
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2019 04:09pm
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So at just over 4' I hit water, a lot of water, it flowed it. I scooped it all out and it filled right back up. I then left to go to the hardware store to get a post-hole digger since it was getting too deep for my shovel. came back and the water level is higher then when I first hit water. threes a good foot or so of water and it seems to flow in as soon as I remove any.
Is it possible I hit a vein of a spring? I'm wondering If this were to be a spring how do I proceeded?
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2021 11:08pm
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Zombie Thread Warning
But, since all things cabin are good info.....
Sounds like you just dug a well. Make a cap for it and put on a hand pump!
With our regs a septic or pit needs to be a min. of 50' from a well, preferably more. Pick a new spot? Dig, see whatcha find. If you keep hitting water you are likely going to need a holding tank rather than contaminating the ground water supply for you and the neighbors.
Definitely more research into doing a pit safely is needed on your site.
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scott100
Member
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2021 09:37pm
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Check out mouldering privies. Might work best in your location.
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