Homestead mailing list

[Tvoivozhd <tvoivozd AT infionline.net>]

RayZentz AT aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 11/5/2004 9:44:10 AM Central Standard Time,  
> shepperd AT austincc.edu writes:
>
> have a  20' container that I use to store horse feed.  It keeps out  moisture
> and dust, but not fire ants.
>
>
>
> Would they work underground, say as a  rootcellar?
>
>  
tvoivozhd---the answer is a qualified yes---depending upon soil 
stability.---in expansive clay such as exists around Lake Livingston in 
Texas, I would expect the walls to belly in.  In sand soil they wouldn't. 

Subsurface gtoundwater should be considered.  Shipping Containers are 
resistant to water as normally uised, but of course are not sealed 
against water pressure from below.  They will work under a varying 
groundwater level, but like any other building, need to have gravel 
under them and from the gravel some means of draining the water 
downhill.. Wrap the container in 6-mil black  builder's plastic for a 
cheap means of  dirverting water  down the  walls into the gravel drain 
bed.

>