Garages and Carports - Leaning garage - plumb & sheath or just sheath?
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Leaning garage - plumb & sheath or just sheath?
Milla
07-20-09, 10:24 AM
Hi All, I recently purchased a home with a detached 2 car garage that is out of plumb almost 2 inches, leaning toward the back. I started putting up plywood based on recommendations from a few other people, but am now also looking to replace the crappy, old, side entry door. I'm starting to wonder what the best course of action would be:
1) Finish the sheathing, install the new door (need to get a narrower door to fit the opening) and shim the heck out of it.
2) Finish the sheathing, square the entry door rough opening (not sure what the best way to do this would be) and install the new door.
3) Take down the plywood I have up, hire somebody to straighten the garage (who? and how much $$?) then put up all the sheathing to hold it rigid and install the new door.
The garage sits on a concrete slab that is nice and level and the headers above the door are also still perfectly level. The interior is unfinished (bare studs) and the exterior has wood lap board with vinyl siding on top. It was built in 1960. Measuring at the top and bottom of the door (not accounting for the leaning) the door itself is 35" wide while the rough opening is around 37". Thanks.
1) Finish the sheathing, install the new door (need to get a narrower door to fit the opening) and shim the heck out of it.
2) Finish the sheathing, square the entry door rough opening (not sure what the best way to do this would be) and install the new door.
3) Take down the plywood I have up, hire somebody to straighten the garage (who? and how much $$?) then put up all the sheathing to hold it rigid and install the new door.
The garage sits on a concrete slab that is nice and level and the headers above the door are also still perfectly level. The interior is unfinished (bare studs) and the exterior has wood lap board with vinyl siding on top. It was built in 1960. Measuring at the top and bottom of the door (not accounting for the leaning) the door itself is 35" wide while the rough opening is around 37". Thanks.
GBR in WA
07-20-09, 03:04 PM
I'd plumb the wall after removing the sheathing. On the inside, nail a 2x4 diagonal brace to the top plate only, then plumb the wall with a 4' level on the back wall. By driving a small bar just after the brace into the bottom plate at right angles to the brace end at the floor. (As a lever) After you move the wall a little, hold down on the brace, not to lose what you have gained. Keep doing this until plumb at both ends, then nail the brace to the bottom plate, temporairly. Install the sheathing, remove the brace. Be safe, G
Just Bill
07-21-09, 04:33 PM
1. check attachment to the foundation.
2. square/plumb the framing, and brace, after removing the old sheathing.
3. install new PLYWOOD sheathing.
2. square/plumb the framing, and brace, after removing the old sheathing.
3. install new PLYWOOD sheathing.
Milla
07-23-09, 05:25 AM
Thanks for the replies.
One quick question: The garage also has a slight (~1") lean to the right. I had originally planned to line the back wall with pegboard, but I'm wondering if that would be rigid enough considering that the entire front of the garage is the garage door.
Should I instead put plywood horizontally across the bottom and then pegboard horizontally across the top?
One quick question: The garage also has a slight (~1") lean to the right. I had originally planned to line the back wall with pegboard, but I'm wondering if that would be rigid enough considering that the entire front of the garage is the garage door.
Should I instead put plywood horizontally across the bottom and then pegboard horizontally across the top?