Piers are type of construction you will probably use. It is quickest way to get your summer home under way. Most cottage plans have a pier plan which you should follow. There are several rules to remember about piers. They can be built of block (8 by 8 by 16 inches) or of solid concrete. Piers require foundation footings just as walls do.

Take advice of local building inspector on depth they should extend below grade. You'll want to have footing below local frost line. The illustration at side shows usual arrangement for footings. Poured concrete piers should be 10 by 10 inches if square or 12 inches in diameter if round.

I have seen a posthole digger used to make hole for a round pier. It worked. The only trouble is that center of pier is used part and some portion of pier will project beyond building line. The proper mix is same as for footings mentioned above. The maximum height above grade that you should build a pier is four times its least dimension.

If pier on low side of your camp is 6 feet, pier size should be increased to 18 inches square. The forms for solid concrete piers may be made from any old lumber. The illustrations at side should show you how.

Take your choice of these three ways to build your foundation. Some may ask why I haven't mentioned wood post construction. I'm not convinced that they are worth using except above grade. If you must use wood, be sure that you get pressure-treated posts. Dipped or painted ends are little protection.

Reciprocating, or centrifugal pump lifts greater than 22 feet (sea level) will require a deep-well jet or reciprocating pump. In illustration you will note that upper 10 feet of dug well is filled with earth. A watertight slab is placed over pervious lower section. If you use this type of construction, be sure to include a pipe sleeve large enough to install water pipe and foot valve.

Also install a vent pipe. Cast some hooks in slab so that you will have something to hold on to as you lower it into place. It will be heavy. This type of well is similar to a dug one, except that instead of digging a large hole, you dig one of small diameter. A well borer or earth auger is used to make a hole down to water level.

This system works best in firm sand, clay, or light gravel. The borer looks like a double shovel and has a handle about 4 feet long. As you go down, additional lengths of pipe are added to handle. Digging is done by forcing borer into ground and twisting handle. As double shovel is filled, lift earth out and empty. Keep going till you reach water.

When you find water, line hole with large steel pipe or vitrified tile. Use an internal grapple to lower each section of tile into hole. This lining should extend a little above ground to keep out surface water. Use a concrete platform at top as shown in illustration. The size and type of pump that can be used with this system is same as with dug well described before