Yurt Outhouse

[Jafo]

While we wait for delivery of the yurt, I have begun building the outhouse. The yurt will be in a rather remote location where there is no water, well, or electric, so this is the best option. Here is what I have built so far:

[Jafo]

We got the outhouse finished and loaded it up on my poor little truck:



Yes, that was a fun drive! I took the back way to the yurt because I felt ridiculous driving around like that, but since the helicopter service wasn't available, I had no other choice.

Here it is all set up:



Here is a pic of the inside of the outhouse:



It was a heavy adventure.. I would estimate the entire thing weighed about 400 pounds. We dug a hole as deep as we could with shovels, which as about 3 1/2 feet deep. The ground at our site is extremely rocky, so it was like chipping through an old stone driveway.

Once I got it in place, I painted the vent pipe black so when the sun hit it, it would heat up the pipe and draw the bad air out. I also then sealed up the inside of the outhouse with silicone so as to keep insects out. The door has weatherstripping on it to achieve the same thing. Inside, above the door I put one of those battery powered LED push lights. It lights up the entire outhouse.

Needless to say, I am a little sore today!

[Jafo]

Here is a shot of the outhouse from where the yurt will be:

[Andy R]

Did you research how to build an outhouse and how they work for this project? What happens when the hole gets full, does a pumper truck come and take the stuff away?

[Jafo]

I found this basic design here:

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonly...tTypePrivy.pdf

I can't say I followed it exactly, but it gave good dimensions. I modified it quite a bit, namely I used an exhaust pipe, instead of venting out the base with vents..

If and when it fills up, my plan is basically to bury the hole, plant a little tree there, and dig another hole.

[Andy R]

Originally Posted by Jafo

If and when it fills up, my plan is basically to bury the hole, plant a little tree there, and dig another hole.

That's so simple. I am feeling way to grid connected right now!

[Jafo]

There are a couple things I learned in the last few weeks. The water table on my property is very high. When you dig a foot or two into the ground, you hit water, unless it hasn't rained in a couple weeks. This makes for a rather yucky potential when it comes to the outhouse: splash-back.

I did find a solution to outhouse splashback though! I seeded some of the area around the yurt with grass seed and covered it with hay as you normally do. I found that if you took a big clump of hay and stick it down the outhouse hole and on top of the water below, it would eliminate any splash back. Since it is organic, it breaks down with the rest of it too.

I know it is probably TMI, but if you find yourself in this situation, that can really be helpful!

[Vermont2014]

Going up to my VT yurt later this month. The plan is the cut the wood in NJ and assemble up there. I already built a lovible Lou compost toilet, which uses a 5 gallon bucket that you can swap out, so I won't have to dig a hole in that rocky soil.

Those privy plans will be helpful.

[Jafo]

I would rather dig a hole in the ground than mess around with filthy buckets LOL!! If I remember, I will find those plans when I get home. I am at hunting camp until tomorrow night.

[Vermont2014]

You attached a copy of the plans in one of your posts. Thanks and good luck with your hunting.


Peter M