Earthbag Root Cellar Build | Off Grid Food Storage (Part 1)

With canning season on the horizon we start the construction of our underground earthbag root cellar that will soon store our precious canned food and crops from the garden.
Our Amazon affiliate link if you wish to support our channel: amzn.to/2Xi9CvE
Sandbags: amzn.to/2XQGP2w
Our Paypay if you wish to donate to us directly: www.paypal.me/...
You can subscribe to our channel here if you enjoy our videos!
/ simplelivingalaska
Simple Living Alaska Blog: www.simplelivi...
Follow us on Facebook: / simplelivingalaska
Contact us by Email: [e-mail]

[@cjbasye]

I do a lot of geo-engineering and glad to see your spoils pile so far away from your pit - many people will put the pile adjacent to the pit, which can overload the soils and cause a collapse into the hole. Very dangerous! The soils look like silty sand or sandy silt, which has some cohesiveness, but I cringe when I see you squatting down at 9 ft depth with wet soils on the walls - this is a very common collapse scenario that would be the end of your adventure. A 1:1 layback would be much safer with these soils, although not to OSHA standards (this is private land/Alaska!) Yes, water table will almost certainly be higher in the spring - what I've seen in Tok is water perched at the surface during meltoff, then it all disappears into the subsurface in one day, raising the water table for a time. Building on top is a very good idea if walls have some reinforcement so they don't collapse....lateral earth pressure in these soils might be around 0.7 of the soil weight X depth. So, around 700 psf at the 8 foot depth. Maybe more if it is wet soil. Great presentation.

[@eugenekolokoltsoff6257]

The core problem is they had completely failed with all this project. Inappropriate technique. Wrong place and ventilation (the diameter is far way too small) , totally inconvenient to use. Dangerous. Ridiculously fragile steps of the ladder, which had not been attached firmly and appropriately. Incredibly narrow entrance, etc. It would be better to steer clear of this root cellar.

[@jamesbland8274]

You two are most excellent partners. I am 68yo and when I grow up, I want to be just like you. Your distribution of labour and responsibilities is better than the United Nations. Looking forward to following along as you continue this build. You give a grouchy olde sailor and my man, a high mark to work toward. From western Tennessee, USA

[@davidmc8110]

Isn't it nice to get the collective knowledge a comment section provides? I look through the comments, and it is great to see so many people willing to give good advice and share their experience, like a team. Also, your work is impressive, and you deserve the compliments and any helpful comments.

[@mariannesouza8326]

This is such a great comment. I’m always impressed by the knowledge that is ‘out there’.

[@aaronjoseph7573]

If you plant a dense grass on top, it should make for a much better insulator than just dirt alone.

[@donnburge9774]

ventalation is a major install to stop mold build up from moisture the UAF in fairbanks use to have great info on root cellar builds in alaska, and alot of this should be on the website...there are also a few informative forums with the ventalation topic...awesome project.. keep it up,...

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Donn Burge thank you! I will check it out, from all I read ventilation is a must ☺

[@jerrywooton5025]

@@SimpleLivingAlaska yes it is definately a must especially in those circumstances in sure you will be vacuum sealing and protecting all the food you plan to store down there and if you dont ventilate tpu can bank on mold and mildew growth those bags seal off tighter then you might think

[@joel383]

UAF cold climate research, is one of the premier places for good well researched info on cold climate construction methods.

[@williammcasey7650]

Hey guys, take a five gal. Bucket , take out the bottom of bucket, , then use it as a birder to fill the sandbags

[@paladin11C40]

I have also used a traffic cone to fill sand bags in the past. I had to cut a little off the top of the cone to make it larger so the dirt would fall through easier. Build a stand then use the cone.

[@rhondaclark716]

William M Casey good idea 💡. Thanks 🙏

[@flattail]

@@paladin11C40 I used a "cone of shame" that you put on dogs after surgery, attached with zip ties to a piece of furnace duct. But this was for the "superadobe" tubing rather than individual sand bags--I smushed a bunch of the tubing onto the furnace duct, kind of like a rolled up sock, then filled from the dog-cone funnel end. The dog cone made for a nice big funnel. The duct could be used to direct dirt from above to sandbags below.

[@kirstinstrand6292]

You two are amazing. Impressive!

[@sandhollowhomestead6972]

I've seen some great videos on root cellars in Canada which were over 100 years old. All of those had 2 vents to control the moisture. They had vent valves like a wood stove chimney. I guess you'll find out what you need in your neck of the woods. I dream of making a root cellar here in the desert. Those bags seem like a great option. Thanks for sharing!

[@maryleigh8990]

Those cats: Cat 1: What are those humans doing now? Cat 2: They are making us the biggest litterbox EVER! Cat 1: Yeah, Im not going down there...

[@dillonprothro]

I feel like I should pay for this production! The physical labor you guys do is impressive, but to add all the filming and editing is amazing! Thank y'all for filming and sharing your journey!

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Dillon Prothro thank you!! 😁

[@lakaumbucha]

I built a root cellar with legos. It wasn’t to scale and the color wasn’t uniform. I got mad one day and smashed it.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

lakaumbucha I'm sorry 😂

[@deanbeach8748]

Lol

[@leifhietala8074]

I wanted to recommend building a shed on top of the root cellar but I see someone else already suggested it.

[@cplatter38]

Hello again, love the video, I'm doing the same thing! Only 12x24! One thing, PEAT! it's a great insulation and everywhere up here, when you mound your top put a raised bed filled with peat.. I'm going to build a greenhouse on top of mine to use the space better, stop water infiltration and keep the entrance from freezing up... just a thought! Good luck!

[@cplatter38]

I'd like to add, I know the insulation factor on peat because I had about 100 dump truck loads dropped at my place when a neighbor had a pond put in and the company needed a place to dump it (SCORE! ) Anyway, the final mound I had would have ice 6"-1' down till late July and it never fully thawed out!! And that's here on the KP where we're 20 degrees warmer (or more) than willow!

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Chris Platter thank you for the tip! Sounds like peat really works, we will have to check it out, we haven't yet finalized our plans for the top ☺

[@Servant_of_Christ]

Just like us oldtime scandinavians you have to work hard to survive the cold climate, you will do just fine! Good job guys, I am impressed! Remember to rest, very important so you don't burn out.

[@MrYeet-ip4qj]

Praise Jesus

[@douggibson9084]

Great video guys. When we're finished buy a inside outside wireless or wired thermometer to monitor temps. Also and idea recycle old tires for walls or retaining walls. KZbin Spaceship Earth homes? Looks good guys!!!

[@JusBidniss]

Not sure what you have going on for that outhouse, whether it's a chemical toilet or in the ground, but setbacks for a typical septic tank are 10 feet from the house for the tank, 20 feet from the house for the leaching field, and 100 feet away from streams. If the root cellar is too close to the septic, you may get a bad smell seeping in behind those bags. Hope not, and hoping it all works out for you guys!

[@BigRedUS]

I was going to make a similar comment.

[@luc1ferblack]

@@pamwilliams9142 yeah thanks for the spam video twat

[@deanmills5106]

I bet I filled 10000 of those bags, we used them for bunkers in Vietnam. Four or five layers were reasonable effective short of a direct hit.

[@stroys7061]

LMAO! August 1970, LZ Hardtimes near An Khe. We sandbagged culverts for sleeping quarters. Easily filled 10,000 bags. We were a forward fire base , took incoming about every other day - great motivation to fill sand bags.

[@stroys7061]

P.S. Welcome home soldier.

[@deanmills5106]

@@stroys7061 Thank you Micheal, you know how important those three words are. Welcome home to you soldier. 67 and 68 Chu li and vicinity.

[@stroys7061]

Dean MILLS Stay strong.

[@Georgia-WRBNS]

Hearts out to you both and to all who served there! I cannot begin to even fathom, your lives there on a good day, and to say Thank You, and I sincerely do, doesn't seem enough! Good Bless you All! And Welcome Home Soldiers! ❤❤🤝🤝❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤🙏🏻🙏🏻❤❤

[@jeffk464]

If it works for a hole that deep it should definitely hold up the sides of a 3' deep koi pond. I'm stealing your idea. :)

[@mrmajestic8643]

Take my hat off to y'all...you don't shy from the work. Good video 👍☮️!

[@luana-leecano8029]

If u put a metal shed on top with insulation and put stairs down u can use the shed to store wood. Wood is also good insulation.

[@luc1ferblack]

great idea

[@faithrada]

Aww gees.. what a great idea.

[@Sailor376also]

There are formulae for mass walls, usually heavy rock, but also brick or block dry laid. You problem is similar. Architectural graphic standards references you may find those formulae, however for an outdoor retainer wall, where the earth must step to accommodate a too steep slope the basics are that the wall will be the thickness at the bottom that is the height of the wall. Further,, for a retainer wall, mass wall, 1/3 or more is buried. A pretty daunting set of calculations considering what you have set out to do. You have some serious benefits of the structure you are trying to accomplish. First, your walls are short, you only have a net span of 8 feet on the length of your walls. Second, the top of the wall will be retained by the roof structure. Important,, when you lay out your roof structure, make sure that some of that structure will resist the lateral moment , the side pressure that will be trying to bend the center of your 8 foot walls inward. The plastic bags have little or less friction against their neighbors in the wall above or below them. And,, you have no method available to truly compact the contents of the bags or the space remaining outside the bags. The undisturbed soils of your excavation, both bottom and sides, are your single best compaction and strength. So utilize them. You erred greatly in over digging, and secondly in refilling with native soils. It requires 20 some years for soils to begin, begin, to re-consolidate. The stone fill is exactly correct, it is a 95% compaction as soon as it hits. I think your best options at this point in the construction are two fold. First, the untouched soils surrounding your root cellar are fully compacted and strong,, stronger than any bag wall you can construct,,, so use them. Get as close as you can. Leave almost zero space between the dirt walls of the excavation and the bags,, and that remaining space, whether 4 inches or one foot,, back fill will your floor stone. It will be at a 95% compaction when and where it hits. It must be able to flow around the shape and material of your bags,,, no voids,,, so you may want to go to an even smaller stone, pea gravel. Second,,, why straight walls? Straight walls are a modern aberration. Nature does not make,, nor even allow straight walls. Arched. So inward forces are turned into a compression ring, not an inward bending of straight walls. AT a minimum,, round corners on your room, and rounded or arched walls. The straight walls could be gently arched toward the outside limits of the excavation,,, reducing the amount of back fill and helping to channel the inward soil pressures into the surrounding structure That would reduce the amount of backfill required outside the walls. Compaction of the bags themselves as the wall goes up. Compact the begeebers out of them. No couple of little love taps to make a flat top. Tamp them until they are concrete hard. Especially the bottom most and top most rows.

[@betsytraughber1870]

Sailor376also wow, solid sound information are you a contractor or engineer? Great advise!

[@irishmonk717]

Wow, that was the easiest digging I've seen. My area in the Ozarks grows rocks. We don't have dirt per say, we have red clay wedging our rocks in nice and tight. We don't dig holes, we chip them out.

[@wertiaaudit5746]

Upload video please

[@WaningGibbous]

Western canada here 👋 we too have rock farms lol

[@antidotetochaoschats]

There’s a family who built their compound out of earth bags. Check them out @mylittlehomestead

[@vtownvmax]

they have a dad who is a master carpenter , amazing family

[@opcn18]

Is that your outhouse over your shoulder? I wouldn't want my root cellar right next to the outhouse with sandy soil...

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Emerson White yes, the outhouse is not in a permanent location and the deeper soil is more clay thus poor drainage ☺

[@lauriestlyon8773]

I had the same thought but figured you guys were switched on enough to take it into account! 😀

[@Dshappystuff]

@@SimpleLivingAlaska Thanks for answering. I was curious about your thoughts on that as well.

[@danielwarpaint1963]

Just shutup with your short sighted myopicness.

[@juanasenjo8515]

Oh, shit.!

[@RobertLopez66]

Awesome job guys! My suggestion would be gravel- earth bag - pond-liner- earth bag- flooring on the bottom. Pond liner and earth bags on the side. Water table wouldn’t matter at that point.

[@MrJoeblowe69]

A pump with a float switch might be an idea, just in case. It would save you waking up in the morning to find it flooded

[@campingcarjoa]

13:41 I swatted my ear with the headphones on hehe^^

[@LilithBytes]

what?

[@MrYeet-ip4qj]

@@LilithBytesthere was a fly

[@GS-st9ns]

If I had been smarter when I was your age with just like you do. Love the idea. My house is 100 years old and My kitchen is built over a root cellar. The trapdoor looks nice in the kitchen but it is cold as the Dickens down there

[@judyofthewoods]

Great team work - makes the job so much easier. Good idea backfilling with stone next to the wall. Not only will it help with drainage around the wall but prevent digging critters from tunneling into it. I've discovered it the hard way with my earthbag retaining wall under the house where I tacked on a shed with a different floor level. Also, expose those bags as little to the sun as possible. It's surprising how quickly they start getting affected. I have found that even weeks or a couple months in the summer weaken the bags - at least with the white ones. For anyone thinking of building with bags (especially above ground) and haven't got them yet, try getting black ones. They do exist, and are way more UV resistant (though don't bank on it). I would also strongly second what Evad Repooc said about putting in a float activated pump as an insurance. Small investment to potentially save 1000 jars and what-not. Again, I learrnt the hard way about how dramatic the water table can change. Although I'm in particularly wet west Wales, I think it could happen in Alaska too. I built my house in a 2'-3' deep pit (slight slope), and thought the water table wouldn't rise until well into autumn with plenty of time to dig the drain. One morning I went to do some work on the house and saw water rising in the pit and getting close to the wooden sheepskin insulated floor. For the next twelve hours I spent 50min of every hour frantically hacking a trench through rocky clay and tree roots, and the other ten minutes frantically baling out the water with a bucket (a garden hose syphon took out a small amount). The last few hours I was working in the rain and dark with a head torch. The most miserable job ever. Two brief coffee breaks. When the water finally drained out (and only ever got within 1 inch of the floor) I dragged myself indoors and threw up from exhaustion. Since then I've also installed a ring drain around the house with no more issues for the house. However... Meanwhile I had an opportunity to have a pit for a small root cellar dug by machine. It is not very close to the house, but I thought it might have benefitted from the lowering of the water table with the drain. I was in no hurry to actually start on the root cellar, and I wanted to observe the water table before going ahead. For most of the year the approx. 6' deep pit is dry, but after a wet period the water table rises almost to the surface! Your dog stole the show when he did his own version of "undoubtedly"... great bonus ending :-D

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

judyofthewoods thank you for taking the time to tell us telling us what happened to you, that sounds like a horrific experience. We do plan to have a sump pump in case too :)

[@sunshinerain6426]

Y'all are one of the hardest working couples on KZbin!!

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Sunshine & Rain thank you 😁 We don't think that's a bad claim to fame!

[@naturestreams4033]

Bang on comment . Theyy are the real deal. No helpers . Impressive integrity of their work ethic

[@silver2zilver]

Yeah I don't watch any couples but somehow I just realized today I been watching these 2 for a few months like actually invested into their story wtf

[@jungleno.]

Ahh...to be young again.

[@kberlyc32]

I love hard work, but my broken back (5x separate injury events) has betrayed me. Stealing my thunder

[@jungleno.]

When I was a child in the early 60's the threat of nuclear attack from Russia was always looming. My dad got plans from CD (civil defense)to build a below ground bomb shelter. He planned on digging up the backyard. Never even got started. Thankfully we never needed it.

[@bluerazzberry99]

Jun Gleno that was never going to happen, ever, theyre regular people just like you w no reason to go kill someone elses family. only fat cats of both countries think its an amusing idea

[@shinigamilee5915]

The dog was like "who the he** are you guys talking to?" Then he walks off saying "ah stupid humans".

[@brad2244]

How are you getting the rain water and snow melt out? And how are you protecting against a cave in from saturated soil in the spring?

[@learntoswim9050]

Not to mention bags like those disintegrate rather quickly, a few years even.

[@joel383]

Use typer (road fabric) under that rock, so the rock doesn't just work it's way into the dirt. It also means you can use less gravel.

[@jimthesoundman8641]

Aren't those seams supposed to be staggered like a running bond pattern on bricks?

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

JImTheSoundman we did stagger them as much as we could.

[@100Diamonds10]

Cold climates I've seen put a double door system, small room then into the larger room. Less of the cold gets into the bigger room. Also, that would allow you to insulate the interior door.

[@grannyphoenix6520]

Dirt chute to fill bags is genius. But then, I'm easily impressed. I assume it's a given with this process.

[@rayvaught4252]

You guys rock, love seeing a couple work so hard to fulfill a dream, the wife and and I are achieving the same goal only a little later in life than you two. Keep up the hard work and love the videos! Ray and Tammie

[@BillKristjanson]

Hi, this is my first time watching your channel so I don't know if this has been discussed. In the prairies of Canada farmers used to build an ice house which would provide cooling for perishables well into the summer. I am in no way an expert on this subject, , it involves digging a deep hole putting a roof over it. Then, during the winter you add water and allow it to freeze. once you have the desired thickness of ice you cover the ice with straw. when warmer weather arrives you put what need to be cooled under the straw and the ice cools it. i don't know how well this would work with your high water table but it's food for thought.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

B Kris thank you, a few viewers have brought this up : )

[@krisqueen5939]

I Ann in North Pole Alaska I like this idea.

[@kayphillips4950]

I am literally enchanted by you two! I am from a poor southern Virginia farm area. I always thought we worked hard until I watched a few of your videos.. Wow! Your chasing a dream, and making it true. Congratulations. Aerial is so gentle and sensitive. Loved you with the snail and worm..Marilyn in Ohio

[@wertiaaudit5746]

How much is land near you

[@brianvanschyndel8686]

Hi Guy's , I'm from Canada, just wanted to say really liked your video. I love the kinda "Minimalist type " or "back to basics" life style you have chosen. where I come from all you see are 5000 or more homes with 2 people living in 2 rooms of the place, "keeping up with the jones type thing" I find its just such a waste. My climate and yours are very similar and would like to see any other of these type projects you take on. Low cost, environmentally friendly type things. I think a lot of people and our planet would benefit enormously if we all took this approach to living.Keep up the good work.

[@jasone9]

Probably a bit late for this suggestion, but I would build a storage shed over the root cellar with a wood floor and a hatch. Insulate the walls and under the floor of the shed. This would make accessing the cellar much more user friendly and you wouldn't have to worry about the frigid air/wind getting down in the cellar when you go down for supplies mid winter. Just a thought. My utmost respect to both of you for your hard work.

[@colin8532]

Excellent suggestion!

[@mariannesouza8326]

That’s brilliant !

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

I know someone that layered the floor with concrete then used earth bags then rebar then covet all in concrete, it’s solid and probably last a lifetime.

[@thomasschauss6429]

I can't wait to see it done, I've seen earth bag home's before. I've never heard of doing a root cellars like that, I think it's pretty cool.

[@maxmillion4216]

How are your backs....? mine is killing me just watching you do this labor intense work.

[@GinaKayLandis]

I just started watching and am hoping somehow you can shore up the sides of the space. Several trench accidents in my area makes me afraid for ya! But let's see how the video progresses. Fingers crossed!

[@paki998]

Earth bags. They are biodegradable. They will break down over time.

[@ayoutubecommenter1827]

Not when plastered and sealed from elements...should last 1000+ years if done properly

[@spacewolfcub]

They said it’d last longer than wood, not forever. Their expectations seem realistic.

[@victormcox]

Reading the specs on the bags and it says 6 months!!!! Ouch

[@wocookie2277]

Corrugated tin panels on the outside of timber frame then bury, floor big rocks with pallets over. Built many like that, drainage is key to longevity.

[@arbekaswashbucklers9592]

WOW! That is a time consuming back breaking job but looking good! I’m excited to see how it turns out. Your diligence will pay off. 😊

[@luct3368]

there is a possibility that the middle of the straight sections of wall could belly in the middle. i bet a round root cellar would be even stronger, as the vertical walls would resist lateral forces from the earth, in the same way an arch resists compression.

[@Dshappystuff]

The maximum length of a straight wall without buttresses is 11 feet. So they should be good.

[@allencallender2205]

Just a suggestion, staggers the ends of the barbed wire. If they all end at the corners, that makes a weak spot.

[@richardsabean5781]

Great job,, only thing i would have added if you have lower area to run drainage pipe outta the cellar floor to the outside...Easy way to get inside is build a little shed over the cellar & have your door inside the shed,, don't plow near or walk & shovel near the cellar which will drive frost into the earth.. Love your energy ,, making it happen,, working to live,, instead of living to work.. aloha

[@wolf359loki]

I wonder if you could place some leads to stick out of the wire near the roof. It could be energized at 12v or 24v and very low amp to power some LED lights strops?

[@Steve-ps6qw]

Richard, very smart....I know that is a concern in northern States as heavy trucks keep pushing the frost deeper and deeper. I guess a frost barrier isn't needed as they are so deep and there is no foundation to heave.

[@JRS2248]

Love your videos and your energy. Because of you I've retarted my home garden again and making my own sausages. Us old people love your videos because we get to watch and feel young again. Thank You both.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

john swiecz that makes us so happy to hear we sparked a fire to start up those things again! :)

[@nedlyest]

If you are looking for cheap structures, check out the Stimson marine bow roof shed. His manual is only 20 bucks. And I was able to build a 14ftx14ftx20ft green house for under 600$ with lumber from the local mill. Not sure where you guys are, I did it on the Kenai peninsula. But minus the plastic you can make large enclosed chicken coops with fishing net.

[@juliewilliams489]

If thats a pit toilet aren't you tp close for seepage fromm it?

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Julie Williams we should not have an issues with that.

[@a.k.nesbitt9224]

Stagger the bags next time. Just displaying brick! Awesome job!

[@alaskatrac]

Hi The last time I commented on how you two work I compared you to a hive of hornets. You both have amazing energy ( as we all did at your age) but in this project it reminds me of beavers building a dam or a lodge: repetitive, precise, unstopable. You inspire me and I am encouraged by your drive. I 'm not about to tell you how to do it. I will encourage you to keep on but take care of your BACKS while you work. At your age you can make fast moves or lifts and get away with a lot of pain but it will come back to get you 15 years down lifes path. You are in my prayers and if you get up to the Fairbanks area get in touch. The very best wishes for a satisfying project. Arctic Circle Dave

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

David Schmitz thank you for keeping us in mind :)

[@gyee4831]

this comment is kind of late but if you need to fill more sandbags get a full sized traffic cone and cut off the top at the top of the reflective material. If the cone you find or buy doesn't have reflective material just cut the top down by 6"-8". it makes a great sandbag funnel. if you want to get really fancy make a makeshift table about 3'-4' high cut a hole in the middle to fit the cone upside down to the base. the base of the cone will hold the cone in place. place the bag under and shovel or backhoe dirt into the cone.

[@kelvenguard]

My Grand Parents Home Steading in ALBERTA CANADA would get PEAT-MOSS from the Muscade (swamp land wet areas) Just head out to the Swamp and peal up Blankets of peat-moss to store your garden vegetables in... My Grand Parents would layer Peat-moss Potato's Peat-moss... Even if you just used as a top layer would help from freezing... the Old stuff in the spring is Awesome fertilizer...

[@stevepoling]

This is a great video. You folks are such hard workers! I have a friend I walk with every morning who owned a swimming pool business here in Michigan. He told me one of the biggest problems to address is surface water that fills the excavated volume outside the swimming pool. I was surprised to learn that if a pool is not kept full of water, the hydrostatic pressure will float a massive concrete swimming pool out of the ground! This was such a cool idea and such a beautiful execution. I wish you'd been able to consult with a swimming pool contractor.

[@OhezzO]

hmm concrete with propper waterproofing would last you for 50+ years without any problem, those bags, moisture... expect 10-15 years max and a water pump, talking trough experience...i hope it works for you guys tho. Oh and for part 2 of the vid, you wont get below freezing temp in winter there, so dont worry about your yars :]

[@Lord_Joseph17]

I'm not a contractor nor a pro but in my opinion the next advice might help someone. At the bottom of the exterior wall it would have been good to dig a trench (French drain) to have drainage to a lower part of the area if possible, or in The Root Cellar dig a hole in the corner and install a sump pump. On the exterior wall to have proper drainage from surface to bottom, it would be a bad idea to put loose Rock because it would create a cavity for water accumulation to be held there longer, whereas if you would have just fill it back up with the same excavated soil water drainage would be constant all around and from top to bottom. I would have put a 6 millimetre plastic sheet all around the exterior wall as vapour barrier and water barrier. Not sure if my idea would be any better but would like comments because thanks to this video I'm planning on building myself a root cellar too. Nice tag team work effort👍

[@andreewert1142]

In Alaska, you may run into permafrost...lol..Earthbag is Good, Tires Too..Tires lean a pit towards the slope and are screwed a couple of stakes..or poles of stell to give the thing some resilience..use scrap metal...also add bootles on the upper row between the joists to bring in light..saw them in two, and show bottoms or take bottles is... use them as hooks , near the door to hang clothes..when wine bottles stick out at an angle, sloping upwards ...make it more artsy, not just boring but functional..add some playfulness..?

[@heidigib01]

I love earthbag homes. My little homestead ( on you tube) has done several including a mountain home and a basement studio. You can cover the bags with soil cement for longevity. I think traditional theory was clay, sand, and dirt. But they even have people using rice hulls, and all types of combinations. At least you know where and how far if you decide to build a well.

[@jeep4ron]

Nice build.. boy that’s lots of work. But it’s all worth it in the end..!! Have a fantastic day you two..!!

[@ceciliamendez2485]

Holaaaaaaaa muy Buenos Dias como estan como amanecieron por lo visto esta agradable el clima cuantos grados tienen aya en Alaska porque en mi estado nos estamos cocinando en Monterrey Nuevo Leon hace un caloron barbaro saludos guapos hermosa su casa y sus cosechas Dios me los Bendiga y me los cuide siempre 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@LastChanceTinyHouse]

I hope you build your root cellar so you have a semi underground pathway to and from the storage so you don't have to freeze you ass off going to and from. On a slightly different note: I saw a video of a dude that built his storage above ground, insulated it and took 5gal. buckets, filled them with water and let them freeze outside, then he brought them into his storage and they stayed mostly frozen till around June the next year. I thought it was a really smart idea.

[@thomaslindell5448]

The music SUCKS

[@chriscash5350]

I love these two and their channel. But this video was 3rd in my youtube search, and this root cellar isn't the one people should watch when learning. Sorry/not sorry

[@sharedhomestead5754]

Just found out I was unsubscribef! Love the kilt. My youngest wears his everywhere. He has many. Have truly missed you guys! Must confess when I saw you shaven I was mortified you look like my first husbands twin. Lol

[@paul329]

Any plans to build another one? I forgot what ruined this one, didnt it flood?

[@wertiaaudit5746]

Yes

[@ericjohnson1008]

Looks great so far. Are you going to make the roof moose proof? or are you going to call it a moose trap? Sorry, I'm sure you have it all under control.

[@rebeccamorrell7810]

Favorite earthbag videos>> This family! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYeyYWWQjLqnmqs

[@TedPollard]

I saw someone pound rebar in every 3 walls That went up for dirt backpressure.

[@lauriestlyon8773]

There is a channel on here that shows underground greenhouses in Montana (8x12 I think) that uses underground heating to grow food all year round. In fact they have an ORANGE TREE! In Montana!! Apparently at about 8feet the temperature remains pretty constant so they draw air through and that heats up the growing rooms. Wonder if this would work in Alaska?

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Laurie St Lyon that is very interesting, ours is cold and damp right now.

[@lukewarm2075]

Awesome project we need updates after first rain and temperature updates every video when its finished

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Absolutely! 😀

[@bobkelso6774]

are you not scared thje water is gonna come up from the gravel floor ?

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

FakeJake JakeFake we have had some pretty serious rain for two months and so far no issues, our real concern would be during and after the spring thaw, we would like to have a sump pump down there as a back up.

[@flowerchild777]

@@SimpleLivingAlaska Great idea👍

[@SoralTheSol]

I really wish I had that excavator when I was digging up my sewerline.

[@pisom4314]

you didn't mention this to your viewers BUT be very careful when in a hole like that!! slope the side back at a angle to keep from having a cave in!!! OR use a trench box!! your ground looks good but it can still happen in a heartbeat!!! I lost 2 close friends last year to a trench cave in!! they both knew better, been doing it for years!! they were only 8 foot deep!!! I like the idea of the bags instead of concrete blocks,, keep up the hard work & BE CAREFUL!!!

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

p isom we are sorry to hear that, our ground is very solid but you are correct anything could happen and it's better to be cautious.

[@TheUserid82]

With the water table right there putting in a sump basin now when building can be a good thing in case you need to drop in a 12v pump to drain extra water and for checking how close it is getting to the finished surface.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Andrew H thank you that is the plan :)

[@erichagler7842]

build a shed over it ... insulate the seller roof .... you got a foundation ....;

[@kristyw8180]

I’m so happy I found your channel! I moved from Vancouver to Prince George this year and bought 10 acres with a small ish house. There’s nothing on the land besides a little garden shed. I’m loving the ideas you’re giving me for the future, plus I’d love to be as off grid as possible eventually. I also REALLY appreciate that you don’t have kids, so the channel is focused on things I relate to and want to learn from, and not on crap like “how to entertain your feral child with no cable” like MOST homesteader channels. Really excited to follow your journey and learn from you both. Congrats on this amazing journey, you’re doing great so far.

[@spacewolfcub]

BWAHAHAHAHAH... Feral child.

[@paxtonallen3136]

I'm in Prince George too! Can't wait to buy some property outside of town and go off grid

[@wmluna381]

I have kids and I have no interest in watching videos with other ppl's kids in it as an 'extra'. Pets and random farm animal cameos, yes.

[@rhondawaldron]

I recommend Prepsteader Bob and the Self Reliant Roadshow.

[@calhoun1968]

You really should have done a bit more research perhaps. Having lived over 20 years in AK. and starting my Construction career there I will tell you that the water table can not go up in the winter time..., the ground is frozen in the winter time. Often to a depth of 8 feet. In all construction where you bring in water utility (Which you don't have to worry about being off grid), the pipes have to come in at a depth of not less than ten feet so as not to freeze solid in the winter. You'll only have to worry about higher water table in the summer through early fall when it rains. The ground thaws from the top down in the spring, so everything that melts off, runs off of the ice/permafrost below it. In AK, at the depth you made it, the year round temps should be no higher than 52. You might find it advantageous to dig a french drain around it to redirect surface run/melt off as well. The gardens look great too.

[@MrYeet-ip4qj]

Wow. Have you given your life to the Lord Jesus Christ?

[@wanderingman-xh6do]

Kids, welcome to the Marines. We've been sand bagging since 1939 and we ain't done yet. We also haven't hit China yet, still digging. Good luck...

[@dalerudd6330]

If you built it with Tamarac trees it would last many years because Tamarac wood is extremely resistant to rot. Tamarac trees are plentiful in northern swamps.

[@dthorne4602]

Unfortunately not in Alaska

[@dthorne4602]

Almost none up here.

[@cameronlaviolette1248]

And Canadian everywhere

[@brucea550]

Worst case you can always dig a sump pit in there and run a submersible pump off the generator if it ever floods due to breakup or a week of rain. That’s a tough area because Willow has a high water table, hence all the swamps and ponds/lakes. Too late probably, but wrapping the top 5 or 6 feet (frost line to grade) with 3” pink board would help a lot. But you can insulate over the top, plus another 6’ out in all directions, with a foot of rigid foam and the ground will never freeze. Have done that with floating slabs to eliminate frost action.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Bruce A thank you good to know, we didn't end up putting in foam board but may need to add it in the future if we find it freezes in the winter.

[@davidhayden9336]

THEY MAKE AN ATTACHMENT FOR A BOBCAT, TO FILL BAGS. YOU SCOOP SAND IT GRAVITY FEEDS INTO BAGS, LIKE EIGHT AT A TIME THEN DELIVERS THEM.

[@northwestrepair]

Got it. All I need to get now is an excavator

[@nateostrenga7551]

Love the custom made tamper with the scrap wood and sledge hammer! Looking forward to the finished product, and I like the idea from the comment below on a small shed above to help with keeping cold out and making it easier in the winter to get into the cellar. We have two root cellars on our old family farm with the ground hilled up on them, one being older and built out of field stone, which is a neat way, but using the bags and wrap is really neat and a good way to re-use the material from digging up the ground. Keep up the hard work, and remember to lift with the legs and hips, not the back, lol!

[@dorothyallen3614]

A video later on said this was a fail, I’m watching in 2021 November 21. Does any body know the story? Thanks

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Hi Dorothy, we made a video last summer when we filled it in. The pressure against the walls was too much and they were beginning to push inwards and we really didn't have a good understanding of our high water table here at the time. On an average year there is water just a few feet beneath the ground because of the area we live commonly referred to as a bog. We plan to talk about it in more detail in a future video.

[@repurposedart9897]

@@SimpleLivingAlaska Oh thats too bad...What are you using the space for now?

[@wertiaaudit5746]

@@SimpleLivingAlaska permafrost melts at rates 14feet a yeae

[@johnhenderson8360]

Great team work!! And ladies like that don't grow on trees,, take good care of her.

[@sonnymoon6465]

GOOD IDEA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@OwlexMyth]

I like the project. Just one thing, if that soil does have a high sand content, as you mentioned, that looks a bit dangerous with no shoring.

[@quietkate]

Thank goodness you're young & healthy, lots of strenuous muscle aching work. Hope the root cellar stays cool & dry.

[@ateamofone]

You people are WAY better than "pure living for life". They are all about money and laziness.

[@AlmostHomestead]

What a great build. Can’t wait to see how this turns out. I like the chute and the sledge hammer tamper. 👍😁

[@birdsongvalley]

oh man i cant even watch this. It's so depressing knowing that you guys lost it and wasted so much time and money :C

[@deansheridan]

Nova scotia has the most root cellars on the planet. So many in fact it’s their main form of sightseeing, tourism etc. check it out.

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

Those sandbags look like the sacks I by hen's feed in. Are they basically the same? If you had to dig that hole by hand, the better option would have been to build an ice house.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

They are similar I believe, they are woven polypropylene, an ice house would be nice 😂

[@sherry2836]

You guys are just amazing. The amount of things you have accomplished since you moved there is so impressive! Your arms must have felt like rubber at the end of the week, lol! Are you going to build a small shed over the root cellar with a hatch? Just thinking of access when dealing with all that snow in winter. Great job!

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Sherry 2 we are still thinking this over, originally we were going to put the root cellar under a structure but may not at this point at least not immediately.

[@cautiouslyoptimistic6185]

You're concerned about drainage......and you're building it next to your outhouse ?

[@BonesBones54]

Cautiously Optimistic that was my thought