Its the call of the American Dream. We all want a nice big house, a yard for the kids and dogs to play, but to top it all off a nice big project that is the envy of all the neighbors is the cherry on top.
Wayne Martin, who already had the nice house and yard, decided to embark on a large-scale project that would elevate his home to new heights. So, ironically, he started digging a hole. At first, his neighbors thought he had lost the plot; but soon they realized he had an incredible plan for the property. He dug an enormous hole and what he did with it was one of the most ambitious projects ever!
So, What’s with that Giant Hole in your Yard?
The first thing that came to mind was that he was planning to build a swimming pool in his yard. If this was all it turned out to be, it would have been enough to attract the envy of the neighborhood.
So Whats With That Giant Hole In Your Yard
But it wasn’t water that was destined for this hole. After Wayne had laid down some gravel, he introduced something that doesn’t usually go into a pool build. Neighbors took notice as a huge 20-foot shipping container suddenly arrived on the property.
Procuring a 20-foot Shipping Container
Long before Wayne had dug a hole in his yard, he had purchased a 20-foot long shipping container. If you know where to look on the internet, you can find these containers at wonderfully discounted prices.
Procuring A 20 Foot Shipping Container
For DIY projects, it is always important to keep the costs down. It’s easy to blow the budget and buy products that are not actually necessary to get the job done. Securing the container for a good price really helped to keep the budget in check for Wayne and helped to pull the project together.
Container Sealing
Once the container arrived, the first step was to seal it properly. Wayne sealed the giant double doors permanently shut and instead installed a single swinging door on the other side.
Container Sealing
When Wayne sealed the container, he did a thorough job of it, making sure that nothing could get in or out and checked well for leaks. The single door he installed was made to swing inwards only, so he now had a one-way entrance only. This will all make sense when you see what he did next.
Measure it well!
It would have been a big blunder if Wayne had not dug a hole that was big enough for the container, so he was sure to dig the hole at least 2 feet deeper than the height of the container.
Measure It Well
He also left space around the door’s entrance and at least 2 feet of extra space on all sides of the container. Can you imagine what hassles he would have encountered if he hadn’t thought of that before trying to place it?
Pea Gravel for Lining the bottom
The bottom of the hole was lined with pea gravel which was very important for having a soft base for the container that would also drain well to the soil below the container.
Pea Gravel For Lining The Bottom
By now, it’s obvious what Wayne had planned for the container and the hole, but what was he really up to? Here’s a clue – there is a good reason he ensured there was some extra space above the container once it was in the hole.
Sometimes, you Still Need a Professional
Although most of this project was done by Wayne himself, for certain aspects it only made sense to bring in a professional. Most people don’t have access to a big crane that can pick up a big container and lower it into the ground. This is where a septic company with such equipment was called in to do the heavy lifting.
Sometimes You Still Need A Professional
Wayne’s decision to get some help for this aspect is really much better than trying to figure it out with your family and friends how to get the container into the hole. But once it’s in, the work is far from over and here’s where it gets a little trickier than you thought it would be.
Like a hand in a glove
It only makes sense to make the hole a little bigger than the container and to make it so it’s more than a little wiggle room. He left two feet of space on every side of the container, including in front of the swinging door.
Like A Hand In A Glove
With the container successfully placed in the ground, now the real project can begin. By now you can probably guess what Wayne was building, but the execution will really inspire you to improve your own DIY ambitions.
A Sump Pump for Drainage
All enclosed spaces, especially those underground would need a sump pump. It is a piece of plumbing equipment that helps drain enclosed spaces and allows the underground container to stay above the waterline. They are generally found in basements and the like.
A Sump Pump For Drainage
When it comes to underground storage or bunkers, the last thing you want is a flood to ruin everything you were trying to safeguard. But what did Wayne actually plan for this underground bunker?
A Grand Entrance
The entrance to an underground bunker is very important in its design. Wayne laid out concrete steps, making the top step the same height as the top of the bunker. It was the logical thing to do.
A Grand Entrance
The simple staircase offers more convenience than a ladder or a fireman’s pole and looks better too. Now that the basic structure was in place, Wayne could start looking at finishing up the exterior and also getting ready to complete the interior.
Support Beams for Stability
Two I-beams were inserted in order to stabilize the whole structure and to make it as safe as possible. Although it seems that such a big container wouldn’t be able to move much, in reality, the ground could shift at any time, possibly leaving the bunker unstable.
Support Beams For Stability
The two I-beams were also intended to be frames to help with further plans that Wayne had for the exterior of the bunker. So what else was he planning? Well, it will be apparent soon
Is that a Roof?
It’s easy to overlook important aspects of a DIY project, and when installing such a thing as an underground bunker, you should be sure that the roof is also stable too. The I-frames created a framework that allows the container to support a roof.
Is That A Roof
Now you can see just what his plan for the rest of the bunker is. It’s a good thing he made sure to dig the hole a little deeper because now you can see how it’s going to blend in well with the rest of the yard.
The Roof in Underground
It seems counter-intuitive to have an underground roof, but that’s exactly what Wayne’s plan is. He laid down heavy metal sheeting onto the framework that could support the weight of a person or a dog.
The Roof In Underground
These are just the first steps to putting the roof in, but you can get an idea of what they were planning. Now that the exterior is almost done, we still want to know what will happen on the inside of the bunker. What is Wayne planning to put inside it anyway?
A Staircase Fit for a King
We looked at how Wayne planned to have a staircase that would be the only way in and out of the bunker, but he was not happy just to have an ordinary entrance. Once the roof was up and secure; Wayne got to work on making the grand entrance for the bunker, one fit for a king!
A Staircase Fit For A King
Leaving a wide opening from the roof, he installed some rebar to help support the entrance. Think the entrance is an afterthought? Why go to all this trouble if you’re going to keep the entrance simple. Well if you’re going to do it, why not do it properly.
Here Come the Concrete Blocks
Safety was at the forefront of Wayne’s mind when he decided to make his bunker. He made sure that his bunker was safe and that everything was up to code.
Here Come The Concrete Blocks
Wayne built his bunker to last and it looks like it could even work as a makeshift bomb shelter. But is this was he was originally building or does he have something else in mind for this underground bunker?
Let the Air In
Just as important as a sump pump is to get rid of unwanted water underground; another extremely important addition for an underground shelter was the installation of the air vents. Nobody would last very long underground without fresh clean air and so Wayne ensured that two 12-inch air vents were installed at the front and the back of the shipping container.
Let The Air In
This shows us that Wayne certainly intended to spend long periods of time underground in the bunker, but for what reason? Well, it’s more practical than you think.
Let’s Pour the Concrete
It seems like everything is coming together and getting into place, but Waynes wasn’t going to take any chances. Because the ground could move and shift, especially in winter when it freezes, Wayne decided to encase his bunker in concrete along the sides and top of his bunker.
Let’s Pour The Concrete
Although pouring concrete can be tricky, it seems Wayne got his pour just right. It is smooth and even and will end up fitting in perfectly with his yard. Of course, his whole yard was taken over by the project at this point in time, but it’s going to be worth it all in the long run and it’s coming together quickly now
Six Inches Deep
If you thought a thin layer on top of the bunker would do, think again. Wayne poured six inches over the top of the whole bunker, which might seem like a lot. But Wayne was intent on making the bunker strong, safe and secure and has ensured that it can take whatever rain and snow the sky can drop.
Six Inches Deep
Now that the exterior is pretty much done and dusted, Wayne can turn his attention to the interior of the project.
More Concrete Blocks
After the original concrete dried, Wayne went back to the entrance and added in more concrete blocks through the rebar. He really wanted it to be strong and secure.
More Concrete Blocks
The entrance would be the only part of the bunker directly exposed to the elements, so Wayne decided that more protection would be good. The door is going to take a beating, so if it’s possible to protect it further from poor weather and animals, that would be better. Now that the outside is complete, its time to take a walk downstairs and have a look at what the interior is like.
Remove the Temporary Support Beams
Always with projects like this, safety is of paramount importance. It would be silly to not take precautions to ensure the bunker is safe and secure. Since you are spending so much anyway, it simply doesn’t pay to take shortcuts.
Remove The Temporary Support Beams
Once the concrete had dried, it was time to finally remove the support beams that had been temporarily keeping the roof secure. All those cinderblocks were not for show, after all, they all helped to make a stable foundation for the bunker.
Filling in the Soil
When the bunker was done, Wayne filled in the spaces with some high-end soil to avoid having the bunker in the middle of the yard in a dirt pit. Now, when the whole bunker is finished, he can go back and put some plants in to help it to blend in and recover some yard space.
Filling In The Soil
After having such a giant hole in the middle of the yard, these efforts make it look like the huge hole was never there! It certainly doesn’t look like there is a great big bunker under there.
Wine? Really?
Well, we weren’t expecting the cellar to be filled with wine. But why not? It makes a lot of sense as liquor is best stored underground. It preserves it better in the coolness and helps it last for years to come.
Wine Cellar
So is this whole setup just a wine cellar, or does Wayne have more plans for this bunker?
No, There’s More
A shipping container like this one is so useful for a number of different needs. From the picture, you can see that there is plenty of storage space that could be suitable to store your Christmas decorations and other seldom-used items, along with a store of non-perishable food items in case of emergency.
No Theres More
What would happen to you and your family if there is a natural disaster or another serious emergency? Now Wayne has his very own shelter in which to hunker down if it ever became necessary to do so. It could provide relief for just a couple of hours or even a few days if necessary. It’s a worthwhile effort since it doesn’t even take up much space in his yard, given that most of its underground.
Plans for All are Available
The most interesting and inspiring things about Wayne’s project is the fact that anyone can do it with minimal money and resources. Waynes decided that he wouldn’t keep his bunker’s plans all to himself and shared it all with the world, down to detailed plans of how he created his a masterpiece.
Plans For All Are Available
Wayne also shared the specs of the container and gives tips that DIYers would need to pay attention to if they are to successfully replicate the project and shared all his advice to get it right the first time.
Some Useful Tips
Wayne’s tips and tricks for creating the perfect bunker and included the suggestion of adding in some handrails to the stairs to improve safety. Isn’t that a great idea? Especially if your local weather gets really cold and the stairs could end up slippery from the ice.
Some Useful Tips
Wayne also suggested that it would be better to add in a small overhang over the entrance. Again, the reason is the outside elements that could leave the stairs icy or could even fill up the hole with rainwater. The overhang could also help to keep animals out of the walkway.
Others Have Also Thought a Bunker is a Good Idea
Perhaps there is no war on American soil at the moment, many people opt to have a bunker in their home and there are many of them around. During the cold war, the American Government suggested that people create fallout shelters and bunkers in their basements and yards.
Others Have Also Thought A Bunker Is A Good Idea
It was recommended that these bunkers make use of lots of concrete and that the roof was made to be strong and secure. In the 1960s the shelters weren’t great, but now people have access to much more information and more readily available resources
Bunker Businesses are Booming
In 2017 bunker building businesses started doing lots of business as foreign relations grew tense and Americans began preparing for a war-time situation. The future was uncertain and so the demand for bunkers started increasing
Bunker Businesses Are Booming
business owner, Clyde Scott of Rising Bunkers in Texas, reported that his business was at an all-time high in 2016-2017. His sales have increased by at least 400% and have grown to a $10 million a year business. This was reported in the Independent.
The total cost of the bunker may surprise you!
So what did Wayne’s Bunker Cost him?
Wayne’s bunker did come at a price, but it isn’t nearly as much as you think. He only spent a reasonable $12500 on his DIY bunker
So What Did Waynes Bunker Cost Him
He kept the costs down by doing much of the work himself as he did have his own tractor. This likely helped with many things from digging the hole to filling in the soil. It was a highly resourceful way to build a bunker, but others are turning to the newly emerging bunker companies that can build it for you.
Upper Middle-Class Preparedness
Utah Shelter Systems’CEO, Paul Seyfried, agrees that business has picked up in recent years. Most customers are coming out of Texas, California and New York, but they are getting requests from all over the country.
Upper Middle Class Preparedness
Seyfried says the shelters he sells range in price from around $50,000 to $100,000 for shelters. Most of the orders are for families looking to protect themselves as well as shelters that can deflect electromagnetic pulses and radiation contamination.
Let’s have a look at South Dakota.
South Dakota Bunkers
There is a decommissioned army base located in South Dakota that hasn’t been used since 1967. It is called Vivos xPoint and now there are plans to utilize the war-era bunkers, but this time, for citizens. The off-grid facility incorporates 575 concrete bunkers in the grasslands near the Wyoming border to which they are hoping to add more.
South Dakota Bunkers
These bunkers are currently available to lease for 99 years at the cost of $25000, plus $1000 annually. They are quite spacious, however, there is no plumbing, electrics or air filtration, so there is room for improvement.
Many Options are Available
A California-based company, Atlas Survival Shelters, said it sold 30 shelters over 3 days when Trump came to power. It’s a huge increase from the 10 shelters they sold in the whole of 2011.
Many Options Are Available
Their bunkers also include extras that are designed to bring in the home comforts. This is great for those not wanting to feel as if they are camping in an unfinished basement. Many of these customers are baby boomers who remember very well the threat of nuclear or missile attack. They want to be prepared if it happens again because they lived through it before.