Garages are wonderful things. So much so that they’re a non-negotiable addition on many a home buyer’s list. Not only do they provide private protected parking, but they also give you the option to expand your living space or even just simply store "stuff". In an age where we’re growing out of our homes like there’s no tomorrow, that’s a sure plus. Unfortunately for those of you who might be looking at that space out back that hasn't been used in ages ... watch out! There may be some unexpected surprises waiting for you in there ...
Of course, if you do decide to convert, you’ll likely already know the task won’t be easy. Aside from clearing the space, you’ll need to gain permissions, and embark on tasks such as insulation installation, and even electrical wiring. That’s not to mention the fact you may need to plaster and do significant work on the floor to ensure the space is fit for living. A word to the wise; a task like this is far from easy.
But, anyone with half a brain and a basic building knowledge knows to expect tasks like these. Sadly, we’re here to tell you that these tasks aren’t necessarily the only ones you’ll face during this process. In fact, there may be some unpleasant surprises along the way which you would never have foreseen.
However, if you aren’t a man who enjoys surprises, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’re going to look at some of the main unpleasant jobs which could lie in wait during your conversion.
Leaky Pipes And a Sewage Nightmare
Admittedly, there’s no guarantee that a garage conversion will come hand in hand with sewage. It may be that you don’t even need plumbing in the space. A home gym, for instance, doesn’t really need this to come together. On top of which, many garages are already hooked up to the mains for tap use and such. But, if your garage needs plumbing work, you may have no choice but to spend a day or two knee-deep in sewage. Or, at least, you’ll undoubtedly need to get up close and personal with the soil outflow. And, no; that’s not soil as in earth. If this job sounds awful to you, note that there are plenty of professionals who could take care of for you. Either that or suck it up and invest in a face mask which will go some way towards covering the smell.
Clearing past pest infestations
We’re going to go ahead and assume there are no current pest infestations in your garage. If there were, you wouldn’t be doing this, right? But, that doesn’t mean pests can’t still impact your conversion process. In truth, it’s not unusual to come across a deceased rodent or two, especially in a space like a garage. No matter your pest situation now, you can guarantee that there’s been an infestation at some stage. This is especially likely if there are plenty of boxes and places for such creatures to hide. So, don’t be surprised if you uncover at least one or two bodies during the cleanup process. Note, too, that this can be an unpleasant experience which needs careful handling. After all, rats carry diseases when they’re alive. The risk only gets worse after decomposition starts. At the stage of discovery, there’s every chance that body is a disease waiting to happen. So, make sure to either call professionals to deal with the situation or research hygienic ways to remove the body yourself. Once the dead animal has been removed, you should take the chance to determine how the infestation gained access in the first place. One thing’s sure; you need to block any entry holes before taking work much further.
Is that a wasp’s nest, I hear?
So, you’ve taken care of the above issues, and you’re happy in the knowledge that you’re ready to get going on this garage conversion. Only, there’s a strange noise that you can’t put your finger on. It’s like a low buzzing hum, and it seems to come from your garage. But, the floor is clear, so there’s no chance that could be the issue. So, you look up, and you spot a wasp, flying into a very definite nest. That’s right; garage rafters are ideal for wasp’s nests. As such, there’s every chance you’ll come across one during your conversion. And, if that happens, there’s no real way you can leave it be. After all, you don’t want to get stung while chilling in your man cave! Not to mention that, if threatened, the whole nest could choose to swarm. And, that would mean curtains for you. So, they’ve got to go. An obvious option would be to fumigate the nest altogether and wait for the wasps to die. If you don’t fancy that, it is possible to trap the nest in an airtight container and move it elsewhere. Note, though, that it’s crucial you’re careful here. Remember what we said about swarms and curtains? However you deal with the issue, it’s then worth doing a quick check in your brickwork for small holes. You want to seal your garage as soon as possible to stop returning wasps from building that nest all over again. Let’s be honest; one nest is more than enough for any man to deal with.
Weeds? In the garage?
There’s every chance you already fight an endless battle with weeds in the garden. But, they may have been having the last laugh by growing in your garage, too. Obviously, we’re not talking about weeds covering your garage floor. But, there is a small chance of plants breaking through your brickwork in places. And, if you leave that unchecked, it could cause issues for any flooring or plaster you put in place. After all, you don’t need us to tell you how strong seemingly small weeds can be. Luckily, clearing weeds here is no different to in your garden. Weed killer or even methods like vinegar application should do the trick. Then, as with the wasp situation, you’ll want to set about clearing any gaps to avoid a repeat performance.
