Garage Conversion
I am sitting here in the STUPID snow thinking. I've got a free standing garage on one of my properties. It's made of cinderblock with a cement floor. There is no water service to the property. My mind has been churning into making this into a small efficiency.
My general questions
1. how do they get the water/sewer to the building - bust the concete and run it underneath or something else entirely?
2. the roof is going to be replaced this spring. how hard is it to add a second floor for a bedroom loft area - I guess what I'm asking is what type support is needed?
just mulling this about in my mind and those are 2 questions I've come up with so far
Well, first off is it going to have its own utilities? If so you will need another meter for water and power, it will have to be properly zone for that to happen.
Yes, you will have some concrete demolition to get water in. No big deal.
Cut out a section of concrete near the wall, dig out some dirt, and punch through to the trench.
But group your plumbing to make it easier to install supply lines, i.e., bath, water heater, laundry, kitchen, and hose bibb should be grouped.
Drains will be a little more difficult, as the shower/tub and commode drains will need to run under the slab.
Once again, no big deal. Keep them close to the supply inlet excavation and group plumbing so much of drains can be above floor
Block construction should easily support a 2nd level. The only issues are if the window headers will carry the load, and if the footer is adequate.
First is probably OK, or no big deal. Footers need to be confirmed, and if no good, the cost goes up significantly.
You will need a structural engineer, particularly for the footers.
And someone will ask you how you intend to insulate this efficiency.
Mike J
[addsig]