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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



Registered: 02/15/12
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Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice 2
#25188386 - 05/06/18 06:56 PM (5 years, 8 months ago) |
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Hey folks, got a potentially great opportunity to get a cheaper living space. Its more of a two story sheet metal carport than a barn, but there's an existing room complete with insulation, doors, and a window on the second story. Homemade outhouse outside, electricity w/outlets inside, and a water faucet outside. The electricity works but might not be sufficient to run water heaters, stovetops, etc.
Necessary additions I'm inexperienced with: We'll need a way to shower, there's no gas lines afaik so I don't know what options that leaves us water heater wise. Its a temperate climate so we can't just put a black vessel on the roof and pump water to it. Leaning for a tankless propane water heater, though I need to check the math on how much it'd cost to run.
An outhouse is not going to be a fun time in the winter, don't know if we have any other options though, if anybody has suggestions.
Sink for dishes is easy peasy, get one of those standup plactic sinks and just run a hose to it, and install a drain. Though the water wouldn't be hot. Guess I'd probably need to insulate this hose during winter, I wonder if that outside faucet works in winter, its one of those red ones that sticks out of the ground.
Am I missing anything? Is a shower and a toilet really all I'm missing?
Edited by Psilosopherr (05/06/18 08:06 PM)
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#25188796 - 05/07/18 12:31 AM (5 years, 8 months ago) |
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Are you just planning to do a greywater discharge into the ground for the sink and shower drains?
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



Registered: 02/15/12
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Grey Fox] 1
#25189334 - 05/07/18 10:11 AM (5 years, 8 months ago) |
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Yeah that was the plan. Now that you ask you're making me second guess if its okay to be dumping all that soap straight into the ground. Though our potential landlords pump their washing machine water straight into the front lawn and the grass does great there.
Or perhaps I could make use of all this greywater somehow.
Edited by Psilosopherr (05/07/18 10:31 AM)
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Psilosopherr]
#25189767 - 05/07/18 02:20 PM (5 years, 8 months ago) |
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Its pretty common around here that the washing machine and laundry room slop sink are just discharged as greywater. I'm not sure what the code is in your area or how high your water table is. But thats not going to work for a toilet. Is the building built on a concrete slab?
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



Registered: 02/15/12
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Grey Fox] 1
#25189878 - 05/07/18 03:22 PM (5 years, 8 months ago) |
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Oh cool good to know. No concrete, the bottom floor is just dirt. I just realized we're going to have a covered garage, it being a carport and all, nice bonus.
Had the thought today that maybe I could do the whole sawdust/bucket toilet deal when its too rainy/cold to want to go outside, or maybe just all the time.
Its coming together in my head, seems easier than I had imagined at first. Main issue that comes to mind now is being cooped up in this fairly small space with the ladyfriend through all the rainy and snowy months. There's potential to add a second room upstairs, would need to add 3 walls, a door, and insulation, new outlet or two, stuff to think about.
Edited by Psilosopherr (05/07/18 03:30 PM)
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Psilosopherr]
#25190184 - 05/07/18 06:23 PM (5 years, 8 months ago) |
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Dirt floor makes your drain work a lot easier, especially if you're just running off greywater. Plants love greywater, just don't put harsh chemicals down the drain and any plants should be good. Best luck with all the projects you have ahead of you there. Hey being cooped up with your ladyfriend can have some nice benefits too! Keep that heat turned down LOW... lol.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Psilosopherr]
#25192741 - 05/08/18 11:27 PM (5 years, 8 months ago) |
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Just make sure u spread out your electrical load so u dont overload the existing circuits. As for a heater, a tankless instant one is great idea. U might need to run propane lines which is a big job. U could have a large propane tank outaide that feeds the water heater and dryer. Depends on how much work u wanna do to move that tank to refill it.
And if u want a stove and dryer, u need a 220volt circuit for each one. also run some power to your outhouse and have a small portable heater in there maybe on a shelf or something.
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: LogicaL Chaos] 2
#25205986 - 05/15/18 05:17 PM (5 years, 8 months ago) |
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Talked to the people today, we're approved to move in 
Heat in the outhouse is a good idea, duh psilosopherr. We were told today that in the past people have just emptied the outhouse, poured diesel over the shit and burned it to get rid of it. We're thinking we're just going to compost it with sawdust.
Thinking we'll just stand in a big tub while we shower to catch the water instead of installing drains, playing it by ear though. Going the same route with the sink, just have it drain into a five gallon bucket. Now I just gotta figure an enclosure for my chickens, kinda wish I could switch to ducks but I couldn't part with my sweet hens
minifridge/freezer, toaster oven, crockpot, electric kettle, maybe propane for a stovetop equivalent.
Thanks for the replies everybody! Me and the lady are real excited to start this project and get the hell away from our current room-mates.
Edited by Psilosopherr (05/15/18 09:27 PM)
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



Registered: 02/15/12
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Psilosopherr] 2
#25231937 - 05/27/18 12:33 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Turns out we have standard 220 household power, meaning we're better off than our landlords electricity wise 
We've been trying to decide on which water heater to purchase but it seems like it'd be a really easy thing to construct myself. Just like the 55 gallon drum pasteurizers people make for mush cult. Any thoughts on that? I've got a pressure release valve from an old rusted out retail water heater, just install that and a heating element or two, thermostat, drain. The only thing I don't understand atm is if I need a pump to get water from heater to faucet/shower or if the pressure/heat pumps the water along automatically? Any safety features I'm overlooking? Trying to think of a good container in between a 5 gal bucket and 55 gal drum as well.
Also noticed one half of the downstairs was already insulated so we're going to be adding the room there instead. Just gotta do one wall, a floor, door, window, etc. The guy who built the barn originally even offered to assist and provide lumber from his home lumber mill, my GOD people are nice!
I guess I'll have to upload some before/after pics once we're a little farther along for those interested. Can't wait to move in, just installed carpet upstairs, dying a bunch of sheets black to cover up the unsightly wall insulation/damage done by previous tenants.
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bodhisatta 
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#25233522 - 05/28/18 09:05 AM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Most places laws won't let you live in a carport shelter. check the laws you landlord might be doing something shady lol.
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LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




Registered: 05/12/07
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Psilosopherr]
#25234064 - 05/28/18 12:48 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Definitely should install a pressure relief valve and a relief line on that homemade hot water tank 
If you have cold water pressure from your cold water source (whatever that may be) u should have pressure out the hot water tank.
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: LogicaL Chaos]
#25234514 - 05/28/18 04:34 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Are you sure it isnt easier to buy a hot water heater? They cost $300. What is your landlord going to say if your homemade one leaks one night and creates a bunch of water damage and mold?
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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Humble Newcomer
Diddler de niños



Registered: 03/12/17
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Grey Fox]
#25241057 - 05/31/18 05:23 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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lol
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LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Grey Fox]
#25241582 - 05/31/18 09:40 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Grey Fox said: Are you sure it isnt easier to buy a hot water heater? They cost $300. What is your landlord going to say if your homemade one leaks one night and creates a bunch of water damage and mold?
Sure its easier, but this is the DIY forum, where homemade is King
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: LogicaL Chaos]
#25241671 - 05/31/18 10:04 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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I hear you. But it is something to think about. The factory made ones leak all the time. But at least then the liability is on someone else.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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Humble Newcomer
Diddler de niños



Registered: 03/12/17
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Grey Fox] 1
#25241796 - 05/31/18 10:41 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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It's a valid point, pretty sure my last nat gas one was $150.
At the very least get quality relief valves. Not that this would happen in daily operation but...
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Andromea
Stranger

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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Humble Newcomer]
#25271402 - 06/16/18 03:04 AM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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I havent read all the replies, but when I lived off the grid, we used a califont to heat water. Worked really well. You do need electricity to power it though.
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XUL
OTD Janitor



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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Psilosopherr]
#25274072 - 06/17/18 09:27 AM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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I know this sounds corny, but this is how I showered when I was living in a tent.
I took a bucket, poked holes in it, hung it in a tree, and then used another bucket to transfer lake water into it. The bucket would then sprinkle down on me and I could wash myself. Also, in your circumstance, you could buy an old fashioned bath tub and dumb water into it.
If it was snowing and very cold, you could probably heat up water on the stove and dump it into your bath tub.
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TRUMP 2020
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



Registered: 02/15/12
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Last seen: 1 month, 9 days
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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: XUL]
#25274816 - 06/17/18 04:19 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Decided we're adding the new room upstairs instead. The guy helping us build seemed to think it was far easier to do it up there so. Probably going to start putting up walls this week. Things are looking like they're going to be far cheaper than we'd expected so might as well go for the retail water heater.
Working out well so far all around, sleeping out there full time, my one hen is getting adjusted to her new home. Her sister got killed just a couple days before I moved them over, missin her. Made their new coop from a dresser the previous tenants left, just slap some plywood on the weak sides and add some hinges/locks/sheet metal roof. Way simpler than my previous build. Might sound ghetto but the dresser was stained a nice deep wood color so it actually looks pretty nice
The no shower is starting to weigh on us, gets annoying needing to go Elsweyr for it. Was thinking we'd go the 5 gallon bucket route actually, heat up water in an electric water kettle and pour it in, add a faucet.
And my freakin shoes kept getting wet. Having heat vents with moving air makes it so easy to dry shoes but my only option out there was putting them out in the sun. Took a full week to get them dry, yeesh. Rubber boots in the rain from here on out
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XUL
OTD Janitor



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Re: Adding utilities to a barn loft: Looking for advice [Re: Psilosopherr]
#25275089 - 06/17/18 06:25 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Sorry to hear about your Hen.
It sounds awesome.
Post some pictures if you get a chance!
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TRUMP 2020
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