Welcome back to the MAD County Build Series! In this episode, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of building a storm shelter. In our previous installment, we discussed the initial steps of laying out your home. Now, it's time to get down to the physical work of preparing and forming the shelter's footing. Let's get started!
Planning the Location: Before embarking on any construction project, careful planning is essential. For my storm shelter, I wanted it beneath an office space in my garage. The first step was to mark off the area and prepare for excavation. This part of the job is undoubtedly physically demanding and time-consuming, but it's a critical foundation for your storm shelter.
Excavation: Digging out the marked area is the initial challenge. Depending on your situation, you may need` some help, especially since this part can be incredibly exhausting. Consider the weather as well. Knowing that rain isn't expected for a week allowed me to push the dirt a bit further onto the walls to prevent collapse.
Setting Up the Footings: To protect the walls from caving in, it's crucial to set up the footings. I brought in a compactor to compact both the dirt and subsoil. Then, I compacted the rocks under the footing for added stability.
Framing up the footing is next, and it's done just like you would with a house or any other structure. I established a straight line by using stakes and a level, then marked the wall with a long scrap board. This provided a reference point for the rest of the framing process.
Preparing for the Concrete Pour: With the footing ready, it was time to prepare for the concrete pour. I had a concrete truck scheduled to arrive at 10 o'clock. To reinforce the footing, I used rebar and handy clips from Menards. These clips, costing just 17 cents each, proved to be quite effective. I also used wire ties to secure the rebar in place.
A crucial tip for pouring a footing is to place a piece of wood on top of it. When the concrete is poured, it will be flush with the wood, ensuring a level surface. To enhance the structural integrity and prevent water penetration, I added cross members and a 2x4. This created a notch in the footing, allowing the wall to lock securely into place.
Although I usually cover the screws with tape for easy removal, I skipped this step due to time. Nevertheless, it's still possible to remove them without issue.
Building a storm shelter can be a demanding task, but each step brings you closer to a safe and secure space. Careful planning and execution are crucial for a successful outcome.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to comment. I'm here to help and will address any inquiries or even consider creating more detailed posts if needed.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Stay tuned for the next episode in the MAD County Build Series!
Sincerely,
Mr Post Frame
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