Uncovering A Sealed Underground Room | Here's What We Found

[@lizzy2.020]

Jess, you look lovely with your hair down. You have a natural beauty and Jim is a lucky man. I'd bet you rarely wear makeup... you certainly don't need to. I love watching you two... you appear very happy together. 😁

[@enki9531]

You can get 1 or 2 jacks and jack up beam by beam from down there so you can level the OSB base floor. Once the beams are leveled with some pieces of boards and shims You can keep them in place. Good work!!!

[@builtontherockhomestead9390]

Fun/cool going down into the bedroom with you guys.

[@WildBillFlysRC]

It has been somewhat sealed up for a year, opening it up and letting it air out will fix the moisture issue.... this is arid Arizona, right? Congrats on 50K!

[@nickiprest2176]

I put your vlog on, saw Jim's wonderful face and smiled. You guys could be playing marvels and I think I'd still smile.

[@JessePacheco]

Jim always so positive!

[@carmenmariacortesmarin2664]

I do hope there is a way to dry the bags, get the humidity in your future bedroom. I don't have any advice, as I don't have knowledge on any cob building. But I am very glad you found it in pretty good shape. Congratulations on the 50k subscribers! You deserve it!

[@donutmuncher666]

Freak yes! That moisture is no issue really. Nice work!!

[@davec9244]

Dirt bag got even lower. I like it a little fixing and home sweet home, thanks you two stay safe

[@VeilZuTun]

To be honest, I think I would have been more surprised if there hadn't been any kind of water egress after the monsoon season you had. Given how much came down over such short time periods, I was surprised by how dry it actually was overall. I'm sure your thoughts of a low spot are correct, and it hopefully will be an easy fix. The bags certainly don't look like they're going anywhere. Congratulations on the 50,000 subscriber mark.

[@dharmaslife]

That’s been closed off a long time. Honestly I might’ve sent down the canary or a candle first

[@joeystrobel5188]

I’ve been waiting for this Excellent reveal. I was really worried about this. I expected to see one huge spider web covering the entire space. You two have done an amazing job. Keep up the good work and the great videos. ❤️❤️❤️

[@bobbebbington5356]

On your next build consider installing two pipes into the basement. One to bring in air and one to extract air that is painted black and exposed to the sunlight. It will circulate the air without any mechanical devices.Co2 trapped down there could be a problem or even dangerous.

[@NICEFINENEWROBOT]

That CO₂ issue IS important. Enyd Blyton has taught us to creep into every underground hole, but reality tells us there might be no advenrure but danger.

[@dharmaslife]

@@NICEFINENEWROBOT Your reference took me by surprise and brought me back to childhood. I love those books! And my heart is that type of adventure :-)

[@fredsimmons2793]

That's what being true pioneers means.You two blaze the way and take the dangers off of us! Thanks for leading the way!

[@ThisOffGridLife]

Maybe you could fill the dip with old shingles before putting flooring down, just an idea. Looking forward to seeing the bottle additions!

[@williamhustonrn6160]

An easy way to dry out the bedroom is to mount a section of plywood across the hole with a box fan blowing down into the room, then in a few areas drill a few 1 inch holes and put screens on them to prevent insects and stuff. The air will naturally pull the moisture out of the bedroom.

[@cynthiadugan858]

Awesome to find everything in such great shape after a year!! So happy for you! Im sure now that it is unsealed and the dome capped, the dry Arizona climate will take care of any lingering moisture. I need to learn not to read comments on your videos🤦🏼‍♀️. The number of backseat builders who don’t understand domes, earthbag building or Arizona climate is staggering. You have so much patience to continue posting! I appreciate it as I truly enjoy following your progress

[@DavidJohnson-qr5he]

Looking forward to seeing the future of what yall do

[@benjohnson1938]

that is some significant geothermal performance, didnt know it would be that good

[@ex-engineer6657]

Yay, 50k! When you hit 100k you'll remember this time fondly. Many people have mantioned fans. Having lived through a few floods, I found 2 fans and 2 openings work well enough, no need to spend the cash on a dehumidifier. The round room is perfect for this. Another opening nearby and a fan below, near the wall could suffice. First fan sucking air out of one opening, and the one below to blow the air around the room, not oscillating but like a tornado around the room. Making the access to it's final larger size would prevent needing another hole, but a divider (easily removed) to partition the opening for air inlet and exit. We just used cheap box fans and our windows. A round room will be easier. Love you guys! I like the idea of "camping" down there, like a sleep over... after it's a little more dried out. Y'all are doing great. 🥰🤩🤗

[@wildmanofthenorth1598]

It might be a little bit warmer down there with a light source. Should be pretty cool in the Summer

[@miltonpomales5405]

I need to go back what watch your older videos of the Dome. Great job!!! Keep it up!!!

[@StoneKathryn]

I'm so glad you got the pole out of there and you can now go into your future bedroom. Frosty morning! Deep earth temperature is 50 F degrees. That's why root cellars work. Wear a mask Jim! This is exciting to watch Jim. It's cute to watch Jess go down first! I hope it dries out for you. Too bad a few of the bags split and they didn't totally harden up. I think you're right that that is water working its way down because of the monsoon season. I hope you can prop the upper floor to level it off. Now you know to protect the below grade area from water infiltration. I loved to see this. So great! Thanks for this Jim and Jess! I loved the aerial shot of the 50K in rocks at the end!

[@russellmcintosh6014]

You all did a good job putting it togather

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Bedroom held up very nicely. Good job done! Stay safe my friends!!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you CB! Hope you and Mrs. Rene are doing well

[@janetlynne8712]

I'm not surprised at all that it was undamaged by water. I have lived here in AZ for years. It takes 10 minutes in the sun to dry my clothes.

[@mendohomepower7492]

Floor insulation will help you get and maintain a temperature of around 55 degrees. I have found this to be the case with thermal mass structures.

[@cjsmith1760]

Yes, underground should maintain approx 55°F year round temperature. Recommend using cedar shake/shingles for any shimming.

[@ruthkent7190]

Oh yeah!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

It's not below freezing down there, but that's still pretty cold! The main reason we steered away from an earth type build, is it's hard to heat, and we don't like being cold. We got down to 13° last week, and 20° is common for us. This valley we are in is cold! 🥶 The stable temperatures would be nice, you know how many blankets you need. Hope it gets dried out!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

It should get better once we finish the build and maybe add some insulation

[@phyllisstein1837]

Oooh, sooo exciting! Everything looks great! Can’t wait to see the progress. Thank you for sharing your videos.

[@OffGridGetAway]

Like how you recapped your projects. We were watching / lurking your channel from the beginning before we even bought our property up in northern Az. We love your channel

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

Absolutely amazing all that you great folks have achieved so far.

[@marchill861]

I was watching when you built the subroom , I always was a bit worried about the spiders but they love the dark so once you are living in the room the spiders will leave. Live and learn from now on waterproof the outside walls before you backfill. It is going to be the same problems as a basement. Dig a sump pump well to keep the space dry. You may need to grade the yard to drain away from the home. BUT YOU TWO HAVE BUILT AN AMAZING HOME !!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🍾🎉🍾🎉🍾 Dehumidifier is a great idea, Doit !

[@kevinh.w.crabbe8748]

Great balls of fire that looks good down there over a year of not being seen down there looks really darn good guys can’t wait to see the finished project keep up the good work just in Jim May God bless you all the time you doing it and keep your strength up God bless you

[@kellieglass1722]

I CANNOT WAIT to see what Jessica does with the bottle windows!!!! 😁😜🤪😋😃

[@DerrynEHahn-ir2jv]

Amazing! Just you two, dirt and a whole lot of hard work! Well done❤️✨

[@ZZWeity88]

Super proud of you guys!! Way to knock out a dream!! The Earth balances herself out. Nothing a little dirt slopping can't fix.

[@CrankyBubushka]

Wow, that is cold for that area. So excited to see your build move on and see what is underneath.

[@olberarosa2346]

You BOTH did a great job fixing your dom home

[@gloriaa5060]

THUMBS up to this video!!!! It's going to fabulous when you all get everything in place!!! Stay positive and POSITIVE!!!!👍👍👍👍👍🎉🎉🎉🎆

[@perlygatekeeper]

HAhahaha! I'm not the ONLY one that makes the Studfinder joke! My wife swears I'm the only one!

[@cnorman2717]

A box fan running down there will dry out the moisture. Cheaper than a dehumidifier. I like the idea in another comment about air circulation using two pipes, a black one exposed to the sun to draw the air up and out.

[@MQ-cw9qx]

Small problems, easily fixed. Looks great. All these lessons will contribute to an easier build for the other dome.

[@frododavis9082]

Is the floor framing able to be adjusted up/down on the cleats you installed? I was surprised, I a=was expecting WAAAY more water damage than you found. GOOD JOB !A dehumidifer will control dampness. A bag of lime should dry it out

[@DusanTodorovicDukeBgd]

Yes, bag or two will take much of moisture, and painting walls with live lime helps out during usage of room...

[@NICEFINENEWROBOT]

@@DusanTodorovicDukeBgd ... and will avois spiders and the like.

[@honthirty_]

Perhaps you mean calcium chloride, not slaked lime (calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2) or chalk calcium carbonate, (CaCO3) ?

[@frododavis9082]

@@honthirty_ NO, Lime is used to eradicate mold, and dry the area. calcium chloride is used ti dry out the area, After the mold has been eradicated then using calicum chloride can be used to maintain a dry enviroment

[@DusanTodorovicDukeBgd]

@@honthirty_ I just translated Serbian term for it... my limited knowledge in chemistry would say chloride one... its baked limestone but still not reacted (fully) with water.

[@Back2GoodOG]

We just bought land in Cochise county and I was telling my new neighbor about you guys and she recognized your dome in the video! She drove me by there today and I got to witness your masterpiece in person for a moment! You're not far from us! So cool! 😁🎉

[@fraslavko1]

so much advice ugh ! good going kids! Love and hugs.

[@LittleMountainLife]

Oh man so exciting! Gotta love the consistent temp of an underground room!

[@CharGunn2018]

Totally want to see you do a camping trip in the room!!

[@loridiaz6722]

😂🤣 I am sure Jess thinks you're a stud even if the finder didn't detect it. You two are awesome. ❤️

[@bubbakemp5817]

I would NEVER stay in the bottom section of that house! There will be no escaping if you are down there and there is a fire topside, you will be trapped!

[@benjohnson1938]

yeah im also worried those boards will snap off at some point and they won't be able to get back up

[@christineherrmann205]

@@benjohnson1938 I expected them to probably cob the stairs eventually.

[@christineherrmann205]

The good thing is that there will be very little in the house left exposed that will burn. Wood furniture, maybe. Once it's all cobbled, my understanding is that fire risk is _very_ low.

[@honthirty_]

@@senatorjosephmccarthy2720 Have you seen the local river? I have. It is FULL of rock fish.

[@curious4967]

a simple box fan downstairs will move the air around & work just fine

[@uktenatsila9168]

Awsome! Good luck sorting out the details.

[@andrewwatkins1561]

You put a lot of hard work into this build. Congratulations 🎉

[@42apprentice]

I wonder if it would have been easier to cob it before sealing it up, you’re going to have ship a lot of cob down there.!

[@tworebelsoffgrid]

So cool to finally see what’s going on down there and such a big temp difference! We think it will be a great place to get out of the heat in the summers. Nicely done you two!

[@tempiedemps5179]

Beautiful couple, an "Adam and Eve experience" God Blessed Amen

[@paulaarthur57]

It was cool to see the bedroom after all this time. I’m excited to see your design plans for the room. Nice temps too. I bet Crew will love it down there.

[@davidprins9401]

Wow it’s so cool to re visit the lower level. That’s when I first started following your journey. Congrats even more for the progress you have made!

[@Oldnoitall]

Congratulations to you !hats off to you for sure try and get all your hard work done before middle age , it’s a lot harder! Now by the time I find my saw cord And tape measure it’s dark and starts all over the next day lol. ( :

[@eloleddie]

I think it looks great! Finishing the inside walls would seem to me to be the next major project an then completing the plywood of the mail floor to the wall so that you have the optimum livable floor space. Some nice work to look forward to as you get to the finishing touches of the home!

[@chrisallen9154]

Don't you think it might make more sense to seal the exterior before they start on the interior? Maybe do interior work when the weather is not conducive to working outside.

[@tubularguynine]

Makes me want to start digging! What a great bedroom! Convection will cause the warmer air in there to rise and bring in dry, cool air to replace it. It'll be dry before you know it...and always around the same temperature, with insulation installed. Fine work, Y'all! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@karenbuckner1959]

As brave Jess👩 went down the steps I was thinking, "spiders, snakes, scorpions." Good job sealing it up from critters and rain. (I'd make a good sealed door on the opening to keep out the critters. ) 😉🦎🐍🕷🕸🦂

[@oldkokitsum4022]

Water mystery solved, not bad. I saw a vid of another earthbag basement and after it was finished they realized air circulation was necessary to create a comfortable environment.

[@BR1967FE]

looks amazing, great job 🙂👍

[@markbrown6236]

The basement turned out great, it will dry out and be the best room of your dome.

[@chuckspeer2163]

HAPPY FOR YOU YOU TWO CAN SLOVE ANY PROBLEM JUST DO IT YEAH

[@donaldshields2483]

Looks very nice I think when you get it finished it’s going to be very nice so keep up the good work and I will keep watching god bless

[@adinashaina9977]

I have been in on one cob retrofit of a slated to-be torn down modern home and Gotta say of all the videos of cobbing this one is really real about what goes on, what can happen and the figuring out of how to fix any oopsies that are inevitable. Also mold is a killer. So definitely kill that mold using multiple ways simultaneously! Get/have/use a commercial / industrial dehumidifier and run it all the time - though not during the moments when you are sleeping in the room - turn on after awakening. And keep the efforts going for at least a year beyond feeling like the issue has been abated. These kinds of homes have been around for centuries in areas where dampness is life. So do ever get discouraged about the issue. Rocket stove to the rescue!

[@lisamartinez2088]

Definitely try a dehumidifier.. let it work for you while waiting for warmer temps. Loved the reveal. Love the progress. Love learning with you. You guys are so amazing.

[@bobbiemooser7417]

Wow. I didn’t know about the underground room. Great job ‼️

[@maribelaguilar7270]

Its perfect. I really like the idea under earth room. Perfect temperature

[@ARBlessedLife]

So happy for you guys 💚

[@YourAverageWitch]

I know when I asked you once before, you said you weren't going to move in until after the electricity was in. I personally would be considering moving in asap, because I think it would be warmer (or cooler in a few months) and more quiet than being in an RV. But I also have major sleep issues so that's basically what I'd be obsessing over while building it, haha.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

I definitely want to be sleeping down there ASAP. 😁

[@avasquez3413]

LOL... Stud finder, that's a good one...

[@grannysgarden8225]

Absolutely love it 😍. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

[@EarthCreature.]

Love the syntheticizers

[@sandracimonetti5307]

That will be a nice cool place to sleep without doing anything to cool it. Very good!

[@joe7004]

😯 I think you two did an amazing job, 👀✌

[@dawnporter1171]

Great job. 👍

[@beachlife9419]

Awesome 👍👍👍

[@theducklinghomesteadandgar6639]

Looking great!!! I would think the wet wall is due to the area being open and/or exposed to any degree, during monsoon and more or less closed off afterwards, not allowing for full dehydration, as the reason for still being damp. IF there aren't any openings where water could get in there from outside once the build was completed then I don't believe it will pose any issue going forward. As for drying it now, the most simple and cheap route to go would be to take a container, like a small grill or a metal paint bucket cleaned out, down in the room with red hot coals in the container and cover, if possible, even with aluminum foil and just let them burn out, all while leaving some of the hole in the floor open so the hot air and moisture it picks up can get out. You can do this however many times it needs it of course. Taking down red-hot coals will ensure the least amount of smoke produced if any from the "fire" heat of the coals. The only thing I can think of with the torn bags is using a spray bottle to mist both sides of the inside then dust it several times with Portland cement or mortar or stucco mix and then "nail" together with rebar bent on the end to act kind of like half a staple to hold the bag and content together or cutaway the excess soil hanging out but don't cut the bag and then duct tape it closed before plastering. On drying the area out know that the hotter the air the more moisture it can hold and carry out, thus dehydrating. Cold air cannot hold on to as much moisture hence the rain in cooler weather. And then with a possible easier and safer technique to use to cut the bottles if you're going to cut them: You don't have to even score with this technique but scoring makes it much more likely to "break"/"cut" where you would like it to. You basically just score bottle where you want it cut and then place the end you want cut into near boiling water. Most times it will break/cut on the scored line or if not on the line usually close by. Kind of like if you stick a jar in too hot of water or pour too hot of water into a jar and the bottom cracking in either case, a clean cut across. I say possibly safer because to my knowledge there is no glass particles and/or pieces flying from this type of break in the hot water, but I am definitely no expert on information about it or practiced at it anywhere near enough to know well enough to say either way. One does have to be careful of the water though, of course. Also, the colder the glass, the less heat needed in the water to break/crack the glass. Just some ideas and info. Everything looks great!!! I hope y'all are doing great as well and Congrats on the 50K WOOHOO!!!!🥰🥰🤑🤑🎈🎈🎆🎆🎇🎇🎉🎉✨✨🎊🎊🥰🥰🤑🤑

[@Banjo-lm2wl]

Nice work guys it's really good house and love the bedroom. Xxx Australia

[@janettaylor3182]

Was thinking back to when you was starting you're building it was so fast doing them but they was below ground and you're water supply...took long for you're home was so much more work the higher the more work and I think what amazing work you have done the second won't be so changed because you've learned so much on dome one you're home...what you done is so inspirational and I'm proud to have watched you and meet you're challenges head on and heart on it's wasn't easy but I think there are two proud people watching you both and Crew blessing to you both like watching the pioneers from hundreds of year's ago....my long back ancestor is a famous pioneer David Crocket guess that's why I like watching you ❤

[@arthurjacobs9330]

Congrats on 50K Subscribers!!

[@christopherwortham7269]

Looking great! It might be a nice escape from the heat if you finish downstairs first. When doing big projects like this, it is nice to have a completed area to escape to. Can't wait to see the next phase!

[@SandraCrockett]

When Jess first went down the hole and the music was playing I was thinking of the Blair Witch Project. You should have shaken the camera around for that effect! Hahahaa

[@creinicke1000]

Listing all the projects.. I only missed the first Table project.. can't wait to see the next dome and house completed.

[@Outdoorlass]

Your “stud finder” ditty should win a Grammy!!! 😂

[@fryercar1]

Love the 'Space' background jams

[@fryercar1]

For 10 years in my youth, a guitar player with a strangely similar sound and his band followed me everywhere I went

[@tawnjac.5567]

I hope things have gotten better for Jess? I can never tell if she’s sad, mad or just thinking, lol I wish you all the best!😊

[@SandraCrockett]

It really came out so cool!.......

[@sueg2658]

Congratulations on 50K subscribers!

[@AlmostHomestead]

I thought that you might find more critters down there. Great to see that you didn't. Sealed it off well guys. We have to run a dehumidifier in our basement once in awhile or the sheets on the bed feel slightly damp. But our environment has a higher humidity level then yours so maybe you guys won't have the damp feeling issue.

[@charlesbrightman4237]

Any thoughts on Radon gas?

[@AlmostHomestead]

@@charlesbrightman4237 If you are asking if I have thought about testing for radon gas the answer is no. But now that you mention it, I think I will look into purchasing a test kit. Thank you!

[@charlesbrightman4237]

@@AlmostHomestead As far as I currently understand it to be, (and I have a basement and have looked into this a while ago), any cracks or openings in a basement could potentially allow radon gas to enter and collect in the basement. (If Radon gas is even around in the first place). Radon gas being hazardous over time to human health. A correction for anybody having this issue is to seal the basement and put in a ventilation system under the basement floor, that includes a fan to move the airflow, to be vented to outside of the basement area. (Can be expensive to do though). A plus of having radon gas in your area: Dig down deep and possibly find uranium. $$$. Of course also though, make sure to protect oneself from harmful radiation.

[@charlesbrightman4237]

@꧁༒Set Apart༒꧂ And a sealed basement. And of course, that would only apply in areas that had any potential radon gas around in the first place. Not everywhere does. But without periodic testing one really does not know for sure. (If I remember correctly, the time of year might matter when the test is done as well.)

[@honthirty_]

@@charlesbrightman4237 Radon gas is low in AZ. In Arizona, the median of radon levels found in 4000+ homes during the state indoor radon survey (1987-89) was about 1.6 pCi/L. Jim put in a subsurface vent back before he put in the sub surface plastic & gravel.

[@jesseandrade8752]

Looking good!!

[@christinepearson9505]

Awesome guys 👍

[@Lynn4410]

Awesome guys

[@diydarkmatter]

pretty cool . thats going to be a awesome place to sleep . complete darkness . just my opinion you might want to pave the floor with concrete . or something smooth . for cleaning and to make it easier on the feet . but really cool . and a trap door is always cool . when you leave the house throw a run over the door just incase someone was to break in by chance they would never know that room was there . but again very cool bless you two work safe and ill see ya in the next one .

[@davidowen888]

Kool 😉, 50K yay ! Way expensive but Maybe next dome have a giant tent or teepee for protection ⛺🎪while under construction 🏗 🚧

[@RedefineLiving]

That basement should be nice and cool during the hot summer and warmer in the winter. It should be consistent.

[@jamescohn4268]

Jim, if you stop pointing the stud finder at yourself, it will stop overloading it and breaking it. That room looks great. Can’t wait to see how y’all progress.

[@RavenRidgeRanch]

Hey guys, great job on completing the dome. It looks like a lot of hard work. Did you put a drain tile system in your basement room before building it? I'm building an off Grid cabin/House in Northern Arizona. It's interesting to see the different techniques and design in building. Keep up the good work!!!

[@margaretheathcote9842]

Great job