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The following was added March 14, 2009:
Here's a bunch of pictures and text from October 22, that I had not been able to post before.
The normal way to get an in-ground tank to withstand the load of backfill is to fill the tank with water first, but getting 2500 gallons of water delivered to our Boondocks location was iffy at best. The "empty" in-ground storage tank installation pit could not be "quickly" back filled without the tank collapsing under the load, so after first digging by hand down to the bottom of the tank all the way around I used the old tried-and-true method of corrugated roofing applied over 1 inch thick foam insulation to obtain the necessary sidewall rigidity. Plus I used the tractor loader to fill the pit evenly with rock-free fill dirt to keep from tipping or moving the tank. Since there was no way to mechanically fasten the foam board and the corrugated roofing to the tank I used most of two rolls of Gorilla tape to hold the stuff in place until the backfill could be dumped in around it. It worked and it looks okay. A lot more shovel work will be required to shape the berm evenly all the way around. Next year will see the final result.
When ever a large deep hole gets dug in this rocky ground, never fill it in without putting a post in it. You may not have an immediate need for it, but out here something will surely turn up. What, you might wonder, are the four massive pressure treated posts for? Not for the strength of the water tank, although they are very strong. They are the vertical supports for an octagonal 12' diameter gazebo/deck which will eventually be part of our outdoor living space. It will have a very nice view of both the mountains to the North and the valley and ridge line to the South.
While I was working the wind was blowing 20 to 25 mph, with gusts to 35 mph. Not hard as New Mexico winds go, but sharp edged roofing is nasty in any wind. Even though I was wearing gloves and being cautious, the sky gods decided to exact a few extra drops of blood in return for the success of my efforts (see the picture of my right wrist. And my Tetanus shot is current). Not only did I get nicked and scraped, but I suffered the added indignity of being knocked down and thrown into the pit with the water tank. While I was still trying to figure out if anything was broken (specifically me) my dear wife called with a banking question. Now anyone with a sense of humor would have to see the irony in that. All I could say was, "I'm down in the hole!" and of course I answered her question laying flat on my back. (She was not aware of my situation.)
The Hut is coming along nicely. Mondays heavy rains and strong storm winds proved it to be tight and dry. The roof sheathing has been covered with Elastomeric coating for added weather proofing and it stood up fine against the elements.
This rainbow touched the ground right by my cube shack. I ran down there to snag the pot of gold, but I think the IRS must have gotten to it first. You know how they are.*************************************************************************************
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