This Man Started Digging A Hole In His Yard, Then Neighbors Realize Why
Owning property means that barring doing anything illegal, you can customize your land in whatever ways you want. A man named Wayne Martin took that concept very seriously. He had a vision for what he wanted his backyard to look like, and he wasn't going to let anything stop him from making his vision a reality. In order to create his secret project, Wayne had to start by digging a giant hole in his backyard.
At first, it looked like Wayne was absolutely crazy, but as the weeks went by, his plan started to become clear to everybody around him.
Digging Up Dirt
If you looked into Wayne Martin's backyard before his project was completed, you may have seen something resembling the photo above. For this image, it looks like Wayne was planning on installing an inground pool in his backyard. While that would be a good guess, that wasn't exactly what Wayne had in mind.
Digging this giant hole was just the first step in his master plan. Next, he had to fill that hole with a whole lot of stuff.
Finding The Perfect Shipping Container
Before Wayne even started digging that hole in his backyard, he went on a search for the perfect shipping container. Why did he need a shipping container, you ask? That will become very clear in just a moment.
Wayne started searching for shipping containers online, and it didn't take too long for him to find the perfect container for the perfect price. The container had already served its purpose in life and its previous owner was looking for someone to take it off his hands.
Getting A Tight Seal
Now that Wayne had his shipping container, he had to make sure that it was completely water-tight. Wayne sealed the container's giant double doors shut, and cut out a more secure entrance at the short end. He then fitted that entrance with a very secure door.
When he installed the door, he made sure that it swung inward, not outward. That may not make much sense to you now, but when you find out what he did next, you'll understand his logic.
Fitting The Container Into The Hole
Wayne had to make sure that the hole he dug was wide enough and deep enough to accommodate his shipping container. You've probably guessed by now that Wayne intended on lowering the shipping container into the hole.
Wayne made sure that the hole at least two feet deeper than the height of the container. He also left some extra room around all four sides of the container. It's always better to measure twice and dig once.
The Importance Of Pea Gravel
After digging the hole but before putting the container into the hole, Wayne lined the bottom of the hole with a layer of pea gravel. The gravel would make the ground under the container level. It also would let water drain away from the container and into the soil underneath without the foundation of the structure becoming too soft and muddy.
Wayne's plan for this hole was all starting to come together. He could see the final product in his mind.
Calling In For Backup
Wayne set out to do this project on his own, but a professional knows that sometimes you have to call for backup. There are some projects that are more D.I.O. (do it ourselves) than D.I.Y. (do it yourself).
Wayne needed some heavy machinery to help him lift the very heavy shipping container and then lower it into the hole. He didn't have a crane on hand, so he reached out to someone who did. Calling in a professional was definitely the right move.
A Perfect Fit
The crane carefully picked up Wayne's customized shipping container and lowered it into the pea gravel lined hole that he had dug. It was a perfect fit! Those extra couple feet of space around the edges of the container really made a difference.
Now that the container was in the right spot, Wayne got to work on making sure the container was stable and secure. After that, he could start customizing the interior of the container.
A Royal Entrance
Because the bunker is located underground, Wayne had to build a staircase next to the bunker's entrance so people could easily climb in and out of the space. Wayne laid down a set of concrete steps, and he made sure the top stair was at the same level as the top of his bunker.
Wayne going have just thrown a ladder into the hole, but he wanted something that would be safer and more structurally sound.
A Grand Entryway
We already shed some light on how the staircase would be the only way in and out of the bunker, but Wayne wasn't satisfied with just a regular entranceway. Once he had the roof all set up and secure, he got to work making a grand entranceway for his bunker.
He left an opening from the roof and set up some rebar to help keep everything supported. This is such an underrated aspect of his whole project. Why go to the trouble of all of this if you're going to have a simple entranceway? Go big or go home.
The Importance Of Support Beams
For Wayne, stability was the name of the game. He didn't want his bunker rocking around in the dirt. That's why he installed these two I-beams to ensure his bunker was as stable as possible.
That way, if the dirt under the bunker moved or shifted, the bunker would still stay in place. The support beams also acted as a frame of sorts for Wayne's plans for the exterior of the bunker. Next, he needed to install a roof.
What's A Sump Pump?
Every good bunker needs a sump pump. Oh yeah, if you haven't guessed by now, Wayne is making a bunker in his backyard. A sump pump is a piece of equipment used in plumbing that helps drain water out of enclosed spaces.
Wayne installed the sump pump in the ground next to his bunker to ensure that all of his hard work wouldn't end up soaking wet the next time it rained. Ths bunker won't be flooding any time soon.
Roof Construction Begins
I guess I didn't consider that when you're installing an underground bunker, you need to take the necessary precautions to make sure the roof is stable too. Wayne added a tone of framework on top to support a roof, which makes a ton of sense why he added the I-beams in the first place.
This also helps show just what he has in store for the rest of the bunker. I'm glad he made sure to dig that hole a little extra deep because this looks like it's going to blend in perfectly with the rest of his yard.
A Roof Below The Ground
It's kind of hard to think about a roof being underground, but that's precisely the plan here. Wayne laid down heavy sheets of metal down across the framework that is stable enough to support a person's weight... and even a dog!
Obviously, this is just the first steps to laying down the roof, but it gives us a great idea of what they had planned. Now that the exterior was taking shape, we still need to know what's going on with the inside of the bunker. What's he planning on putting in there anyway?
Concrete Block After Concrete Block
Obviously, Wayne took safety very seriously when he was putting together his bunker. Not only did he make sure that his bunker was safe and secure in the ground, but he also made sure that everything was up to code.
This was clearly built to last, and it almost seems like this could work as a makeshift bomb shelter if need be. But is that what Wayne's been building this whole time, or does he have a different plan for his underground bunker?
Installing Air Vents
As crucial as it was to make sure there was a sump pump installed to make sure that water could be filtered through the soil, the most important addition was the air vents. You probably won't be able to last very long underground without access to fresh air, so Wayne made sure to install two 12-inch air vents in the front and back of the bunker.
This is probably a good indicator that Wayne plans to spend a good amount of time in his bunker, but for what reason? It's actually way more practical than you might think.
It's Concrete Time
You might have thought that everything was already in place, but Wayne wasn't taking any chances. The ground can move and shift, especially in the winter when it freezes, so Wayne made sure to encase his bunker in concrete along the sides as well as on top of the roof.
As you can see, this is a perfect pour. Everything looks nice and smooth, and should be able to fit in perfectly with the rest of his yard. You can see how much of his yard has been taken over by this project, but it's quickly coming together and is all going to be worth it in the end.
A Thick Layer Of The Stuff
If you thought that Wayne just put a thin layer of concrete over his bunker, you'd be dead wrong. He made sure to put six inches over the top, which is surprisingly thick. It looks like he plans on making his bunker safe and secure, and able to take a beating, whether it be rain, sleet, or snow.
Now that he has his bunker set up to protect against anything life has to throw at it, he can get to work on the interior of the project.
Essential Building Blocks
Once all that concrete dried, Wayne went back to basics and added even more cinder blocks through the rebar to his entryway. Clearly, he wanted the entryway to stand out and really be protected.
As the only part of the bunker that would have to deal with the elements, more protection is always better. That door is definitely going to take a beating over the years, so any way you can block out things like poor weather conditions or animals, the better. Now that he's finally done the outside, we can take a trip down those steps to see what the inside is like!
The Temporary Support Beams Came Out
As we've said time and time again, when doing a project like this, safety is key. There's absolutely no reason to cut corners and not take every precaution necessary that your bunker is safe and secure. And when you're spending this kind of time and money, it just doesn't pay to take shortcuts.
So once the concrete dried and was stable, Wayne could finally remove the support beams that helped keep the roof secured. All those cinderblocks looked like they were for show, but they all helped provide the foundation for a perfect bunker.
A Little Bit Of Landscaping
The last thing you want is for you bunker to be sitting out in the middle of your yard in a dirt pit, so Wayne made sure to use some high-end soil to fill the space surrounding the entrance. That means he can go back once everything is done and plant some plants to help it blend in and fit with the rest of his lawn.
You can see that the finished product won't even make it look like there was a giant hole there in the first place. And I doubt anyone will expect to find a bunker laying underneath.
A Wonderful Wine Cellar
I don't know what I was expecting, but I don't think I was expecting this cellar to be filled with wine. However, it makes a lot of sense. Wine and other liquor (is that bourdon, I see?) are best stored underground, and the cool atmosphere should help it last for generations to come.
But is that the only reason he built this bunker, or does he have even bigger plans for this cellar?
A Multi-Purpose Room
The great thing about a container like this is that it can fit so many different needs. As you can see from the back, there is plenty of room for storage, so while he has plans for filling it with wine, it could also be a great place to store your Christmas decorations or non-perishable foods in case of an emergency.
Imagine that something bad like a natural disaster happens? Now Wayne has a shelter built to meet his needs if he needs to hunker down for a couple of hours, or even a couple of days. And the best part is that it doesn't take up any space in his yard because it's all underground!
You Can Access Wayne's Plans
One of the most interesting aspects of Wayne's project is that with a little bit of money and some resources, anyone can do this themselves. Instead of creating his own secret bunker, Wayne decided to share his masterpiece with the world, down to how he created it.
He even shared the specs of his container, noting the aspects that builders will need to pay close attention to if they attempt to recreate it themselves. Wayne even provided some tips he learned along the way.
Some Tips And Tricks
While Wayne was finished with his bunker, he did share a couple of tips or recommendations for people who might also try to install their very own bunker. One of his suggestions is adding handrails down to the stairs for security. Frankly, that's a great idea, especially if you live somewhere cold where those stairs could get icy and slippery.
Also, he said that it might make sense to build a small overhang over the entrance. Again, this would be a great idea if you live somewhere where the elements could leave your stairs icy or even fill the hole with rainwater. Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to help keep critters out of your walkway.
Another Similar Bunker
Although we're not currently fighting a war on American soil, many people still have bunkers in their homes. During the Cold War the federal government recommended that people create fallout shelters and bunkers in their basement, or buried in their backyard.
They recommended using as much concrete as possible, and a strong roof. During the 1960s, the shelters weren't designed very well, but now people have more access to information and resources. So how many Americans have bunkers today?
A Whole Bunker Business
In early 2017, container and bunker building companies saw their business greatly increase. Americans were compelled to prepare for a war-time situation as foreign relations tension and uncertainty of the future grew.
Clyde Scott, who owns Rising Bunkers, a bunker building company based in Texas, said business was at an all-time high in 2016-2017. His sales have increased an incredible 400 percent, according to Independent and have grown to a $10 million a year business.
The Cost Of Wayne's Bunker
In the end, all of Wayne's hard work came at a price, but it's way more reasonable than you might think. All in all, Wayne spent $12,500 on his DIY bunker, which is insanely reasonable.
He did say that he did most of the work all by himself, and he did have his own tractor, which likely helped with things like filling in the soil and even digging the hole in the first place. This is one resourceful way to go about creating a bunker. Other people are turning to the emerging bunker companies that will help build one for you.
Preparing For The Worst
President and CEO of Utah Shelter Systems, Paul Seyfried says their bunker business has been very busy in recent years. Although his customers are all over the country, Seyfried said the majority are ordered in New York, California, and Texas.
Seyfried told Fox13, "The smallest shelters start at around $50,000. The largest shelters we build, a 12 [foot] by 50 [foot] usually runs right around $100,000." Most customers are building the bunkers for their families, and are able to deflect electromagnetic pulses and radiation.
Bunkers For Sale
Vivos xPoint is a decommissioned army base located in South Dakota. It hasn't been used since 1967, but now there are plans to utilize the war-era bunkers once again, this time for citizens. There are an incredible 575 concrete bunkers located "off-the-grid" in the grasslands, near the Wyoming border, and they're planning on building more.
Bunkers here are available to lease for $25,000 for 99 years, plus $1,000 annually. They're spacious at 1,590 or 2,120 square feet. However, there's no plumbing, electricity, or air filtration, so they need some work.
Totally Customizable
Atlas Survival Shelters, based in California, said it sold 30 shelters in three days when Donald Trump took office. Compare that to the 10 they sold in the entire year of 2011 and it's easy to argue that interested has increased.
The bunkers they create are designed to include the comforts of home. So if you're wanting to take shelter without feeling like you're hiding in an unfinished basement, this is a good option. Many of their customers are baby boomers who remember the threat of a nuclear or missile attack from when they were younger and want to be prepared.
