Drying-out a leaky shed - ideas?

[MartinOC]

I've just acquired an 8x20m shed, but one end leaks, as the colourbond wall stops on top of the slab, rather than dropping over the edge of it. Water gets in every time it rains (which it does a fair bit in Kinglake, VIC atm).

I want to dry-out the wall/floor gap so I can run a swag of silicone sealant into it.

I've tried covering the gap with plastic, but the water still gets in (I'm guessing the slab slopes the wrong way).

I've thought of hiring a 125K BTU space heater to dry-out the gap (moving it around a lot) & then get the silicone in ASAP whilst everything is dry/warm.

Anyone got any other creative solutions?

 

[Not For Horses]

Hmmmm. How about a buttload of sawdust along the leaky wall to soak up the water then shovel it all out?

 

[Bridges]

Pretty sure selleys has speed seal silicone which cures in just 2 hours if I remember correctly. It may make the project a bit easier.

 

[jimmybee]

How far does the wall cladding finish short of going down past the slab?

If it's not to far I would consider getting a flashing folded up to sit behind the wall cladding, across the slab, then down the face of the the slab 50+mm...

This would be far more durable than silicone. As the expansion /contraction of the wall cladding will eventually knacker the silicone join...

Jim

 

[MartinOC]

Hmm... Now you guys got me thinking.

Jimmybee, the bottom of the colourbond wall drops straight onto the slab with a variable ~ 5mm gap (which is why I was thinking a simple silicone solution). The slab then extends another 1000mm beyond the colourbond wall. It's a lot to consider, when I could use the space for water storage tanks etc.

I'm open to any suggestions.....Would construction adhesive be more flexible for the gap?

 

[Not For Horses]

Could you get a concrete saw and cut a small gutter into the slab at the base of the cladding?

 

[SmallFry]

Wait til summer?

 

[Smokomark]

Hmm... Now you guys got me thinking.

Jimmybee, the bottom of the colourbond wall drops straight onto the slab with a variable ~ 5mm gap (which is why I was thinking a simple silicone solution). The slab then extends another 1000mm beyond the colourbond wall. It's a lot to consider, when I could use the space for water storage tanks etc.

I'm open to any suggestions.....Would construction adhesive be more flexible for the gap?

You will find that Liquid nails, maxibond and those type products will dry and crack within a year or two.

There are silicones on the market that can be applied to wet / underwater surfaces, but probably best to dry it out to get max adhesion.

 

[spog]

Sikaflex sealant is what you need,it is flexible and a good product.of course you will have to let the slab dry before applying.
It's not cheap and as sticky as shit,apply it where it's needed then using a spray bottle mix of dish washing detergent and water spray a mist over the iron and concrete then gently smooth it into place. An ice cream stick is perfect for this.
The mix stops it sticking to things you don't want it on.
Again Sikaflex is very sticky and stringy so go easy,for filling bigger gaps build it up over a few applications over a few days.
If you do have to apply a few runs, do the first pass slowly and carefully but don't use the spray as the next lot won't adhere,use the spray to finish the job once you are happy that the gaps are filled.

 

[bradsbrew]

Waterproof membrane and bandage?

 

[Liam_snorkel]

Yep, some kind of flashing would be your best bet - pressed metal or membrane. Concrete is porous, so even if you form a seal along the base, it will leech through regardless. My shed has a similar problem.

 

[hotmelt]

I think a combination of Jimmybees idea and Not For Horses might work.
Cut a slot 2 or 3 inches from the wall, insert flashing and silicone then flatten and bend up the inside wall.

 

[MartinOC]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. You lot are just brilliant! :super:

We need to get this sorted ASAP, as we're planning on moving into the shed (ie. living in it whilst we build a house), so waiting for better weather is not a viable option, but I reckon I can get a good work-around using some heavy-duty plastic sheeting & duct tape to keep the weather out in the short-term.

Wish me luck - it's going to get F'kin' miserable in the next few months.

 

[pk.sax]

How about you mix up a sack of concrete and lay a bead across on the inside. Cut the wind out at least. Might be porous as people say but it won't be flooding in.

Living in a shed mate, you have a very understanding Mrs.

 

[spog]

You say a "sack of concrete ",this Sir is Oz it is therefore a Bag of concrete.
But I am sure you actually mean a bag of cement.

 

[pk.sax]

Sack of cement

 

[MartinOC]

Living in a shed mate, you have a very understanding Mrs.

Actually, it's her idea to do all of this (she watches waaay too much property-porn!).

 

[Mardoo]

So what are you going to do while she builds the house?

 

[bradsbrew]

But PF will need a sack trolley for his bag of cement?

 

[wide eyed and legless]

If you try Robot Trading you will be able to pick up some colour bond cover sheets very cheap make a lean to over the remaining 1M and use that to store any building materials you can also get square gal offcuts cheap as well to make your frame.