Q&A for How to Build an Underground Fort

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Can you build a bunker in your backyard?

Andrew Peters
Architecture & Construction Specialist
Andrew Peters is an Architecture and Construction Specialist and a Principal at Peters Design-Build, a full service architecture and construction firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 20 years of experience, Andrew specializes in sustainable and holistic design and building practices. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-Accredited Professional. He served as Project Manager for the international-award-winning “Refract House,” Team California’s entry in the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, a project featured in over 600 online and print articles.

Andrew Peters

Architecture & Construction Specialist

Expert Answer

You may be able to do this depending on where you live, but there's going to be a fair number of restrictions on this. You should definitely reach out to your city to get the proper permits and licenses before you start digging.

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Question

How do I keep unwanted people out of my fort?

Community Answer

Set up booby traps, or try to disguise your fort so it can't be seen from above. You could also make your fort deep enough in the ground so that you need a ladder to get down into it, then pull the ladder down after you.

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Question

Can I make a fort that has many rooms? How would I connect them?

Community Answer

If you want a fort that has many rooms you may want to connect them with tunnels, but make sure that you have something holding up the ceiling so it does not collapse.

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Question

Is there another way to get out without rope or bricks?

Community Answer

Yes. You can put in a durable ladder or put in a wooden ramp with handles on the sides. Make sure the wood is rough, not smooth. The last option is to install a rock climbing wall to climb out.

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Question

Can I make a roof out of a tarp, then put dirt on it?

Community Answer

No. Dirt gets heavier the wetter it gets, plus the tarp will hold water. If it rains, the tarp could collapse, and the person in the fort could suffocate.

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Question

Do I have to put in wood for support?

Community Answer

No, you can use other materials as well, such as metal or durable plastic. Wood is the cheapest and easiest to use, however. Support is optional, but highly recommended, as it will make your fort safer.

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Question

Can I use an underground fort as a refuge during emergencies?

Community Answer

It would depend on the emergency. It would be good for some, such as hiding from intruders, or tornadoes, but bad for others, such as a flood. Use common sense.

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Question

How can I keep my fort from collapsing?

Community Answer

Install upright posts, or build a roman arch, or line the walls and ceiling with thick steel sheets, or don't put heavy blocks of iron on top of it.

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Question

How do I make it blend into the ground so only I now about it?

Community Answer

Try placing sod over it and add holes for air. The sod will make it look like nothing is there, and the air holes will allow you to breathe. You MUST be able to breathe, so ensure that air is circulating at all times. Also be careful that whatever you place on top cannot collapse and kill you.

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Question

How long should it take?

Community Answer

This could take a couple of days to a couple of weeks, depending on how deep it is, how much time you have, and if you will have friends to help you or not.

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Question

What can I do if snakes get into the fort?

Community Answer

Get a snake removal product, or call an exterminator.

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Question

I believe that someone has dug a hideaway under my mobile home. My husband says I'm crazy and won't investigate. How can I discover their presence without effecting the stability of the piers?

Community Answer

You won't affect stability by looking. The tunneler may already have. Consider asking the police to check it out for your own safety.

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Question

How do I stabilize the support beams for an underground fort?

Community Answer

Use beams of a strong and durable material to help with supporting the fort.

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Question

Is it a bad idea to mount a Vulcan to defend the fort and not camouflage it?

Community Answer

It's kind of a bad idea. You should try to camouflage it or make the flap big enough to put the Vulcan and the shooter on it. Kind of like a tank

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Question

How deep in the ground can I build a fort?

Community Answer

You can make it as deep as you want (although you should avoid digging more than 6 feet), but the deeper you go, the riskier it is. If you're going to go deeper than a few feet, you will need assistance.

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Question

Can I build an underground fort near a cornfield?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as the ground around it can support the underground fort.

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Question

What if neighbors see the extension cord?

Community Answer

You can invite them over, or ask them to be careful of the cord and not trip over it.

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Question

How can I prevent my dogs from getting into my fort and messing it up?

Community Answer

Consider putting a fence around your fort so that your dogs can't get in. You can also try to train your dogs not to mess your fort up.

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Question

Can I build an underground fort if bugs and worms are in the dirt?

Community Answer

Sure. You'll have bugs, worms and other creepy crawly critters in the dirt as you dig. They won't interfere with the construction of your fort. The only insect that may cause concern after the construction would be ants, but safe products on the market can be used to eliminate these. You can save the worms for fishing if you're into that sort of thing.

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Question

Is there a way to keep a forge or small camping gas stove in the fort without a risk of collapse, preferably without much reinforcement?

Community Answer

No. This poses a serious carbon monoxide risk, which could be dangerous to your health (or even fatal).

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Question

Could I use the fort for a camping trip?

Community Answer

You probably could build an underground fort while on a camping trip, but it's a lot of work and completely immobile. You'd probably do better for yourself to just bring a tent for shelter. At the very least, you'd want a tent in case your fort collapsed or got flooded.

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Question

What if my parents find out?

Community Answer

You really should get permission from your parents before you start building your fort.

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Question

How do I dig a hole that deep?

Community Answer

You need patience. You also need a couple of friends or relatives. And even with that said, making this fort may take a while.

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Question

Can I make a fort into the side of a hill?

Community Answer

Yes, you can, but be sure you have permission from the property owner before you start digging. Also, digging too deeply can cause cave-ins and that could kill you, so always have a parent inspect your work before you enter.

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Question

How long will it take to dig a four-by-eight foot hole?

Community Answer

It really depends on how much time you spend on it, and how much help you have.

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Question

How do I build an underground fort that will keep spiders out?

Community Answer

Spiders hate peppermint, so if you put peppermint oil, soap and water in a spray bottle and spray it around the edges, roof and any place the spiders can get in, that may help.

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Question

What if I was inside and an intruder/burglar tried to come in, how would I get to safety in that case?

Community Answer

I built a trap that activates a blinding light so they can't attack, then I crawl through a tunnel that leads outside where I can scare them off with my Bowie knife.

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Question

Can I dig into the side of a small hill as long as I use support beams?

Community Answer

As long as you use support beams, it should stay up. Just make sure it doesn't collapse before you add beams.

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Question

What if my mom doesn't let me dig in our backyard?

Community Answer

See if you can get permission to dig in a friend's backyard or build another kind of fort.

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Question

My yard is really small and has trees in it. Where else could I build an underground fort?

Community Answer

If you have a side yard, you could build it there. Unfortunately, making a fort in a side yard means there is a risk of accidentally digging into your neighbors' yard.

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