Garage help

The house I bought this summer was built in 1919, the attached garage was built around the 40's. The 2 car plus garage is in rough shape and will need to be rebuilt in a few years. In the mean time it is what it is.



The garage has a gravel floor. Not a huge deal but it dose cause some problems. Mostly with keeping the floor clean and safety while jacking. I have some metal plates for jack stability and some 1/4 inch plastic for laying on and stability for stools and stuff. Honestly i would almost prefer a dirt floor to the gravel.

Is there anything short of pouring a slab I could do? Maybe a half slab?

Also what are you guys finding is the most efficient way to heat your shops. Until I change insurance I can't use wood. My home is on gas. I'm thinking about just putting in a gas heater or putting in a big propane tank and splicing in my torch system.

Awesome answer. That's why I asked. I used to own a landscaping company and have done tons of patios and that idea never occurred to me.

If anything it would work awesome under my work benches along the back wall.

Originally Posted by ParkerFlyer4

I'm not sure I fully understand what you want.
Why not pour concrete? Bricks would take longer and cost more.

Pouring a new slab could be a waste of money if is not going to meet code to be used as a foundation for the new garage, and have to be ripped up.

Originally Posted by ParkerFlyer4

I'm not sure I fully understand what you want.
Why not pour concrete? Bricks would take longer and cost more.

The garage is in rough shape and needs to be tore down and rebuilt so I'm looking more for ways I can improve the situation while not dumping a lot of money into a situation that is basically temporary. The brick idea to me meant, building a surface in a part of the shop similar to a patio. It wouldn't work for jacking under but would give me a decent area for breakdowns and woodworking, that I could at least sweep.

i would suggest laying stringers on brick supports and properly attached to footing or wall as may be your case.

look around and grab plywood slip sheets (3/4 is best) and stagger seams with 2 layers and glue between. i use pl2000 general purpose construction adheasive.

this type of setup depending on support and stringers can support a full size truck and more. use at least 2x12 on 16 center to support vehicles. just random yard equipment can use 2x6 on 24 or 32 center.

adding something like this can add alot of structural strength. also adding supports and bracing may allow you to rebuild a board at a time eliminating permits and other hasssles as most areas consider that upkeep not new structure. also think of it this way... it will allow expansion a wall at a time without govenment involvement. Keep expansion under 2 feet each time or they cancall it remodeling and still make you pull permits.

if you want to go that route pack class 1 gravel in and tamp it flat and tight. provided you keep it dry it will be as hard as concrete and is what we put under retaining walls with an inch or two of sand over it. instead of sand i would use pea gravel. no sharp edges and enough agrate to keep it firm if it does get damp. just run tamper over pea gravel and pack it in. will give you a nice solid surface. sharp corners may still gouge if not packed tight enough.

class one has higher clay content and a little more sand with less crushed rock than class 5 gravel. the clay if kept dry will make it concrete hard.

added bonus is clay wicks moisture. if you do spill just add a bit of sand and hand pack it with a hand tamper. clay takes while to dry though but will return to concrete hard when it does.

thank you for all the ideas. I do like the idea of compacting down the soil using rammed earth. This is similar to many of the gravel walkways and paths I have built.

Unfortunately I live in one of those rural communities of 900 that is trying to be fancy. However I would have no issues going with wood heat but my insurance company will not insure us for any heat other than electric or gas. I'm looking into other companies. I would love to heat my whole house and shop with wood, I did so for 5 years in Oregon. Based on all the other busy body complaints I have gotten lately I'm worried about just putting in a wood stove anyway.

Originally Posted by DakotaRog

Yeah, that's one of the down sides of small town SD. If you haven't grown up with them and new to a community, the tongues will be wagging. Its usually the old folks with too much time on their hands.

You hit the nail on the head there Rog. People here look at me like I'm from outer space. I just smile and say hi. Just for fun I like to cruise around town with a huge load of appliances. That really gets the old ladies talking. Lol.