Adding a storm shelter

[gsganzer]

Every spring, when the tornado season kicks up, we always wish we had a shelter. This year, I'm going to get out in front and put one in this winter. The most common one we see around here is the concrete in-ground with the sloped front like the attached link. I got some pricing and it will run about $4K delivered and set in a hole I have pre-dug with my Kubota BH77 backhoe.

Concrete storm shelter

I'll run an electric line to it. It's not practical for me to put in a perimeter drain and pipe to a lower point, as I don't really have a place low/close enough to drain it to. Another thought is to put in the perimeter drain pipe and make a sump just outside the shelter, that I can drop a submersible into if water is an issue.

For those that have a similar shelter, Is the drainage really that big a deal? I guess it's better to prepare for it and not need it. Perforated drain pipe is pretty cheap.

 

[Oaktree]

No tornadoes where I live, but that seems a reasonable price. Around here concrete home foundations are usually coated with some sort of tar-like waterproofing, maybe do that before setting it since a perimeter drain isn't practical where you live. A lot would depend on the water table & soil type where you are.

You might want to go with a battery bank and 12V lighting, ventilation, etc. If a twister comes thru most likely power would go out.

 

[gsganzer]

You might want to go with a battery bank and 12V lighting, ventilation, etc. If a twister comes thru most likely power would go out.

Agree. The only reason to run the 120V is to run a sump pump, dehumidifier and charger for flashlights etc. I'd expect to lose power if a storm hit.

 

[lman]

Every spring, when the tornado season kicks up, we always wish we had a shelter. This year, I'm going to get out in front and put one in this winter. The most common one we see around here is the concrete in-ground with the sloped front like the attached link. I got some pricing and it will run about $4K delivered and set in a hole I have pre-dug with my Kubota BH77 backhoe.

Concrete storm shelter

I'll run an electric line to it. It's not practical for me to put in a perimeter drain and pipe to a lower point, as I don't really have a place low/close enough to drain it to. Another thought is to put in the perimeter drain pipe and make a sump just outside the shelter, that I can drop a submersible into if water is an issue.

For those that have a similar shelter, Is the drainage really that big a deal? I guess it's better to prepare for it and not need it. Perforated drain pipe is pretty cheap.

Wouldn't it be better to have something like that in your basement?

 

[RSKY]

Wouldn't it be better to have something like that in your basement?

I think the problem with a storm shelter added to the basement would be waiting for somebody to dig you out if the house collapsed on top of you.

RSKY

 

[gsganzer]

Wouldn't it be better to have something like that in your basement?

I'm in Texas, we don't have basements. Most buildings are on a slab or pier and beam.

 

[ponytug]

@gsganzer Great idea to get ahead of things. I agree that I wouldn't want to live in a tornado area without a below ground shelter.

Good drainage will help keep the shelter dry, and comfortable as well as generally free of things like mold. I'm all in favor of at least one backup electrical system to power lights, phones, radio, etc.

I think that anything that you can do to keep moisture away from the walls will be helpful. We used Mira-drain on a recent project (one side toward the wall is plastic dimples, and the other is drain fabric toward the soil). Water hits the drain fabric and drops to the bottom, keeping the wall dry. There are lots of brands. I would line the backfill trench with geotextile, and fill the geotextile with 1/2-3/4" washed drain rock, if you can get it.

If your water table isn't high, you might be able to get away with a dry well attached to the drain system to drain water away from it. Whether it works will depend on your soils, rainfall and water table.

All the best,

Peter

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[lman]

I think the problem with a storm shelter added to the basement would be waiting for somebody to dig you out if the house collapsed on top of you.

RSKY

Or the tornado could blow you away while you're running to the shelter.

 

[grsthegreat]

Id be afraid of entering my own tomb. Too claustrophobic for that. I could imaging debris blocking exit door and being trapped.

 

[MossRoad]

Every spring, when the tornado season kicks up, we always wish we had a shelter. This year, I'm going to get out in front and put one in this winter. The most common one we see around here is the concrete in-ground with the sloped front like the attached link. I got some pricing and it will run about $4K delivered and set in a hole I have pre-dug with my Kubota BH77 backhoe.

Concrete storm shelter

I'll run an electric line to it. It's not practical for me to put in a perimeter drain and pipe to a lower point, as I don't really have a place low/close enough to drain it to. Another thought is to put in the perimeter drain pipe and make a sump just outside the shelter, that I can drop a submersible into if water is an issue.

For those that have a similar shelter, Is the drainage really that big a deal? I guess it's better to prepare for it and not need it. Perforated drain pipe is pretty cheap.

That seems like a very fair price. I'd think you'd want a perimeter drain around the outside edge to gather any groundwater and move it away from the structure to decrease dampness. Proper air circulation in times of non-use will help to keep it dry. I don't know what your soil conditions and drainage are, nor the installation instructions for the structure.

But in reality, if a tornado is bearing down on you, you'll jump in a wet spider hole to save your life.

 

[MossRoad]

I think the problem with a storm shelter added to the basement would be waiting for somebody to dig you out if the house collapsed on top of you.

RSKY

Chances are the house won't be on top of you. It'll mostly be "over there" (points in direction of tornado travel). As long as you have some food and water, you can last days. Someone will check.

 

[airbiscuit]

+2 on drainage of some sort. You can come up with your list of supplies (replenished annually)

Water
Transistor Radio
Flashlights (Harbor Freight Lights)
Batteries
Cell Phone
External battery and cord for Cell phone
Nutrition Bars
Bucket
Space Blankets
Folding Chairs?
Password for TBN

 

[gsganzer]

Id be afraid of entering my own tomb. Too claustrophobic for that. I could imaging debris blocking exit door and being trapped.

The one I linked allows the door to be unhinged and removed from the inside, should it get blocked by debris.

You'd think one would be required to "register" your storm shelter with the public safety (fire/police) so they know to check for potentially trapped people.

 

[ponytug]

Id be afraid of entering my own tomb. Too claustrophobic for that. I could imaging debris blocking exit door and being trapped.

Which is why you want a phone or something to let others know...

The one I linked allows the door to be unhinged and removed from the inside, should it get blocked by debris.

You'd think one would be required to "register" your storm shelter with the public safety (fire/police) so they know to check for potentially trapped people.

I try to stay on good terms with both, and I would definitely make sure that they know you have a storm shelter. Do you have a spare boulder that you could use as a marker?

In terms of site design, I would be tempted to leave the spoils from the excavation as a low berm around the shelter to take the force of the winds.

I think it is easy to over-think these things. I have read of billionaires who have built enormous end of world bunkers, and then after it was built had it dawn on them that after the apocalypse, they have nothing to ensure the loyalty of their guards...

All the best,

Peter

 

[Oaktree]

Which is why you want a phone or something to let others know...

Assuming you can get a signal inside the shelter, or even if there is a signal after the storm.

I think it is easy to over-think these things. I have read of billionaires who have built enormous end of world bunkers, and then after it was built had it dawn on them that after the apocalypse, they have nothing to ensure the loyalty of their guards...

Not just that, but if something that apocalyptic happened would you have the skills or even desire to live in that new world?

 

[LouNY]

Not for me I would need two exits a distance apart.

 

[MossRoad]

The one I linked allows the door to be unhinged and removed from the inside, should it get blocked by debris.

Nice feature!

 

[airbiscuit]

After every tornado, First responders go out and look for survivors. Maybe add a bullhorn to your list?

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

You could just at stand in knee deep stagnant water until the storms go away.