Cob: RE: Re: Cistern

[Jud Malone]

I don't know about the septic.  My cistern will be uphill from any septic
system and about 300 yards away.  Consult your local building codes if you
have any.  The library would also be a good source of info.

About the cover, I would insulate just because I like the assurance, but
your best bet is to ask the locals what they do.  The way I look at it is
this: how does the cost and inconvenience of constructing an insulated cover
at a time of your choosing compare to the cost and inconvenience of dealing
with a frozen cistern at a time NOT of your choosing.  If it happens once in
20 years, that's too much for me.

Hope that helps,
Jud

-----Original Message-----
From: Vicki Wicker [mailto:vcwicker at asub.arknet.edu]
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 3:02 PM
To: Jud Malone
Subject: Re: Cob: RE: Re: Cistern


Does it need to be a certain distance from the septic system/tank?
Also, our temperature rarely gets below the teens. Would we need to
insulate or just cover?
vicki in arkansas


At 01:16 PM 10/26/01 -0400, you wrote:
>I made a small tank(about 100 gallons)using this method:
>
>Dig a hole, however much water you want to store, that's how big the hole
>is.
>
>Use chicken wire and rich cement(NOT concrete mix) to make ferro-cement
>walls in the hole.
>
>This is a good way to make a very strong wall using little cement.  The
more
>gentle the slope you have on the walls of the hole, the easier it is to do
>this.  The way I did it was to lay several layers of the wire on the walls
>and floor of the hole, holding it down with rocks whenever necessary, then
>simply trowel the cement into the wire, covering it completely.  It took me
>a little while to get the hang of it, but after that it went pretty
>smooothly.
>
>I waited a couple of days to let the cement cure and then let it fill with
>water.  It has been through 2 cold winters (-20) with no cracks at all.
>
>I didn't put a cover on it because I just use it for watering plants, but
on
>my next one, for drinking water, I plan on using maybe an old satellite
dish
>for the cover.  I'll cut out a hatch, and apply ferro-cement directly on
the
>old dish.  It should be strong enough to hold a few inches of dirt with
just
>the chicken wire, but if I'm feeling unsure I'll use some rebar too.  The
>dirt will provide some insulation in extreme temperatures.  The tank being
>in the ground will help as well.
>
>A wooden, insulated cover could also be made pretty cheaply using styrofoam
>insulation, or even an old car hood if you're not worried about the water
>freezing.  I've seen alot worse.
>
>Jud
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-coblist at deatech.com [mailto:owner-coblist at deatech.com]On
>Behalf Of uncle joe
>Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2001 10:13 PM
>To: Scot Robinson
>Cc: coblist
>Subject: Cob: Re: Cistern
>
>
>HERE WHERE I LIVE THERE IS A ABOVE GROUND CISTERN 4 MI FROM MY PLACE ITS
>ABOUT 15 FT ROUND AND7 FT TALL IT SITS RIGHT BESIDE THE WINDMILL AND THE
>WIND MILL FILLS IT UP THEN THEY USED TO HAVE A PIPE RUN FROM THE TANK TO
THE
>HOUSE OH IT ALSO SITS ON TOP OF THE HILL WITH THE HOUSE BEFORE IT FELL
(WOOD
>FRAME)BELOW THE HIL
>UNCLEJOE(OKLA)
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Scot Robinson <wabbit_94 at yahoo.com>
>To: <coblist at deatech.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 6:48 PM
>Subject: Cob: Cistern
>
>
>> I am getting everything around to begin my cob home in
>> the spring.  I have been looking at ideas of storing
>> rainwater for use around the home, and for some in
>> home functions.  I have read alot about cisterns and
>> how they work.  I love the idea of one, but am
>> wondering if anyone knows of a way to build one
>> without buying one, or using lots of cement.
>>
>> Has anybody done or seen something like that done?
>>
>> Wabbit
>>
>> __________________________________________________
>> Do You Yahoo!?
>> Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
>> http://personals.yahoo.com
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>