Constructing a vault toilet

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How to build a vault toilet

Introduction

Constructing a vault toilet is a great way to save money and live sustainably. It doesn’t need plumbing, and it uses no electric or other power sources. If done correctly, this project can easily be done by one person in just one day’s time! In this blog post, we’ll take you through each step of the process for constructing your own vault toilet.

STEP 1

  • Dig the pit. The pit should be about 1′ deep and 6′ long.
  • Line the sides of the pit with concrete blocks, making sure they’re level and straight.
  • Build a floor and walls from concrete blocks on top of this foundation layer. The floor should be level and slightly larger than your toilet seat to allow for expansion during freezing temperatures in winter months (which will crack your floor if it is not built correctly). The walls should extend above ground level so that water runs off them rather than into them; this will prevent rot from occurring inside the vault over time, which could lead to structural problems later on down the line if left unchecked. It’s also important that these walls are at least 18″ high so that children cannot access them without being able to see through any windows first (see STEP 3).

STEP 2

  • Use a level to make sure that the blocks are straight. If they are not, it is easy to fix them before they dry.

Use cement mortar to fill in around each block with trowel, spreading evenly over the unpainted surface of the block and filling in any spaces between it and its neighbors. Once this layer has dried completely (it will take about 24 hours), repeat with another layer of concrete blocks and mortar until all four sides have been fully constructed; this will take anywhere from 6-10 hours depending on your speed and how much time you spend leveling out any uneven surfaces before pouring on more concrete.

STEP 3

Next, you’ll want to build the walls. Concrete blocks are the best way to go because they’re durable and easy to work with. You can use pre-cut concrete blocks or make your own using drywall saws. The walls should be at least 4 inches thick and 2 feet high, but if you’d like a taller vault toilet (or one that looks more like an actual bathroom), feel free to increase these measurements accordingly!

To make sure your vault toilet is easy to clean, consider building it in such a way that there’s no gap between its top surface and that of its surrounding frame:

STEP 4

STEP 4: The floor is made of concrete blocks.

This is a sturdy material that can support the weight of a large person, or even several people at once. You don’t want your vault toilet to collapse under pressure!

The concrete blocks are laid out on the ground and then filled with sand, which acts as both a cushion and an insulator. This allows heat from inside the vault toilet to escape without damaging the flooring materials beneath them (and vice versa). If you don’t have access to sand, try using gravel instead—it will still do the job perfectly well!

STEP 5

The next step is to add a base of gravel. This will help to provide proper drainage, and it also prevents seepage from the ground into the vault. Now that you have your gravel base, you can add another layer of concrete blocks for the seat. The concrete blocks should be laid out so that they create an area that is wide enough for people to sit on, but not too deep so as to allow waste or urine to reach the ground through cracks or gaps in between blocks.

Next, build the vault itself. The walls should be built right up against each other until there is no gap visible between them; this will give you an airtight seal when finished! Make sure all corners are flush with one another so water does not collect in any cracks and start dripping down onto your toilet seat below (this could cause mold growth). Remember: don’t skimp on quality here—if it doesn’t look like a fortress when finished then maybe consider adding extra reinforcement around those doors before locking yourself inside at night!

Once finished building your vault toilet structure and sealed off from any environmental factors (i.e., dirt), remove all concrete blocks supporting its position in place—leaving only one end still touching ground level—and cover opening with plastic sheeting secured by duct tape around sides where needed (to prevent falling debris getting inside).

STEP 6

  • REMOVE THE CONCRETE BLOCKS THAT SUPPORT THE VAULT IN POSITION

You can now move the vault toilet to its final location, which is probably going to be near where you want it for your bathroom or shower. Before you permanently seal the vault toilet into place, make sure that the concrete blocks are removed and a drain line has been installed so that it can be easily emptied when it needs to be cleaned out (or changed).

If you’re lucky enough to have an indoor bathroom, then you’ll have no problem installing this kind of system because there will already be plumbing available in your home. For outdoor use or other projects where plumbing isn’t readily accessible, connecting directly into an existing waste system may not be possible—in which case consider using an alternative method such as composting toilets instead!

STEP 7

  • How to empty the vault toilet: After using your vault toilet, you should clean it by flushing water through the flush tube. This will remove any waste and debris. Then, use a large bucket to scoop out any remaining water in the bowl of your vault toilet and dispose of it outside (preferably into a septic system).
  • Cleaning and maintenance: You should clean your vault toilet daily with warm water and baking soda or vinegar. This will prevent odors from developing inside of it. The materials used for construction are resistant to mold growth so there is no need for any special cleaning products other than soap and water when scrubbing down on occasion with an old brush if needed as long as you keep out all water sources from getting inside where they could cause damage over time causing cracks in walls etcetera so please be careful!
  • Storing supplies: You should store all supplies needed for maintaining this product within reach before starting construction work but also outside due to possible fumes or chemicals being used during construction process being harmful if inhaled too much over time so please use caution when working around these materials.”

Conclusion

We hope you now have a better understanding of the process involved in constructing a vault toilet. If you are still unsure about your first steps, then don’t worry! We are here for you and can help answer any questions that may arise along the way. Happy building!