Another outhouse thread

[jnap31]

why would someone "pump" an outhouse sort of defeats the purpose IMO. Where I live we just dig a big hole and put a simple structure up that is how they made them in eastern KY when I was little also.

[Alex]

Outhouses do not stink, if you put a scoop of lime in after each use, and have a 6" diameter ventilation pipe connecting the space below to 3' above the roof.

People get the wrong idea because they have been in outhouses which do not use lime after each use. Outhouses which are over-used by hundreds in a Park are awful examples of clean, fresh and sanitary private outhouses which get normal if not infrequent use.

Our outhouse is fresh, clean and always welcome when we want another place, especially when we have guests.

We use a scoop of lime each time we go, and there is NO unpleasant odor.

It is a good system, if properly maintained, just like any other plumbing system.

Alex

[jnap31]

Thanks Alex I was beginning to feel out numbered.

[WisJim]

Alex is correct. Even better is a composting toilet, because nothing is lost into the ground, and the finished compost can be used on trees etc., or even more plants if you have decided that the compost harbors no dangerous pathogens.

Septic systems help distribute poluted water into the ground water. It may take years, but if there are too many septic systems in an area, at least some of the discharge is going to make it to the ground water. And while this discharge water from a septic system may not have e. coli bacteria, it may have residue from whatever prescription drugs the users of the system have taken or flushed down the toilet, in addition to other nasty stuff that gets washed down the drain or flushed.

[Salmonberry]

jnap31,

In Alaska often the stuff can accumulate before it is able to break down. I have read many a story of folks sawing off the tip of the "mountain" in the middle of the winter because it had been frozen solid for months and gradually built up over the rim. We still have ice a foot or two down in June. So sometimes we need to assist mother nature.

Salmonberry

[jnap31]

Oh my livingin Alaska must be a real challenge. I just watched alone in the wilderness today first movie I watched all year. That was quite an accomplishment. Did the man in teh story write books about his experiences ? at the end they showed him writing and they said he kept a journal.

[DrippingSprings]

Well when I was small lad we went to my grtgrandpas farm. He was rel;atively wealthy by most standards. he even had a three hole yes a three hole outhouse. He raised eleven kids so it was a necessity. There was a lil small divider between holes so you couldnt see your brother/sister in the act.

Well I needed to go pretty bad so i couldnt wait until another family member left the outhouse. SO I went in and sat on the hole farthest left that had seen lil if any use in 20 years. It was kinda dark over in that corner. SO I was preoccupied with worrying about my cousin Becky hearing any noises I might make so I didnt look in the hole in the seat. I dropped trou and sat down.

In about five seconds a nice sized banana spider about the size of a silver dollar used a certain appendage of mine as a rope as I systemically destroyed his web with a loaf.

Ive never used one since. I worry too much about whats under the underside of the platform under the seat waiting to escape via the short rope when I sit down

[Lynne]

OH MY!!!!!!!! Wouldn't want that on my nether regions!!!!!

[freeinalaska]

Originally Posted by Salmonberry

jnap31,

In Alaska often the stuff can accumulate before it is able to break down. I have read many a story of folks sawing off the tip of the "mountain" in the middle of the winter because it had been frozen solid for months and gradually built up over the rim. We still have ice a foot or two down in June. So sometimes we need to assist mother nature.

Salmonberry

Ahhh...the infamous poopsicle. This is really the only draw back to our outhouse. I have a covered hole in the bottom front of the bench. As winter progresses I uncover the hole, insert an ice chipper bar and whack the end of the bar with a sledge hammer. Poop frozen at 40 below is hard stuff.

As already said a properly maintained outhouse is sanitary and quite pleasant. We usually lime weekly and use a cupfull of hard wood ash for after each use.

[ForestCoCabin]

Oh my gracious - oh my soul - there goes Nelly down the hole.

[Bink]

Originally Posted by DrippingSprings

In about five seconds a nice sized banana spider about the size of a silver dollar used a certain appendage of mine as a rope as I systemically destroyed his web with a loaf.

So that's why they call it a banana spider!

[chas]

An ole girl friends grandad once told me about one of his experiences while perusing the sears catalog(before glossy pictures).
As he sits in the three seater he hears a commotion outside the door.Seems his good sized mil was hikin up her pettycoats and just backs in the door and plops down on the LARGE hole beside him.
She realizes she's not alone and jumps up to make a hasty retreat.The ole boy just says,since now that we know each other quite well now ya might as well finish the job!
The worst experience I had growin up was a very large black snake in front of the door when I looked up from the catalog.When one shows up unexpectedly it nearly scares the$%^& outa ya
I kept the two hole top and the door from the one on my place cause I was told you can repair an old one but can't build a new outhouse