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    Making a toilet from a barrel in the country with your own hands is quite simple. You just need to find a container of suitable volume, which is made of reliable materials, and install it in a previously dug hole. After the construction of a booth made of wood or brick, you will receive an outdoor bathroom. It can be used at any time of the year. At the same time, he has all the necessary characteristics that a street bathroom for a summer cottage should have.

    Country toilet

    Characteristics of a bathroom using a container

    One of the most successful design schemes for a cesspool for a toilet in the country is one where a container without a bottom is installed in the pit. The advantage of this option is that there is no need to pump out the accumulated liquid, since it is absorbed into the soil. Due to the small amount of waste, they have time to penetrate the ground. Moreover, their volume should not exceed 1 m 3 per day. If you neglect this recommendation, waste will accumulate in the sump from the tank. This will lead to the formation of an unpleasant odor in the area.

    This option for arranging a cesspool is not suitable for summer cottages where high level groundwater... In this case, all impurities will penetrate into the soil, where they will pollute the drinking source.

    Therefore, the best way out of this situation is to install a volumetric sealed barrel. She will play the role of a septic tank.

    In this case, using special equipment, it is necessary to regularly pump out the liquid. In order not to do this too often, you need to install a large capacity container.

    In order to reduce the size of the septic tank, in this case it is recommended to install a complex structure.

    It involves the installation of two or even three containers where waste will accumulate. Moreover, the last of them can be made without a bottom.

    In this case, it is necessary to additionally use aerobic or anaerobic strains of microorganisms. They are added to the first container, where they break down biological waste. As a result, solid particles settle to the bottom. The already purified liquid is transferred to the next container. It, passing through an additional filtration layer of sand, enters the soil without contaminating it.

    Also, when choosing a scheme for arranging a cesspool, you need to choose the right material from which the barrel will be made. It is best to use metal or plastic containers. Each of these types of materials has its own advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before the installation process.

    Metal containers - advantages and disadvantages

    Do-it-yourself metal containers have a number of significant disadvantages that directly affect the durability of the constructed structure. These include:


    • low corrosion resistance of the material. After 3-4 years, such a container becomes unusable, since it is impossible to repair it;
    • in most cases, this option for arranging a cesspool can be expensive. Metal containers are quite expensive;
    • complexity of installation. If you use an overall container with massive walls, it is quite difficult to install it without the help of special equipment;
    • you can only use containers with a wall thickness of 15-16 mm. They are often very difficult to find.

    The advantages of this material include their resistance to frequent temperature changes. He is not afraid of severe frosts when deep layers of the soil freeze. Also, such a container has a lot of weight, which will more reliably fix it in the ground.

    Plastic containers

    For arranging a cesspool with your own hands, plastic is considered a more successful material than metal.

    It has many advantages:

    • long service life. Plastic can be used to equip a cesspool for a toilet in the country for 40 years;
    • due to their low weight, these containers are very easy to install without the help of outsiders or special equipment;
    • plastic is resistant to the harmful effects of biological fluids or special chemical compounds that are used for waste processing;
    • prevents sewage from entering the soil through the walls of the tank;
    • the cost of such a capacity is quite low;
    • plastic is very vicious and will not collapse under the pressure of soil or drains.

    The disadvantages of this material include its instability to the effects low temperatures... To fix this, the plastic walls of the container must be insulated with a layer mineral wool... Also, a barrel made of plastic, due to its low weight, can float.

    To prevent this, its walls must be securely fixed in the ground.

    How to choose the right place for installing a bathroom?


    When choosing a place to install a toilet in the country with your own hands, you must adhere to the following rules:


    The first stage is the arrangement of a cesspool from a tank

    When making an outdoor toilet with your own hands from a plastic barrel, you must first of all dig a pit of suitable size. In this case, the use of a galvanized metal container is also allowed. But it must be borne in mind that it has a much shorter service life.

    A pit for a toilet, which is equipped with your own hands, should have a depth that is 25-30 cm greater than the height of the container.This is necessary for arranging a filtration field, which will help cleanse waste, and a clean liquid without harmful impurities will be absorbed into the soil. Also, this pit should be 10-20 cm wider from the tank. This gap is needed to fix the tank inside the pit.


    When the hole is dug, fill its bottom with a layer of fine gravel 20 cm thick. Lay the sand on top for another 10-15 cm. In this case, each layer must be carefully tamped so that no voids are formed. After that, you need to install a barrel without a bottom, so that its upper edge rises above the ground surface by 7-8 cm. In the future, this will greatly facilitate the dismantling of the container.

    On the sides of the walls, you need to fill in rubble. It should reach 2/3 of the height of the container. Lay a layer of clay on top to ground level. When the hole is completely filled, cover the soil surface with fine gravel. Also, additionally lay a layer of sand on top, reaching the level of the upper edge of the container.

    Pouring the foundation

    In parallel with installing a container without a bottom with your own hands, or after that, you need to start building the foundation for the future toilet. This construction phase consists of the following processes:


    Construction of the ground part of the street bathroom

    After setting up the foundation for the street toilet with your own hands and installing the container, you need to start building the booth. This process consists of the following steps:

    1. A piece of roofing material must be laid on the surface of the foundation.
    2. A wooden beam with a size of 100x100 mm must be used for bottom strapping bases under the floor. Before that, it must be treated with an antiseptic solution.
    3. To build a reliable base, install the bars around the perimeter of the structure and in the middle of the long side of the structure, attach them with nuts, after placing them on metal pins.
    4. Use 40 mm planks to build the floor of the future toilet. In this case, it is necessary to leave a hole for the toilet, where the container is located.
    5. Fasten 4 wooden posts in the corners of the base. Two of them should have a height of 2 m, and the other two - 2.2 m. Choose bars with a section of 100x50 mm. You need to attach them using metal corners and wooden spacers. Check the verticality of the uprights before final installation of the frame.
    6. Install additional columns of the same section on the front wall under the door. The opening width should be 0.7 m and the height 1.97.
    7. Fasten the uprights on the other side with a vertical lintel at a level of 1.77 m, which will also be the basis for the roof.
    8. Along the structure, resting on the installed lintels, attach two rafter legs.
    9. Use 40 mm thick planks for the roof batten, which must be attached to the rafters with ordinary nails.
    10. Install the OSB sheet to the lattice roofing using screws, which will act as a base for the roofing material.
    11. Use soft bituminous shingles or roofing felt as a covering. It is necessary to choose materials that will not create additional stress on the structure.
    12. For wall cladding, use a grooved or semi-grooved board 2-4 cm thick.
    13. So that inside the building it is not hot in summer and cold in winter, you need to make thermal insulation with your own hands. To do this, install foam sheets in the inner plane of the frame. After that, you need to additionally sew up the walls with another layer of the board.
    14. Apply a special impregnation to all wooden elements, which will protect their surface from the harmful effects of moisture and other negative environmental factors. You can also additionally use fire retardants.
    15. Install doors on the curtains. You can equip them with a small window to illuminate the interior space of the room during the daytime.

    Internal arrangement of a street bathroom

    Before carrying out internal work indoors, you need to lay a cable for the lighting device. This can be done by hand by entering the electrical wiring through the mast, which must be attached to the back wall of the bathroom. Moreover, its height is 2.5 m. open way... The wire cross-section must be at least 2.5 mm 2. Use a 40W or less lamp for lighting.


    For the construction of the seat, use bars with a section of 30x60 cm. Construct a frame 400 mm high from them, and attach with self-tapping screws. Finished construction needs to be sheathed with plywood or OSB board. In this case, do not forget to leave a hole in the place where the plastic container will be installed. In the final step, attach the seat with a lid that is used for a regular toilet. When everything is ready, paint the interior and exterior surfaces of the bathroom with paint or varnish, which will extend its life and help keep the wood intact.

    So in a simple way you can independently build an outdoor toilet using an ordinary plastic or metal container.

    Video: Septic tank: types, principle of operation and installation

    As soon as they appeared on the market, potential consumers for a long time still looked at them with some skepticism, because they were not sure of their reliability. Time passed, and it became clear that plastic containers can be used for a variety of purposes, because they can withstand the stress placed on them. They are environmentally friendly, durable, and unlike metal, they are not subject to corrosion, durable, unpretentious. They are used to store water, grain, chemicals, fuel, etc. They have become very popular for the organization of autonomous sewerage.

    The containers can be used both inside buildings and outside. Since there are more risks outside that they will be exposed to mechanical, thermal stress, etc., often, plastic containers are installed for a reason above the earth's surface. They are partially or completely buried in the ground. It is most convenient to bury the container completely in the ground so that it does not interfere, does not take up extra space on the site.

    When can a plastic container be buried in the ground?

    This is usually done when it is planned to store some kind of liquid in it. It can be water, fuel, sewage waste, etc. Ready-made liners can also be attributed to plastic containers, for example, for creating artificial pond on summer cottage or even a whole pool. They also mean the storage of water.

    How to bury the container properly in the ground?

    It is necessary to dig a pit and install a container. If you need to connect pipes to this container, you need to do this, after which, you need to fill everything up, leaving only the hatch, if it is a closed tank. If it is a pool or a pond, a container for storing fish, you will need to fill up the soil on the sides, tamp it in order to fix it securely. It only seems so simple, but in fact the process is quite complicated and time-consuming. Much depends on the size of the container. The larger it is, the more the pit needs to be dug.

    The pit can be dug:

    • manually;
    • using special equipment.

    If this is a small pond liner, for example, you can do all the work yourself or ask someone from your family or friends to help. A pit of the appropriate size is being dug. At the bottom of it, a special cushion of rubble and sand is made so that the container is installed securely, does not move and does not change position after it is filled. It is important, when installing a plastic container in the ground, to make sure that the ground and groundwater do not force it back up. To prevent this from happening, special metal fasteners are used for the container, which are installed in the form of a reinforcing cage on a concrete slab. Low grade concrete is used for pouring this slab. In the same case, when it is necessary to protect the container as much as possible from displacement by soil and groundwater, when filling it, sand mixed with cement is used, which also provides additional fixation and reliability. All this is not necessary if the groundwater is located deep. But, if they lie at a shallow depth, it is better not to be lazy and not save, because, otherwise, you will still have to spend both time and money.

    If the groundwater is shallow and you need a reliable fixation of the tank during installation, and this is not just a decorative pond, but something more important, for example, a tank for sewerage or a tank for storing a supply of water, it is better for professionals to do the work. Yes, it will cost more than self-installation, but also a 100% quality guarantee, while amateurs could make mistakes.

    Features of installing a plastic container in the ground

    • At the first stage, the place is determined where the pit will be dug and the container is installed. For example, if this is a tank for a storage of imported water or sewage waste, access roads are also needed so that the special equipment serving them can freely drive up and then leave.
    • The pit must be dug of sufficient depth and width to provide free space on the sides. You cannot stop halfway and try to squeeze the container into an almost suitable size pit. You can damage, violate its integrity at the same time. Therefore, it is better not to rush and dig a pit with the required parameters.
    • It is better to carry out work in the warm season, not in winter, so that the soil is not frozen and the air temperature is not too low.
    • A sand-cement, sand-gravel mixture or a concrete slab can be used as a pillow, depending on the characteristics of the soil, the depth of groundwater, the volume and purpose of the container itself.
    • To prevent the container from floating up, you can use not only the frame, but also special cables that are attached to concrete slab installed from below.
    • If the container needs to be installed at a greater depth, it will be necessary to purchase an additional neck in order to lengthen it and have access from the surface of the earth.

    Professional services for the installation of plastic containers in the ground

    If you turn to specialists, they will do the job quickly and efficiently. Experts will study the type of soil, the depth of groundwater, choose the optimal place on the site in order to install the container, take into account its volume, features, select suitable type special equipment, a method of reinforcement, if needed. You can be sure that the container will be installed as it should, its integrity and all other characteristics will be preserved.

    When constructing cesspools or local treatment facilities quite often they use ready-made containers from various materials... This approach makes it possible to somewhat simplify the installation process, save on the construction of the pit walls.

    The barrel for the sewage system allows you to get a sealed tank for the collection and processing of sewage with minimal financial costs.

    Such containers have been used quite widely for a number of years. The main reason was that metal barrels for sewerage, as well as cisterns of various sizes, it was quite easy to acquire at the residual value during the period of the collapse of many industrial enterprises.

    At the current stage, the acquisition of a metal container of a significant volume is a rather problematic and expensive task, therefore, most often, standard household 200-250 liter metal barrels are used for the installation of small drain pits.

    Due to the fact that the volume of such a sewer structure will be limited, the expediency of using such a material exists only when constructing a pit in a summer cottage, where it is not expected permanent residence and the amount of effluent will be insignificant.


    These barrels are highly durable, they are able to withstand significant mechanical stress.

    But it should be borne in mind that metal constructions have a number of disadvantages that significantly limit the scope of their application:

    • Low resistance to corrosion and decay. Most household barrels are made of sheet metal, which, together with the aggressive properties of sewage and groundwater, significantly reduces the working life of the sewer storage device.
    • The limited volume will necessitate the continuous removal of the collected effluent from the pit. In this case, the question of their disposal will certainly arise, it is inappropriate to call the sewage equipment because of 200 liters.

    Generally speaking, domestic metal drums can be used as casing for a small drainage well. In this case, you can even dock 2-3 barrels, which will increase the volume of the device. The metal will prevent the pit walls from shattering, while the removed bottom and staggered holes will filter moisture.

    Of course, the use of a metal tank will allow you to build a septic tank that meets all the requirements. Some manufacturers produce similar installations, but such a device will have significant weight, which entails the need to use lifting equipment during installation.

    Plastic containers for sewerage

    Plastic barrels for sewerage are quite popular today. It is not difficult to find a vessel with a capacity of up to 3-4 cubic meters, and this volume is already enough for a full-fledged overflow septic tank.

    To the advantages of barrels from polymer materials experts attribute the following properties:

    • Resistance to corrosive processes, due to which such a container can be operated for up to 30-50 years.
    • High mechanical strength, which is practically not inferior to metal containers.
    • Almost all types of plastic used are resistant to aggressive chemical compounds that are part of sewage and groundwater.
    • The plastic container ensures the tightness of the septic tank; it does not need additional waterproofing.

    For objectivity, it is worth mentioning a significant drawback of the tokay barrel.

    With a low weight, it has a significant volume. It is this factor that can lead to the expulsion of the container to the surface under the influence of groundwater or frost heaving of the soil.

    In this regard, the installation of a septic tank from a plastic barrel requires additional measures for its fastening.

    Before you bury the barrel under the sewer, it is worth determining its optimal location on the site. There are a number of fairly stringent sanitary requirements for permissible distances to residential buildings, site boundaries, and water supply sources. If possible, you should entrust the choice of the installation site to an experienced specialist who can take into account all the nuances of the site and the placement of buildings and communications.

    The plastic barrel is installed in a previously prepared foundation pit, the dimensions of which must exceed the dimensions of the container. This will allow the structure to be insulated, if necessary, and secure the container securely.

    The depth of the pit should ensure that the barrel is installed so that the level of the inlet hole coincides with the depth of the supply sewer pipe:

    • At the bottom of the pit, a sand or crushed stone pillow with a thickness of at least 20 cm is arranged.
    • After that, it is necessary to concrete the base, while it is worthwhile to install the frame with anchors or hinges for the subsequent fastening of the container.
    • After the foundation has gained sufficient strength (5-7 days), you can start installing the barrel in its working position.
    • The container is fastened to the foundation using a band made of cables or steel strips.
    • If necessary, the septic tank is insulated with polyurethane foam or extruded polystyrene foam.
    • Before starting backfilling of soil, it is necessary to fill the container to a certain level. In this case, it is worth following the manufacturer's recommendations; for containers made of various polymeric materials, there may be their own peculiarities of backfilling.
    • All inlet and outlet communications, a ventilation pipe are connected to the barrel, after which it is finally covered with soil.

    With reliable fastening and compliance with other technological requirements for installation, a plastic barrel can serve as a septic tank for a fairly long time. Today, it is polymer containers that are considered one of the most best materials for these structures.

    Living in a private house requires an autonomous sewerage system. It consists of internal wiring, external piping and storage (or VOC). For residents of suburban settlements or houses of temporary (seasonal) residence, a cesspool remains relevant as The best way collection and partial processing of waste.

    For independent home craftsmen, we will tell you how a cesspool is constructed from a barrel. This is an extremely simple option that requires a minimum of funds in construction. Taking into account our recommendations, you can easily arrange an autonomous sewage system with a cesspool.

    Previously, the word "septic tank" was unknown, and the role of the only possible place for waste collection was played by a cesspool.

    Structurally, all the cesspools were similar, the difference concerned the presence or absence of any capacity. Often an ordinary hole was dug in the ground, and a wooden "birdhouse" house was erected above it. Such outdoor toilets can still be found in old suburban settlements.

    The modern version of the toilet located "in the yard" is a beautiful house, neatly painted and decorated with flowers. Under it is buried a sewer tank with a throat for pumping out

    A pit without a sealed container is an environmental threat to garden plot... If the owners of the house are interested in the purity of the soil and water, they must place a reservoir in the cesspool.

    Previously, it was made from boards or bricks, now - from concrete rings or monolithic concrete. Often used are barrels, metal or plastic, specially designed for the arrangement of sewage systems.

    Even a large sealed reservoir made from modified plastic is just a reservoir that fills up quickly and needs to be pumped out regularly. Exactly because of this reason cesspools absolutely not suitable for family cottages.

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