Building an Underground Bunker? Avoid These Mistakes!

If you're even thinking about building your own bunker underground, watch this first!! In this video, I'm sharing with you some of the major mistakes I made when I was building my underground bunker.
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Wanna see how the homemade underground shelter was originally built? Check out this playlist: • Underground Bunker
This DIY bunker is really cool if I do say so myself, and I wanted it to be perfect... but the truth is, I made some big mistakes that ultimately cost me a lot of money and time. I kind of schemed this build a bit by watching doomsday preppers here on KZbin. Even though I think it would definitely be valuable as a doomsday bunker, my main intention for this underground bunker was simply for it to be a tornado shelter for my family to feel safe in during bad weather.
This video is for anyone who is thinking about constructing an underground bunker - whether you're a beginner or an experienced builder. I'll share with you the mistakes I made so you can avoid them and build your bunker with confidence!
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Get the right door
01:29 - Washdown area
02:28 - Watch your head!
02:52 - Less storage = more height
03:41 - Impermeable seal
04:46 - Stronger conduit & better drain placement
05:53 - Breather pipes
06:31 - Better quality flooring
07:15 - Not all backfill material is created equal
09:00 - Another exit
09:52 - Use concrete with caution
📍MR. DIGG HEADQUARTERS
Williams Construction & Demolition Landfill - Class II
581 Rainbow Falls Rd
Graniteville, SC 29829
Permit # 022737-1201-Rainbow Falls
🌐 williamslandfill.com
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Microphone - amzn.to/47Eo9TB
DISCLAIMER ➙ This video isn't sponsored; some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase - at no extra cost to you. If you do use my links, I really appreciate your support!
#undergroundbunker #bunker #prepper #doomsday

[@DR-zj4od]

I like how you are honest about mistakes.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Thanks

[@jonathanfriar7767]

I appreciate the integrity and your willingness to share with others. After listening for the first few minutes; I realized the potential to learn a great deal from you. Thus, you have a new subscriber.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Thanks so much!!

[@saxonsoldier67]

I wouldn't put a wash down inside the entrance. Keep excess water outside. Build a porch next to the door. A simple water barrel set above the porch with a short hose and valve would work. Soap and water work well. Remove everything before entry if contaminated. Leave it outside in bags. Put towels and sweat pants and shirts just inside. Modesty can be sacrificed in an emergency.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Awesome idea!

[@myrealname2022]

Best impermeable seal for metal is called 7076 stick welding.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Cool, thanks!

[@gaspartqueiroz]

regarding the "impermeable seal" depending on where you're located it may be easier (and significantly cheaper) to drive the water away from the bunker through trenches, wells and drains. From the footage outside, there seems to be some lower ground you can divert the water to. You can do it now to reduce infiltration to the existing bunker, with the added advantage that it reduces pressure on the walls outside.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

You’re right, we tried during the original construction to divert but……

[@luismaya7073]

Good information. Very big of you to share your mistakes. Good luck !

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Many many thanks

[@AlexLuthore]

You should have put a spray foam insulation on the exterior and shockcrete that so ypu have a few inches of concrete. Then layer on more concrete to smooth the surface and spray the final surface with a rhino truck liner that is rated for chemicals. This would waterproof the whole thing from above with an umbrella to shed water away. Then when you bury/backfill you need a lot of gravel and french drain pipes covered with liner. Run thos at regular intervals so the water sheds away from the structure. As for the fans, you'll want a good ventilation system and dehumidifier combo throughout. Power it with a combination of small wind turbine and solar so its off grid. That will fight any humidity from people breathing in the space. The idea being you need to manage humidity in a way that's on steroids for a typical basement. All the basement issues people have are going to be multiplied by 100 in these things. You need to insulate the walls from the temperature difference of the ground so that condensation doesn't form. You need to repel as much water as possible from coming into contact with the structure by both water proofing it with some kind of umbrella and taking drainage techniques to over engineered overkill to push water away (building on high ground helps too). And you need to deal with all the humid air people and their activities push into a space (breathing, cooking, showering, washing, sweating, etc). Either mechanical venting for air exchange and dehumidifiers with piped drains or passive ventilation and also dehumidifiers. Which also means securing reliable power to feed the mechanics. Think of it like a buttoned up sub and all the stuff people have to do to keep a sub livable underwater.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Great ideas for the next one!

[@sammiskie1127]

Fibered foundation sealer over the shotcrete, once it cures.

[@rhondasweeney7271]

Great information 👍 Thank you for sharing! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! HAVE A SAFE NEW YEAR! 🙏

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Thanks for watching, and Merry Christmas to you as well!!

[@389293912]

Very valuable info. Thanks

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Richard-C]

i just finish watching your series on the bunker build, nice project, i also noticed the bird cage are you going to show it of when the birds are in it? great video👍👍👍👍👍

[@TheRealMrDigg]

I am gonna try to keep the birds/plants separate from this channel. I feel like most folks that are subs on Mr.DiGG prefer the heavy machinery side of things. I might be wrong? I have a good bit of the aviary on Grass Roots Gardening side. You might have already seen it though??

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Good idea with having an inward swinging door.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Thanks!

[@brianreynolds622]

You can put that 100-year rubber sealer on it but the 100-year ice and water shield you have to make sure that you put it on correctly if you touch it it will not come up

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Wish I would’ve done that in the very beginning. Thanks for watching!

[@brianreynolds622]

Yeah I've used that 100 Year ice and water shield thick rubber really thick glue and you got to make sure that once it's down if you goof you won't fill it back up again because we have three guys on a regular roof one night grabbing that thing and we ripped the plywood off the guys roof I really enjoyed your program

[@Jamieclarke88]

I like the tar idea since that’s used on a lot of icf homes Ryan with some luck you might have some bits of cuilvert pipes come into the landfill you could test out a few different theories on waterproofing 👍 love the concrete blocks they look amazing do you have any videos of how they are done? Thanks for sharing with us

[@TheRealMrDigg]

That’s a great idea! Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.

[@SamsLiberty]

I would scrape a couple feet of soil and dig a trench around the bunker then run a pond liner before backfilling to keep water from infiltrating the soil near that bunker.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

That’s actually a great idea, thanks!!

[@shirleyc7175]

Good info thank#👍

[@TheRealMrDigg]

No problem 👍

[@kevinmurray7135]

Excellent explanation for the people pretty darn informative 👍😎🇺🇸 NY

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Kpilato_21]

5 gallon buckets filled with water help with Condensation and stuff like that. When not using my 5th wheel trailer I use 3 of them front,middle, and that back fill with little more then halfway with water and helps with all that and the humidity

[@TheRealMrDigg]

How does that help??

[@NelsonZAPTM]

I'd like to know too please?

[@MrCJMacKechnie]

How about a dehumidifier which has copper metal plumbing to and through the outside.

[@stevebishop3796]

I think you did greatbforbthe first time out. About how much did it cost in materials?

[@TheRealMrDigg]

$18k

[@kenreynolds1000]

I used a pvc core LVP from Home Depot in our below grade basement. We had a bathroom leak and lots of water got under the flooring. Just ran a heater and a dehumidifier for a few days and no smell or buckling or squishy water noises. So much better than the mdf core.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

👍👍

[@theheathkitshop2424]

Do you run a dehumidifier to keep humidity to a reasonable level? I'd be concerned about mold, and corrosion to electronics if the humidity were to get to intense.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Yes, I have one under the floor

[@scottbamasime4338]

What about coating the outside of the bunker with bedliner material to waterproof it better?

[@TheRealMrDigg]

I think that would be an awesome idea!

[@MrCJMacKechnie]

I'm sorry about your problems. I watched your videos years ago. You will need to have it in the back of your mind that you may need to do a do over in about 7ish or so years. But, I think you already figured that out as you mostly had solutions for known problems. I have some recommendations for your research, consideration and possible planning. What is good, maybe the steel pipe can be reconditioned for continued use. You can fix this but not sure in 7ish years though. You can add more pipe if desired. Depending on water tables. Maybe you can go deeper. I will try not to repeat your suggested fixes below. 1). Watch the videos from Atlas Survival Bunkers. There is allot of building and construction insights. Atlas will also have solutions for condensation issues for free or buy his pipes. Watch videos about the cold war bunkers on Atlas and other places. Do not become entertained and watch for content and ask yourself why? why? why? Everything is usually about not dying. There are library books about underground bunkers. There are also old cold war books about underground bunkers. This part is serious. Anything that you do not know or refuse to follow will get your loved ones killed eventually. 2). Think about a direct connection to your home as well as an emergency exit and an outside entry security door. (Idea)Think about the letter "T" for all entry/egress options at each end. Check your own building codes for underground basement and living spaces. Yes, of course have an ample mud room with showers, storage, washer, dryer. With two security doors. All doors should be security doors. 3). No Gas products at all inside of any underground living space. (!Period!). You can suffocate and die, and then explode and die again. Pretty serious. Yea, bad humor, but still!!. 4). You covered this a little. Covered entry/egress will also keep the underground living space cooler. I just do not remember if the entry tunnels are ten feet +/- long. But they should be covered by 4-6 feet of dirt on all sides. If you go NBC: Then below is your research considerations: 5). NBC entry/egress should be at a 90 degree turn with ample mass all around. To block gamma and there is math to it. 6). NBC Air cleaning must only be Israeli or Swiss made, only. You have to decide which one during the engineering phase. There is max math which entails max square feet and max living things. You should consider this as serious as if you exceed any parameter, then everyone dies. 7), Underground clean water well point which is and can be both powered and manually pumped. Which can then lead to a variety of filtering systems, water softening, distillation, UV, and etc. If you consider water softening then you have to have huge massive easy access space for the salt bags. 8). Over pressure valving. I do not know where you are in SC or which side of the mountains your on. So if your on the side of a mountain which face a nuclear target. You may get a boat load of wind in one direction and then minimal wind back the other way. Where as if you face on the side of the mountain which is in between you and a nuclear target site. Then your nuclear winds will be weak coming at you and then strong in the return to the negative air pressure. 9). Think about excessively layered EMP protection. The math does not support this. But, were all civilians. So excessive is the best protection for EMP sensitive devices. There is always EMP debates as this is always debatable to every single nauseating degree. Your steel bunker should be EMP protected unless you have wood security doors. Once any electronic blows from an EMP it is not repairable as every single little tiny electronic component is fried. This can happen just one time. During an actual nuclear war you can have many nuclear detonations dozens of time over a period of a year or so or longer. So security door discipline must be adhered to. 9A). A two metal door system at every entry/egress. With the rule that one door must always be closed at all times. This must be followed. Yea, this is a special type of security door. 9B). Every sensitive electronic device must have it's own Faraday Cage cabinet. Before opening the Faraday Cage cabinet. All doors must be closed and secured. 9C). Every single electronic device must have it's own Faraday Cage Box which easily fits into the Faraday Cage Cabinet. 9D). Each electronic device must have it's own Faraday Cage Bag which fits into its own Faraday Cage Box. If you do these things. Then you should not have to worry about an EMP. But, if you leave the doors open you will have nothing that works.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to write this very detailed comment. It is all such great information, and I greatly appreciate it!

[@MrCJMacKechnie]

@@TheRealMrDigg Your welcome sir. Can't wait to see what you plan and do for your specific situation.

[@2-bar-one]

Have you watched ATLAS SURVIVAL SHELTERS Ron will show you how to videos for ideas or you can buy one of his. As always have a great day

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Hey Buddy, yes ive seen them. That’s where i came up with the idea for mine. They build some awesome bunkers!!!

[@MarkMisterMr.Hamaguchi]

A lime plaster interior coating will regulate humidity & control accumulating condensation.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Great idea, thanks!

[@slater1993]

floor need to be pvc deck decking on alum frame..use no wood period or as littel as possible

[@TheRealMrDigg]

That would’ve definitely been better!

[@j1969gto]

How do use bedliner so if you want to have a leak

[@TheRealMrDigg]

I like the bedliner idea

[@JDTECH22]

Bedliner the outside or the inside i think would be a good barrier.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Cool idea

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Sand the door and put a good enamel paint on it.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Good idea

[@frog996]

You put concrete over the compost? Or compost over the concrete?

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Compost over concrete

[@sammiskie1127]

The problem with using treated plywood as subflooring is that its toxic as hell in an enclosed environment

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Didn’t think about that

[@AwakeningWARRlOR]

A great video on what not to do 🙄

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Thanks for the view

[@brianreynolds622]

It is water can get in there that means chemical and Ray of logical contaminants can get in there😮

[@TheRealMrDigg]

This is true

[@justaguy-69]

as for the door, if thats steel, you can sandblast it with a small 5 bagger pot and air compressor on site, just duct tape the handle and sides first, then paint it with a good zinc oxide primer and two topcoats of epoxy and you will be good for 10 years., ...spot sand any bad spots and re-paint epoxy after ten years and be good for another 10.

[@justaguy-69]

i'd put some of that epoxy on the interior as well and set a couple tubs of silica gel at each end of your bunker to absorb the moisture in the air before going off and leaving it sit next time.

[@justaguy-69]

coal tar epoxy is what you would spray the exterior with before burying it. put 12'' of gravel under it before burying it as well to leave the bottom dry. maybe even up the sides a couple feet. (try not to scratch your epoxy back filling with gravel )

[@justaguy-69]

if you put some weights on top of those floor areas to hold them down and lock it up for a month with the tubs of silica gel in there they MAY lay back down !

[@TheRealMrDigg]

great ideas!! thanks

[@darrelltregear756]

Use composite flooring rot and mold free

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Good idea!

[@MarkMisterMr.Hamaguchi]

Clumping kitty litter. 1/4” layer of bentonite clay will be your permanent caisson for your subterranean structure.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Interesting idea!

[@jasonthomas1758]

Haven’t seen your full build video, but if you haven’t thought about it, you may want to consider a blast valve and air filtration.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Great ideas!

[@andrewschuschu3499]

How deep is this buried? How deep or not could be a major issue with the build itself based on the climate of the area you live in.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

It’s around 15’ deep. That’s for watching!!

[@JF-fx2qv]

Did you not do your due diligence in researching the available information?

[@TheRealMrDigg]

I tried

[@rachelwheatley3510]

"How not to build a bunker" Should be the title.

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Agreed

[@DirtyBeardsAndMetalShavings]

Hey Rachel let’s see your bunker. Oh yeah you don’t have one. Funny this guy will live while you probably won’t.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Certain things were done right though.

[@Rebel0413]

Rhino bedliner spray the entire outside of the bunker

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Great idea!

[@BryanKirch]

Are you worried this is going to rust and collapse on your family?

[@TheRealMrDigg]

Not in my lifetime