Do-it-yourself dry closet for your dacha: a step-by-step guide to building a peat dry closet

A dry toilet is the name given to a structure designed to satisfy the natural physiological needs of a person. The dry toilet is somewhat different from the usual home bathroom. Structures of this kind are in demand for use in temporary residential conditions. For example, on a personal plot.

Any home craftsman who knows how to hold simple carpentry tools in his hands can set up a comfortable dry closet for his dacha with his own hands. Therefore, the technology of its manufacture is of interest to many hacienda owners.

Before taking action, it is necessary to study the theoretical aspect of construction technology, don’t you agree? All the necessary information is described in detail in the article.

We described how the bio-closet is designed and works, what materials are needed for assembly, and also provided step-by-step instructions for making and arranging a country toilet.

Design and principle of operation of a typical dry closet

This type of toilet is characterized by a simple but interesting technology for processing the contents. The process of recycling fecal waste is carried out exclusively by natural means. At the same time, to enhance the process of natural processing (recycling), organic substances such as sawdust or peat are used.

Often, artificially created microflora is additionally used with these substances.Bioenzymes are also actively used - substances obtained from the life activity of certain types of bacteria.

This is what the simplest DIY toilet design looks like. The installation is located directly on the territory of the personal plot, in the area of ​​least human presence

It is advisable to choose a place where there are a minimum of drafts and protection from direct rays of the sun. Then the comfort for the user will be comparable to the comfort of a home toilet.

Before you familiarize yourself with the manufacturing technology and find out how best to make a dry closet with your own hands, it is recommended to fully understand the essence of the device’s operation.

A the essence of the work of a dry toilet next:

1. The user relieves himself.
2. The product of its vital activity is covered with peat.
3. Aerobic bacteria activate the composting process.
4. The resulting compost matures for some time.

Finally matured (decomposed) compost is a component rich in organic substances that are easily absorbed by plants. The conclusion for the summer resident is obvious: this product is an effective fertilizer for any type of backyard vegetation.

Meanwhile, dry toilets appear not only in summer cottages and in private country houses. There are examples of the successful use of mobile structures of this kind, which are being implemented in long-distance transport.

Railway trains and airplanes have long been equipped with dry toilets. And the same type of structures, slightly modernized, appeared on sea yachts.

A related design for the disposal of waste generated as a result of natural human needs.It differs from a natural dry toilet by using it as an activator for the processing of chemicals. Such a device is suitable for use in the country, but there will be no economic benefit from it

When considering self-made peat dry closets and alternative industrial options, we note an important nuance. Along with such designs, there are other types of “dry toilets” that work exclusively on the principle of chemical processing of the contents.

Both device designs are similar in appearance, but compost obtained through a chemical “outhouse” cannot, in principle, be equated to natural fertilizers.

A comparative review of dry closets of different operating principles is given in this article.

The advantages of the peat type of country toilet include:

How to make a dry toilet yourself?

The construction of this simple device, taking into account its temporary operation, can be divided into two possible construction options:

1. The structure is street without a house.
2. Street design with a house.

There are a lot of recommendations on the Internet regarding the use of this peat disposal device directly inside a residential building. But this approach is unlikely to suit people who are too sensitive to odors.

True, if you take professionally made models of dry closets by craftsmen, and not with your own hands, it is possible to choose a successful home version. In the summer, at a summer cottage, the optimal place to place a natural peat recycler is open air.

The option without a house involves making only a toilet seat paired with a storage box peat fillers. This is the simplest design solution of all possible.

Such a system is successfully operated, for example, on a summer cottage, the territory of which is reliably closed from prying eyes.The dry closet box is installed somewhere in a secluded place among vegetation and used when necessary.

A clear example of how you can make a summer toilet with your own hands, if you apply all your knowledge and skills to this matter. However, knowledge is easy to obtain in the information space, but with experience it’s not so simple

Assembling a biologically clean toilet does not present any special difficulties. The process is quite feasible even for those who have never held a carpentry tool in their hands.

Materials, tools, sizes

To make a peat dry toilet with your own hands, you will need the following materials:

• plywood sheets - thickness 10-12 mm;
• edged board - width 85-110 mm, thickness 12-15 mm;
• wooden block - section 40*40 mm;
• medium-sized door hinges - 6-10 pcs.;
• container made of anti-corrosion material - volume 10-12 liters.

Need for working tools:

• fine-tooth hacksaw;
• sharp carpenter's knife;
• bench hammer;
• screwdrivers, measuring tape, pencil;
• electric jigsaw;
• fasteners (nails, screws, self-tapping screws).

The most difficult stage of independent work is cutting out a round hole of large diameter on a pre-prepared sheet of plywood.

Using a hacksaw, the plywood sheet is cut in such a way as to obtain a panel measuring 500*500 mm (the specific dimensions directly depend on the dimensions of the future user). Then a hole with a diameter of 250-300 mm is cut on the resulting square panel using an electric jigsaw.

A summer resident who decides to make a compact peat dry closet with his own hands should have something like this:

The design of the dry closet section, inside of which (under the lid) a waste collection container is placed.This is the same toilet seat on which the user will sit. Only there is no hole cut in the lid yet

After finishing the cutting work, the plywood board is thoroughly cleaned with sandpaper. At the first stage of sanding, use coarse sandpaper, then continue sanding with finer sandpaper. The task is to obtain a flat, smooth surface of the plywood sheet.

It is enough to sand only one side, which will act as the outer panel of the toilet seat. However, if possible, it is recommended to sand every part of the device.

A section of a dry closet with a lid and a hole cut in it. The surface of the lid is usually carefully sanded, sometimes covered with a layer of varnish. A container for collecting waste is placed inside the box, exactly under the hole.

The fully finished product is equipped with an additional lid that covers the hole.

Next you need to prepare a second plywood panel of similar dimensions, but solid (without a hole). It will play the role of a blank lid. Next, you need to cut the boards to size for assembling the main box of the dry closet. The length of the box should be taken equal to approximately two dimensions of the length of the toilet seat (500 * 2 = 1000 mm).

The height size is selected based on the user’s comfortable position when sitting on the toilet seat. For people with different dimensions, this parameter may differ, but on average it is 350-400 mm. The estimated number of boards is also cut along the small side (width) of the rectangle.

Assembling the recovery body

Further continuation of the work on creating a peat dry closet with your own hands is the assembly of a wooden rectangular body from prepared scraps of boards.The overall dimensions of such a box are, respectively, 1000 * 500 * 350 mm (length, width, height).

The boards are fastened on bars, installing the latter at the inner corners of the structure. Nails, screws or self-tapping screws are used for fastening.

The wooden body made in this way is divided inside by a partition. The result is two working sections.

One section is covered with a previously prepared plywood sheet with a hole and then a solid plywood cover. The other section (for peat storage) is covered with a lid made from boards.

All covers are installed on door hinges, thus ensuring their easy opening/closing. It turns out something similar to this home-made product.

Approximately this type of assembly should be achieved by summer residents who dare to assemble a dry closet according to the instructions described above. A body consisting of two separate compartments: one compartment is intended directly for the toilet mechanism, the second acts as a storage area for peat (or sawdust)

At the final stage, the entire wooden structure is treated with an antiseptic. This action will prevent the appearance of fungal formations on the surface of the wood.

Also, antiseptic treatment will protect the structure from various insects. All that remains is to place a container inside one section to collect waste from the dacha owners, and fill the other section with peat. A homemade convenient dry closet is ready for use.

Toilet accessories and supplies

To make it easier to remove peat from the adjacent section, it is recommended to make a small spatula. A homemade spatula is made of wood, but if you neglect small expenses, it’s easier to buy a ready-made tool in a store.The plastic spatulas that retail chains sell are lightweight, convenient, but short-lived.

Instead of traditional flushing with water, the technology of using a dry toilet offers the average person a simpler method - dry powder. The tank button here is successfully replaced by a regular scoop, and the role of water is played by peat - practical and economical

An ordinary bucket can serve as a container for collecting waste. But it is advisable to choose a more convenient and capacious container for these purposes. It is practical to use two containers of the same type, one of which is stored nearby in case of quick replacement.

It is also recommended to have toilet cleaning products and antibacterial agents on hand as accessories.

Additional equipment on site

Waste that accumulates over time inside the toilet collection tank must be disposed of and clean the dry closet. To do this, a compost pit is made near the installation site of the structure.

The volume of the pit is usually equal to ten times the volume of the collection tank, which is used in a peat dry closet. This ratio ensures unhurried collection of compost and its optimal ripening. This volume is enough to provide fertilizers to a summer cottage area of ​​2-4 acres.

Open dry closets are rarely used in practice. As a rule, farm owners who decide to make a dry closet prefer to additionally build closed cabins. Inside the closed cabins there is a natural recycling unit.

It’s not difficult to make a closed cubicle for a peat dry closet with your own hands. The assembly technology is standard, plus the material - edged boards, bars, fasteners. If desired, such a house can be supplemented with internal lighting, a ventilation system and other attributes.

Design of a cubicle for a dry toilet in a country house or in a private residence. It is constructed quickly and requires a relatively small amount of lumber. If desired, you can hang a door, implement a ventilation system, connect an electrical line for the installation of lighting devices (+)

Using additional equipment options, a self-assembled peat recycling system can be easily upgraded. Often modernization comes down to replacing a homemade toilet seat panel with a factory set - toilet cover.

They are also trying to automate the manual addition of peat, using various dispenser schemes. True, difficulties already arise here for people who have little understanding of technical mechanisms and do not have the relevant experience. But if you want, you can do anything.

Gradually, a natural waste recycler assembled with your own hands can be improved to full condition. For example, replace a plywood toilet seat with a more advanced plastic seat with a lid

Wooden panels can be “stained” to match the color of mahogany, and the installation itself can be covered with walls and a roof can be built over it. This will no longer be a temporary latrine, but a dry toilet for permanent use.

If you don’t have the time and desire to build a bio-closet yourself, then you can choose a ready-made option.

Tips for choosing the best model for a summer house or private home, as well as ratings of dry closets, are given in the articles:

1. Which dry toilet to choose for your dacha: a comparative review of the best models
2. Rating of dry closets for summer cottages and private homes: popular top ten + recommendations for buyers

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

An interesting and useful video for those who want to replace the usual “thought corner” with a dry closet:

There are many options for building bio-clean toilets. There are industrial designs made to resemble modern toilets. However, for the most part, the essence of creating and operating a dry closet does not lie in user comfort.

This natural recycling tool is more designed specifically for use in conditions where there is no comfort, but where there is a need to generate high-quality fertilizers.

Do you have anything to add, or do you have any questions about arranging a dry closet in your dacha? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions, share construction skills and attach photos of your homemade products. The communication block is located below.