As per previous post. I bought an old victorian home built in 1870 with a garage that is almost as old. I move in at the end of this month. The garage foundation is solid but needs a lot of work (600 sq ft). Other owners have kept maintaining this structure for over a century so I am NOT going to tear it down......though I have felt like it a lot this week!!! So in your suggestions....be constructive....haha....get it?......get it??!!
The previous owners let the ground level get 1 ft higher than the cement foundation so it rotted all the wood at the base and water got in. I had all the earth moved from around the garage to start the repairs. See picture....yikes!
I am trying to get the garage "functional" for end of July when I must move in my cars. I am replacing all the rotten wood at the base and then putting a membrane and new siding on the outside so no more water will ever get in. New roof is happeneing next week. I am then putting in plastic and insulation on the inside of the walls and boarding them up. It should take car of any water infiltration.
Todays issue - the floor and moisture. Once the walls are done....I posted yesterday that I wanted to put down an epoxy floor but I did the moisture test (tapped a piece of plastic to the floor overnight) and the cement has moisture trapped inside. So the instructions say I can't epoxy the floor.
I don't have $2000 - $3000 for race deck products.
Questions -
1. Can I put down a plastic membrane on the floor and then put down large plywood planks. I would then get a couple of racing matts for extra security that no moisture would come up through the floors. OR should I just put down new cement instead? Is moisture ridden cement a lost cuase? The cement floor looks nice and dry and has no cracks at all.
Any other suggestions or options?
2. How do I get the humidity out of this garage?
It feels and smells like a basement that had a flood.
Long post but for anyone else that has been here......I REALLY need some help.
I know it doesn't look nice now but structure is full of huge old wood and beams and l think it will look amazing once I am done.