12-07-12, 10:09 PM
Project restore old damp garage.
I moved house just over 18mnths ago, and I now have my first home with a garage. Yeah!
However there's some issues, or rather an issue, dampness and water ingress.
The garage is fairly old and possibly as old as the house (built 1932).
It appears to be built on top of a concrete base, is single brick (big soft old boys) and has a slate roof.
It's been built into the lie of the land (moderately steep slope) and unfortunately has been filled in.
So I have a damp issue, and when it rains heavy I get pools of water here and there inside the garage.
I've had a roofer check the roof, and a builder look at the general structure. Both are generally sound. The garage is in character with the house and a good size, so I wanna save it.
After thinking about it for a long time, I've decided to start digging it out - must be the first part of the solution - eh?
Meanwhile I'm scratching my head, talking to folks and reading stuff on the internet.
So any builders, architects, structural experts etc on the forum?
I'm currently thinking of one of two solutions.
1. Dig a drainage channel down just below the bottom of the concrete base round the garage, install drainage pipework, connect up to drains at the front of the garage. Tank the garage walls and back fill with suitable gravel. Maybe slab on top. Job done.
2. Or, create an air gap ie by digging out right round the garage. Dig down to bottom of concrete base and fill the bottom of my trench with concrete. Brick up my trench right round.
My worries;
1. If solution 1 develops a problem, I'll have to dig it out. I never want to dig this out again - not even if it's just gravel - never ever again!
2. Am I creating a safety hazard? A bricked up trench 1 to 1 and a 1/2 feet. But surely if I bring the brick wall 2 or 3 feet above the ground level I've nothing to worry about. I know I'll have to clean it out now and again.
Anyway any advice from those that ken will be very much appreciated.
See if I can get some photos up so you can see what I'm on about.
I moved house just over 18mnths ago, and I now have my first home with a garage. Yeah!
However there's some issues, or rather an issue, dampness and water ingress.
The garage is fairly old and possibly as old as the house (built 1932).
It appears to be built on top of a concrete base, is single brick (big soft old boys) and has a slate roof.
It's been built into the lie of the land (moderately steep slope) and unfortunately has been filled in.
So I have a damp issue, and when it rains heavy I get pools of water here and there inside the garage.
I've had a roofer check the roof, and a builder look at the general structure. Both are generally sound. The garage is in character with the house and a good size, so I wanna save it.
After thinking about it for a long time, I've decided to start digging it out - must be the first part of the solution - eh?
Meanwhile I'm scratching my head, talking to folks and reading stuff on the internet.
So any builders, architects, structural experts etc on the forum?
I'm currently thinking of one of two solutions.
1. Dig a drainage channel down just below the bottom of the concrete base round the garage, install drainage pipework, connect up to drains at the front of the garage. Tank the garage walls and back fill with suitable gravel. Maybe slab on top. Job done.
2. Or, create an air gap ie by digging out right round the garage. Dig down to bottom of concrete base and fill the bottom of my trench with concrete. Brick up my trench right round.
My worries;
1. If solution 1 develops a problem, I'll have to dig it out. I never want to dig this out again - not even if it's just gravel - never ever again!
2. Am I creating a safety hazard? A bricked up trench 1 to 1 and a 1/2 feet. But surely if I bring the brick wall 2 or 3 feet above the ground level I've nothing to worry about. I know I'll have to clean it out now and again.
Anyway any advice from those that ken will be very much appreciated.
See if I can get some photos up so you can see what I'm on about.