Earth to wall clearance issue

Master Brian · 02-17-2011, 05:25 PM

I have an old 1915 detached garage that sits on a slab that I need to change grade around. Currently I'm lucky if there is 1-2" from the ground to the bottom of the wall. Obviously that isn't enough and I'd like to come up with a good solution to better protect the wood from rot/insects.

Shy of jacking the garage up and pouring a new base under the garage, I'm open to suggestions. I just don't have the time/money to do that yet, but I may down the road.

I have thought about replacing the bottom 10-12" of siding with cement board and flashing. I've also thought about cutting the bottom 9-18" of wall out and replacing with concrete block. That method would actually match my house, as it sets on about 4 courses of block foundation above grade.

My neighbor whom is a brick mason, suggested pouring a shallow footing all around the perimeter of the garage and installing a short stone/brick veneer around the garage. It's something he did to his and it looks good and would protect from everything I want and allow for a slight buildup of grade, but wouldn't match my concrete block foundation of the house.

Any other ideas?? I can post pics if need be....

Bondo · 02-17-2011, 06:18 PM

Ayuh,... No chance of lowering the surrounding grade, eh,..??

Master Brian · 02-17-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bondo

Ayuh,... No chance of lowering the surrounding grade, eh,..??

If only it were that easy!

I actually have had to build most of the yard around my house up to keep water out of the house. So far water hasn't gone towards/into the garage, but the ground does slope that way.

anesthes · 02-18-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Brian

If only it were that easy!

I actually have had to build most of the yard around my house up to keep water out of the house. So far water hasn't gone towards/into the garage, but the ground does slope that way.

Dig a trench around the garage, then run a pipe down slope from the trench Fill the trench with gravel. Water will enter the gravel, the pipe, and flow away from the garage.

Master Brian · 02-18-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anesthes

Dig a trench around the garage, then run a pipe down slope from the trench Fill the trench with gravel. Water will enter the gravel, the pipe, and flow away from the garage.

I have thought about that, but currently don't have anywhere for the water in the pipe to go.

*I did uncover an old cistern, which I have thought about trying to bring back to life. If I could do that, I could divert the water into the cistern.

What about the garage wood framed wall and it's proximaty to the soil. Should I not worry about that?

anesthes · 02-18-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Brian

I have thought about that, but currently don't have anywhere for the water in the pipe to go.

*I did uncover an old cistern, which I have thought about trying to bring back to life. If I could do that, I could divert the water into the cistern.

What about the garage wood framed wall and it's proximaty to the soil. Should I not worry about that?

Well, I've always been concerned with ants. Wood boring insects will eat away at sills and studs. If you have a path where soil touches or reasonably is close to wood, they will find it.

I had to tear down an addition because of this.

-- Joe