Cistern and Root cellar sharing a back wall with house?

[Sparticle]

I know you guys are probably sick of me asking home building questions. Sorry - first timer here.

I had the plans finalized and had the root cellar and cistern about 4 feet from the house near the North wall. The North wall was bermed and the cistern and root cellar were bermed in there as well (obviously both with doors/ access). But now, I've figured out a way to sink the root cellar down and share the North foundation wall without too much pain. By moving the cistern and root cellar to share the other side of the North wall and building the small animal house in between, I could save 5 walls from being built, therefore expense.

I was nervous about them sharing a wall for a few reasons and I think I've brought that up in another thread. One was that we were going to build the root cellar very early on and I didn't want to mess up with making sure the walls were married in correctly when the house was built later.

The biggest concern with the root cellar was that it would take away berm from the house. So instead of that North wall being fully bermed, several feet due to the root cellar would be lost. BUT, is that really a concern if there in insulation between the two?

The biggest concern with sharing the North wall with the cistern is - what if it leaks? The North wall is 12" concrete blocks filled with concrete. The cistern is going to be lined with pond liner. Is this really a concern? The water from the cistern would replace the berm in mass so I'm not worried about loosing berm there.

I sure hope this all makes sense.

[rambler]

I don't quite understand, is this above ground/ bemed, or basement stuff? 'Here' we do basements for the cold, so I don't understand bermed deals so well.

Anyhow. I have a cistern built into the basement. It is 1 or 2 feet deeper than the basement. This adds strength to the wall, and capacity. Water puts a serious force on a flat wall, anything to make that less is a good thing. As well there is a Tee wall in the basement that supports the middle of that cistern wall facing the basement. Consider sinking the cistern lower than other floors to lock it in, give support. Mine does weep water if filled too high. Has a crack near the Tee wall area.

I'm concerned about mentioning cistern, food root cellar, and 'small animal house' (what is that?????) I get worried. Food, water, and critter wastes shouldn't be that close, or critter wastes above the food & water storage? I hope I don't quite understand, but that line makes me very uneasy.

--->Paul

[Sparticle]

I guess with pictures it'd be easier. I have to go out of town, but I'll be working on those.

The animals won't be pooping in their house, just a place for some doggie beds with a doggie door to the outside. Each "room" - the cistern, animal house and root cellar; would be separated by 12" concrete blocks - some filled.

When I can get it together I'll post.

[uncle Will in In.]

A concrete block wall wouldn't be very good to support the presure a wall of water would exert on it. I would not put the cistern against your foundation. The cistern wall would be more stable it it were made of poured concrete reinforced with rebar. The cistern walls will sometimes have great pressure outwards when full, and just the reverse when the water is low. Round containers are much stronger than flat sided ones.

[Sparticle]

Originally Posted by uncle Will in In.

A concrete block wall wouldn't be very good to support the presure a wall of water would exert on it. I would not put the cistern against your foundation. The cistern wall would be more stable it it were made of poured concrete reinforced with rebar. The cistern walls will sometimes have great pressure outwards when full, and just the reverse when the water is low. Round containers are much stronger than flat sided ones.

Well Poop. I could move the cistern then. So jury still out on the root cellar then.