Yet another garage thread
Discussion
Two years ago, we moved into our dream house in Somerset. It's an 1800's farm house, and despite being listed, it's just been everything we wanted. Part of my dream was the outbuilding which sits aside a large driveway.
It's about 9m x 5m, with a single door, and a pitched roof which has plenty of scope as a sort of mezzanine
Having run electric to it last year, my idea is to develop it into a workshop/single car garage/storage place. There are a few issues, which considering it's age and lack of care are not a surprise. I thought i'd start a thread for anyone that's interested / get some advice
- The back wall seems to be slightly under ground, due to the fact that it pretty much backs onto another garden. There is a wall in this garden, which means there is sort of a void between it and my wall; it looks like soil/overgrown plants have taken it over. I know the solution ultimately is to dig this out, but the gap is quite small, so I need to something in the meantime to improve the walls. I think there is rising damp too, which I will never get rid of even if I do dig out the void
- Things put in there get predictably mouldy. Is the answer still dessicant dehumidfiers running to prevent that?
- The walls either side of the door have had somoene previously try to widen them (my guess) and they have done an absolute hack job! My plan is to rebuild these using some local stone and lime mortar. I have never done this before, but i'm willing to give it a go - it's surely just like lego, but with odd sized parts?!
- The top floor is fairly well boarded, but I have not yet been brave enough to venture up there as I want to move the TVR out in case I come crashing down! My idea is to build a staircase in the back corner (or maybe just a ladder to begin with). Not sure what to do with the space once I do - maybe one half storage, one half something else
- Ultimately, and this ties into the above point, I do want to put a car lift in there. Owning a chimp means I will be doing body off at some point, and I'd like to make the pilgramage of tackling it myself. Seen a lot of garage threads on here, but is the way forward now a recessed scissor lift instead of a 2/4 poster? Obligatory picture included of it in pieces when I did the manifolds last year!
I'm lucky that the floor is in pretty good nick, plus it's pretty much water tight too - just a shame it's so mouldy in there! I have been meaning to improve it as it's such a nice space, and 2 years in I finally think I can give it some attention
It's about 9m x 5m, with a single door, and a pitched roof which has plenty of scope as a sort of mezzanine
Having run electric to it last year, my idea is to develop it into a workshop/single car garage/storage place. There are a few issues, which considering it's age and lack of care are not a surprise. I thought i'd start a thread for anyone that's interested / get some advice
- The back wall seems to be slightly under ground, due to the fact that it pretty much backs onto another garden. There is a wall in this garden, which means there is sort of a void between it and my wall; it looks like soil/overgrown plants have taken it over. I know the solution ultimately is to dig this out, but the gap is quite small, so I need to something in the meantime to improve the walls. I think there is rising damp too, which I will never get rid of even if I do dig out the void
- Things put in there get predictably mouldy. Is the answer still dessicant dehumidfiers running to prevent that?
- The walls either side of the door have had somoene previously try to widen them (my guess) and they have done an absolute hack job! My plan is to rebuild these using some local stone and lime mortar. I have never done this before, but i'm willing to give it a go - it's surely just like lego, but with odd sized parts?!
- The top floor is fairly well boarded, but I have not yet been brave enough to venture up there as I want to move the TVR out in case I come crashing down! My idea is to build a staircase in the back corner (or maybe just a ladder to begin with). Not sure what to do with the space once I do - maybe one half storage, one half something else
- Ultimately, and this ties into the above point, I do want to put a car lift in there. Owning a chimp means I will be doing body off at some point, and I'd like to make the pilgramage of tackling it myself. Seen a lot of garage threads on here, but is the way forward now a recessed scissor lift instead of a 2/4 poster? Obligatory picture included of it in pieces when I did the manifolds last year!
I'm lucky that the floor is in pretty good nick, plus it's pretty much water tight too - just a shame it's so mouldy in there! I have been meaning to improve it as it's such a nice space, and 2 years in I finally think I can give it some attention
That’s a nice building.
To help you with stitching up that stone reveal you could temporarily instal a hefty verticale and plumb timber former to lay the stones against on the mortar beds. Leave in situ for a few days to let it all harden off then remove.
The rear corner etc looks sad. Yes a clearing out at the back must help but may need some kind of French drain or at least some gravel. Point it up inside and out if needed should see an improvement.
If you could get a four post lift in there it would be very handy. So it’s just a matter of getting someone in to give the floor thickness a check over and advise on what structural work may need doing to achieve the desired height etc.
Good luck.
To help you with stitching up that stone reveal you could temporarily instal a hefty verticale and plumb timber former to lay the stones against on the mortar beds. Leave in situ for a few days to let it all harden off then remove.
The rear corner etc looks sad. Yes a clearing out at the back must help but may need some kind of French drain or at least some gravel. Point it up inside and out if needed should see an improvement.
If you could get a four post lift in there it would be very handy. So it’s just a matter of getting someone in to give the floor thickness a check over and advise on what structural work may need doing to achieve the desired height etc.
Good luck.
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