Need tarp advice

[Envy Lawn Service]

Never been much of a tarp guy... Never used them much for leaves or for covering anything up. All I have ever done is pick up el-cheapo's for catching shrub trimmings.

Anyways, I want a tarp to put down in a dirt floor building so I'm not rolling around on dirt.
I don't know what to go with in like a 12 or 16 x 20 or 24 size.

Don't know what is a good material.
I also don't know which way to go on water repellent/moisture barrier.

Should I go with waterproof to keep moisture from rising?
Or will I just be causing mold/mildew under it?

[kemco]

IMO I would go with a moisture barrier. Who cares if you are getting some mold underneath - well I guess if you are allergic to mold that might be a problem. Northertool has a pretty good selection and pretty good pricing on everything from elcheapo to good quality.

[unkownfl]

army navy store

[Envy Lawn Service]

IMO I would go with a moisture barrier. Who cares if you are getting some mold underneath - well I guess if you are allergic to mold that might be a problem. Northertool has a pretty good selection and pretty good pricing on everything from elcheapo to good quality.

I was sort of thinking it would help things stay drier inside, much like it does a camping tent.

What about something like this....

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200381662_200381662

Or this?

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200381670_200381670

Or this?

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200329983_200329983

[Stillwater]

Hey envy I thought you quit are you back?

[RigglePLC]

Just my opinion. You really need a floor. I suggest a tarp or vapor barrier. Then add plywood sheets or concrete paving stones. (or both). A tarp will not really withstand traffic. Take care that no moisture can get on top of the tarp or barrier and run down hill into your building.

[Envy Lawn Service]

Hey envy I thought you quit are you back?

Yeah, I sold out, and no I'm not back....

But don't tempt me... I don't miss most of it any at all... but sometimes I get almost frustrated enough to forget that.

I do miss my shop though... and have had NOTHING for a while.
So I'm going to be happy with my low-budget place to park my toys indoors.

It will mostly just be an indoor parking place, but it will be nice to use sometimes for occasional maintenance... so I don't want to be rolling around in dirt or on gravel.

So I figured here was a real good place to get some advice or ideas on what to do.

[Envy Lawn Service]

Just my opinion. You really need a floor. I suggest a tarp or vapor barrier. Then add plywood sheets or concrete paving stones. (or both). A tarp will not really withstand traffic. Take care that no moisture can get on top of the tarp or barrier and run down hill into your building.

Well, I had thought about square pavers if I can find a good winter blowout deal.

But I had not thought of the plywood at all.

But I have had a good bit of time to think about it since.

I put the frame up on Dec 17th and it came a nice snow Dec 18th... and I still have snow laying around under it. So I haven't made any more progress.


Since you said that I have thought about plywood, engineered siding panels, pavers, composite decking (too expensive) and all sorts of things.


I just don't want anything to warp and bow up... and I don't know how things will react since I haven't ever went "low budget" like this before.

[Dreams To Designs]

We have had great success with the heavy duty nursery fabric. usually the same fabric that is used to line the floors of greenhouses or over-wintering houses. It keeps the floor clean, but allows any moisture to seep down into the soil from spills, rain or a vehicle that may bring in snow. Over a tight base with the fabric on top, you can use a large wheeled creeper without ripping up the fabric. We have installed quite a few portable garage building over a recycled concrete base and used the nursery fabric to great success. normally it will have the alignment lines which aid in stretching and keep the fabric straight during installation. Metal landscape staples are all you need to keep the fabric in place. The fabric can be purchased in rolls up to 15' wide, as well as 12' & 6'. Any nursery supply dealer will have this fabric, either local or online.

Kirk

[DLAWNS]

I don't have any great ideas for your floor but here is the link to a tarp website...they have tons of selection, great prices, and are pretty helpful if you have any questions. http://www.coversuperstore.com/

[topsites]

I would say if you're going to Northern anyhow is don't cheap out,
I have found those plastic tarps to be nothing but aggravation...
They don't like to be handled, they crinkle and fold in all sorts of ways and
basically have a mind of their own, then just to piss you off they tear and crack...

You take one step wrong and catch it with your foot and tear it all to pieces, that's if it doesn't trip you up.

I would get a Canvas made one, they're not cheap but it will last you many years, then nail it down
with some foot-long nails through the holes around the edges and make sure it's some kind of tight.
Although I'm still wondering if it wouldn't trip you up one day...

Another idea would be some pieces of plywood.

[DiyDave]

I'd go with a thick plastic sheet, then lay some old carpet, on top, you can generally get it free from carpet stores or contractors who install it. If you need to jack anything up, just put thick plywood under the jacks.:waving:

[Envy Lawn Service]

Thanks guys for the feedback... it's really rolling along now... and it's getting my wheels turning.


Just for sake of mentioning it, I could also stop calling this low-budget, and start calling it "green" or "natural" or whatever the hippies and treehuggers call this sort of stuff.

There is a such thing that they call something like "earthen floors" where they go through a whole process to make dirt floors habitable, even for like in your house. I think they seal it with linseed oil or something.


Anyways, lots of good possibilities coming from you guys... keep them coming.

[Envy Lawn Service]

We have had great success with the heavy duty nursery fabric. usually the same fabric that is used to line the floors of greenhouses or over-wintering houses. It keeps the floor clean, but allows any moisture to seep down into the soil from spills, rain or a vehicle that may bring in snow. Over a tight base with the fabric on top, you can use a large wheeled creeper without ripping up the fabric. We have installed quite a few portable garage building over a recycled concrete base and used the nursery fabric to great success. normally it will have the alignment lines which aid in stretching and keep the fabric straight during installation. Metal landscape staples are all you need to keep the fabric in place. The fabric can be purchased in rolls up to 15' wide, as well as 12' & 6'. Any nursery supply dealer will have this fabric, either local or online.

Kirk

I'm still on the fence about rather or not to go this route... where it breathes and drains...

Or If I want to seal the ground off to prevent moisture rise with a tarp and cover with plywood or engineered siding panels.

I don't want to end up with that black stuff inside of it like I have on the outside of my utility building on the north side.

[Dreams To Designs]

If the building is not heated, a vapor barrier will cause more problems that it will avoid. The fabric can be a temporary solution, until you are able to afford or have time to install a proper floor, or can be good, long term. I have not experienced any mold problems with the structures we have used it on, but none of them are heated, except when working in them.

Kirk