Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

[srs]

Sam, you sure do keep the worksite clean, I like that.

 

[SamWalton]

Sam, you sure do keep the worksite clean, I like that.

Yes we clean alot. I think it helps add to a safe environment. It also slows the progress, but we are slow anyway.

 

[jinman]

Reporting then would be no solution and I am sure they meant no harm. With our home being hidden a half mile from the main road we have had good success with keeping it safe and secure. The risk of theft increases as more visitors talk to others. I am now forced to sleep over night to guard our home.

Sam, whether they looked at your house or not, if they were there to install the poles, they know it is there and may talk about it. You said you invited the group to view the house before you knew they had already looked into the windows. Would that visit be less threatening and less likely to produce talk? I can sympathize with you on worrying about theft, but I would not lay that responsibility at the feet of the power company. After all, this thread has more people who know about your home than the power company guys will ever tell. Theft and needing to protect your property is a just a sign of the times. The fact that your house is so far away from the eyes of those who would protect your interest also plays into the hands of those who will take advantage because they will not likely be discovered. I often think that my never losing anything to theft is related to the fact that my house and stuff are easily visible from the road. Everyone I know with hidden locations has had a theft or vandalism. Thieves do their best work out of sight.

 

[SamWalton]

You are correct and make a great point. Most things often work for both the good and bad. I share with people on TBN to help others as well as myself. I get help and I give assistance to those who ask. An interesting fact is the reason crime has fallen so much in the U.S. is because of the Roe vs. Wade decision. For the most part our children feel more loved, thus reducing crime. I do understand I create my own problems. Like we put everything into this home, so much more than most anyone could ever imagine. So naturally we have much stronger feelings about our home. When you disrespect these areas of someone’s passion the pain is felt much deeper and stronger. We do have neighbors watching our property and we don't provide details on our homes location. My concern about the talking about our home is specifically limited to locals who also know and share its location.

 

[SamWalton]

We got our water meter installed and have been working on cleaning out the previously installed conduits and extending them to the water meter connection and the electrical service. We also picked up some more wood. I used some old pipe to feed the string through while shop Vac was blowing the modified Advil pill container through the conduit.

 

[arkbound]

Hi Sam,
I just logged on to this blog. I have been a fan of Terra-dome for a few years now. I purchased 5 acres over in Mountain Home, Ar. I wanted to be near my boys over in OKC. Near but not too close. ha ha :laughing: How do I find your plans to the T-Dome you are constructing? Is is a two or three dome plan and did you pick one of theirs or come up with your own?? I will be following you here soon as I figure out all the how to's. I will also be interested in checking out tractor's with which I have no experience, unless you go back sixty years ago when I helped my dad with a Ford tractor. I was 7 years old then. I will be going to spend a week near my property last of April and see about getting some of it cleared off. Then put in a well ($7000 estimate). I will have to do it in stages. TTYL

 

[SamWalton]

Hi Sam,
I just logged on to this blog. I have been a fan of Terra-dome for a few years now. I purchased 5 acres over in Mountain Home, Ar. I wanted to be near my boys over in OKC. Near but not too close. ha ha :laughing: How do I find your plans to the T-Dome you are constructing? Is is a two or three dome plan and did you pick one of theirs or come up with your own?? I will be following you here soon as I figure out all the how to's. I will also be interested in checking out tractor's with which I have no experience, unless you go back sixty years ago when I helped my dad with a Ford tractor. I was 7 years old then. I will be going to spend a week near my property last of April and see about getting some of it cleared off. Then put in a well ($7000 estimate). I will have to do it in stages. TTYL

Hello Arkbound, and welcome to TBN. My plans and pretty most all others assemble their own to satisfy their own needs. Basically you just group the 24'x24' and or 28'x28' modules together to your fancy. I have learned your design should be developed for a site specific location. You also need to decide your style of earth sheltering like atrium, bermed or in the side of a hill. I hope your location works out but you may want to research the multitude of earthquakes in Central Arkansas around the Greenbrier area and the New Madrid fault. You can monitor these quakes at this site RSOE EDIS - Emergency and Disaster Information Service. My plans use four and a half modules. The Terra dome people must have a eight foot opening to move the dome trailer out and to the next module. You can also have up to an eighteen foot opening in your walls. Most customers let Terra dome leave eight foot openings on the outside of each module. We wouldn't allow it. We made them pull their trailer between modules rotating the trailer while inside. We helped them with this using our Kubota B26 tractor. The result was much better. Let me know when you are in the local area we can arrange to give you a tour. We got a little closer to completing the framing in our bath.

 

[arkbound]

Hey Sam,
Thanks for the quick response. I have been glued to this blog most of the afternoon. I am up to page 25 already. All of you guys have had so much to say about Terra-Dome building and a wealth of information. I am looking forward to devouring the rest of the pages and info. I will also post a link to a weatherproofing site if I can find it again. I know it is too late for you guys, but might be of use for others on the blog. Well, more tomorrow got a busy day with a dentist planned. TTYL :thumbsup:
John L (AKA ARKBOUND)

 

[arkbound]

Hey Sam,
I have been glued to the blog here on TBN. I know it is too late for some but here is another alternative for water proofing. I found a few years back while dreaming about dome homes. Earth Sheltered Home Sealing

Seems we are all thinking conventional on an unconventional subject. We need to think that the roof is actually a pool and treat it as though we wanted to hold water, but let it run off. :confused2: I agree the TD people should have taken more care in the design of the domes so that when they pour one to another they score and add concrete glue to the already poured surface and there are products that work well for this. They also could improve by adding enough hydralic cement in the valleys so there is suffficient run off. Then they should be the experts in using the correct sealant such as is done in basements using products such as "DRYLOCK" which is available in HD and it comes in water or oil base. As we all know by now that concrete is really a sponge and water will pass through microscopicly. Drylock also comes in a plaster like form for the big cracks and used around "cold joints" as well. Then if you spray with a plastic like material followed by a covering of bentonite (sp)you should be good to go. It sure beats the look of that black goop you guys seem to use.
All you guys have answered many questions I have had about TD construction. Sam you have done an awesome job on building your dream TD. Your attention to detail and pictures to document every step of the way is just incredible. Your entire family gets a well done from me. I hope to connect with you when I get out that way. I'll try to warn you via e-mail first and maybe we can swap phone numbers as that gets close. I will be looking out for more from everyone out there doing TD homes.
John L (aka arkbound)

 

[arkbound]

Sam you really nailed it with that Crystalline concretewater proofing. This stuff should be what TD should mandate as an additive from the get go.
These guys sure have a great product. I add the link to this company for your edification and enlightenment.
Videos on Concrete Additives and Concrete Waterproofing copy and paste this one guys. This has got to be the best. Of course it may be pricey. Good luck to all, and happy St Patricks day to one and all. I'll hoist a beer to you. lol :licking::drink:
John L (aka arkbound)