OUR HOUSE IS BUILT ON CLAY. THE ROOT CELLAR WAS AN ADD ON TO THIS OLD LOG HOUSE. FOR US THE ROOT CELLAR IS A PROBLEM. WE HAVE NEVER USED IT. IT IS 12 FEET X 9FEET AND 8 FOOT HIGH. THE WALLS OF THE ROOT CELLAR ARE BLYWOOD ON THE OUTSIDE AND THE INCSIDE SUPPOTED BY 4X4 IN BETWEEN. IT HAS A CONCRETE FLOOR AND A SUMP PUMP THAT GETS RID OF THE WATER FROM THE GROUND. WE WANT TO GET RID OF THIS AND FILL IT HIGH ENOUGH SO THAT WATER WILL NO LONGER BE A PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE SHOULD PLASTER THE BOTTOM WITH PURE CLAY FOR ABOUT 2 FEET THAT TENDS TO FILL UP WITH WATER. AND THEN TO POUR 3/4 INC GRAVEL LEAVING ABOUT A METER AT THE TOP TO STORE ITEMS IF WE NEED TO. WE WOULDN�T MIND A SMALL STARAGE PLACE. FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WE HAVE A TRAP DOOR THAT WE OPEN FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE TO GET TO THE ROOTCELLEAR.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA TO FILL THE ROOT CELLAR AS SUGGESTED BY FRIENDS OR WILL IT DESTROY THE STUCRCURE OF THE HOUSE. PLEASE HELP.