I'm glad you are your own contractor and we are learning together.
Thinking out loud. I suppose moisture is a precious commodity out in the desert, so if rainfall gets in around the base perimeter, it would probably be a good thing.
Will the internal temps be high enough in the winter to melt snow that lands on top?
Water proofing the walls might be a blessing to help keep moisture in. You want it to feel balmy when you go in there. Curtains might need to be reflective and insulated if installed in the interior. Kind of like a sun shade in a car window?You know, I put in French drains and then I waterproofed the outside of the block walls, because that’s what you’re suppose to do.
But with only 12-15 inches of rain per year, I’m not convinced I needed to do either.
So what if moisture gets in. That would be that much less watering I need to do. I guess the French drains with gravel above them is more for keeping water from collecting in the clay soil and expanding enough to affect my wall integrity.
Yes I think the snow will melt unless we get a foot or so, then I’ll scrape it off. Eventually I’ll design some type of curtain to pull across, just under the panels, to provide insulation in winter and to block out the sun if needed on very hot days.
I mentioned this before, but annual precipitation averages don’t reflect extremes. I have seen Ash Fork get 3’ of snow in one storm and extreme thunderstorm downpours of several inches in a day. Ash Fork is on the uplift of the Coconino Plateau, so some of the Pacific storm fronts can drop surprising amounts of moisture in your area. Be prepared for extremes.You know, I put in French drains and then I waterproofed the outside of the block walls, because that’s what you’re suppose to do.
But with only 12-15 inches of rain per year, I’m not convinced I needed to do either.
So what if moisture gets in. That would be that much less watering I need to do. I guess the French drains with gravel above them is more for keeping water from collecting in the clay soil and expanding enough to affect my wall integrity.
Yes I think the snow will melt unless we get a foot or so, then I’ll scrape it off. Eventually I’ll design some type of curtain to pull across, just under the panels, to provide insulation in winter and to block out the sun if needed on very hot days.