My New House & Workshop

[fastpakr]

Well at least you have @fastpakr to help you out then.

It is nice when things work out like that.

Conveniently, the portal between Roanoke, VA and Roanoke, TX was left in place so I'm readily available to help out.

 

[Shran]

The Mexicans up here seem to be into logging, roofing or putting up carports. Can't comment on their tree cutting skills, they can whip out a nice looking roof pretty quick. Their carport building skills are godawful. I'd have em put a roof on for sure but I'm not convinced they can read a tape measure or a level just yet.

 

[ericbphoto]

The Mexicans up here seem to be into logging, roofing or putting up carports. Can't comment on their tree cutting skills, they can whip out a nice looking roof pretty quick. Their carport building skills are godawful. I'd have em put a roof on for sure but I'm not convinced they can read a tape measure or a level just yet.

I’ve seen some excellent Mexican/Latino framing crews. And, wow, can they do drywall.

 

[Jim Oaks]

You guys are nuts. I drive back and forth from Texas to Ohio once a year. I don't wish that on anyone.

The previous owner hasn't cleaned the building out. She thinks she can have it done in a week. I feel bad for her. She's 70 and seems to be doing it herself.

Her husband liked records. I'd be shocked if there wasn't 100+ albums and 100+ records in there original covers in there. I spotted them everywhere.

 

[MikeG]

Looks like an episode of "Hoarders."

The old LPs are probably worth a fortune on Fleabay.

 

[19Walt93]

If you're raising the roof anyway think hard about going tall enough for a lift. I added the 3rd stall about 15 years ago and didn't build enough height for a lift. I kick my own butt for that every day. Getting up from a creeper is a sit up, knowing I was going to get older wasn't the same as experiencing it. You'll never wish you didn't have a lift.

 

[mtnrgr]

Congratulations jim on your place. That is cool about all those records. My old friend still has all his dj equipment, can bring that and scratch some records.. .

For all that other stuff..

 

[Jim Oaks]

For those of you that work with concrete, take a look at these pics. You think I could remove any loose pieces of concrete, frame this, and pour a new 2-inch slab right over it?

 

[rumblecloud]

Two rules of concrete: 1. It will get hard, and 2, It will crack.
It looks like it was a patio type area and not very thick - maybe even bagged - not meant for heavy use. Not sure what the underlayment is. I think if you pour over it, you'll be looking at the same result in about a year.
A slab that size can't be that expensive to pour. There are calculators out there that can tell you the approximate costs in your area.

 

[sgtsandman]

I'm with rumblecloud. Better to get rid of what is there and start fresh. If it's anything like my garage floor, it was poured over bare dirt with no gravel base at all and loose cinder blocks were added later for a "foundation" for the garage. Those from the WWII and Korean War era did some pretty sketchy stuff. I find new sketchy stuff all time in my house and at the VFW Post. Things that make you go WTF.

 

[MikeG]

Jackhammer it up, put forms up and pour at least 4" with some wire in it.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Man, that's just going to cost more money. I was hoping I could just pour on top of it. I don't want to park on it, just use it as a patio. I'm going to use the area my Ranger is on for a driveway.

 

[MikeG]

2" isn't much of a slab. If you could pour 4" on top with wire..... maybe.... but 2" more inches on top of crap, will just be more crap.

 

[rumblecloud]

Man, that's just going to cost more money. I was hoping I could just pour on top of it. I don't want to park on it, just use it as a patio. I'm going to use the area my Ranger is on for a driveway.

If you pour 2 inches on top, you still have to make a form. Then you have an extra two inches of concrete over the existing slab which raises it even further above the existing grade. Now you have to raise the grade with (gravel, mulch, soil?) and that could create drainage issues with water run-off toward the house. I can't see where the slab sits next to the house - if it goes right up to it, it's better than a couple of feet away. And I don't know how much it rains there, but those are the other things you might want to consider.
Just trying to help.

 

[ericbphoto]

Plus, there is usually a minimal Amount you can order in a cement truck. Small quantities are expensive "by the yard" due to delivery charges. So it is often the same price to use more concrete and do the job right. Getting rid of the old and pouring a deeper slab with reinforcing mesh will give a much longer lasting stronger result as opposed to skimming over the top with a thin layer.

You're going to need help finishing the slab. This is a 2-3 man job, minimum. I bet you can get a Mexican finishing crew to do the whole thing for a very reasonably price. They'll have all the tools. It would probably be one day to remove the old and set the forms. Next morning the pour. They'll be gone by noon and all you have to do is stay off of it for a couple days.

Or we could do that when we all come down to raise the shop roof. Order some extra food and drink.