So i'm new here. I found this forum while researching project ideas to rehab my ancient detached barn/shop. Rough measurements for the original barn are 22x25 with a second story loft, and an add on cinder block workshop that brings the floor plan to 47x25. Overall the building is in good shape, the exceptions being the stairwell to 2nd floor is falling down and virtually unclimbable (1 by stringers and stair treads with no safety railing) back right corner of building has had some settlement and may need repaired eventually and concrete floors are mildly unlevel throughout, exterior has been redone by previous owner with exterior insulation panels and vinyl siding to match the house, secondary rubber roof has been updated to address previous roof leaks. Since purchasing the house a little over two years ago I have replaced the dilapidated fiberglass overhead garage door, added a door opener, and replaced the old barn wood shed door with a steel pre hung exterior door.
We moved into the home in August our first year and unfortunately I quickly discovered the barn had a serious wasp infestation. I've discovered paper wasps of varying types, mud daubers from the creek out back, and cricket hunters. Unfortunately I have a serious fear of stingings insects so I have avoided the garage like the plague. We have done a lot of spraying and knocked down a lot of nests, over the first winter i sealed up numerous windows that had missing glass panes, obvious points of entry.
I mainly have reserved garage work for winter which is rough because the garage has no primary heat source, although there is a gas line plumbed from house to garage with a small furnace I have never tested the equipment and it appears the previous owner may have back filled the chimney with something (dirt?)
Through this past summer and now autumn I have noticed no sign of wasps in the garage and have been spending more time inside and working on projects. Unfortunately my previous unwillingness to spend any significant amount of time in the garage and inability to access the 2nd floor loft has left a pile of junk from one end of the garage floor to the other.
I have decided to begin cleaning things up and eventually will finish out the interior of the garage in an effort to turn it into something I can be proud of and a place that I want to spend my time in. Also I am forced to clean up because we plan to hold my son's 4th birthday in the barn space in just a few weeks, expected attendance is more than we can handle in the house
.
Without further ado here are some pictures...outside then in, these were taken on 11/27 and I made some good head way on 11/28.
We moved into the home in August our first year and unfortunately I quickly discovered the barn had a serious wasp infestation. I've discovered paper wasps of varying types, mud daubers from the creek out back, and cricket hunters. Unfortunately I have a serious fear of stingings insects so I have avoided the garage like the plague. We have done a lot of spraying and knocked down a lot of nests, over the first winter i sealed up numerous windows that had missing glass panes, obvious points of entry.
I mainly have reserved garage work for winter which is rough because the garage has no primary heat source, although there is a gas line plumbed from house to garage with a small furnace I have never tested the equipment and it appears the previous owner may have back filled the chimney with something (dirt?)
Through this past summer and now autumn I have noticed no sign of wasps in the garage and have been spending more time inside and working on projects. Unfortunately my previous unwillingness to spend any significant amount of time in the garage and inability to access the 2nd floor loft has left a pile of junk from one end of the garage floor to the other.
I have decided to begin cleaning things up and eventually will finish out the interior of the garage in an effort to turn it into something I can be proud of and a place that I want to spend my time in. Also I am forced to clean up because we plan to hold my son's 4th birthday in the barn space in just a few weeks, expected attendance is more than we can handle in the house
.Without further ado here are some pictures...outside then in, these were taken on 11/27 and I made some good head way on 11/28.
