Surviving a worse case event will force us to think outside the box and this is one of those idea that might help you implement a retreat plan. Your building could be placed at a established retreat or on some property to start building a retreat. A look at some prefabbed buildings that range in all sizes.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Some things to think about when developing or improving a property in regards to well location. Consult your local hydro geologist, and spend some time determining the best place to drill a well. There are trade offs of course.. but keep in mind, static water level, recovery rate, amount of wire , security, etc.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
August 9th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
the one witha gabrel roof is a good one here i can get one built 24×40 for like 12 k and instead of 2×4 wall it can be done with 2×6 and the 2×6 would only cost 2, k more but would incress thermal value big time and i would also look into cement boards for the sideing on it
August 9th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
I have thought of that before. I can’t believe they ask so much money for these at Home Depot. I tell myself that I could build them easily with some lumber, a saw, a hammer, and nails!
August 9th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
very cool!
August 9th, 2012 at 10:37 pm
you stole my idea!! LOL just kidding. Have you seen the “tiny house” craze thats going on in the southwest? lots of yuotube vids about them. They use appliances from campers, so everything can be on a 12v system. and they are so small and they dont have a permanent foundation so they cant be taxed as house, so all they pay is property tax on an “unimproved” lot!!
August 9th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Great idea. Good video.
August 9th, 2012 at 11:48 pm
I have watched all of your videos at least once but some of them several times this past month. Because of you, I have stumbled upon a few other preppers for WROL that have also been very eye opening to me. Thank you for caring enough to share your wisdom. If we never meet and shit hits the fan, just know that I am more prepared for the struggle to survive than I was before. Nonetheless, you are a great role model.
August 9th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
Those are nice but I found out a bunch of them can run afoul of building codes when you try to upgrade them to living quarters. Realistically, you could buy one or two then use the parts as a guide for making your own copies out regular lumber and safe around 15% off the price of buying it in kit form.
August 10th, 2012 at 12:03 am
Dig a cellar first and then put your building on top.
August 10th, 2012 at 12:50 am
neat
August 10th, 2012 at 1:11 am
Sorry about the typos….
August 10th, 2012 at 2:04 am
I live in Louisiana…oh and I been thinking about getting a shed/cabin and do my thing…..if I could get some land….
August 10th, 2012 at 2:18 am
What state are you in?
August 10th, 2012 at 2:21 am
I’m on disability and wanted to know if anyone knows of any preppers who are trying to get a community together.I am a chef and cad do some minor maintenence.I want my own land but it is so fang hard to get my own to bugout on..any ideas guys and gals, outside thebox thinking that is.
August 10th, 2012 at 2:35 am
thanks for saving me the time, definitley not spending that much on a shed/garage
August 10th, 2012 at 3:14 am
Been there, done that. That is what I have at my BOL. I have a 12×20 insulated wired, & paneled. We call it the “Annex”. Bedroom, dining room, & living room all in 1. We have the “annex-annex” next to it. It is a 10×12 that is wired also which has a sink, propane stove, al microwave, & a toaster oven. Both will serve as outbuildings when we finally build.
August 10th, 2012 at 3:59 am
Wow those are nice! I thought about maybe getting one in the future to start an at home business but a bug out shelter on a rural spot would be a much better use!! Great video thanks!!
August 10th, 2012 at 4:50 am
a used travel trailer is a great WROL and Bug Out shelter….and it’s on wheels so it can go with you almost anywhere
August 10th, 2012 at 5:25 am
The ad that ran before the video was by a real estate company for an admittedly-gorgeous 4 bdrm/3 full bath home for 1.975 million, and I thought…instant WROL shelter, sure, but who has 2 million bucks?? LOL Back in reality, I’ve got a small slabbed shed in the backyard, needs very minimal work to make it livable (as more than storage), but I don’t have the mobility (I’m disabled) to trick it out. Oh well, I do what I can and meanwhile pray for the best. Keep thinking and keep preparing!
August 10th, 2012 at 5:34 am
hey love your site! I have 15 very private wooded acres with cabin, springs, creek, outbuildings, gardens, perfect for one or more families interested in homesteading and prepping. Considering these great shelters, it would make a great community. need to sell it, how can I get the word out to like-minded folks? thanks!
August 10th, 2012 at 6:22 am
That’s a great idea. You never know what will happen. Maybe you’ll have new people join your group, or maybe your kids will grow up and want their own space. In a WROL you’ll never know until you’re there but it’s best to be ready for anything. Wonderful video!
August 10th, 2012 at 6:28 am
Thanks for showing those! It’s amazing how nice the prefabs have gotten. Definitely an option ppl should consider.
August 10th, 2012 at 7:20 am
Thank you for all the great info SP.
God Bless,
Elba
August 10th, 2012 at 8:17 am
Ive done something similar to your idea at our BOL. We used some 40′ shipping containers for the main living space because they were formerly refrigerated. We stacked 4 of the high cude containers and made a large open 15x15x16x room in the center that has the kitchen and living area. One end is used for food storage, guns, and other things.The other is turned into small rooms.We bought 4 of those 16′ buildings like you were showing extra food and supply storage.Worked out great, cost effective.
August 10th, 2012 at 8:28 am
We are in the process of buying land and putting a shed like this on it as a tiny home. We are going completely off grid come September. Its quick and though it takes some work, very little needs to be done before the snow hits.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:22 am
Yes we reload and no about the vehicles.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:16 am
there is a water table beneath the quicksand, but if it can be done cheaply would it be safe to drink if not how could I make it that way?
August 10th, 2012 at 10:50 am
I can’t have a well dug on my property as I’m in the city, nor could I afford it, BUT I have an inground swimming pool which was vandalized (pool liner cut) and it’s just sat there for about 4 yrs, my town was built on a quicksand bed, and when my pool was constructed, they hit it at 8 feet and had to back fill it to 6 feet or they wouldn’t guarantee the bottom wouldn’t fall out, my question is: Could I bust thru the pvc pipe drain at the bottom and put a hand pump somehow, if so r they costly
August 10th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Maineprepper has a short video on dowsing.
August 10th, 2012 at 11:33 am
Also I enjoy your vids, and woud love to see your setup. I am in Boiling Springs.
August 10th, 2012 at 11:35 am
I would argue with you about seeking a low lying areasl. In the 1970s we drilled 6 wells, 1 was 1800 ft. My parents were preppers but in reality they were just farmers. We drilled wells at the tops of hills and in low areas. The low area wells became “Sour” very quickly, and the higher wells are still in use (but one which was capped). Our well driller of choice explained that water follows the rock line, and that altitiude is not bad, after all there are springs on the tops of mountains.
August 10th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
I’m really enjoying your series on water wells! I dowsed my property and found a spot near my house that was hitting very hard, and what seemed to be 4-5 veins right after one another. I hired a professional dowser and he staked this very same spot. Just had it drilled today and the final specs are 120 ft. depth, 12 ft. static water level, and 60 GPM!!! I was a skeptic about dowsing, but I couldn’t deny that the rods reacted very strong in certain spots. Please do a segment on dowsing!! Thanks!!
August 10th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
man i love this freaking gringo.. smart, hard working, and thinking ahead
trust me coming from a Mexican that means a lot… peace
August 10th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
love the vids an what you do great an thak you but you kill my brain to much thinkin oh lord a lot to eat at one time over whelmed god bless friend
August 10th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Super great video man, Thanks for sharing
August 10th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Any advice to those of us in Texas (and other places) that have to drill a couple hundred feet to get water on less than an acre of land?
August 10th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
When well was drilled there were maybe 4 wells within a square mile of this well. Since then, city water got run here. Subdivision developers “discovered” the area. Even so, I estimate 20 wells in the sq. mi. More users, less water.
Now, his lawn sprinkler system “pumps the well dry” in 90 minutes. Pump shuts down. 60 minute ‘rest’ and it pumps for 90 minutes again…
August 10th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Dowsing: I’m often amazed at how highly educated and well-trained people will fall into magical thinking. Consider: What is the physical mechanism by which a human body can detect water, oil, a certain type of rock that will unconsciously get him to bend his arms to in response to the proximity of a match between a mind-held pattern and the remote physical presence of the item that the thought represents? Why not simply use thoughtful analysis based on maps and tables as you’ve suggested?
August 10th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
My grandfather used dowsing rods to find his two well locations and dug them by hand with a shovel and bucket. I am glad in this age of science we know that dowsing is grade a bs.
August 10th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
You may want to check out southernprepper1. He has a video on simple and cheap water collection. It may be usful for emergency water collecting in a less rural area.
August 10th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
I would like to cast a vote for dowsing, I and wanting to try to put in a shallow well for a hand pump. Keep up the good work.
August 10th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
dowsing or drilling? I vote the former.
August 10th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
I have tasted some water from a spring in wis that was so good….I have nvr tasted better water ever! If I had to discribe it……Clean sweet
August 10th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Its easy to find good well site, Just get a Y shaped piece of stick, hold it with the tail of the Y facing out and walk around the property. When the stick starts to point down thats where you drill.
August 10th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Well well well what do we have here
August 10th, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Neutral on dowsing? LOL…
August 10th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
I have emailed Southernprepper1 but he will not reply, but I do love your channel also. My question is I have a retreat and I am going to be a future homesteader and I was wondering do you travel to Northern NC and would you install a simple pump on my property? I do have a well with a electric pump. Also I want a shallow well near the house. I live near a lake, about 200 yards away. Thank you in advance for your reply, my email is rcarnish@hotmail.com
August 10th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
That’s a lot of money but if you got water that’s rally good, then you did well. ha ha
August 10th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
300 FT COST 10 GRAND HERE IN NW WIS,BUT GREAT WATER.MY HOME TOWN HERE WAS VOTED BEST WATER IN WIS.
August 10th, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Did the ancients use Dousing? I look at the people in the desert areas and have always scratched my head, because how did they know where to dig in all of that sand? Do you know what they did?
August 10th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Great video series, looking forward to more of them.
Can you direct me to a link to learn more about pitcher pumps. I have one that needs servicing and I can’t find anyone local to help me with it. I think it needs new seals and maybe a foot valve?
Thanks!