Completing the Stairs | Underground Earthbag Building | Weekly Peek Ep49

[@LanaMcAra]

This is the first video I watched of yours. It's hard to believe that was 4 years ago. What a blessing your family has been to me as my kids are now all grown up and you are projects remind me so much of ours when they were younger.

[@kimsfarmadventures3877]

I am really having a great time watching your videos. They are fantastic. You are giving me inspiration. I don't think I can do the work myself, but I have a healthy husband and two grown sons. Hopefully they will watch these so they will know what I'm talking about. Right now my husband thinks I'm crazy. He doesn't have any idea what a earth bag is. Keep up the good work. Good luck with finishing your studio. I can't wait to see the finished product!

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Kim Heath Thank you Kim!

[@jmbalash]

for stairs you could have used prefab blocks that they make for retaining walls. I have seen them used as stairs and it looks nice and professional.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Jonathan Balash Great idea. We have some steps to build for Shea's room. Thanks

[@jmbalash]

Their is so much more you can do with them. I am not an expert. But exterior, interior stairs, that will never fail. If they do you just take it apart and redo. No rot or cracks, no forms. Because they are not permanent no need for a permit in some cases. If kept at 4 feet it's a retaining wall no permit, or engineering, zoning approval. I have seen a 4 ft high wall, then they step it back and make another Wall 4 feet high. So on your build if you Make a larger circle out past you existing, sand bag wall with blocks or sand bags, then have a new exterior foundation wall started on the ground not your existing basement wall, you can go up 2 stories. So you build a retaing wall at ground level 4 ft high. All around with sand bages as a retaining wall ( donut shaped) then the first floor is also cooled by 4 feet of dirt. Have ventilation ducting to the basement. First floor Windows at 4 ft and up. Make larger first floor parameter diameter. Start your second floor foundation on top of the 4 ft retaining wall. Garden all the way around on 4 ft wall or as a patio, or deck. You can sand bag it first then add the blocks as esthetic later. No maintainance, it is a fluid wall no cracks, or failures. Hope you like this idea. Larger first floor paremitor diameter wall started on the ground not the existing basement wall you just finished. Then a second floor wall started on top of the 4 ft retaining wall. So many advantage to more space. And less zoning as you have multiple foundation teirs. Hope you like it.

[@jonathanjohnston4444]

This channel is super awesome internets +10,000pts. You guys make me so very happy.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Jonathan Johnston Thank you

[@kat369-mine]

You are such an awesome family. Makes me want to go back, and at least redue my sons childhood. Moving to the country and trying to be off grid, was always our dream. Then my mother and step-father both became il, and we moved to take care of them. Then my husband got ill. I think my mother and I will just RV it cross country, sounds like fun.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Kathryn Blodgett Have fun in the RV. There is a lot of adventure to be found.

[@yummboy2]

I have never seen a concrete stairway built quite like this before, but what the hey, if it works, it works! I guess when you are not working against the clock, however you can get the job done is what matters! Great job!

[@KimandFrank]

🐾🐾 It wasn't me🐾 It wasn't me 🐾🐾 Actually the stairs 👀 awesome🎯

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

I would have left the paw prints as a sort of future memorial to the dogs. They aren't going to be around forever, but paw prints in concrete will last a lifetime. No harm having them in one step.

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

the stairs where ingenious, I didn't know this would be two stories!!! so exciting!

[@mylittlehomestead]

+ThisNarrowboatAdventure Neither did we....

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

hahaha!

[@mylittlehomestead]

+ThisNarrowboatAdventure We love your narrow boat...very cool

[@ThisNarrowboatAdventure]

thanks! I do too! just need a bit of land by the canal to start my homestead on :)

[@Moore-s5p]

now every now and then poke holes in the bags and plant grass, moss, succulents, flowers, etc. the roots would keep the dirt together and it would look beautiful too

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Tia Moore Ummm... maybe

[@Moore-s5p]

mylittlehomestead why not? it would be a living wall. you have poked holes in the wall before and exposed the dirt. in Arizona it would grow fast and not get overly cold. I think it would brighten the room. plus you could do patterns the same why you did with the tile.

[@kevinfinkel5536]

Diesel is such a funny dog. Like a four legged version of Shae.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Kevin Finkel Good one Kevin

[@cclouderx]

This is perfect for the dirt bag house I’m hoping to build with my mom

[@T.T.LovesAmbience]

I think the paw prints give the stairs more character :) Great video!

[@andrewakrause]

I was thinking how cool it would be to fill them in with color epoxy. One of the coolest things I used to own was a plaster cast of the paw of one of my first dogs. I lost it during one of my cross country moves in the military.

[@Well_possibly]

Cute paw prints, but cement is caustic. **chemical burns** can occur from wet cement or concrete. The dry powder is also harmful to eyes and lungs. Best to block access so animals and kids don't touch it...or breath the power in!

[@catnium]

to late man they all got cancer already by the looks of how much concrete they have been pouring with out proper protection

[@andrewakrause]

Cement is not toxic. Not by a long shot.

[@Well_possibly]

***** Thanks. My error, so I changed it to caustic.

[@TommyboyGTP]

Looking good! The way it is right now, you could put a semi dome roof on it and cover it with dirt and it would be hidden really well.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Tommy TwoGun Maybe something for the future.

[@aaronkeith2644]

it's one in the morning and I'm watching people make a building out of dirt

[@max1morgan]

its 2am here buddyerino!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxo :)

[@sdbigguy]

Looking great... A little advice (after the fact). When I was a very small kid, we helped my mom with her concrete projects. When she made steps she would always put pipes or rebar at the rear of each step. This would be covered by the next step but in the end it tied all the steps together. If you never plan to remove the steps it is a very good addition. Are you planning to finish the floor in this room before you complete the second floor? It is so great to see you guys working together! Thanks for another great video?

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Thom Lindgren Thanks Thom. Ya. We could make adjustments the next time around. We want to build the deck just as we reach the floor level of the ground level.

[@Cricket-el5ls]

I love this new floor plan ! ! I is going 2 B the coolest building yet ! ! With Y'all's imaginations, I can't wait 2 See the next steps N the process ! ! Take care & have a wonderful, safe weekend ! !

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Cricket 2691 Thanks Cricket.

[@Les__Mack]

Thanks for another fun video! I love seeing the progress. Makes me smile.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Les Mack Thanks Les.

[@rhododendronr3052]

Mashallah I saw your long video. Good family, good parents ,good kids,good house, good idea. God blass you.Selam from 🇹🇷

[@sallysassa]

Terrific skills for kids to learn.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+sally-ann Williams Thank you Sally-Ann

[@PeterWest70]

Good tips! I would've placed steel rebar across the stairs "steps" into the adjoining (each side) earth bags, to tie both walls with the stairs proving more strength ... just a thought

[@KimandFrank]

🎼🎵🎶 Y'all are building a Stairway way to Heaven🎵🎶

[@Well_possibly]

Cute paw prints, but wet cement causes a *chemical burn*. In some cases, liver damage. Best to block access so pets and kids stay safe. Even the dry powder harms lungs, eyes, etc.

[@marekpastyrik1888]

how long do you want those stairs to be there? because by doing them withou proper foundation and not all at once they will move a lot

[@TheHonzoh]

That's what i was just thinking. No foundation, no go.

[@tjhaverland4276]

marek pastyrik And no "Nose" Rebar! 😮 😖😝😖

[@noneofbizorjuliejt6466]

Noooooo you filled in the dog prints! I thought they were awesome. Deisel is such great help!

[@craigmooring2091]

It's really looking good. Technically, the stairway is helical, not spiral, since the radius or curvature is constant. A spiral has a radius that increases gradually as the arc progresses, like a snail shell. A helix has a radius that is constant as the arc progresses, like a coil spring or a slinky.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Craig Mooring Thanks for the update

[@leloodallasmultipass]

*groan, totes.

[@katzglass]

Great video!

[@Heyjaybird]

I watched the video on on is really cool. I moved from Alaska to Arizona. Tryin to get the wife to live it here

[@Jeffrey23az]

Nice job on those steps!

[@StopaskingformynameYouTube]

I wonder, what's the point in doing something like this? Clearly the bags will rupture at some point. Wouldn't it be just as easy mixing concrete and using that?

[@aaronkeith2644]

well they did double bag them so it would be harder

[@hvulin]

where does the water go in case of rain? and how do you make sure your steps don't sag down with time?

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Hrvoje Vulin Living in the desert has some benefits when building structures. The soil is mixed with clay and calcium. Water will run down something called a wash. It rarely sinks directly in the ground. We place berms around the high sides of the buildings to divert water flow. Also, the clay and calcium pack as hard as concrete. The steps also, partially lay on each other.

[@erikphillips82]

Excellent jobs!

[@molsen8869]

I know this may sound like a silly question, but I personally have not specifically seen anyone address it...When building with earth bags and you are either building a basement or into the side of a hill, do you need to worry about using a pond liner and/or plaster (etc) to cover the exterior walls before back filling with dirt? In a more desert climate like where you guys live, it may not be as needed, but I am worried about water seeping in from the outside and having a flooded basement/house. One of the places we are considering purchasing land, has a very high water table.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Molsen 88 It is true that water can seep into a basement or backfill. We used to live in the PNW. I had a well at 20 feet. All basements and backfill walls for daylight basements, were covered in a tar material that was sprayed on. Here in the SW, in my desert location, rain fall is max...20 inches for the year. The ground is made up of soil, clay and calcium. The water table is at 100 feet. The ground does not wick water from the surface. We have washes that carry water to tributaries...streams and rivers. For our application, I chose a vapor barrier plastic that I ran down between the walls and the backfill. Also, remember, the walls are dirt (with soil, clay and calcium). The same stuff that sheds water to make the washes. Other regions may need additional water abatement, like sprayed on tar. Other regions like the PNW or north or eastern coastal, will need to perk there ground to see if water will or will not seep. Check out the conditions in your area to make sure you keep out the water. We don't need a swimming pool in our basements.

[@Lilpupling]

I love your videos there so up beat and happy love you guys and your build videos

[@mylittlehomestead]

+kunuynaaluk wilson Thanks

[@judithfenske2311]

Very helpful dog.

[@Huzzahgamers_inc]

Well done ya'll. Keep it up!

[@johntillotson4254]

Great job

[@samilliw1]

lets hope it never rains

[@lemongirlgamer5427]

You guys are awesome 😊

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Blue Gamer Girl Yeah u too....

[@lemongirlgamer5427]

+mylittlehomestead really!?

[@discourius26]

Good stuff, as always

[@mylittlehomestead]

+discourius26 Thanks

[@Airmanmx1]

Excuse my ignorance but what kind of plumbing do you have in case it rains?

[@Chimonger1]

Can hardly wait for #6...wish the segments weren't all scrambled/lost on youtube.

[@Heyjaybird]

Where can I find or what are the sand bag tune thingy called. I've looked all people have are just bags

[@kevinuren8488]

Love it. What about drainage, eg at bottom of steps?

[@QueenOfMissiles]

I like the concept but how do you deal with rain water that would flow down the steps?

[@mylittlehomestead]

+DarkGuardsman Steps are in the interior of the structure.

[@cm.4828]

that's awesome!!

[@jacksonms212]

lol last time I went water skiing I was 32 and could not move for two weeks and have not been since.

[@judithfenske2311]

How do you seal the bags after you cut them to size? Or not? SOO?

[@BonnieHaley]

Hello 👋 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ i love y'all's video's i have been watching your video's for a long time ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kevinfinkel5536]

what sort of temperature control do you have for the kids rooms? is there a big difference between the outside and inside?

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Kevin Finkel Temps are moderate inside. But the rocket stoves and window air conditioners are only needed briefly.

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

Nice! How do you stop the building from filling up with water when you get heavy rain?

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Naughty Goat Farm While we build, we use tarps. After the roof is on, having a good coat of paint should work for the walls. We live in a very dry climate. Soil is clay and calcium. Water runs off into washes. We use dirt berms to direct water away from the structures. Hope that helps.

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

+mylittlehomestead thanks I look forward to seeing the completed building!

[@Chimonger1]

Depends on conditions of ground and weather at site. Underground and other natural materials bldgs need good attention to drainage; that can be done numerous ways. Check out books on underground building, like "The $50 Underground House" by Ohler, and "Earthships" by Reynolds, and others, that describe various methods.

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

+Winter Star Thank you.

[@williamwurthmann1573]

The sun came out today; think that I got a "SUNBRUSE"...LOL!

[@tomsplace239]

I'm not so sure doing cold joints with the concrete is good to go or not. Normally structures like that are one pour??

[@mylittlehomestead]

+toms place Good point Tom in climates that the earth shifts do to earthquakes and excessive rain. We have neither. Desert climates allow a little latitude for accomplishing so much without using standard building practices. Also, we do not live in an area where we can have a cement truck come out and deliver a load for a mono pour. Good catch.

[@danielterry3701]

I think this is a awesome idea. and I'm not bad mouth this at all. I'm curious did you use rebar in the concrete and I would like to make a house like this. but how would I keep the water out.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Daniel Terry Keep the water out with a roof....

[@danielterry3701]

mylittlehomestead ha ha no I'm talking about the water seepage through the ground lol.

[@mylittlehomestead]

In our region, the water table at it's highest level is 100 ft below the surface. the only water we are concerned with in the underground structure is that which may come from the top of the ground as run off. Our region does not easily allow water to seep into the ground because it is made from calichie (calcium) and clay. The water runs off in "washes", dry in the winter and only fill in the monsoons. the water runs off to other parts of the area that will absorb the rain water. We are in a desert....very little rainfall. We divert water away using berms and channells.

[@danielterry3701]

mylittlehomestead that's awesome I have really enjoyed watching your videos and congratulations on all your guys beautiful structures.

[@saffronsworld1508]

Nice swimming pool.

[@hideyoshiq7813]

dam new York grandpa with dem sick ass timbalands

[@silwarrant9869]

Great Vids!!! Love you guys, Keep up the good work!!!

[@ZackWilliamsPANCAKE]

This is EXACTLY what I wanted to do for my earthbag house!!! Cheers!!! By the way, are y'all in Arizona? Kinda looks like it to me.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Zack Williams SW is great!!!!

[@pattifoote1714]

Cute dog and love your channel just found it, cool💚☘️

[@andrewakrause]

Are you using just plain concrete on the steps? Or are you experimenting with different mixes of portland cement, lime, flyash, etc? In wet climates, you can't use earthbags for the footings, so I'm looking at options other than 100% cement. IIRC, you guys had used either limecrete or soil cement in Bryson's... dare I call it a hut? Just wondering what your experiences are so far.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Andrew Krause Ya. We went simple this time with concrete. No wild experiments.

[@CannaHeaven]

What kind of reinforcement did you use for your concrete steps? I didn't see you adding rebars so I assumed you used something else to reinforce that concrete right?

[@user-hh2iw7jn7b]

yeah I'm wondering where you guys are doing this because I'm interested it building my own but where the codes aren't going to stop me

[@karnesrussell]

Good job

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Russell Karnes Thanks

[@karnesrussell]

teach our neighbors well So much fun to get it done. illuminate Homelessness simply built Locally built putting America to work Carry on oh wayward sun,, Always good to have a fun day enjoy

[@geaj4214]

did you pull the frame out before the concert dried

[@michaelstallone4197]

im really interested in your roof, or cover at ground level. would you mind sharing any resources or websites you found for building specs, tips ect... i have my mind wrapped around most of it , its just the roof, as mine will be covered by earth and id like to avoid all the earth on my families head! thanks in advance. ps, how many bags would you guess youve used so far

[@mylittlehomestead]

+MICHAEL STALLONE We plan to have walls at the ground level. The roof will be an octagon wood roof. I (Dad) have built homes, off and on, since 1978. We use KZbin for the building ideas and I then use experience. There are online calculators for cutting roof and stairs. I want to do a vid on the "Math of Building" some time in the future. That will have some info. We have not done a flat dirt roof. I have no experience there, sorry. We have not measured the lineal feet. Maybe about 13k lineal feet.

[@michaelstallone4197]

Thanks for gettong back, i thing ill use 2x10 with a 4x4 column on a footing in the center. It only has to hold a few inches of dirt, ill be pouring a concrete dog run on top of it , the entrace will be under dog house, with long rebar it should be very solid. Keep up the good work, you guys rock

[@michaelstallone4197]

Ps, i only pan on plastering the inside wall, do you see a problem with that?

[@boudreauxmichel]

Love it

[@brendancreaven9452]

What damp proofing do you use for your stairs (slabs and foundations) ?

[@mylittlehomestead]

Water is not much of an issue here in the desert. The stairs are interior and we used a vapor barrier on the outside of the stairs nearest to the outside of the building

[@davidvanzweel5567]

Were can i buy those long sand bags please

[@Saffyj2012]

HAHAHAHA love the doggie prints het can we have an updated video of all your rooms ?

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Step by step! I'm glad you left a couple of doggie prints for posterity.

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Jeanette Waverly The dog will be pleased.

[@tambassadorifsomewhat192]

kid with the black shirt looks very depressed

[@vaquero3578]

he tired from water skiing

[@Kevin-finity]

Like your videos!!!

[@user-hh2iw7jn7b]

what about a drain for flood waters or do you plan to just pump it out?

[@mylittlehomestead]

Soon...

[@user-hh2iw7jn7b]

mylittlehomestead where are you guys located? California or Arizona? because I might want to make a super Adobe like this as well?

[@user-hh2iw7jn7b]

mylittlehomestead and what about plumbing? do you have water coming into a structure like this? are you on septic?

[@mylittlehomestead]

No plumbing. Main house is 50 ft away

[@user-hh2iw7jn7b]

mylittlehomestead is the main house an Adobe structure like this as well?

[@braddford847]

love to try this with tyres alas too old

[@feeljesus842]

Where i cam buy that bags type?

[@michaelanderson9792]

And she's buying a stairway to heaven

[@catbolinha5452]

We're I can buy this bags in USA ? Thanks

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Andre Piovan Check our experience and read the comments. There was a lot of great resources mentioned. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3cen98fs2HnNU

[@andersonsds]

You Have no problem with humidity?

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Anderson S. dos Santos Nope

[@Pete.G]

Musartarium sounds extra fancy

[@kat369-mine]

Or Musartorium, which sounds a little more sinister, hehe.

[@Pete.G]

Oooh good one!

[@knownpornographer]

who would thumb these wonderful people down!? smh

[@judithfenske2311]

Love the music choices. New type?

[@denaredford6701]

Steps are 11 inches wide and 7 inches to next step . You probably know .

[@homerobson7230]

great parents :)

[@a1sausie453]

Looks like they haven't washed in months!

[@theconnellyproject]

Sandy Squirrel? from Sponge Bob? Is that you? Great video!!

[@judithfenske2311]

Took 14 days?

[@lehnhardtdevonek.8479]

Awwwwwee!

[@jamesperez3876]

Yo i almost got the trivia ? Right bree

[@TooLongDoNotRead]

Hi, I've been watching your videos now for a while. (I was researching earthbag homes and found yours to be the most comprehensive/enjoyable video on it!) I was wondering, what kind of camera equipment are you using to record? I'm planning on building soon and want to Vlog the experience. Love your videos!

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Rayne Farore Thank you. Check out tonight's video...

[@richardramos7267]

I'm not an expert okay, but I think that stairs kind of dangerous in the long run.. I mean without a proper foundation ? I don't know It's just my guess..

[@jobelle27]

I wish we have money to build like tht here in the philippines i have a land but i dont have budget for tht huhuhu luv ur family

[@WorldSurvivalist]

didn't think that would be a good material to use for that sort of climate

[@danmoen755]

do mice move in easily?

[@mylittlehomestead]

+Dan Moen Nope

[@meboywheel]

you need to dig out the bottom of the stairwell and put a sump pump if you don't when the monsoon hit your studio will flood. I did a in ground studio in Tempe if you have question you can e mail @ [e-mail] ps love your channel

[@mittmehndistyle2328]

I like your style all build are so byutiful ....awsm pls come to indea n build my house ...👍

[@crismyforever2949]

5:51 vid time, whos the guy on the right side? Whats his name please? He is my crush now :) ♥ :*

[@sarahsmith-iq6fn]

Hello new subcriber

[@missusingle]

Shoulda filled the dog prints with epoxy or something...

[@soamsurnane711]

instant subscribe

[@lehnhardtdevonek.8479]

Red nose!

[@Elberik]

bunch of hippies

[@RubeeDubee]

Make me happy and don't use concrete, peeps! Concrete is very unecological! Inform yourselves! ;-) There are enough alternatives.