Hey all,
I have been tackling some of my exterior chores over the past couple of weeks and want to get all maintainance/repair jobs done before the nice weather so I can enjoy it without worrying about preparing for next winter.
Anyway, out of my extremely long list of jobs to do, here are a few that I would really, really appreciate and benefit from help with.
I'll number these to try make things easier and I'll go take some pics for reference too.
1. Outbuilding doors. I have two large buildings at the bottom of my garden. My intention is to convert the buildings, and in doing so fit new upvc doors, but only after I finish the house, which could be another year or two. In the meantime I'm wanting to secure them, mainly from the elements and rats but also to look better. I have limited funds and time to get this done so anything from a thumbs up to a how2 guide is appreciated.
The frames aren't the best but seem secure enough, especially after sealing all gaps with expanding foam. So I'm thinking, take off the existing doors and replace the openings (a) 2200 x 2100 & (b) 2000 x 860 by recessing some stud timber by 18mm, create a frame by and screwing it to the current frames and concrete floor. Then cut down some 18mm osb and boarding it over.
I don't need immediate access to (b) and therefore a flush fixed board will do but I may need access to (a) for storage, so I was thinking, create a smaller opening within the studs, boarding out the rest and then hinging an OSB door/access panel onto it.
Thing is, I don't really have much experience with this externally, so I have questions. Is the OSB strong enough, how is best to weathproof it, how long is it likely to last, am I doing the right thing, is there something I could do differently, or a cheaper, quicker solution, bearing in mind I have 1 day to get this done by myself.
2. Still on the outbuildings, the guttering downpipe is flooding my garden and I am needing some form of drainage. The guys who laid the paving left a small gravelled boarder as a draining solution. However the gap is barely 100mm wide and deep so it cannot cope with the amount of rainfall. The corner which has been flooded all winter, I dug out tonight to tend to some eroded bricks at this level. What should I do now? I literally have no idea where to start with trying to fix this issue and need all the help and advice you can give.
3. Effervescence on block walls not shifting. I've had this problem for years but I can't seem to get rid of it. This last time I cleaned it all of with a stiff brush before painting with sandtex masonary paint but after the first coat it has just come straight back, only now looking worse against the black. Any ideas of how I can get rid if this for good?
4. Guttering around extension/utility is useless, and maybe overloaded, as it is catches water from the main roof also. I have no idea what type of guttering this is, and couldn't find replacements connectors after they failed and it only catches water only when it feels like it!! Usually it just allows water to run down the back and bounce out the front. What should I do? Change the guttering entirely for bigger stuff, better shape etc? I really have no idea where to start here either, but It's going to lead to bigger problems if I don't take care of it now.
I thought I'd leave it there, I have more on the list but I think I should actually get a few jobs done first before I drive myself mad.
Sorry for the giant essay guys, I've just been so busy with my actual day job that I mentally don't have the time or will for the research and planning at the moment but jusy know that I need to get these done!!
Tara
I have been tackling some of my exterior chores over the past couple of weeks and want to get all maintainance/repair jobs done before the nice weather so I can enjoy it without worrying about preparing for next winter.
Anyway, out of my extremely long list of jobs to do, here are a few that I would really, really appreciate and benefit from help with.
I'll number these to try make things easier and I'll go take some pics for reference too.
1. Outbuilding doors. I have two large buildings at the bottom of my garden. My intention is to convert the buildings, and in doing so fit new upvc doors, but only after I finish the house, which could be another year or two. In the meantime I'm wanting to secure them, mainly from the elements and rats but also to look better. I have limited funds and time to get this done so anything from a thumbs up to a how2 guide is appreciated.
The frames aren't the best but seem secure enough, especially after sealing all gaps with expanding foam. So I'm thinking, take off the existing doors and replace the openings (a) 2200 x 2100 & (b) 2000 x 860 by recessing some stud timber by 18mm, create a frame by and screwing it to the current frames and concrete floor. Then cut down some 18mm osb and boarding it over.
I don't need immediate access to (b) and therefore a flush fixed board will do but I may need access to (a) for storage, so I was thinking, create a smaller opening within the studs, boarding out the rest and then hinging an OSB door/access panel onto it.
Thing is, I don't really have much experience with this externally, so I have questions. Is the OSB strong enough, how is best to weathproof it, how long is it likely to last, am I doing the right thing, is there something I could do differently, or a cheaper, quicker solution, bearing in mind I have 1 day to get this done by myself.
2. Still on the outbuildings, the guttering downpipe is flooding my garden and I am needing some form of drainage. The guys who laid the paving left a small gravelled boarder as a draining solution. However the gap is barely 100mm wide and deep so it cannot cope with the amount of rainfall. The corner which has been flooded all winter, I dug out tonight to tend to some eroded bricks at this level. What should I do now? I literally have no idea where to start with trying to fix this issue and need all the help and advice you can give.
3. Effervescence on block walls not shifting. I've had this problem for years but I can't seem to get rid of it. This last time I cleaned it all of with a stiff brush before painting with sandtex masonary paint but after the first coat it has just come straight back, only now looking worse against the black. Any ideas of how I can get rid if this for good?
4. Guttering around extension/utility is useless, and maybe overloaded, as it is catches water from the main roof also. I have no idea what type of guttering this is, and couldn't find replacements connectors after they failed and it only catches water only when it feels like it!! Usually it just allows water to run down the back and bounce out the front. What should I do? Change the guttering entirely for bigger stuff, better shape etc? I really have no idea where to start here either, but It's going to lead to bigger problems if I don't take care of it now.
I thought I'd leave it there, I have more on the list but I think I should actually get a few jobs done first before I drive myself mad.
Sorry for the giant essay guys, I've just been so busy with my actual day job that I mentally don't have the time or will for the research and planning at the moment but jusy know that I need to get these done!!
Tara