Old cabin renovation

Wondering if anyone has any ideas or experience in refurbishing old cabins?

I have always wanted to fix up my grandfather’s old cabin that is on the shoreline of our family’s estate for many years. Unfortunately the cabin has not been used for a long time and over time the mildew, mold and other issues has taken it’s toll.

It’s primarily built on a cement slab, and part over block Some additions were built to the original building in it’s early life.

If we tear the building down it sounds like the county will not allow to re-build. Lots of code changes since the good old days.

The problem is is moisture in and from the slab. It’s not in great shape. Ultimately it would be nice to jack up the building and build a subfloor underneath, but that’s not an easy task. The entire building was built close to a steep hill, in a heavily tree covered area and I contribute some moisture problems from that.

Thinking drain tile, other water diversion, any other advice? The goal to re-build would be nice, but not completely feasible at this time.

It’s going to get gutted regardless this spring and summer, but hoping some of you pros out there could help with advice. Thanks

CDN,

Does your family have another cabin near or on the same property/lake? The reason I ask this is because unless you have large sums of money and the time it takes to “refurbish” your grandfather’s cabin I think all the hassles of code restrictions, septic and shoreline issues, would maybe take the fun out of the idea for you. If it truly is going to be a major undertaking, then I say take a really nice photograph of the best angle, have it enlarged and framed, and place it in a place of honor where you can sit and look at it and reminice of the nostalgic good ole days.

If you have the resources to go about the major renovation, and the time and patience to do so, then I say GO FOR IT!!! I certainly admire your conviction to keeping something your grandfater built with his own two hands. But, I’d hate to see the dream become a burden also. If I was you I’d take a few bids from local contractors and see what they say….bids are free afterall! Good Luck in your decision.

Yes, there is another cabin/home on the property. But that is pop’s place, I want this old place to continue on.

The old cabin would be guest quarters like it has been. Not dealing with septic and water…

Figured I would start the gutting process, spend minimal money and my labor on trying to slow mother nature from eating it away further. The moisture issue is the big problem and that’s why I hope someone might have advice.

It’s gotta be gutted either way if it comes down, and depending what I find in the walls will be answer.

We don’t expect to make it luxurious by any means, but liveable on weekends would be nice once again.

Thanks for the advice. I’ve thought about that as well, but I don’t want to give up too soon.

Cdn, if this is going to be a minor rebuild without working on the water and septic it can be done. After you get the interior walls down to the studs check and see if the sill plates (bottom 2 by 4 that the studs sit on) are rotten. You can remove them and put new ones in with treated new ones, theres work involved here but not overwhelming. You can get rid of the mold by mixing 25% bleach with water in a bug sprayer and spraying the interior walls down after you’ve taken the wallboard off down to the studs. If your fairly good at swinging a hammer and can use a framing square give it a try to replace all the old lumber you need to. Clean the old siding with a pressure washer and replace the softer boards, oil prime it and paint it with good paint. Check and see if mice have eaten any insulation off the wiring, wirings cheap and if you can replace it yourself that keeps costs down. Have the well checked out by a local welldriller, if your bringing in your own water you can solve that without getting involved in a new well if you want to keep things to a minimum. If its going to be a warm weather cabin you don’t need insulation, its not hard to put in if your going to use it in the winter. Your choice of eigther drywall or sheet plywood for the interior walls is your choice, plywood or panelings going to be easier to work with than putting a finish on drywall. Putting in drain tile will help route the drainage water away from the slab so it can become livable. After everythings primed fill all the cracks and small holes with caulk, then paint. Priming first to prep the wood for caulking is a very good idea because it conditions the wood so the caulking sticks and dosen’t peel out, then paint. If your not afraid of heights you can nail new shingles down if the roof needs to be done. If you decide to do it message me and i’ll help, . It can be done if you’ve got the time.

first thing i would do is try to trim back some of the trees a couple branches can make a world of difference,get some sun on it, second make sure the grade isn’t to high around it, if its on a side hill you should be able to crown the back of it to drain good. pm with any questions i just did the similar thing..

Gee, thanks guys! I am going to cut some trees, most definitely! Drain tile has to be done.

I didn’t know if the bleaching of the walls (studs) was a good idea (I thought about it) but I’m gonna do it. It’s going to be a stick shack when completed, no insulation, no sheetrock (hate the stuff) to hold moisture and depending on what is in the walls, the roof will then be completed if we feel we can save it.

I am worried about the sill plate, and green treated definitely.

I’ve worked construction 3 summers to pay for college, built my own large heated garage from the ground up and renovated my house. It’s the mold that scares me…illness… the work is not an issue.

I have saved a lot of vacation time to tackle this project and given up a lot of usual fishing committments to get this going.

The work will begin once the snow melts and the ground thaws. Thanks for building my confidence.

another simple help. put eaves troughs on the sides. run that rain water AWAY !!!

big g