The end of the world, biological warfare, the deadly zombie apocalypse-if you find yourself thinking about these, then you must also want to know your safety. How do you survive the nuclear-powered missile? A crazy zombie is chasing you in your own yard? The biggest storm? An underground bunker. Learn all about how to build an underground bunker in this guide.
A hardcore survivalist dreams of owning a secret underground bunker. For decades, these secret hideouts have been safe-havens. Let us go all the way back to the First World War. In that terrible era, the army used bunkers to store artillery, ammunition, and supplies.
This is the first tactical bunker used by mankind. After the Cold War and World War II, civilians used bunkers for refuge and protection. In both wars, there were terrible airstrikes and the potential threat of nuclear war. The easiest, safest, and a least lossy way to survive is to go underground.
The bunkers are underground, indelible and unbreakable, which is why they are so reliable. They are located underground and can store food and personnel for months or even years if needed. Facts have proved that a bunker is a real place of comfort for mankind. A bunker that stores all the tools needed for trade, from food to guns to additional scopes. Every survivor knows the importance of accessories, these accessories can make their lens better, you won’t want to miss some good suggestions about scopes.
Fast forward to 2020, does the bunker still exist? Yes, the bunker still exists in the structure of our society. You will find historic bunkers in the backyards of old British houses, abandoned valleys, and military bases. In other words, you will also encounter bunker for sale.
We are witnessing an epidemic, a climate crisis, and a failed international relationship. Life becomes unpredictable. You may be infected with a virus or be hit by a tornado or be bombed. These cave-like buildings withstood the war and were built for survival. They protect from natural and man-made disasters. So, think about it, getting a bunker now makes more sense than ever before, doesn’t it?
The colony and community of the bunker are under construction. You can buy one of these bunkers as a preventive measure, or you can buy it for personal use. The bunker has many utilities, and the best part is: it is buried, safe, and secret.
Now, naturally, buying a pre-built shelter is an expensive transaction. The greater the surface area, the greater the expenditure. Most survivalists like to build it themselves. Today, quality and efficiency are everything. So, let me take you to step by step to understand how to build your own bunker.
Purpose
This is the first question you must ask yourself before taking any concrete steps. It is important to determine the purpose of the bunker. This lays the foundation for your plan.
Protection from Weapons and Sequelae
Although a long time has passed since the World War and the Cold War, the possibility of a war breaking out in the future does not seem so bleak. Most countries are equipped with nuclear weapons and may not hesitate to wage war on their opponents.
Uncertainty is on the edge. Even international law cannot protect civilians like you and me from such large-scale destruction. One way to survive the crisis and survive its consequences is to go underground. The design and structural integrity of the bunker can withstand a nuclear war. In addition, extreme destruction and chaos of war. You are sitting in a bunker and you are hardly affected in any way.
Prevent Civil Unrest
Most people heard the riots, locked wood, and barrels, and fled to sparsely populated areas to protect themselves. However, in a critical moment, you have no choice but to make do with what you have and hide it.
The underground bunker in the backyard is usually not seen by the masses. They did some incredible disguise. This will not only protect you from civil unrest but also prevent disease outbreaks and germ warfare. The desolate nature of the bunker usually keeps it free from pollution and cleanliness. You have no reasonable threat of spreading these viruses.
Resist Severe Weather
A quarter of the world is now affected by some kind of natural disaster. Tornadoes are one of the most common forms of air crashes. The United States alone has experienced approximately 1,200 tornadoes in a year. If you are on the road to a severe weather disaster, you may want to consider obtaining an underground bunker. Remember to store food and water resources.
Additional Storage Space
The construction of underground wine cellars to store food that is perishable is nothing new. Due to its constant humidity and controllable temperature, the bunker is an excellent storage place. Not directly exposed to the sun helps to extend the life of the product. All you have to do is to keep the place clean and tidy and avoid rodents, and then you are all right.
How to Build an Underground Bunker – Location
Once you have determined the purpose of the bunker, we will move on to the most important question: location. Now, choosing the right location is crucial. Your bunker must be close enough to get resources, but far enough not to be easily discovered.
If you have many curious neighbors, choose a desolate place instead of your own backyard. The construction of underground shelters is an arduous task and is bound to attract people’s attention. Consider the accessibility of the location. In an emergency, if it is too far away, you will not be able to do it!
The nature and characteristics of the ground is a key factor. Granular and sandy soils are ideal for underground shelters. The soil must be permeable and retain less moisture. This helps regulate the moisture in the bunker. Two important factors to keep in mind are the groundwater level and the natural gas point. When choosing your location, keep these things in mind. You don’t want to cause any disturbance to the natural order on the ground.
Bunk Size & Layout
The size of your bunker depends entirely on your usage. If you want to store more things in it, you may need a larger size. The main size of the shelter depends on the area you choose. But remember to consider space occupation and utility.
The bunker needs an effective plan. The layout should include the main entrance, living space, storage unit, and communication system. The other elements you must keep in mind are the water supply and sewage systems.
You can choose a pre-made floor plan online, or you can make your own floor plan according to your own preferences.
How to Build an Underground Bunker – Budget
Everything is said and done, if you don’t have a good budget, your bunker will not be safe. You must have a considerable budget to afford good insulation, communication, and purification systems. A larger budget also means that you can complete the construction faster. After all, a bunker is an investment.
If the budget is tight, choosing a pre-made layout may be a better choice. A prefabricated bunker may also be a better choice for you. In this way, you don’t have to spend money on the infrastructure of the shelter. You can change the internal details and meet your needs.
How to Build an Underground Bunker – Construction
We finally got to the succulent place. Now that you have sorted out all the prerequisites, you can finally enter the hard work part. How to lay the foundation of an underground shelter is very important. It will support the entire structure and ensure safety. let’s start.
How to Build an Underground Bunker – Permissions
By now, you already know that this project is no easy task. Building a shelter is difficult and requires a perfect plan. You have chosen a location and layout, what do you do next? Now, the first and most important thing is to obtain the required permissions.
Permission is to ensure the safety of you and your community. You can’t just start digging a big hole in your backyard. Especially if you live in a densely populated area. Obtaining a bunker permit for your backyard in a city can be difficult. Most metropolitan areas have underground gas pipes, water pipes, electric wires, etc.
You don’t want to scratch the pipeline and pay a huge amount of pipeline or worst-case scenario to make your project shut down. Now, depending on the laws of your state, the required permits may range from electrical and plumbing to classification and construction.
I strongly insist on obtaining all necessary permits before proceeding with this project.
Blueprint
Building an underground shelter is a lot like building a house. You need a layout, a blueprint! Now, remember that your blueprint must be tactical and efficient. You only have so much space, and you need to make the most of it.
You will find many reference plans that suit your needs. Here are some tips you can use when designing a cover blueprint:
You should merge spaces and create an open space for everyone in the bunker.
Since the bunker is very compact, it makes more sense to use the distance from the ceiling to the floor. For storage, vertical units can be constructed. This not only increases the living space but also uses the space in the most effective way.
furniture. In this place, it makes more sense to get wall-mounted furniture. At all times, you must remember that although this place is prepared for you, it is also for your safety. Wall-mounted furniture is a good way to reduce space usage.
You should look around the space you have and choose to place your furniture accordingly. Make sure you don’t feel suffocated and have enough space to move around and breathe.
How to Build an Underground Bunker – Materials
A major part of the durability of the bunker can be attributed to the materials you use in its construction. The reliable choice for your shelter is concrete. It is easy to use, sturdy and can be used for a lifetime with relatively little maintenance. Concrete is also an affordable alternative.
You can combine concrete with bricks. Bricks are strong and reasonably priced and are good insulators. As I said before, insulation is very important in your shelter. For additional support, add steel to the mix. Steel is a strong and strong shelter. Some people also use metal plates in their underground shelters.
Although metal plates are strong and durable, they are expensive and require insulation. I do not recommend using metal plates. Similarly, using wood to lay the foundation for your bunker or the entire building is not very wise. Wood is very susceptible to moisture and will weather and rot. You don’t want your underground bunker to collapse on you.
It is also very susceptible to infestation and can cause big problems with your cover. You can use wood to decorate the inside of your bunker. Hardwood floors, wooden tables, and chairs. But this also requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
Key Living Materials
Obviously, you cannot just place a concrete box underground and call it a bunker. If you want to live in it, it should have the basic system for your survival. You cannot survive in a closed space without water. It is imperative to have a safe water supply system.
The length of your stay will determine the amount of water you need. If you plan to live for a long time, you can store gallons of water in your bunker or set up a more robust water supply system. Smaller accommodation does not require you to store so much water.
Regardless of the length of your stay, you should consider using a reliable water filtration system. This will help you get a clean water source. UV filters are ideal for underground shelters. UV technology uses different frequencies to kill bacteria and bacteria in the water, making it safe to drink.
Air and ventilation systems are also very important. They provide clean air in the bunker. The NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) air filtration system absorbs outside air and filters out impurities, bacteria, and other toxins. The system runs on power, but can also automatically switch to backup energy when you need it.
Another important system is your sewage and waste treatment system. If your stay is short, you can choose to designate a waste disposal site in your bunker. Temporary toilets are a cost-effective option, but make sure that the area and lid are properly covered and sealed. Incorrect waste disposal is harmful to health, especially in such a closed space.
I suggest designing a well-designed system that is more suitable for long-term use. A sewage pump is a good choice. They pump waste from lower levels to higher levels. The other route is the compost toilet. Although a bit expensive, it is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of waste while making fertilizer. If you have plants in your bunker, that’s great.
Finally, food and electricity. It is ideal to have a generator power your bunker. Another option is a solar generator, which is environmentally friendly and easy to carry. You can calculate the power wattage used by the equipment to be placed in the bunker and choose your system accordingly.
Food is essential. You also need to reserve food and inventory for your accommodation. Remember to obtain non-perishable foods and store them in a clean, dry place. Canned food and microwaved food are your best choices. Pay attention to the shelf life of the food and do not eat anything that smells uncomfortable. Remember to restock regularly so that you don’t have to worry when an emergency occurs.
First aid, batteries, flashlights, ammunition, and communication equipment are other items you should remember.
How to Build an Underground Bunker – Excavation
Once you have all the materials, you can start digging for the bunker. The wiser choice is obviously to use an excavator. For a project of this scale, using a shovel is not enough. Equipment specifically designed for digging can help you dig quickly and efficiently, even in narrow, difficult-to-access areas.
Excavators can help you achieve the speed and accuracy you want. An excavator is a machine used to carry the earth. They are versatile and can be used in various operations. You will come across a variety of excavator options, but please choose the one that suits you best.
Get on and off the boat, measure your plot, and draw your circumference with chalk. Use a trencher to outline the outline of your area. Trencher helps to cut the roots of trees, create drainage channels, cut rocks and ground concrete structures. Then, you dig the area and dig.
One thing you must keep in mind is to comply with local regulations and your license. Your bunker should be 10 feet underground and covered by soil above.
How to Build an Underground Bunker – Reinforcement
Ensure that the structure of the underground shelter is strong, sturdy, and reliable. As I said, concrete is the best choice. You can combine it with steel and brick to make your structure stronger.
Water and humidity in the air can cause mold and fungi to appear in the shelter and damage the structure. I recommend using a protection system to waterproof your shelter. If your location is prone to earthquakes, you must use methods similar to earthquake-resistant buildings to reinforce your shelter. This is a bit expensive, but it can ensure your safety and the structural integrity of the bunker.
Once you have built the shelter and installed the system, all you have to do is move in your furniture and food storage. You are ready to live like a true survivalist!
Having said that, the construction of underground shelters is a difficult task. It requires a cohesive plan and steel will to complete this project. A truly survivalist-style underground bunker will take several years to complete. But as long as you have patience and perseverance, I believe you will realize your plan. You will have a survival bunker for you and your family! If you have been thinking about building one, what are you waiting for? Take control of your inner survivalist and move on!
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