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  • From: Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] greenhouse update
  • Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 06:24:01 -0500


On Sep 2, 2008, at 9:10 PM, WF Smith wrote:

I wouldn't place wooden floor framing down in the dirt. I'm in Upstate South
Carolina , and that is like setting the table for termites and other
parasites. I think you could chemically treat the soil and the lumber well
enough to suit your purposes, but I don't think that's a wise way to
proceed. I'm assuming you want the softness/feel of the wood floor and
that's a valid desire especially if you will be on your feet.

Yes, the slight springiness of wood is easier on my hips. A wood shop floor also allows jigs and braces screwed to the floor as well as full- size layout drawings. The biggest negative for me is I prefer to hose out a floor from time to time. Blowing out dust and sawdust is lots more problematical and vacuuming is more difficult under benches.

When I built a basement under part of this old house I found termite damage in a big oak beam, so I know they are here. But perhaps the ACQ stuff will resist them? Or as you suggest, chemically treat the soil before laying the joists. I have created drainage away from the building and the dry, rocky soil should be inhospitable to termites.

Use your backhoe to dig out a suitable crawlspace, seal the earth using an
epdm barrier or the like, ventilate the space and frame your floor.

Way more work and expense than I want. Ventilation would be nigh impossible.

Another item: I am thinking to pour a concrete ribbon around the perimeter before any other floor work, both as a screed edge and to stabilize the posts in case the ACQ does not do what we all hope it will do and underground post rot occurs. I had thought to run rebar through the five by five treated posts but then realized that all fasteners into ACQ needs to be coated or stainless. The rebar would deteriorate. So then I thought about running the rebar through galvanized pipe through the posts. Which seems like excessive work and expense. Don suggests lag bolts on three post faces. What say you guys?





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