Outhouse plans

[JC4HD]

I need to replace the outhouse that has served us so well over the years at our camp in New York and was wondering if anybody has plans to build one.
The one we are replacing is functional but ugly... tin sides, tin roof, and cramped... ugh! Would like to replace it with a more traditional looking and roomy one. I read somewhere that the dimensions are 4'x4'?

 

[Gatorboy]

I have some links to plans on my other PC...I'll post them later. But for now, how about a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jldr.com/ohindex.shtml#tour>Tour of American Outhouses</A>

 

[Golfgar4]

Check with your local Boy Scout office. I think they have a standard design for their camps that would fit what you're looking for.

 

[Gatorboy]

Here are two "privy" plans:

You need Acrobat Reader to view

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/6054.pdf>PIT TYPE PRIVY, 4'X4'X7'</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/6396.pdf>PIT TYPE PRIVY, 4X4X9, ShR, StW, WOOD FLOOR</A>

I've been thinking of building one of these just for the fun of it!

 

[JC4HD]

Gatorboy... Thank you very much plans are VERY helpful... exactly what I was looking for. They certainly look easy enough to build... probably $50 - $75 in materials... a whole lot better than spending $500 for a Amish built one!

Thanks again!

 

[Bird]

Are you going to be using it in cold weather? I have a book by a guy who moved to Alaska about 30 years ago and spent a few winters in remote cabins, including one with no door on the outhouse. He said you didn't tarry long to take care of business, but then said he'd found the key to instant comfort; styrofoam toilet seats./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Now I've not seen one personally, but having a great deal of experience with outhouses in my youth, it sounds good to me./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[JC4HD]

Bird... We use it in all weather... and yes I have heard of using styrofoam for seat material... it works but is fragile. I found a website that sells a seat made in Finland, more durable for about $15, and is a warm as the soft foam:
http://www.dcmfg.com/PuuCee.html

Thanks for making me look it up! Will be a welcome addition in January or February in the Adirondacks of NY.

 

[DUMBDOG]

Having grown up without the use of indoor plumbing on the farm, the shop has it, and we have a motorhome for camping.

More power to you.

 

[beenthere]

I looked at that first plan (4x4) and made a rough estimate of materials.
I came up with about $200 without the hardware (hinges, nails, screws, screen). These prices were Home Depot.
Some corners could be cut, but I included T1-11 (4 sheets) siding, nothing for roofing, and used treated wood for corners and flooring framing and plywood.

This plan looks exactly like the privy we had at deer camp for 40 years. We had 1/2 the seat width (1 holer) and set the generator set in the corner. It gave out some comforting heat. We always had styrofoam seats (new one every year) using 1 inch foam. It was great setup. At one time, we hung high watt bulbs overhead for heat. Great if you didn't forget and bang your head on one causing it to go out or break!

 

[DocHeb]

Don't forget the pine branches to sweep around under the seat - moves away the spiders. Black Widows were notorious for attacking a portion of the male anatomy that protruded under the seat in outhouses.

 

[Gatorboy]

Here is another site with some <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.coredcs.com/~rarmsr/>Outhouse Photos</A>

 

[dmccarty]

JC4HD,

Believe or not you might try your state's web site for
requirements. NC has a book on its septic regulations. For
the most part the regulations define soil types and the kinda
system that can be put into service.

BUT, /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif, they actually define how an outhouse is to be
built and its materials. I think they even speced out a toilet
paper roll holder. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

So, you might want to see what the state/county has to say
if you are building a new outhouse..... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Later,
Dan McCarty

 

[beenthere]

And then again, he may NOT want to know what might await him when he checks with the "official" naysayers that have rules what you cannot do.

I don't think around here one can put up an outhouse anymore. At best, we may be able use a porta-potty that has to be maintained. Or go the route of a septic system which is costly. Our old hunting cabin, in central Wisconsin, may fall under a 'grandfather' clause that allows an outhouse to be repaired. But I think I heard one cannot put up a new one anymore if it is an new site.

 

[JC4HD]

Dan I'm not really worried about the regs... If you read my bio the place is 1 mile back from the nearest public road behind a reseviour... acess is VERY limited as is the use of the outhouse!
THis is the first I will be moving it in 10+ years... so it is a perfect time to build a new one! I will keep to old one just for backup (pun)!

Everyone, thanks for your imput!

 

[dmccarty]

JC4hD,

I was somewhat tongue in cheek, hmm, strike that given the
topic. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I was kidding about checking with the
AuthorOTays about the outhouse. Well, it would be good to
check the specs if they have em. The NC specs where very
detailed and if followed would make for a long lasting and
safe outhouse. One of the things they speced was a marine
grade plywood for the floor. Now some may think that is
over the top, /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif so to speak, but don't forget about that
old man in VA who fell through his outhouse floor and spent
a couple of days up to his neck in, well in bad stuff, before
his mail man found him..... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Course if you got 10+ years out of the old facility.... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Later,
Dan

 

[JC4HD]

Ouch that's not a very pleasant picture!!! Poor guy, I hope he had something to read/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
Seriously the floor would be important and that is about the only real problem (starting to rot) with the old one other than size and looks.

Good advice... I'll check into it!