Skreddy Builds a Shop (4 Viewers)

[Skreddy]

Was going to wait to start this until I had the roof on but oh well.

Quick and dirty details: we bought a project pre-foreclosure house in Spokane end of March ‘24. Been remodeling and waiting on permits for a pole building. Permits got approved mid August and I ordered my pole building kit the next day. It’s 36’x50’ and 14’ walls. Will have two 12x12 overhead doors and a 4’ man door on the front 36’ wall. Going to put in a 2 post lift and will have radiant heat floors and insulated/fully finished interior. I’m doing all the work myself/with friend’s help except the concrete slab floor.


Leading up to this, we had to have a whole new on site septic system installed (knew this going in) so we were able to move it and place the shop over the old drainfield, which is the best spot for it on the property. Not worried about settling; old drainfield was 18’ deep! So my lumber package and trusses showed up last Monday (sept 16). Wife and I poked all the holes in the ground Tuesday, inspection was Wednesday morning and concrete Wednesday afternoon. Other commitments meant I couldn’t do anymore work on it until afternoon today. A friend came over and I had a reach forklift delivered. We got the back gable truss and the pair in the next bay set but that was it. Next weekend I’ll get a boom lift and reach and should go much faster. Was a lot of prep I didn’t account for that ate up time today.

I’ve got a pretty ambitious timeline: done by end of this year (wife wants to park in the house garage when snow comes). Planning on having the floor poured in 3 weeks

I’ll update as more happens.

 

[Skreddy]

4 hours today and got the rest of the trusses and purlins in. Tomorrow I hope to get all the truss tails/eaves on, fascia on and sheet the roof.

 

[Skreddy]

I got all my trusses and purlins up last weekend and the roof about 3/4 sheeted, then work got in the way. Should finish sheeting this weekend. Didn’t get any pics worth posting.
Also trenching for my power and water next weekend. Pretty sure I fired my electrician and concrete guy too. I planned on wiring everything except paying electrician to make the connections for shop to feeder and feeder to house. Not happy with the electrician price escalation for something I am pretty confident in doing.
The concrete…. Ugh…. My slab keeps getting pushed off because since it’s covered, he’d rather squeeze in other jobs before the rain comes. I want mine done before we start getting big freezes…. We were also talking about control joints yesterday and he informed me he doesn’t plan on doing them because of the radiant tubing: doesn’t want to cut it (and he won’t use zip strips). Also, he said concrete just cracks no matter what so control joints are a waste of time. If I’m spending this much on concrete, I’m not accepting “it’s just going to crack”.

Talked to a different concrete company today and first suggestion was up the thickness a little so we can make sure we get deep enough control joints without hitting the pipe to make sure you don’t get cracks. Boom.

More to come next week or so.

 

[knuckle47]

This is great…congratulations on the building. It brings back a lot of memories from almost exactly 2 years ago…in my case the Amish guys did the polebarn in about 9 days and the concrete was poured under the roof on compacted bluestone by another company. As for thick..was supposed to be around 5 but turned out to be 8”. No cracking so far. I did epoxy the floor so unless it’s camouflaged in there, I haven’t seen any…inside or out.

Best of luck …it looks terrific

 

[Skreddy]

This is great…congratulations on the building. It brings back a lot of memories from almost exactly 2 years ago…in my case the Amish guys did the polebarn in about 9 days and the concrete was poured under the roof on compacted bluestone by another company. As for thick..was supposed to be around 5 but turned out to be 8”. No cracking so far. I did epoxy the floor so unless it’s camouflaged in there, I haven’t seen any…inside or out.

Best of luck …it looks terrific

I plan on doing epoxy on the floor. Did the DIY Rustoleum on my garage a year ago and a friend’s garage about 6 years ago and happy with how it’s held up.
I know if any cracks occur, a little skim prep and the epoxy will mostly hide it, I just can’t resign myself to accepting cracks without even trying to mitigate it.

 

[knuckle47]

Not sure on epoxy cost 2 years later but I bought 5 pails of this , it went up $20 https://www.amazon.com/Coating-Floors-Counter-Solids-Leveling/dp/B08HJJMW8Z/ref=sr_1_3_pp?crid=19BHZOAC5ZJMP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Igr8uHT63dwgoIwym8m6L-CEB85t80d9zl3mcR2AiKcR0vTKDBdPw1OHewDV3ZhWEnRhbGvlupWNtvzyY8PzPAgLdX77YTKF1zkYRDDwI0a2yi3CrqHQTAc9MtlFjpvLYjwq5ZWzSge2XNHuNHfvBcPfb3sladWOPHH8MvJIsx7QsJ6EoERZG3198-dP4sQ2GIxDtMBOZ2dAf4OaoOVcnbtnV2_m1_HsK7ofbqRcT-g.vSjzQ_rIm76XG_ThunJ5iBM-e6zj51ERMhXVLMfbZjw&dib_tag=se&keywords=epoxy+garage+floor+coating+kit&qid=1728036320&sprefix=Epoxy+garage,aps,90&sr=8-3&th=1

I did three coats not two. It looks like glass without the wet slippage. Looks brand new 2 years later with steady movement across the surface. 2 coats would have been more than enough but I had the extra material

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

Congrats on the shop. I did a 30 by 40 almost 10 years ago on the south hill. I wrote the checks I should say. I did do the radiant heat myself with the help of a friend who had experience. I also did the insulation and sheet rock later. I can tell you, my concrete has not cracked at all in that time. Site the lift before you pour and put in the Pex for the heat. My floor is 4", but the where the two post lift is I cut the wire and dug another 8 or so inches and routed the pipe clear of those areas. Amazing job you are doing and you must be saving a ton!

 

[Skreddy]

Congrats on the shop. I did a 30 by 40 almost 10 years ago on the south hill. I wrote the checks I should say. I did do the radiant heat myself with the help of a friend who had experience. I also did the insulation and sheet rock later. I can tell you, my concrete has not cracked at all in that time. Site the lift before you pour and put in the Pex for the heat. My floor is 4", but the where the two post lift is I cut the wire and dug another 8 or so inches and routed the pipe clear of those areas. Amazing job you are doing and you must be saving a ton!View attachment 3744319View attachment 3744320

For my lift, I’m doing exactly as you described. Figuring out lift location first, then routing the pex clear and removing the foam board below it for a little more depth. Think I’m leaving about 3’x3’ for each post with no pex there.

 

[Skreddy]

Minor setback today, mostly just an annoyance. Worked the last few nights and slept about 2 hours today and got up to get my electrical trenching done. Reserved a 36” walk behind trencher, went and got it, came home and did my 300’ of trenches then returned it. When I got back I started digging out some of the dirt that fell in and measuring and kept coming up only 18-20” deep (I need 24-30” cover over my 3” conduit). Called the rental place and was informed I got a 24” trencher, which really only does about 20”…. They don’t even have a 36” trencher.

Ugh. Getting a 36” from a different place tomorrow but really bummed about the wasted day more than anything.

 

[Skreddy]

Not sure on epoxy cost 2 years later but I bought 5 pails of this , it went up $20 https://www.amazon.com/Coating-Floors-Counter-Solids-Leveling/dp/B08HJJMW8Z/ref=sr_1_3_pp?crid=19BHZOAC5ZJMP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Igr8uHT63dwgoIwym8m6L-CEB85t80d9zl3mcR2AiKcR0vTKDBdPw1OHewDV3ZhWEnRhbGvlupWNtvzyY8PzPAgLdX77YTKF1zkYRDDwI0a2yi3CrqHQTAc9MtlFjpvLYjwq5ZWzSge2XNHuNHfvBcPfb3sladWOPHH8MvJIsx7QsJ6EoERZG3198-dP4sQ2GIxDtMBOZ2dAf4OaoOVcnbtnV2_m1_HsK7ofbqRcT-g.vSjzQ_rIm76XG_ThunJ5iBM-e6zj51ERMhXVLMfbZjw&dib_tag=se&keywords=epoxy+garage+floor+coating+kit&qid=1728036320&sprefix=Epoxy+garage,aps,90&sr=8-3&th=1

I did three coats not two. It looks like glass without the wet slippage. Looks brand new 2 years later with steady movement across the surface. 2 coats would have been more than enough but I had the extra material

View attachment 3741517

I really like the look of this!

Does this have the “flakes” in it? I used the rustoleum rock solid product on my garage and really like it. We bought a flake mix of different colors than it came with.

Is yours slippery if you walk in with wet feet; or snowy wet feet? Crocs are mighty slippery when icy/wet.

 

[knuckle47]

@Skreddy The flakes are a separate purchase and they are broadcast while the first coat is wet. The next day my son and I did the 2nd coat but before coating it, you take a scraper ( we used an 18” wide steel blade on a handle ) and push it along the surface. That will take of any of the high tips of the flake that could harden like small stalagmites on the floor. We were quite aggressive to remove any. Then apply the 2nd coat with the squeegee and roll it out. Definitely use a set of those steel spike slip-ons to walk.

2 years currently and it looks as good, naturally I dropped a big hammer and it landed on the claw and chipped an inch of the epoxy. I had saved a pint of the liquid and hardener so fixing it was simple.

You also must grind the concrete whether new or decades old. I rented one from Depot and in 4 hours it was done. Flakes are available in dozens of colors and combinations. Easy to skimp and have thin spots so I used about 35 lbs of flake for 1200 sq ft.

Slippery? No… this surprised me as it sure looks like a back breaker when wet. I would not ride a motorcycle in there on a rainy day. On th other hand, I have not felt insecure walking around there with wet shoes and I CANNOT afford to fall. Accumulated snow stuck to your shoes would be an issue

Look up some YouTube video on epoxy floors. There are combinations of resins and metallics that look like swirls of cobalt blue and copper which are remarkably nice to admire but maybe not to live with daily. I was going to experiment with embedding a 2x3’ logo on a sheet of paper but, that faded as we were trying to wrap this up and not extend it

EDIT: There is a knack to spreading the flake…I tossed them in the air and they are lightweight so they fluttered to the ground nicely spaced.. spreading it like feeding chickens is not very consistent and lead to blotchy spots

 

[Skreddy]

@Skreddy The flakes are a separate purchase and they are broadcast while the first coat is wet. The next day my son and I did the 2nd coat but before coating it, you take a scraper ( we used an 18” wide steel blade on a handle ) and push it along the surface. That will take of any of the high tips of the flake that could harden like small stalagmites on the floor. We were quite aggressive to remove any. Then apply the 2nd coat with the squeegee and roll it out. Definitely use a set of those steel spike slip-ons to walk.

2 years currently and it looks as good, naturally I dropped a big hammer and it landed on the claw and chipped an inch of the epoxy. I had saved a pint of the liquid and hardener so fixing it was simple.

You also must grind the concrete whether new or decades old. I rented one from Depot and in 4 hours it was done. Flakes are available in dozens of colors and combinations. Easy to skimp and have thin spots so I used about 35 lbs of flake for 1200 sq ft.


View attachment 3744701View attachment 3744702

Slippery? No… this surprised me as it sure looks like a back breaker when wet. I would not ride a motorcycle in there on a rainy day. On th other hand, I have not felt insecure walking around there with wet shoes and I CANNOT afford to fall. Accumulated snow stuck to your shoes would be an issue

Look up some YouTube video on epoxy floors. There are combinations of resins and metallics that look like swirls of cobalt blue and copper which are remarkably nice to admire but maybe not to live with daily. I was going to experiment with embedding a 2x3’ logo on a sheet of paper but, that faded as we were trying to wrap this up and not extend it

EDIT: There is a knack to spreading the flake…I tossed them in the air and they are lightweight so they fluttered to the ground nicely spaced.. spreading it like feeding chickens is not very consistent and lead to blotchy spots

My wife tossed the flakes for our garage. I find it funny because it’s a completely random pattern you can only get by someone who didn’t think they knew what they were doing. Anyone who “thinks” they can broadcast a flake pattern is probably going to have tiger stripes, etc. She did wear the spiked shoes and now she wears them whenever she mows the lawn because I joked they’d help aerate the soil.

 

[knuckle47]

Hahahahaha…..that is 100% terrific!

When I first started, I could see the 10lbs of flake I had was not going to work…fortunately the “ next day between 4am-8am” Amazon delivery had them in my yard before we started. If there was not so much ‘STUFF” in there, I would use up the last 5 gallons of epoxy and do another coat. But that will never happen

I will say, a member once posted 2 years ago. “Wait until you drop a 10mm nut, you’ll never find it”. So true< I do use a soft push broom and it’s funny how many small parts can show up. I use a sweep magnet but the stainless stuff doesn’t attract

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

I was so desperate to move into mine, it was built right before winter and I had stuff in storage in Seattle, that I didn't even seal the floor. I regret that now. I don't know that I'll ever do it now, too much stuff to move

 

[knuckle47]

I was so desperate to move into mine, it was built right before winter and I had stuff in storage in Seattle, that I didn't even seal the floor. I regret that now. I don't know that I'll ever do it now, too much stuff to move

Exactly my problem doing another coat of epoxy…it would take me 4 days to clear it out

 

[Skreddy]

I was so desperate to move into mine, it was built right before winter and I had stuff in storage in Seattle, that I didn't even seal the floor. I regret that now. I don't know that I'll ever do it now, too much stuff to move

When we bought this house we drywalled the garage and did the floor before we moved anything in. I knew if we didn’t, we’d never do it later.

 

[1911]

Minor setback today, mostly just an annoyance. Worked the last few nights and slept about 2 hours today and got up to get my electrical trenching done. Reserved a 36” walk behind trencher, went and got it, came home and did my 300’ of trenches then returned it. When I got back I started digging out some of the dirt that fell in and measuring and kept coming up only 18-20” deep (I need 24-30” cover over my 3” conduit). Called the rental place and was informed I got a 24” trencher, which really only does about 20”…. They don’t even have a 36” trencher.

Ugh. Getting a 36” from a different place tomorrow but really bummed about the wasted day more than anything.

I have done all my own trenching for everything; electric, water, propane, and sewer. I have found that the walk-behind trenchers you can rent from Home Depot are often abused and worn. My own pet peeve with these is when the digging teeth are so worn that the advertised 4"-wide trench is 3" or less. They're also typically underpowered for digging their rated (advertised) depth, unless you're trenching in soft sand.

In my experience, it's worth it to pay more and rent a ride-on trencher from a real equipment rental place, not Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[Skreddy]

Just got done with the 36” trencher. Used a different private rental company and it was in pretty good shape. @1911 I debated on a ride on but couldn’t get one in one section. In hindsight, I should’ve just rented a mini-ex and got a couple other little projects done too.

 

[knuckle47]

I ran a trench 140’ to the house to access Cable TV, Internet feed and Phone thru 1 1/2” pvc conduit. I stupidly did it by hand using a pick Axe and shovel. The area around the pole barn was easier but the trip across the width of the driveway was 30 feet of 40 years of compacted gravel and stone. It’s only 12” down but if it lasts me 15 years, I’ll be too old to walk over there anyway. The next owner gets a pole barn without TV!

 

[Skreddy]

Fascia, drip edge and underhangs done in the last 2 days. Now I have to work 4 days. I need to convince my wife to go to work so I can stay home and play with old cars and planes all day.