#66 Where does the Water go? 

Martijn, here is a thought on the sketch you show at 18:02 with three cross sections. Obviously, it is none of my business but I couldn't resist chiming in. I live in Florida and am a landscape architect where water is typically at a higher water table/level and is always a consideration, even a problem at times. Response: consider digging as deep and wide as you can, even a foot below your finished floor elevation, and leave it open air with no gravel back fill (Key point). Air would then circulate freely and keep your building walls dryer and lessen wetness/mold on anything inside the room. Any backfilled gravel placed in the dug out open air trough, with no air circulation would never tend to dry out the existing building walls. I would even put a 4" concrete trough in the bottom, or gravel with a 4-6" "sock tube" (French drain) to more quickly drain the open air trough. You might even consider color darkened hydraulic mortar on a couple of feet of the rock wall above the finished floor level. Try to get the "drainage trough" to be half a foot below the finished floor in case you have a gully washer of a storm, which happens. You could slope or angle the dug out hillside with scrap rock and plant it to help prevent erosion. It is a lot of work but would result in a dry first floor, and a more stable existing dry stacked building wall all around. Leaves and such will build up over time so the ease of cleaning those out of the open air trough (Ideally concrete abutting the wall) every couple of years would be another consideration. Perhaps that sloped drainage is one of the reasons the builders first placed vertical stones in the floor for the cattle? I will enjoy your future labors, at a distance and thank you for sharing!

Do it once and do it right. Get a digger to be able to reach down to the right level and avoid having to do it again! Also you might consider a swale further up the hill to divert the ground water before it reaches the drain. You can also put heavy duty plastic sheeting up against the wall to further prevent water penetration while excavating the drain. It’s one of the hardest things in building to prevent rising damp/water intrusion, good luck with it mate 😊

Chickens 🐤dont want to go outside because they are very comfortable into the house you build for them🐥☺👍

Dig out some swales above the cabins, perhaps a meter apart to divert the flow from above that's adding to what you can't control (runoff from the roof, the water that falls close to the back wall). Divert those swales away from the cabin's base. At the very least, you'll be reducing the amount of water/moisture that any French drain could provide relief for.

You absolutely have no idea how happy I get when I see a new video. And you absolutely have no idea how SAD I feel when it comes to a end ❤

Martijn, I'm will be 77 years next month. I have always loved repairing older buildings and building new buildings. At my age now, I can only work with volunteer organizations that allow me to help them in my limited way now because of age. I so look forward to your show on Sunday afternoons. May God keep you healthy, safe, and true to your integrity. Of doing things right because it is the right thing to do. Christ Peace my friend. Daphne

🐘 Hi Martijn, did you know that your cabins are very near to one of the most iconic and important places for the world’s history? I’m not kidding, since Hannibal the Carthaginian passed over the alps with his elephants at Colle delle Traversette, which is right behind your place! Hope you can see this comment and maybe have a good hike up there! 🐘

You really have achieved so much, glad to see the Chickens finally stepped outside 😄

I love how you do everything very slowly, at your own rythm, without rushing things, meticulously, as if you had all the time in the world. It's really soothing.

The chickens are fun to watch. 😊 that 39 minutes went by so fast! Great way to begin Sunday morning.

Thank you Martijn. This vibrating silence, with all the great and meditative work you do. A great gift every week. What a delight.

I think you will find water penetrates into the ground and forms a water table, so you need to reframe and imagine water coming up from below rather than penetrating from the surface. During wet times the level of the water table will get close to the surface. So your drain will need to be below the level of the floor to keep water from getting in the house. Gravity will always move water to the lower open space, and if you do not dig your drain deep enough, you will continue to get water inside.

How can someone get so worried when seeing an intruder on someone's video thousands of miles away and then be super happy that the chickens went out for a stroll first time. It may not mean much to you but thank you for making these week after week.

Hey Martin, when I got my chickens (or "chooks" because I'm Australian) they were only young and they learned the local birds warning calls. So when the local birds sound a warning, my chooks run under cover, it was fascinating to watch. That was 3 years ago and they still do it. When the small local birds make a certain sound , my chooks run for cover. It usually means there are crows about or sometimes larger birds of prey. Your chickens may learn these same signals from the local "prey" birds. Love your videos, been watching from the start, great innovation and progress, well done!!

Martijn, I always put on ‘The chickens have arrived!’ episode for the cat when we leave the house. She is quite entertained by it. Your vlog is a perfectly executed slow living experience. It’s like a meditation - a yoga of the soul. It’s easy to forget that you put as much effort into the cinematic process as the building process.

Awesome Video, I just wanted to say thanks for being one of the very few RU-vidrs who knows how to do a proper Sound mix especially when it comes to power tools. I can just enjoy watching and not fear that a table saw will cut my ear off. Thanks.

It is so beautiful to see the evolution of the nature with the different seasons. It's so beautiful when it's all green like this.

Hey Martijn, we have a house in italy that had the same problem. First: with these old houses the problem is, that they are used to the moisture and will sometimes become instable if it is completely dried. But (luckily) even with a full drainage (up to 1 m below the bottom end of the house), you wont be able to avoid the moisture and fondensation fully. The design you drew will not help the situation sadly. You need to dig a lot further down, as I said, up to 1 meter below the bottom end of the wall. In Italy, you can sometimes rent something called 'ruspa', which can be manouvered on very steep ground. If you cant rent a sizeable digger, you have to do it hy hand (dangerous) or pay a professional to do it (expensive). But this little drainage system you designed wont solve the situation,I'm afraid 😢. Thansk for your awesome videos!!! I love them and watch them every week

You have to stop calling the chickens “guys” 😂 They’re ladies Martijn 😊 Maybe if you say: “Time to come out ladies” they would have come out earlier 😁

I was cheering so, when the chickens ventured out, I had tears in my eyes!! I raised a flock on an acre just south-east, on the outskirts of Phoenix Az. I loved them! I’m 75 and moved to an apartment- miss my chickens and goats - you keep me company now- the views are spectacular - and you are amazing ❤️

i live in the greek island of andros, and we have really similar building style, especialy in the vilages where i live. In the case of the water in the walls that toutch the side of the mountain, we make a covered ditch where is the building on one side and a suporting wall for the dirt on the other, the depth is best to go deeper than the lowest pont of your inside floor. The width of the void between it really doesnt matter, but its nice to feet a person so you can get in and cleen it in case. Also it doesnt matter if you want to cover it on top, if covered it could work even better, but not covered works just fine too. it basecly makes the building floating on top of the dirt. Also the supporting wall if covered could be made with concret, or something easy and fast. It is just to keep the dird from colapsing This way you do not have to fumble with gravel and drains, the ditches will be exacly how you showed you have planed. you could leave a point opend down hill where the water will come out, but you could do it with a pipe as well so it is less visible. about the digger not being able to dig so low, i belive you could do most of the work with the digger, and finish it by hand. It will be much more easy because the dird will not be as compacted, and also a bit wet by the rain, so it will help, i belive with 2-3 people with sovels will take about 4-5 hours. If you want any other advice feel free to ask. Sorry for my english, they are not very good.

Hello Martijn, I have been watching your channel for several months and I am always so amazed at not only the craftsmanship you so patiently create, but an excellent film maker as well. Thank you for documenting your journey. You bring such a meaningful message to those of us who don't experience the world quite like you do. I look forward to each and every film you create. You are an amazing artist and a true gentleman.

Based upon the discoloration of the stone (rising up the wall), it appears the water is moving from below. In spring, snow melt and rain will infiltrate into the ground water and make the table level rise. A sump-pump buried deeper than the floor level is probably what you need more so than a French drain, but by doing both you will manage the spring seepage (pump kicks on) and French drain for roof run-off from heavy rains. Connect the sump-pump (with back-flow device) into the grey waste-water pipes you are laying.

The Chickens...so hilarious...clucking to their own beat in life; Sleeping in, pecking at random stuff including each other, and then finally stepping out into their leafy surrounds. Thanks for the video.

Morning coffee and a walk with you in the beauty of the Italian Alps…makes my heart feel at peace. Thank you for the happiness 💜🦋

Martijn, you need to install drainage further up the slope as well. French drains placed to carry water away from the house before water reaches your foundation will assist greatly. You’re going to get a load of water in the spring. I’m not sure why you’re not installing a sump pit as well. I look at all those mountainside homes you visit and none have a below grade living space, not that I’ve noticed anyway. There’s a reason for that and I think it’s because the water is so abundant. You’ll really need to cover all angles to ensure it doesn’t become a problem.

I love it that the chickens ventured out today and seemed so happy in the wider world. I hope that fox stays out. They can be quite determined sometimes.❤️🤗🐝

I have but started to watch this week's edition, and again it feels like the highlight of my week, Martijn.

Good morning from Kingston, Ontario Canada. Your music intro and drone over this most beautiful and scenic area is calming. I look forward to seeing you each week. You are a very talented young man in touch with nature. Great to see more of your paintings in the future. Good luck with your drain issues. Thank you for allowing us to follow your dreams. ❤

Not everything happens the way we plan them to be but if you live in a place like that nothing is impossible. Thanks for sharing the stunning sceneries!

There is something in the fog I’ve been living in the Italian alps, renovating a long-abandoned stone cabin I thought it was Hunting me When the fog fills the air around me I sometimes catch glimpses of it’s Eyes Flashing in the mist Watching me from trees and around corners I know it must be taller than any man could be though It’s Eyes are never the same height Spaced slightly too far apart I thought it was waiting for the perfect time to strike Then I started finding the Bodies When the fog fills the air on the mountains I stumble across them as I walk through the grass Twisted broken men Men-like Bloody and torn to bits Trying to reach the cabin They were how I realized that it wasn’t Hunting me It was Protecting me There is something living in the fog with me I’ve been living in the Italian alps in a cabin When the fog fills the air and clings to everything I ignore the sounds I hear A bone-rending snap and the tear of flesh Comfort in the grey (I'm so sorry I had a sudden moment of inspiration lmao, I actually hate horror movies etc)

It was nice to see the chicken exploring the outside, freely. Thank Martijn for sharing.

Best part of my week is watching the video of your week, which always ends before I'm ready.

When I see the roof, I still think about the crane and that magical cinematic moment of the crane getting into action with the mountains as backdrop. Unforgettable.

Martjin, Such balance is your life. The acceptance of what is. The integrity of working with nature. The storm, and the rebuilding of what was dessimated. Such is you with profound integrity. You simply show how to re connect with commitment and planning and what is doe able in your visionary of seeing these unique buildings not only survive but lived-in and function with the extremes of seasons. With my regards and great respect for your being and so driven. You have achieved so much and keep on doing so. Upwards and Onwards to you. Shaelene Read.

You are the most diligent worker I believe I've ever seen. I have been watching you for more than a year-and-a-half. It is surprising how much you know about carpentry. And you picked out one beautiful spot on the mountain. I hope the best for you and your houses and I also hope there's no more wind storms. That broke my heart when I seen that. Anyway your favorite subscriber Scott Clark

The visual progress and variety of content in this episode was very satisfying to watch. The aesthetic qualities of this project are beginning to bloom like the leafing out of the Spring. Can't wait to see you cooking omelettes for your guests!

I would line the bottom of the trench with a perforated drainage pipe at the bottom, then fill the trench up with gravel, the side nearest the house of the drain, I would possibly consider using a liner, and I would suggest a soffit on the windward side, this will stop rain water that is dripping being blown between the drain and the house. Great job with the chickens, they bring some life to the place. Inside the house you may consider something we call tanking in the UK, it stops water penetration really effectively. If you find that you have time with the digger on later projects, a small pond might be cool. Really love this build and the care you have put into it,

Those chickens might have been living in dreams now, compared to what they used to before. Imagine, they don't need to look for food as meals are timely served. They might think that going out is being back to their former lives..."so why would i get out from this mansion?" Lol!😉🙃 Life is good with Boss MD!...ok chickens, u really got lucky with MD🤗 Thanks again MD for sharing ur (educational) life's👣 journey👏👏👏🙌❤---♡◇☆God🙏 ble$$ always...stay safe🙌

When I lived in Uganda, I made a chicken coup, not as fancy as yours off course...i used a pvc gutter tied to the wire fence about 8" from the ground for the food. At each end, I had an empty plastic water gallon, hanging upside down that was hanging a little bit higher filled with food (flat side had a smal cut off where I used a funnel to fill it with grains..) Food came out of the bottle as they ate the food in the pvc pope. It was a big help when I needed to travel for a few days to the camps. I used the same water feeder you have but hanged from the top of the coup, helping it to stay above the ground and keep it cleaner for a little longer. Mine chicks used to love pumpkin and its seeds, and in return, they gave me tons of eggs. Started with 4 females and one young rooster. When I left Uganda (2022), there were about 13 chickens and 3 roosters. Never had the courage to eat any of them tough....they had names... and the original ones were still alive 😂❤. Love watching your work and how creative you are finding solutions to problems as they appear. Thank you so much for making my Sundays even more enjoyable.

Learning as you build along.... That's how its supposed to be.... Just imagine the amount of knowledge you will have gained after this build! It's a joy to watch your videos, thanks

Martijn, Just beautiful. Your collection of skills are many, my friend. I think that I got hooked on your videos for the beauty of your composition, framing and the amazing way you tell the visual story. You're a painter and a designer but you are also an amazing story teller. I saw the first few videos and binged until I caught up with your progress. This was another great one.

I much prefer your solo videos. Somehow when you have helpers/guests, it disturbs the "tranquil vibe". Of course, you need assistance along the way, but the solitude is what I love about your episodes, which I consume as soon as you upload every Sunday!

The couple on Make, Do, Grow have done months of work n drainage around their rural property in central Portugal. They have done everything very carefully and skilfully and would be worth a watch to find out what they did and why. The guy is also quite witty so it’s always a pleasure to watch their work.

Seeing you work so meticulously reminds me of my father. A great lesson in life; do it well and it will stand the test of time. Mooi so Martijn!

Thank you Martijn for petting your animals and giving them their time outside in nature. It will take some time to get used to their new home so please be patient with them and keep talking to them as they feel your care and affection as everyone of us does

Crazy to think this is modern television and this is the only tv show I watch.

Sometimes you need to step back, to be able to step forward! Much love and respect to you Martjin

Hi Martjin, my 2 cents: Dig out the outter dirt from the walls with an excavator, put a drainage layer (in France we use « delta ms ») against the walks that will be covered with dirt to prevent moisture getting to the walls, put a drain w gravel below the level of the walls to redirect all the underground moisture away from the walls. Inside you are putting a plastic sheet that you will cover with insulation + concrete. This will direct all the mosture that used to migrate throuth the dirt floor from bottom to surface to the walls, in this way your walls are again going to get wet. To prevent that you can use the tecnic of « herisson ventilé » You dig a serpentin of french drain in the gravel, it’s function will be not to evacuate any water, but to create an renewable (because ventilated - naturally or with a small 12v pc ventilator) air layer that will evacuate moisture as vapour. Good luck!

Why is it so ? Every new video posted - is the best one ! Thanks you Martijn - the chickens have brought a whole new dynamic to your project - God Bless you.

Your girls are precious. They each have their own personality. They will serve you well! Their coop is 1st rate accommodations! 🐔

Love that the chickens went outside for a little stroll. Beautiful!

I always go 'awww' when your videos end, cos I love them so much. Highlight of the week for me. It was so lovely to see the hens finally brave enough to explore their wonderful new home outside of the coop. Good luck with the digger next week.

Glad to see you've come back to the beautiful hills, to build your castle. It's great to see you using as much tech as you need, and your family and friends - and 2 good strong hands; it seems like you can do anything. I'm STILL impressed with your win over the storm damage; you weren't held back very long. Good Fortune attend you, Martijn.

so cute to see the chicken are out...

YOUR roof renovation is a testimony to a human spirit of fortitude ..patience and hope. Amazed at your sometimes "going it alone". When we keep hope it eventually turns to sight.

I love that you take road trips and hike. I also love that you're working on the houses slowly and a little at a time. It's looking amazing. You're such an inspiration.

A thought on the French drains - the deepest you need to go will be on the up-mountain side of this system where they run across the up-mountain side of these two buildings before they turn downhill. These two drains aren't up against any walls and, as such, can be made as deep as possible.

I’ve been watching your videos for over a year and honestly I am very happy that I found this channel. I’ve seen every single one of these videos and I have your book that my wife gifted to me. Thank you for making these videos and I wish you the best.

Every time, when the video is in the end, i feel a bit sad, because i want more calm and beauty. Thanks

Hey mate. I am on episode 20 so far but I thought you probably read most comments from your latest video. I love what you are doing and the videos you produce. I have so much anxiety in life right now and your videos make me feel so relaxed and happy, so thanks. You seem like a really nice genuine guy too. Appreciate what you are doing. I am also kind of jealous too, I watch your videos and would love to do what you do but you are clearly so much more intelligent than me, also, I would not be able to because I have kids. Can’t wait to watch the rest of your videos and follow your life. I hope that explains how I feel and appreciate your videos. Can’t wait to see your progress :). Thanks!

My Sunday oasis! Thanks Martijn.

living in the clouds. How romantic is that! Water has a mind of its own. But you deal with setbacks well.

You will definitely get foxes in the day when they have cubs. I have personally caught a fox with one of my chickens in its mouth at 9.30am! It had already decapitated one other bird and was about to do the same. I nursed her back to good health inside the laundry but it was a salutary lesson!!!

Martijn, great video as always. Echo what the others are saying about also installing drainage significantly upslope away from the cabins. You would also need to outfall it below the cabins. Can advise if needs be as am a geotechnical engineer. Whilst I am english Iive near Grenoble. Cycle close to you several times including the 1st Edition of The Torino Nice Rally in 2016.

Je trouve que les semaines passent vite, je suis toujours heureuse de découvrir votre nouvelle vidéo. Je suis impressionnée par la verdure, c'est tellement beau et vert. L'évacuation des eaux de pluie n'est pas très facile et vous avez raison de prendre votre temps pour bien étudier comment faire au mieux. ❤

I eagerly await each new video, and am never dissapointed. The chickens look really content in their five star accommodation. Great to see they finally ventured out properly.

OMG I'm so glad my internet connection fixed not long after the video uploaded, I was afraid I have to wait until tomorrow to watch 🤩

The wall looks wonderful! Your ability to piece all the stones so tightly is amazing.

Hey Martijn 👋 I look forward to each video you post every Sunday evening here in Australia. I find them very relaxing and refreshing! Beautiful scenery and your videos are so professional. Well done! 🏅 PS. The chickens are looked after very well! 😅

I love the way you balance our your days. You take the time to trim the greenery around your property along with taking care of yourself with your small excursions and walks. That's a great work life balance. Thanks for sharing your beautiful vistas and taking us along for the ride. Another great video.

Such a picturesque location. Those chickens are little characters 🤣

I can’t describe how much I love your videos, you are a genius.

the chickens have begun to steal the show

Great to see the chickens. So relaxing. You are making great progress, a year ago.

The View from above is beautiful!❤ Your attention to detail on the cabin is mesmerizing. The chicken coop is a work of Art. Looks very Midcentury Modern! The chickens look happy! Lovely vlog!❤

My God Martijn.....your drone footage is incredible. Every week your content keeps getting better. It's the best start of every week for me. Ciao

Consider watching MakeDo Grow for their videos on using lime material on their lower floors to allow for drainage and moisture management in their stone building in Portugal. They are very knowledgeable with same philosophy as yourself in preserving the originality & breathability of the house. Wonderful videos as always 💐

Val maira is one the less touristy but more beautiful valley in the alps. Gone there many times by bike. Small villages, rumbling streams, wild nature. I suggest to visit also the nearby valle Varaita. You can go there takeing the SP335 2km ovest from Macra in val Maira. You'll arrive in Sampeyre and then heading ovest for Colle dell'Agnello pass, entering France and visit Queyras natural park. A very panoramic trip. Bless the rain my friend, nowadays it's a rare event for the northwestern alps unfortunately.

What an absolute inspiration. When you need some quiet time just watching the world go by, you just need to watch these wonderful vlogs. Thanks Martijn.

Hello Martijn. I have a rustico as well.m above the Lago Maggiore. We had the same water problem. The soil in the area is letting water go trough very easy. The water travels down either over the rock level underground or if there’s a hard claylike level under the black layer soil then the water travels over that layer down. You do need to make your drain till the rock or clay level to effectively stop the water from reaching the house.

Your the highlight of my week. I would be happy to live in your chicken coop.

Basically a confined space even with the door way and an ICE you were very luck you didn't end up with ringing in the ears and a headache headache, nausea, and fatigue from low level CO poisoning.

Again I am enchanted with the landscape as I sit in concrete London I am transported to west Cork/Kerry with phenomenal waterfalls the playground of my childhood. The stonework is just beautiful thanks very much 🎉

As mentioned by a few already: you need to dig deeeep and you absolutely need to waterproof the upper outer wall. Otherwise that water will sit between the stones and the concrete walls with no where to go. And yes building water diversion further up the hill will greatly improve the situation generally. Back to the walls: in order to isolate them you obviously need access to it. Be very careful with the static aspect of such work, the entire house might become unstable. I’m affraid there is no ‘cheap’ solution to this problem. Get a local expert to support you, it’s essential!

3:27 Glorious! And, the fortunate chickens get to have a view of their own.

Martijn, you could also install a drain pipe under the floor slab inside the house around the parameter and out under the low side wall. I did this in my house and it has been ok for over 50 years.

Being able to see Martijn carry out exactly perfectly how I would envision it is what I would consider a dream. I'm extremely grateful to see all your dedicated work you put into this Martijn it's truly a pleasure, thank you.

So curious about the Piedmont you find yourself living in, thank you for taking us along with you on your drive to Val Maira. Hoping one day you'll take us to visit Elena Rosa, who grows Val Pellice traditional herbs and edible flowers on her farm in Gemerello, taught by an ancient lady who foraged the hills there. (See article "Reviving the Lost Tradition of Cooking Flowers" in Gastro Obscura, Your mushroom-foraging trespassers are inheritors of the Val Pelicce foraging tradition.) Also interested in the glimpse of the cheesemakers you've given us so far, and how people in the Waldensian mountain hideouts still eke out a living from their/your beautiful space.

Your drawing reminds me of doing hydraulic conductivity tests in college, for geology. You can map out where the water flows in the ground, how much will get to a certain spot (hazardous spills possibly) and cones of depression from water pumps…fun stuff. Basically an in ground topo map of water pressure

Hi Martijn ! Your girls needs a haan that will harmonice them. Thx for sharing your life with us. 🐔 + 🐓= 🎶🎶🎶

I believe this is the best video series on RU-vid. Every Sunday I look forward to watching it. I'm interested in how the stone buildings were originally constructed and by who. Can anyone point me to where I can find this information?

Everything is so green now. And it is gorgeous. Great job with the cabins. 🙌🙌🙌🙌

Yes, all the way down and a fiber cloth to separete gravel from dirt and dont forget the 110mm drainage pipe. After that you will sleep like a baby in a dry home 😁 Thanks Martijn!

You need a V - ditch. At least 15 feet up the slope. That will catch most of the rain that’s running down hill soaking deep in the soil and straight to your building. The V ditch will direct the rain to either side of the building In addition, you still need a French drain close to the house. I’ve built a home on a slope before And had the same problem. My engineer should’ve figured it out ahead of time but once installed it straightened everything out. Good luck!

Those eggs will be so good after those hens eat those snails, bugs and grass that's so readily available. Thanks for following the water with that beautiful hike. See you next week!!

Good morning Martijn great to see the chickens are loving the outside 😮

Two things (among many) that I always enjoy about your work, Martijn -- you're thorough and you admit when you may have made a mistake and need to re-do something. I admire your pride and your discipline.

It must smell so good there right now. There’s so much Lily of the Valley.

Good morning Martijn, glad you let the 4 girls choose when to go exploring. Moving can be very stressful for them even though you built them a palace. Your home looks beautiful in all that green lushness. Have a good week!