"Education is priceless" Best quote of the video. Thanks for leaving this to the experts. Saves money, increases value, decreases chance of ruining the yours and your neighbor's land.
One reason for having a permit and inspection you left out is that it's a way of keeping the contractors accountable. The inspector makes sure not just that the placement is there, she will make sure that the contractor does a proper job. The reality is that some contractors do the least possible to get their money and it always costs the homeowner in the end. The inspector can make sure that things are correct at the beginning. This can mean a less costly fix for you.
It may not seem like it at times...but, all that rock you guys have on your property is an absolute blessing. Rock spalls like I see on your property are excellent building and construction materials.
Man, it's like you guys are talking about my life. We moved onto our property with just an rv and well in the middle of summer in Florida. It was so expensive to run the generator and drive into town to dump the tanks. We ended up moving off the property to an rv park until we can afford to get septic and electricity.
Definitely an improvement that should be professionally engineered and pulling the permit adds value to your asset. On your permanent structures, I'd advise pulling permits and contracting out the mechanical portions (heat, elect, plumbing). Might make a big difference if you ever have sell, refinance, or insure the improvements.
When we moved to the "country" we were septic ignorant. As part of our property purchase, a septic inspection and pump out was done. It was cold and rainy but I hovered asking questions of the inspector about our system and also the care and feeding of septic as well. That is a key point, I hope you guys learned is you can't throw all the "stuff" into your drains you did in the city. Even your selection of toilet paper can be critical as some don't breakdown that well and cause clogs. Also your selection of the cleaners for the sinks and toilets is critical. is important.
I understand not wanting the government's nose in your business, but you did the right thing by getting a permit and putting your septic on public record. We just inherited some property and it is so nice to be able to look up where the septic and leech field are so we don't build or garden on top of it. And so we know when it was installed. It's a long term good thing. You guys are awesome and living the dream!
I would agree. Contractors did my septic, well , house etc and I am so relieved. There were so many choices to make and they knew exactly what to do and to do it correctly.
I have a cottage in an area where there are a lot of lakes. 60 years ago three was one cottage on the lake, now there are thousands. Proper installation, registration and inspection of the septic is a must to maintain safe ground water. In my town we have yearly water inspection and septic inspection every 5 years. Our building code states that a septic is required before permanent habitation of the land can occur. A simple outhouse leach pit is ok for one sink and washroom as long as a permit is obtained. Your install would cost $25,000 in the great white north.
I think you guys though it out and did the write thing,and made your property worth more ,and saved a lot of time to get other things done,it's a learning experience, septic and a well,is a great value, but get that garden going as well if it's in season, great job and wisdom
We are just starting our journey together. We learn from your videos and acquired wisdom. It's also really cool seeing you together. Working toward a family goal. Like you, we are doing this together. The biggest difference for us is that we are self building our real log home. Hope to get the septic and well in this spring and summer.
Great job y'all ! Don't ever apologize for doing things for your own reasons ;) There is so much more to septic systems than ppl realize ... We did our own but my Dad used to set them so we understood the grade drops etc ... Keep using common sense and you will do well ...
+Ozark Cottontop I think there's so much advice out there that it's easy to think that there's only one way to do things but yes we all have different reasons why we do the things we do :-) We hope to install our next septic system if we get a second property down the road, unless we do something completely different! Always wise to not lose common sense HA!
I use to own a small construction company and did a lot of remodeling. I am glad we have a process involving permits and inspections. Most of the inspectors are great and like what they do. Never met one that wasn't willing to help out with questions. In general they just want to make sure a project is done safely. Some of the renovations that I have done were totally because people didn't go through the process of building permits and inspections which resulted in failures of the work that had been done. One specifically was a wall that kept becoming discolored which was a result of an ongoing electrical short heating up and slowly burning the wall around an outlet. A lot of issues with mold as well. Really love watching this series though.
We are doing something similar. I agree after researching the price point is what sold me. We bought a similar property that already had septic, well and old cabin but the septic was tiny and we will want to expand to accommodate children better. What we are thinking right now is septic-black, accommodate expansion, pump up for any connected building to low, and composting toilet-grey for anything far down hill.
Excellent video! Much of what you talk about is what my wife and I have learned the hard way over 30 years. Most of us have tons of energy at the start of projects, not really realizing the scale of what we are taking on and how it will effect our lives. "Renovation fatigue" or "building fatigue" sets in and you suddenly realize that you are trying to raise 2 kids and do all of this extra work daily...with no vacations in sight to recharge your batteries. Good luck! Keep the videos coming! You are very encouraging!
+John G That is very well said. It's one thing to say "what you should do is..." but it's another thing to do it and observe your fluctuating energy levels along the way :-) Sounds like you and your wife have a lot of experience withthis. Glad you're enjoying our videos!
I think you guys should make a link to this flashback video in your current videos since you are working on the septic piping in the new house! I missed this one originally... Your demeanor and filming strategy has changed considerably (in a good way ;)
Priorities are everything. I have some soffits on my house I need to fix due to degraded ends, that I noticed while replacing the ends. I also had a shed that needed a roof. The roof was a reverse salt box. I raised the roof to have square walls and a traditional X slope roof. During that build, I learned how to do soffits, --> knowledge I can use to fix the house.
You guys just highlighted the division of labor. Thank you! I can make more at work than I can save doing the labor. If it puts it off a year, but the quality is professional... fair trade.
+MrHatch law of diminishing returns at play. Know your skills, know your value and know what something is worth. For us, done right, done now and affordable was what we needed. We will fight DIY battles in other projects. That said we know a lot more about how one is installed and feel we could do it ourselves after watching.
my family lives on Navajo reservation n living off grid is all natural. No water, no electric no indoor plumbing is everyday living. wish we could or had enough money to have individual wells drilled. good luck if native Americans can do it so can u.
C M. Its a nice thing to do, but maybe not to many people should do that. Many dont understand the importants of nature that well. You could try crowdfunding to see if you can get some money for it.👍🏻
You guys are awesome, my husband and I were doing research about moving to Idaho to do exactly what you are both doing, I am so happy I stumbled upon your guys RUclips channel. Keep up the good work! Hugely looking forward to more videos as your journey continues! This channel is to perfect for all of our questions and really getting to see what is involved. Thanks!
wow we are you, now!!!! moving from NYC to Fl in small town. . bought raw land. All you say is spot on. Realty bought our dreams to earth. We did the same. With the septic and other major projects. let pros handle large projects out of our skill set. and focused on projects. within our skill set. nice vid
Good job 4k not bad for what you got. Permits and inspectors as you start building will be to your advantage. Please consider licensed, insured and bonded contractors you'll be glad you did in the long run. Just remember this " after the price of the job has long been forgotten the quality will be long remembered". Good luck!
Truly loved your vid. You are two brave young people. We are a bit older trying to live off the grid. Always inspiring to see others doing the same all over the world. Keep up the good work!
This video created more questions in my mind than answers. Why do dome systems fail in that area? Why do you need level land for the system? Where are you located? What kind of soil is there? Where is the water table? Hot tub deck? Maybe a cabin and wood stove first.
You two are teaching me so very much. At this point in my life I can't do the homesteading like I want to. I appreciate all the information and send you Blessings in all your endevors.
I like those little video clips thrown in there that accent what you are saying at the moment. You can only take so much of a talking head before your mind starts to wonder. Great job!
Love watching your journey. We had a septic system installed in the initial build. Since we installed our compost toilet it never gets used. Water usage is dramatically reduced and you get valuable humanure. Regulation can be useful but a problem with regulation is the presumption the regulators know what they are talking about and that enforcement will be uncorrupted. Our compost toilet fell outside regulations at the time so ours was illegal. They've since caught up.
I get the hay bale skirting but for me i have found it attracts mice although where I am there is always mice not in the house though. The dogs and traps keep them away. For skirting i have found 4x8 sheets of 2 inch rigid foam doubled up works great, it wouldnt hurt to underlay your trailer with it also or have a heat pad attached to the tanks.
+2012spacetraveler Sounds like a good solution! We decided not to do the hay bale skirting but built a little add-on which we will heat with a wood stove. We have some pix posted on our Facebook of what we're working on, but seems like a much better solution for the time being as it should give us more living space as well! We've heard the same thing about hay and mice although hard to say until we try it out :-P We have a couple of Bengal cats that seem to keep the mice away so far.
I bought a house built in 1900. I am the first owner outside of the family that built it. Living off grid is romantic and all but seriously, build to code and get permits. My house has had 2-3 major expansions and has never had a permit applied for or inspection done. Remodeling and updating has been a pain in the ass. If you are putting in a basement be sure to install drains alongside your foundation. Moldy basements are horrible.
This is so awesome you guys humbled yourselves to participate in the public health system. This video is so encouraging to really demonstrate that we all need to trust in someone else that has a specialty other than our own. I'm an engineer and what I learned in school still blows my mind because it's an accumulation of years, decades, centuries of experience that is tried and true. Education is always trustworthy. people may not always but that's people.
OK I watched the whole video. I am a general contractor. So I applaud your using real contractors. But the gray water composting toilet scenario is one of the very first decisions to make. If you chose that route almost all of the expense of a septic tank would be unnecessary. So Water, waste, power , heating are primary questions to answer before you even buy a lot. I hope that did not sound negative. But now is the time to plot your home with a south face tromb wall ( heat storage) select the best site for solar panels if you can mount them on a tracking array, look into balqon batteries for storage not lead acid. triple pane glass. Cut back on any and all electric devices. make sure you are not in sight of any cell towers. Plan a filter system for your well. Good luck.
+John Puccetti A fence would have been a better investment than the septic tank because putting solar panels up without any type of security is asking for them to be stolen.
I found that when renting equipment, rent it on the weekend. Most rental places are closed on Sunday and some Saturday. If you pick it up on the last day of the week before they close, sometimes you can get away with the 4hr charge or the daily charge for the entire weekend instead of one day. The last piece of equipment I rented, I picked up Friday at 3 and returned it Monday morning for a one day rental charge. You can even just pick it up the night before and get a few hours of work done and then have the entire next day to work.
Still catching up on your videos. Money well spent ! The area above the drain field is prefect for pasture/farming. 2 comments on that. If you plan on doing any farming, higher some one with a mechanical "rock picker". That area is going to require multiple passes to give you at least 1 foot of mostly de-rocked top soil. Another, money well spent. Second, see if you can find any dairy farms/horse ranches in the area. You are going to need a lot a manure to be added to that soil if you want to farm it or even use it for pasture land.
Sweet. Thanks for the tips! I've been looking at tractors which can be rented that have what looks like a huge rake on the hitch. That should work for cleaning the rocks out of the soil I would think. It'll take a few passes and some manual labor too likely.
+Pure Living for Life Check RUclips for rock picker or de-rocker. A "rock rake" is only going to get a few inches down. If you want to plant more than grass, you need to go down close to a foot. You will learn to love the smell of manure. Just not pig manure !
Y'all are great, thanks for sharing all of this. My experience in getting permits is that it benefits me because it validates the work, and the contractor is accountable to the municipality as well me and my family and neighbors. And to paraphrase it is good to know what you have and for the next person to know what they have and that it was done correctly and you can rely on it.
I'm not a lawyer and i don't play one on television but i wouldn't bet on the contractor being accountable,when the gov.wants their pound of flesh they don't care where they get it from.If you don't believe me just ask O.J. i"m sure he could tell you something about the law.
Another awesome video, I will be getting a contractor to put my septic system in out at my house this spring/summer when the frost comes out of the ground.
My second video I watched of yours tonight and have learned a lot. I am not sure what you do for a living, but you are both great speakers, and are fantastic at getting great information to us quickly without boring details. I think this just might be my favorite you tube site. just wondering how long its going to take me to watch all of them Lol. thanks
A permit and building a septic system to code is a wise idea to follow. Down the road your community could change how they enforce building codes and then you would have more than one issue to contend with. Also as previously mentioned it is a selling point.
THANK YOU. I have seen most of your videos, very informational and well made. You guys are very natural and make look very professional. I hope I'm not marking out to you, very good.
septic is great to have for the main reason you mention in another video about selling the property. another great point is after you pass on the person(s) who inherits the property might not want it and its easier for them to sell.... you don't have to use the septic. my county says composting is ok as long as it meets some requirements. like some have already pointed out the composting is so much better. septic is gross and sooner or later you will have to pump it. the min cost of our septic is over 8k. compost can be put to good use and it doesn't smell. ..I love that you are documenting the septic process with all the lessons learned and reasons for ...... you are so right not all diy projects are the best. sometimes it makes sense to hire a contractor. excellent videos.
Sounds like you two have done your research and I think you are making good decisions. (just my opinion of course) One good point I don't remember you mentioning is if you ever end up selling your property, a permitted and correctly installed system will pay for itself in the sale. We have owned our property for about 4 years now and just haven't put in a septic system yet. We did come close but just haven't got to it. This video is very helpful and should be a great resource for many people. Thank you for making this video.
Thank you for this. The permit explanation is so valuable. (Yeah, we're with you on the whole "Skeptical" thing.) But hey, now & then laws do make sense.
Now for the next expense. Permit information is forwarded to the tax assessor. He will come out next he is allowed to trespass, when he sees your buildings and improvements cabin out buildings etc. your property tax will increase, according to his estimation of improved value. I think you will regret the permit within the next year or so. I helped so people move A mobile home. We got a transportation permit to pull it down the highway. We set it up in the boondocks it couldn't even be seen the tax assessor showed up, the taxes went up an additional 300.00 per year. I do some construction, they do the same thing with hwy approach permits. Permits are a trap for ongoing tax increases.
you've dug up alot of round rocks in your septic project - that indicates an ancient riverbed - might be worth panning those diggings to see if there's any color - you may be dumping your poop on a gold mine!
+Frank Busch Oh no! Even if it's poopy gold, I'm sure a quick rinse would mean that the gold is still as valuable hah! There isn't actual much gold in our neck of the woods according to history, but if we get bored that'd be a fun project. Actually, maybe we should save the gold panning for when we have kids and need to kick them out of the house for an entire afternoon :-)
Pure Living for Life there's gold on bedrock throughout alaska and yukon - not always enough to make it worth extracting but it's everywhere to be sure - do you know how close to bedrock you are?
+magentawave +C Tomlin Many places (especially in the States) do not allow composting toilets or the collection and use of humanure. There are some pretty crazy rules regulating it that at one time might have protected people but now often get in the way and cause problems.They mentioned that they needed the septic system to drain the waste from the RV so that when they got it set up for winter they wouldn't have to move it to drain it. Now they can drain without moving which will allow them to build a semi-permanent structure around the RV for winter to prevent freezing and improve their quality of life. Plus having the system on their land increases the land value, it happens to be a good short-term solution as well as a long term investment so it was the best choice for them. It really just depends on your personal situation. Cheers =)
Great video......Tks for the time you both put into it......Your so right.....You can only read so much but watching and hearing you is Priceless.....Thank You :-)
Backhoe, dig a large chasm hole, fence it off. Composting toilets and dump the waste in the chasm. No issues, no toxic problems. Make sure the chasm isn't too close, nor too far.
Hi! I am a structural engineer in Colorado. I work with a range of structures mostly residential or agricultural, in-town and also some vary rural and mountainous locations. Most of my work work surrounds typical framing, but I also cross over into alternative building methods, such as traditional timber framing and straw bale construction. I have enjoyed watching several of your presentations. You folks are very practical--I like that. I had a comment and a question. The comment.... You mentioned that many homesteaders don't like the permit process. I personally feel it is necessary when you are in areas of high snow loads, high wind loads or earthquake loads . Having said that, the status quo for requiring more and more permits for exterior slabs and sheds and such gets a little overbearing. The reason you need a permit for a small structure that you will live in is that properties get sold and traded. If you build a home without review, if it falls down on the next owner.... guess who their attorney is going after. If the building department has has reviewed it, you have some added protection. If I review your project and stamp your plans, if it falls down, I am liable. This isn't 1840. The simple fact of life is that we have brought in a local authority to regulate parts of your project. The question.... Did you folks consider using a quality composting toilet? I wanted to hear your thoughts. I have acquaintances that have used composting full time in RVs. There are several systems that are well built and have good track records. Geoff
This first generic statement applies to all of your videos, but especially to this one: Your bullet topics, and overall organization when doing them is outstanding. I hope you are seeing revenue off your youtube, because with the video skills you have in presentation, linked to that organization, you could do this as a pro. Thus, you really covered a lot of things that we may not have thought through, being extremely helpful tips. Please keep up the good work!
Watching your video and how you shared your experience was awesome. This has made me re-think my adventure and realize doing it myself is not a good idea. Pay more but get it right the first time. Thank you very much.
As a home builder 25 years ago, I will save you some explaining. To do some things by yourself is just plain stupid .The very last thing you want to have fail on your homestead.....is your septic system ! :-) I shall also make a little suggestion. PUT something in place like a concrete bird bath, a lawn decoration or anything that will be semi permanent. You have future construction coming. You don't want a dozer or heavy tractor running over the top of that tank. Do the same for your well when its built.
A Stanton1966 Thanks...its something I remember from personal experience. About 25 years ago I finished the construction of my house and hired a guy to do final grading. My wife spotted the guy running his dozer near the concrete tank. He had a bottle of whisky in one hand . My wife called me at work and said "can I fire him? I said yep!!!! :-)
A bottle of whisky in one hand? I thought that good help was hard to find! LOL Seriously, you need a lot or courage or whiskey to run construction equipment on some jobs. Just driving the machine off the trailer can be daunting.
Another interesting (and educating) segment along the homesteaders road! (I can't but shake my head in pity at some of the commenters to this video; - In my experience, and from what I'm able to gather re. the cooperation between Jesse & Alyssa, at least for me there are telltale signs that indicates they make a better couple than most!.... - And, mind you; "who's talking and when" during making of these segments, frankly - that's something I think better left to the two individuals making the effort of publishing these great chunks of info for - you & moi!) Best of wishes to the both of you! ;-)
I've watched your other videos and I love what you're doing. Especially doing it together as a couple. Can't wait to see your other videos. Congratulations.
That's a great septic price. Here in Texas mine just cost me 8000. Let's not even talk about a well 24000 minimum. Great job choosing your battles and priorities. Blessings
+BexarPrepper You're the second person that has told us that septic prices are outrageous in Texas. That's not something we looked up upon moving to this area but it would probably be wise for others to do!
One of the best things you can do to preserve the life of your septic system is to never put any toxic household chemicals down your drains. If you do, you are simply killing your living bacterial system regularly. Also, minimize cooking oils/grease and food solids going down drains. And never put anything non-biodegradable down there. Place sanitary napkins, tampons, used condoms in trash. And even your used toilet tissue can be put in trash to minimize build up of solids in your system. Develop good composting techniques. Keep trees/shrubs away from it. Keep your system pure and it could possibly last much longer than 25-30 years.
all you need is an iron prod and a little bit of brains to find a septic tank lid,here is an idea before you drill your well, before you start drilling the hole even, prod every inch of the ground for 200 feet make,and make sure it is square feet of course, and I'm sure if you don't find a septic tank lid,or a washout while doing so you are fine to drill your well,oh and I don't know many people these days putting in a septic tank,and a leach field without a permit.
Hiring a professional is a good move. I have worked on both septic and municipal systems. I have seen people who tried to go rouge and later paid for it by not being able to drill for water or get loans on their property. Keep the long term value of your property at the top of your list of priorities.
A septic system here cost over $9,000.00, and that's the lowest cost! A well starts at $10,000.00 so your a blessed couple. I would never put a septic system in myself, but then again, I have experience with them, and know how bad it can be to do it yourself. NO question about it, getting a contractor is the way to go. You may want to check one thing that I saw someone else mentioned here too. You may need to put some water in that system if you get a lot of rain this time of year. Some places need it to keep the tank in the ground. I know you put it in months ago, but you may want to ask about it, since your not using it that much yet. It's a big tank, and would take a lot of weight to keep it down if your soil will let it come up with too much rain. They really can do that. I've just watched many of your videos, and have enjoyed all of them. Bless, Sheila
Trust me, after having watched about 20 of your videos, I can with almost 100% certainty, say that you would have dropped the rock and ruined the tank. You made the right decision.
I just looked over your videos and will be following you to see what all you folks are doing. Now I am still in the 2015 but working my way. Why would I even do this, well as you said to learn! Knowledge is so very important and we someday hope to move back West and Homestead our own. Your explanation about the septic system was great, I was in the fire service and had to do life safety inspections and building inspections and as you a lot of folks saw it as just big government bugging in. The Fire Codes weren't written just to have some to do but to save lives and property same as doing your system not putting where it maybe a health hazard, you were very wise how you approached it. Oh Killing the chickens you are way ahead of me I'm not sure I could and being that my wife has named all of them no way she would. Lol Great Job ! Looking forward to seeing more, Oh and I have fought fire all over the Pacific Northwest and your area for many years 32 in fact good luck and God Bless, Jerry
We set up a permanent RV parking spot away from where the house would be. Small price in materials and labor big return when family needed a cheap place to stay.
Y'all are my hero's. The love and passion between the 2 of you are inspiring. I hope one day my girlfriend and I do the same and try (and succeed thx to your documenting) the amazing adventure you are on. Best of luck and don't give up !!!
Emptying holding tanks is a pain, especially after a long day. Talk about smelly and inconvenient. Glad you got such a good price. No romance there. One problem you have is snow and what happens when melts, drainage becomes a problem.
+Dana Nelson Two months later and we are SO THANKFUL we don't have to go dump our trailer! Our driveway is pretty slick at the moment (luckily a neighbor has plowed it for us a couple of times) so I don't even want to know what moving the trailer every 5 days would look like. We have 6" of snow on the ground at the moment which will melt, but nobody seems to complain of drainage issues in the area so I guess we'll see how it goes :-)
I want to congrat you both on a work well done, and for your info on a special job ( it looks ease but you just showed me that is not.) A VERY HARD ONE @ THAT. I WANT TO ALSO WISH YOU WELL ON YOUR DREAM, HOPE IT GETS FINISH...
Would your permit allow you to build a, 1,5 meter high, Hügelculture on top of your drainfield, growing black locusts? So your leachfield is transformed into a supercharged 'firewood factory'. We grow black locusts on top of our leachfield and as soon as their roots grew into the leach they realy took of and they grow almost faster than we can cut them down during fall & winter. It realy is a weed tree but in this case that's a positive aspect ;-) giving us year round firewood growing next to our house. Which is very handy in saving loads of hauling time when collecting and storing firewood. Later on we poor the wood ash around our fruit trees.
We have this setup now for 30 years and we have never had a clog-up what so ever. The roots eat up all the leach so the field has never time to ever fill up.
I don't see why the permit would stop us from doing that if we so choose? Interesting idea. We would love to not let the area go to waste so we'll be looking into creative ideas over time. Thanks for the suggestion!
My pleasure. I think you guys are doing a great job and your mode of operation, of going for the quick wins first, is indeed the best choice in my opinion. Keep up the great work and wish you both the best and a snug and easy insulated wintertime.
My prayer is that God will continue to bless your marriage and your journey. You are blessed with the gift of common sense and a very compatible marriage!
I'm old school. When the wife and i make it off grid, we wanna try first a rotating latrine system that moves locations through the years to fertilize the ground. We may have to add some lime or such to adjust the PH. Next may be a composting toiler wet or dry then a septic system if relly needed. 100 thousand animals crap in the woods all the time. I dare someone to tell me I can't crap in the woods on my own land. I don't believe human waste is bad for veggies as animals do it all the time.
In my state, you have to be licensed to install septic systems, and you must have building permits to build. If you don't, they will make you dig it back up, and at the very least if its a stick built dwelling, they will make you pull walls apart to be able to observe proper adherence to code, or make you tear it down, if its too far off. So Permits, while sucky, are not really an option in some states.
Have you thought at all about using some of those boulders/large rocks for something -- maybe a rock wall, or a barbecue pit? Seems like you have a plethora of natural resource just waiting to be used!! Great videos, BTW. Really enjoying your journey!!
if its installed properly it should last 40-50+ years. especially since your septic tank is plastic. good you researched and done it right the first time.
Why havent you any livestock or garden? perhaps i have yet to stumble on those videos yet, but i feel those are the two most important items needed for living off grid..
Being 67 years old and of ill health, I'm well past this type thing, otherwise I would be right there with you on your dream. Having had a little experience with a portable Wood Mizer I also learned that I would probably have altered my career to accommodate, at the very least, an LT40 Wood Mizer and commercialized the sawing. About 15 years ago, I ran across a few toppled black walnut trees that the property owner graciously told me I could have. They had been there for quite a while, with the sap wood having rotted away for the most part. Wasn't anything wrong with the heart wood, though, as I discovered after hiring a gentleman with an LT40 Wood Mizer. Each pass of the blade was a thing of beauty. Even later, as we milled some red oak and southern yellow pine, I remained mesmerized. There's no question what my career would entail if I were a young, healthy male today.
Not having a septic system in some states is a threat to home land security .... i found that out when i was thinking about installing a compost toilet...
no that it contaminates the land around it.. crazy but true. i was going to install a compost toilet and they came with some baloney that unprocessed human feaces can contaminate land and neighbours property
no that it contaminates the land around it.. crazy but true. i was going to install a compost toilet and they came with some baloney that unprocessed human feaces can contaminate land and neighbours property
no that it contaminates the land around it.. crazy but true. i was going to install a compost toilet and they came with some baloney that unprocessed human feaces can contaminate land and neighbours property
no that it contaminates the land around it.. crazy but true. i was going to install a compost toilet and they came with some baloney that unprocessed human feaces can contaminate land and neighbours property
REASONS TO FOLLOWING THE PERMIT PROCESS FOR AN ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM: 1. You are investing in your property, so you want the public record of the as-built drawing, permit to install, soil/site evaluation report 2. Resale value. I don't know any county auditors that assess value of a household sewage treatment system for property taxes, but it increases the value of a property that has all the paperwork backing up the installation of a properly inspected and approved household sewage treatment system. 3. YOU ARE NOT A SOIL SCIENTIST OR AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. Yes, there are some dumb government permits, but those will be phased out. A Permit is not just a piece of paper. It is a legal document and it is a statement that professionals have ensured that the sewage treatment system was installed using approved materials and equipment, and was installed properly following all laws and rules. The laws and rules related sewage treatment systems are not just put into effect for no reason. You don't want to contaminate the ground water, so you need to understand soils and vertical separation distances. Also, you don't want sewage coming up out of the ground after a heavy rain or complete soil saturation.
"Education is priceless" Best quote of the video. Thanks for leaving this to the experts. Saves money, increases value, decreases chance of ruining the yours and your neighbor's land.
One reason for having a permit and inspection you left out is that it's a way of keeping the contractors accountable. The inspector makes sure not just that the placement is there, she will make sure that the contractor does a proper job. The reality is that some contractors do the least possible to get their money and it always costs the homeowner in the end. The inspector can make sure that things are correct at the beginning. This can mean a less costly fix for you.
Thank god for those incorruptible inspectors.
It may not seem like it at times...but, all that rock you guys have on your property is an absolute blessing. Rock spalls like I see on your property are excellent building and construction materials.
Man, it's like you guys are talking about my life. We moved onto our property with just an rv and well in the middle of summer in Florida. It was so expensive to run the generator and drive into town to dump the tanks. We ended up moving off the property to an rv park until we can afford to get septic and electricity.
Definitely an improvement that should be professionally engineered and pulling the permit adds value to your asset. On your permanent structures, I'd advise pulling permits and contracting out the mechanical portions (heat, elect, plumbing).
Might make a big difference if you ever have sell, refinance, or insure the improvements.
When we moved to the "country" we were septic ignorant. As part of our property purchase, a septic inspection and pump out was done. It was cold and rainy but I hovered asking questions of the inspector about our system and also the care and feeding of septic as well. That is a key point, I hope you guys learned is you can't throw all the "stuff" into your drains you did in the city.
Even your selection of toilet paper can be critical as some don't breakdown that well and cause clogs. Also your selection of the cleaners for the sinks and toilets is critical. is important.
I understand not wanting the government's nose in your business, but you did the right thing by getting a permit and putting your septic on public record. We just inherited some property and it is so nice to be able to look up where the septic and leech field are so we don't build or garden on top of it. And so we know when it was installed. It's a long term good thing. You guys are awesome and living the dream!
I don’t like how she interrupts him a few times, but definitely love the fact that she is so involved and not just sitting there having no clue.
I would agree. Contractors did my septic, well , house etc and I am so relieved. There were so many choices to make and they knew exactly what to do and to do it correctly.
I have a cottage in an area where there are a lot of lakes. 60 years ago three was one cottage on the lake, now there are thousands. Proper installation, registration and inspection of the septic is a must to maintain safe ground water. In my town we have yearly water inspection and septic inspection every 5 years. Our building code states that a septic is required before permanent habitation of the land can occur. A simple outhouse leach pit is ok for one sink and washroom as long as a permit is obtained. Your install would cost $25,000 in the great white north.
"don't be foolish, don't be silly and don't be a hero." sage advice even today..
Great video, I went back and watched after the saw mill..NICE!
I think you guys though it out and did the write thing,and made your property worth more ,and saved a lot of time to get other things done,it's a learning experience, septic and a well,is a great value, but get that garden going as well if it's in season, great job and wisdom
We are just starting our journey together. We learn from your videos and acquired wisdom. It's also really cool seeing you together. Working toward a family goal.
Like you, we are doing this together. The biggest difference for us is that we are self building our real log home. Hope to get the septic and well in this spring and summer.
Great job y'all ! Don't ever apologize for doing things for your own reasons ;) There is so much more to septic systems than ppl realize ... We did our own but my Dad used to set them so we understood the grade drops etc ... Keep using common sense and you will do well ...
+Ozark Cottontop I think there's so much advice out there that it's easy to think that there's only one way to do things but yes we all have different reasons why we do the things we do :-) We hope to install our next septic system if we get a second property down the road, unless we do something completely different! Always wise to not lose common sense HA!
I use to own a small construction company and did a lot of remodeling. I am glad we have a process involving permits and inspections. Most of the inspectors are great and like what they do. Never met one that wasn't willing to help out with questions. In general they just want to make sure a project is done safely. Some of the renovations that I have done were totally because people didn't go through the process of building permits and inspections which resulted in failures of the work that had been done. One specifically was a wall that kept becoming discolored which was a result of an ongoing electrical short heating up and slowly burning the wall around an outlet. A lot of issues with mold as well. Really love watching this series though.
We are doing something similar. I agree after researching the price point is what sold me. We bought a similar property that already had septic, well and old cabin but the septic was tiny and we will want to expand to accommodate children better. What we are thinking right now is septic-black, accommodate expansion, pump up for any connected building to low, and composting toilet-grey for anything far down hill.
The best system is the one that makes sense for your household. Go for it and let us know how it works out.
Awesome to hear from you! Rejuvenated myself with your blog. Looking forward to mutual support!
Excellent video! Much of what you talk about is what my wife and I have learned the hard way over 30 years.
Most of us have tons of energy at the start of projects, not really realizing the scale of what we are taking on and how it will effect our lives. "Renovation fatigue" or "building fatigue" sets in and you suddenly realize that you are trying to raise 2 kids and do all of this extra work daily...with no vacations in sight to recharge your batteries.
Good luck! Keep the videos coming! You are very encouraging!
+John G That is very well said. It's one thing to say "what you should do is..." but it's another thing to do it and observe your fluctuating energy levels along the way :-) Sounds like you and your wife have a lot of experience withthis. Glad you're enjoying our videos!
Thank goodness you followed your gut and common sense and had a good job done.
I think you guys should make a link to this flashback video in your current videos since you are working on the septic piping in the new house! I missed this one originally... Your demeanor and filming strategy has changed considerably (in a good way ;)
Priorities are everything. I have some soffits on my house I need to fix due to degraded ends, that I noticed while replacing the ends. I also had a shed that needed a roof. The roof was a reverse salt box. I raised the roof to have square walls and a traditional X slope roof. During that build, I learned how to do soffits, --> knowledge I can use to fix the house.
You guys just highlighted the division of labor. Thank you! I can make more at work than I can save doing the labor. If it puts it off a year, but the quality is professional... fair trade.
+MrHatch law of diminishing returns at play. Know your skills, know your value and know what something is worth. For us, done right, done now and affordable was what we needed. We will fight DIY battles in other projects. That said we know a lot more about how one is installed and feel we could do it ourselves after watching.
my family lives on Navajo reservation n living off grid is all natural. No water, no electric no indoor plumbing is everyday living. wish we could or had enough money to have individual wells drilled. good luck if native Americans can do it so can u.
C M. Its a nice thing to do, but maybe not to many people should do that. Many dont understand the importants of nature that well. You could try crowdfunding to see if you can get some money for it.👍🏻
You guys are awesome, my husband and I were doing research about moving to Idaho to do exactly what you are both doing, I am so happy I stumbled upon your guys RUclips channel. Keep up the good work! Hugely looking forward to more videos as your journey continues! This channel is to perfect for all of our questions and really getting to see what is involved. Thanks!
wow we are you, now!!!!
moving from NYC to Fl in small town. . bought raw land. All you say is spot on. Realty bought our dreams to earth. We did the same. With the septic and other major projects. let pros handle large projects out of our skill set. and focused on projects. within our skill set. nice vid
Good job 4k not bad for what you got. Permits and inspectors as you start building will be to your advantage. Please consider licensed, insured and bonded contractors you'll be glad you did in the long run. Just remember this " after the price of the job has long been forgotten the quality will be long remembered". Good luck!
Truly loved your vid. You are two brave young people. We are a bit older trying to live off the grid. Always inspiring to see others doing the same all over the world. Keep up the good work!
Good job knowing your limits and understanding the value of time...so many people forget about time when budgeting
This video created more questions in my mind than answers. Why do dome systems fail in that area? Why do you need level land for the system? Where are you located? What kind of soil is there? Where is the water table? Hot tub deck? Maybe a cabin and wood stove first.
You two are teaching me so very much. At this point in my life I can't do the homesteading like I want to. I appreciate all the information and send you Blessings in all your endevors.
I like those little video clips thrown in there that accent what you are saying at the moment. You can only take so much of a talking head before your mind starts to wonder. Great job!
Love watching your journey. We had a septic system installed in the initial build. Since we installed our compost toilet it never gets used. Water usage is dramatically reduced and you get valuable humanure.
Regulation can be useful but a problem with regulation is the presumption the regulators know what they are talking about and that enforcement will be uncorrupted. Our compost toilet fell outside regulations at the time so ours was illegal. They've since caught up.
I get the hay bale skirting but for me i have found it attracts mice although where I am there is always mice not in the house though. The dogs and traps keep them away. For skirting i have found 4x8 sheets of 2 inch rigid foam doubled up works great, it wouldnt hurt to underlay your trailer with it also or have a heat pad attached to the tanks.
+2012spacetraveler Sounds like a good solution! We decided not to do the hay bale skirting but built a little add-on which we will heat with a wood stove. We have some pix posted on our Facebook of what we're working on, but seems like a much better solution for the time being as it should give us more living space as well! We've heard the same thing about hay and mice although hard to say until we try it out :-P We have a couple of Bengal cats that seem to keep the mice away so far.
I bought a house built in 1900. I am the first owner outside of the family that built it. Living off grid is romantic and all but seriously, build to code and get permits. My house has had 2-3 major expansions and has never had a permit applied for or inspection done. Remodeling and updating has been a pain in the ass. If you are putting in a basement be sure to install drains alongside your foundation. Moldy basements are horrible.
This is so awesome you guys humbled yourselves to participate in the public health system. This video is so encouraging to really demonstrate that we all need to trust in someone else that has a specialty other than our own. I'm an engineer and what I learned in school still blows my mind because it's an accumulation of years, decades, centuries of experience that is tried and true. Education is always trustworthy. people may not always but that's people.
Glad you did the permit talk. Some things are best left to others and permits keep contractor's honest and protect you.
OK I watched the whole video. I am a general contractor. So I applaud your using real contractors. But the gray water composting toilet scenario is one of the very first decisions to make. If you chose that route almost all of the expense of a septic tank would be unnecessary. So Water, waste, power , heating are primary questions to answer before you even buy a lot. I hope that did not sound negative. But now is the time to plot your home with a south face tromb wall ( heat storage) select the best site for solar panels if you can mount them on a tracking array, look into balqon batteries for storage not lead acid. triple pane glass. Cut back on any and all electric devices. make sure you are not in sight of any cell towers. Plan a filter system for your well. Good luck.
+John Puccetti A fence would have been a better investment than the septic tank because putting solar panels up without any type of security is asking for them to be stolen.
Wouldn't anything get stolen?
John Puccetti Solar panels are a lot more valuable than your pile of wood.
Why would you not want to be within sight of a solar panel?
Please explain?
I found that when renting equipment, rent it on the weekend. Most rental places are closed on Sunday and some Saturday. If you pick it up on the last day of the week before they close, sometimes you can get away with the 4hr charge or the daily charge for the entire weekend instead of one day. The last piece of equipment I rented, I picked up Friday at 3 and returned it Monday morning for a one day rental charge. You can even just pick it up the night before and get a few hours of work done and then have the entire next day to work.
Still catching up on your videos. Money well spent ! The area above the drain field is prefect for pasture/farming. 2 comments on that.
If you plan on doing any farming, higher some one with a mechanical "rock picker". That area is going to require multiple passes to give you at least 1 foot of mostly de-rocked top soil. Another, money well spent.
Second, see if you can find any dairy farms/horse ranches in the area. You are going to need a lot a manure to be added to that soil if you want to farm it or even use it for pasture land.
Sweet. Thanks for the tips! I've been looking at tractors which can be rented that have what looks like a huge rake on the hitch. That should work for cleaning the rocks out of the soil I would think. It'll take a few passes and some manual labor too likely.
+Pure Living for Life Check RUclips for rock picker or de-rocker. A "rock rake" is only going to get a few inches down. If you want to plant more than grass, you need to go down close to a foot.
You will learn to love the smell of manure. Just not pig manure !
very wise of you two ,do it right ,wish more people would think that way
Y'all are great, thanks for sharing all of this. My experience in getting permits is that it benefits me because it validates the work, and the contractor is accountable to the municipality as well me and my family and neighbors. And to paraphrase it is good to know what you have and for the next person to know what they have and that it was done correctly and you can rely on it.
I'm not a lawyer and i don't play one on television but i wouldn't bet on the contractor being accountable,when the gov.wants their pound of flesh they don't care where they get it from.If you don't believe me just ask O.J. i"m sure he could tell you something about the law.
Hooray for you! I am so glad to see such brilliant plans and someone being realistic!
Another awesome video, I will be getting a contractor to put my septic system in out at my house this spring/summer when the frost comes out of the ground.
My second video I watched of yours tonight and have learned a lot. I am not sure what you do for a living, but you are both great speakers, and are fantastic at getting great information to us quickly without boring details. I think this just might be my favorite you tube site. just wondering how long its going to take me to watch all of them Lol. thanks
you sound like very wise young people...good job!
A permit and building a septic system to code is a wise idea to follow. Down the road your community could change how they enforce building codes and then you would have more than one issue to contend with. Also as previously mentioned it is a selling point.
THANK YOU. I have seen most of your videos, very informational and well made. You guys are very natural and make look very professional. I hope I'm not marking out to you, very good.
septic is great to have for the main reason you mention in another video about selling the property. another great point is after you pass on the person(s) who inherits the property might not want it and its easier for them to sell.... you don't have to use the septic. my county says composting is ok as long as it meets some requirements. like some have already pointed out the composting is so much better. septic is gross and sooner or later you will have to pump it. the min cost of our septic is over 8k. compost can be put to good use and it doesn't smell. ..I love that you are documenting the septic process with all the lessons learned and reasons for ...... you are so right not all diy projects are the best. sometimes it makes sense to hire a contractor. excellent videos.
+ArizonaHotHomestead Plus with how awful their soil is being able to compost all your shit would help in a big way.
Sounds like you two have done your research and I think you are making good decisions. (just my opinion of course) One good point I don't remember you mentioning is if you ever end up selling your property, a permitted and correctly installed system will pay for itself in the sale. We have owned our property for about 4 years now and just haven't put in a septic system yet. We did come close but just haven't got to it. This video is very helpful and should be a great resource for many people. Thank you for making this video.
All that rock looks like awesome building material just lying around free :)
Thank you for this. The permit explanation is so valuable. (Yeah, we're with you on the whole "Skeptical" thing.) But hey, now & then laws do make sense.
Now for the next expense. Permit information is forwarded to the tax assessor. He will come out next he is allowed to trespass, when he sees your buildings and improvements cabin out buildings etc. your property tax will increase, according to his estimation of improved value. I think you will regret the permit within the next year or so. I helped so people move A mobile home. We got a transportation permit to pull it down the highway. We set it up in the boondocks it couldn't even be seen the tax assessor showed up, the taxes went up an additional 300.00 per year. I do some construction, they do the same thing with hwy approach permits. Permits are a trap for ongoing tax increases.
you've dug up alot of round rocks in your septic project - that indicates an ancient riverbed - might be worth panning those diggings to see if there's any color - you may be dumping your poop on a gold mine!
+Frank Busch Oh no! Even if it's poopy gold, I'm sure a quick rinse would mean that the gold is still as valuable hah! There isn't actual much gold in our neck of the woods according to history, but if we get bored that'd be a fun project. Actually, maybe we should save the gold panning for when we have kids and need to kick them out of the house for an entire afternoon :-)
Pure Living for Life
there's gold on bedrock throughout alaska and yukon - not always enough to make it worth extracting but it's everywhere to be sure - do you know how close to bedrock you are?
+magentawave If you do compose, does that take dish, bath sink and shower water?
+magentawave yes, I was really was hoping this would be covered as to why they didn't go the compost route, which I'd guess would be better overall.
+magentawave +C Tomlin Many places (especially in the States) do not allow composting toilets or the collection and use of humanure. There are some pretty crazy rules regulating it that at one time might have protected people but now often get in the way and cause problems.They mentioned that they needed the septic system to drain the waste from the RV so that when they got it set up for winter they wouldn't have to move it to drain it. Now they can drain without moving which will allow them to build a semi-permanent structure around the RV for winter to prevent freezing and improve their quality of life. Plus having the system on their land increases the land value, it happens to be a good short-term solution as well as a long term investment so it was the best choice for them. It really just depends on your personal situation. Cheers =)
I love how candid you both are about everything. Its refreshing and very informative . Thank you. Been watching your videos for a bit. love em
Guys from watching your videos your overlooking a huge resoure ROCKS. When you do build your home look into Slipform construction.
Great video......Tks for the time you both put into it......Your so right.....You can only read so much but watching and hearing you is Priceless.....Thank You :-)
Very informative and honest/real. Thank you.... my wife and I will keep watching!
Backhoe, dig a large chasm hole, fence it off. Composting toilets and dump the waste in the chasm. No issues, no toxic problems. Make sure the chasm isn't too close, nor too far.
Hi! I am a structural engineer in Colorado. I work with a range of structures mostly residential or agricultural, in-town and also some vary rural and mountainous locations. Most of my work work surrounds typical framing, but I also cross over into alternative building methods, such as traditional timber framing and straw bale construction. I have enjoyed watching several of your presentations. You folks are very practical--I like that.
I had a comment and a question.
The comment.... You mentioned that many homesteaders don't like the permit process. I personally feel it is necessary when you are in areas of high snow loads, high wind loads or earthquake loads . Having said that, the status quo for requiring more and more permits for exterior slabs and sheds and such gets a little overbearing. The reason you need a permit for a small structure that you will live in is that properties get sold and traded. If you build a home without review, if it falls down on the next owner.... guess who their attorney is going after. If the building department has has reviewed it, you have some added protection. If I review your project and stamp your plans, if it falls down, I am liable. This isn't 1840. The simple fact of life is that we have brought in a local authority to regulate parts of your project.
The question.... Did you folks consider using a quality composting toilet? I wanted to hear your thoughts. I have acquaintances that have used composting full time in RVs. There are several systems that are well built and have good track records.
Geoff
This first generic statement applies to all of your videos, but especially to this one: Your bullet topics, and overall organization when doing them is outstanding. I hope you are seeing revenue off your youtube, because with the video skills you have in presentation, linked to that organization, you could do this as a pro. Thus, you really covered a lot of things that we may not have thought through, being extremely helpful tips. Please keep up the good work!
Watching your video and how you shared your experience was awesome. This has made me re-think my adventure and realize doing it myself is not a good idea. Pay more but get it right the first time. Thank you very much.
You did the right thing getting the tank and septic system. Camping full time on a property and dumping elsewhere doesn't make sense.
As a home builder 25 years ago, I will save you some explaining. To do some things by yourself is just plain stupid .The very last thing you want to have fail on your homestead.....is your septic system ! :-) I shall also make a little suggestion. PUT something in place like a concrete bird bath, a lawn decoration or anything that will be semi permanent. You have future construction coming. You don't want a dozer or heavy tractor running over the top of that tank. Do the same for your well when its built.
+Steven Hardy You are spot on with these suggestions. Ice cream happens!
A Stanton1966 Thanks...its something I remember from personal experience. About 25 years ago I finished the construction of my house and hired a guy to do final grading. My wife spotted the guy running his dozer near the concrete tank. He had a bottle of whisky in one hand . My wife called me at work and said "can I fire him? I said yep!!!! :-)
A bottle of whisky in one hand? I thought that good help was hard to find! LOL Seriously, you need a lot or courage or whiskey to run construction equipment on some jobs. Just driving the machine off the trailer can be daunting.
Another interesting (and educating) segment along the homesteaders road! (I can't but shake my head in pity at some of the commenters to this video; - In my experience, and from what I'm able to gather re. the cooperation between Jesse & Alyssa, at least for me there are telltale signs that indicates they make a better couple than most!.... - And, mind you; "who's talking and when" during making of these segments, frankly - that's something I think better left to the two individuals making the effort of publishing these great chunks of info for - you & moi!) Best of wishes to the both of you! ;-)
I've watched your other videos and I love what you're doing. Especially doing it together as a couple. Can't wait to see your other videos. Congratulations.
That's a great septic price. Here in Texas mine just cost me 8000. Let's not even talk about a well 24000 minimum. Great job choosing your battles and priorities. Blessings
+BexarPrepper You're the second person that has told us that septic prices are outrageous in Texas. That's not something we looked up upon moving to this area but it would probably be wise for others to do!
+BexarPrepper I live in Canada, funny how its opposite. Wells are about 8000 (for 200ft), septics are 25,000$ minimum.
Yikes just crazy septic's are shallow. Blessings
One of the best things you can do to preserve the life of your septic system is to never put any toxic household chemicals down your drains. If you do, you are simply killing your living bacterial system regularly. Also, minimize cooking oils/grease and food solids going down drains. And never put anything non-biodegradable down there. Place sanitary napkins, tampons, used condoms in trash. And even your used toilet tissue can be put in trash to minimize build up of solids in your system. Develop good composting techniques. Keep trees/shrubs away from it. Keep your system pure and it could possibly last much longer than 25-30 years.
all you need is an iron prod and a little bit of brains to find a septic tank lid,here is an idea before you drill your well, before you start drilling the hole even, prod every inch of the ground for 200 feet make,and make sure it is square feet of course, and I'm sure if you don't find a septic tank lid,or a washout while doing so you are fine to drill your well,oh and I don't know many people these days putting in a septic tank,and a leach field without a permit.
Hiring a professional is a good move. I have worked on both septic and municipal systems. I have seen people who tried to go rouge and later paid for it by not being able to drill for water or get loans on their property. Keep the long term value of your property at the top of your list of priorities.
Thanks for taking the time to help us out.
A septic system here cost over $9,000.00, and that's the lowest cost! A well starts at $10,000.00 so your a blessed couple. I would never put a septic system in myself, but then again, I have experience with them, and know how bad it can be to do it yourself. NO question about it, getting a contractor is the way to go. You may want to check one thing that I saw someone else mentioned here too. You may need to put some water in that system if you get a lot of rain this time of year. Some places need it to keep the tank in the ground. I know you put it in months ago, but you may want to ask about it, since your not using it that much yet. It's a big tank, and would take a lot of weight to keep it down if your soil will let it come up with too much rain. They really can do that. I've just watched many of your videos, and have enjoyed all of them. Bless, Sheila
Trust me, after having watched about 20 of your videos, I can with almost 100% certainty, say that you would have dropped the rock and ruined the tank. You made the right decision.
I just looked over your videos and will be following you to see what all you folks are doing. Now I am still in the 2015 but working my way. Why would I even do this, well as you said to learn! Knowledge is so very important and we someday hope to move back West and Homestead our own. Your explanation about the septic system was great, I was in the fire service and had to do life safety inspections and building inspections and as you a lot of folks saw it as just big government bugging in. The Fire Codes weren't written just to have some to do but to save lives and property same as doing your system not putting where it maybe a health hazard, you were very wise how you approached it. Oh Killing the chickens you are way ahead of me I'm not sure I could and being that my wife has named all of them no way she would. Lol Great Job ! Looking forward to seeing more, Oh and I have fought fire all over the Pacific Northwest and your area for many years 32 in fact good luck and God Bless, Jerry
We set up a permanent RV parking spot away from where the house would be. Small price in materials and labor big return when family needed a cheap place to stay.
Build an earthbag house or trailer enclosure with the spoil from the septic hole. LOL! It would take care of the winter problem.
Great video and great advice. I will recommend the same to anyone else.Save money when it is logically permitting and do it right the first time.
Holy Cow! A well planned and informative homesteading video? Good job folks! Subbed, Thank you.
+Will Baack Thanks! We're sure trying! Except when we're not, then we're just having fun. Haha. Welcome aboard. :)
Y'all are my hero's. The love and passion between the 2 of you are inspiring. I hope one day my girlfriend and I do the same and try (and succeed thx to your documenting) the amazing adventure you are on. Best of luck and don't give up !!!
Emptying holding tanks is a pain, especially after a long day. Talk about smelly and inconvenient. Glad you got such a good price. No romance there. One problem you have is snow and what happens when melts, drainage becomes a problem.
+Dana Nelson Two months later and we are SO THANKFUL we don't have to go dump our trailer! Our driveway is pretty slick at the moment (luckily a neighbor has plowed it for us a couple of times) so I don't even want to know what moving the trailer every 5 days would look like. We have 6" of snow on the ground at the moment which will melt, but nobody seems to complain of drainage issues in the area so I guess we'll see how it goes :-)
That is a very good point you guys did very well on it
I LIKE the way you two talk back and forth, that's how it works in my house too. Good info. Thanks.
Great video you pair, truly helpful and informative! You are nice folk.
I want to congrat you both on a work well done,
and for your info on a special job ( it looks ease but you just showed me that is not.) A VERY HARD ONE @ THAT.
I WANT TO ALSO WISH YOU WELL ON YOUR DREAM, HOPE IT GETS FINISH...
Great video. I just bought 13 acres and your info is very helpful.
Thank you. Thank you. Someone with common sense. Hope it all goes well for you.
Would your permit allow you to build a, 1,5 meter high, Hügelculture on top of your drainfield, growing black locusts?
So your leachfield is transformed into a supercharged 'firewood factory'.
We grow black locusts on top of our leachfield and as soon as their roots grew into the leach they realy took of and they grow almost faster than we can cut them down during fall & winter. It realy is a weed tree but in this case that's a positive aspect ;-) giving us year round firewood growing next to our house. Which is very handy in saving loads of hauling time when collecting and storing firewood. Later on we poor the wood ash around our fruit trees.
+J. Verheulst We,ve also sown a lot of non-edible flowers & roses around and upon the base af the Hügel.
+J. Verheulst until all of those roots clog the lines
We have this setup now for 30 years and we have never had a clog-up what so ever. The roots eat up all the leach so the field has never time to ever fill up.
I don't see why the permit would stop us from doing that if we so choose? Interesting idea. We would love to not let the area go to waste so we'll be looking into creative ideas over time. Thanks for the suggestion!
My pleasure. I think you guys are doing a great job and your mode of operation, of going for the quick wins first, is indeed the best choice in my opinion. Keep up the great work and wish you both the best and a snug and easy insulated wintertime.
My prayer is that God will continue to bless your marriage and your journey. You are blessed with the gift of common sense and a very compatible marriage!
It's made me realize I just want to plant a garden and that's it
Hi guys, it will be very helpful to post the video number next to the title for easy follow up. Keep up the great work.
Watching him, I am reminded of Alex Lifeson's cadence when speaking. Really cool.
The concrete tanks are cheaper in Michigan and last longer I have a three bedroom trailer it was about $2400 with permits
I'm old school. When the wife and i make it off grid, we wanna try first a rotating latrine system that moves locations through the years to fertilize the ground. We may have to add some lime or such to adjust the PH. Next may be a composting toiler wet or dry then a septic system if relly needed. 100 thousand animals crap in the woods all the time. I dare someone to tell me I can't crap in the woods on my own land. I don't believe human waste is bad for veggies as animals do it all the time.
Wow so many rocks! You could just use them to build a slip form wall/shed/house !
I am in agreement, if I were able to do what you are doing screw the composting toilets, or outhouse. I'd like having a septic and well too.
In my state, you have to be licensed to install septic systems, and you must have building permits to build. If you don't, they will make you dig it back up, and at the very least if its a stick built dwelling, they will make you pull walls apart to be able to observe proper adherence to code, or make you tear it down, if its too far off. So Permits, while sucky, are not really an option in some states.
Have you thought at all about using some of those boulders/large rocks for something -- maybe a rock wall, or a barbecue pit? Seems like you have a plethora of natural resource just waiting to be used!!
Great videos, BTW. Really enjoying your journey!!
+gac914 In short... yes! There are endless opportunities to use the rock. Can't wait to see what we come up with!
if its installed properly it should last 40-50+ years. especially since your septic tank is plastic. good you researched and done it right the first time.
Why havent you any livestock or garden? perhaps i have yet to stumble on those videos yet, but i feel those are the two most important items needed for living off grid..
Being 67 years old and of ill health, I'm well past this type thing, otherwise I would be right there with you on your dream. Having had a little experience with a portable Wood Mizer I also learned that I would probably have altered my career to accommodate, at the very least, an LT40 Wood Mizer and commercialized the sawing. About 15 years ago, I ran across a few toppled black walnut trees that the property owner graciously told me I could have. They had been there for quite a while, with the sap wood having rotted away for the most part. Wasn't anything wrong with the heart wood, though, as I discovered after hiring a gentleman with an LT40 Wood Mizer. Each pass of the blade was a thing of beauty. Even later, as we milled some red oak and southern yellow pine, I remained mesmerized. There's no question what my career would entail if I were a young, healthy male today.
Not having a septic system in some states is a threat to home land security .... i found that out when i was thinking about installing a compost toilet...
Threat to homeland security? That people will extract the nitrates from the sewage and use it to make bombs?
no that it contaminates the land around it.. crazy but true. i was going to install a compost toilet and they came with some baloney that unprocessed human feaces can contaminate land and neighbours property
no that it contaminates the land around it.. crazy but true. i was going to install a compost toilet and they came with some baloney that unprocessed human feaces can contaminate land and neighbours property
no that it contaminates the land around it.. crazy but true. i was going to install a compost toilet and they came with some baloney that unprocessed human feaces can contaminate land and neighbours property
no that it contaminates the land around it.. crazy but true. i was going to install a compost toilet and they came with some baloney that unprocessed human feaces can contaminate land and neighbours property
REASONS TO FOLLOWING THE PERMIT PROCESS FOR AN ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM:
1. You are investing in your property, so you want the public record of the as-built drawing, permit to install, soil/site evaluation report
2. Resale value. I don't know any county auditors that assess value of a household sewage treatment system for property taxes, but it increases the value of a property that has all the paperwork backing up the installation of a properly inspected and approved household sewage treatment system.
3. YOU ARE NOT A SOIL SCIENTIST OR AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. Yes, there are some dumb government permits, but those will be phased out. A Permit is not just a piece of paper. It is a legal document and it is a statement that professionals have ensured that the sewage treatment system was installed using approved materials and equipment, and was installed properly following all laws and rules. The laws and rules related sewage treatment systems are not just put into effect for no reason. You don't want to contaminate the ground water, so you need to understand soils and vertical separation distances. Also, you don't want sewage coming up out of the ground after a heavy rain or complete soil saturation.