« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: digging near water  (Read 1462 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline CharlieT

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 138
  • Gender: Male
digging near water
« on: January 19, 2010, 11:35:33 AM »
I am planning to dig a root cellar/storm shelter. I am wanting to dig it in the rear of my pole barn (still a dirt floor). I  want to do a cement floor and block walls. My question is my pond comes to within 20' of the barn and the bottom of the floor would be about 2' below the water line. So will I have water seepage or am I far enough away to be safe?
Logged
1 Kings 20:11 .The king of Israel answered, "Tell him: 'One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.' "

Offline billy_56081

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (5)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8575
  • Gender: Male
Re: digging near water
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2010, 11:38:32 AM »
No more than likley you will have a cistern.
Logged
99% of all Lawyers give the other 1% a bad name. What I find hilarious about this is they are such an arrogant bunch, that they all think they are in the 1%.

Offline CharlieT

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 138
  • Gender: Male
Re: digging near water
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2010, 12:03:26 PM »
Thats what I was afraid of. How far away from the water do I need to be?
Logged
1 Kings 20:11 .The king of Israel answered, "Tell him: 'One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.' "

Offline charles p

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2374
  • Gender: Male
Re: digging near water
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2010, 01:07:46 PM »
Can you dig or bore a test hole?
Logged

Offline hillbill

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3285
Re: digging near water
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2010, 01:42:45 PM »
20 ft is not that far, some soils transmit water a lot better than others.is your land level or possibly sloped away from the pond?if it is sloped away its possible you could install the proper drainage system around your celler and get the water to come out before it penetrates the walls. i would want to definitely go with solid concrete walls as blocks are much more porus and more liable to let water thru.however there are products that can be put on them that make them almost as moisture proof as concrete. but even with concrete in some soils you will get a hydraulic effect that will force the water thru from under the floor or thru the walls. your best bet is to discuss it with a basement contractor that is familiar with your area and see what he would do.it is also possible to put in a curtain drain to get the water away from the area yu want to use before it gets close to your cellar.if you are on totally flat ground im not sure yu have a chance tho.if yu are just wanting a cellar for storm use yu could put a sloped floor with a hole for a sump pump in it. it will always be damp tho and yu will need to wire it and moniter the pump.
Logged

Offline Graybeard

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (69)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27099
  • Gender: Male
Re: digging near water
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2010, 05:47:41 PM »
My water meter is further than that from my pond. I'd guess closer to 30' in heavy clay soil. When we had a leak last year it was pretty much impossible to keep the hole from filling from the pond as we tried to repair the water line leak. Only when the pond dropped below the level of the bottom of that hole was it really do able.

I don't know how far to tell you that you must be and I think it depends on a lot of factors but I'm betting 20' ain't gonna cut it. If the water level in the pond is above the level of the bottom of your hole you are gonna have seepage it's just a matter of how fast it seeps. I don't think you can water proof the wall or floor well enough to prevent it.
Logged


Bill aka the Graybeard
President, Graybeard Outdoor Enterprises
256-435-1125

I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline CharlieT

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 138
  • Gender: Male
Re: digging near water
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2010, 02:42:24 AM »
thanks for the info. I guess I'll need to rethink my plans.
Logged
1 Kings 20:11 .The king of Israel answered, "Tell him: 'One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.' "

Offline Cornbelt

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 673
  • Gender: Male
Re: digging near water
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2010, 08:42:52 AM »
When I was a kid, we were friends with a family that lived in a location where the water table was only 5' deep. They had a root cellar that was on top of the ground and covered with dirt. Just a big hill with a doorway in it. Don't know anything else as I never was inside.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »