How-To questions - pump house

[rlee6]

I am making a 8'x8'x8' tall pump house from 2 by 4's. I need help from experienced TBN'ers.
1) How do I join walls together at corners? (2"x4"x8' frame walls @2' center)
2) The roof will have a 2"x6" ridge and 2"x4" rafters. How do I actually fabricate it? Assemble everything on the ground and lift it at 4 corners? Or somehow fix the ridge beam first and nail rafters to it? I am clueless.

Thanks.

 

[Kays Supply]

Not wanting to hurt any feelings, but have you considered a prefab building. Around here you can have one delivered to your site for practically the same money as you can build it. I did that a couple of times. It worked out pretty good for me.

 

[turnkey4099]

I am making a 8'x8'x8' tall pump house from 2 by 4's. I need help from experienced TBN'ers.
1) How do I join walls together at corners? (2"x4"x8' frame walls @2' center)
2) The roof will have a 2"x6" ridge and 2"x4" rafters. How do I actually fabricate it? Assemble everything on the ground and lift it at 4 corners? Or somehow fix the ridge beam first and nail rafters to it? I am clueless.

Thanks.

1. Normal corner framing calls for 3 2x4 - that provides a nailing surface for the interior wall covering. Check google for some diagrams or visit your local library. That can be cut to two but...
Frame up each wall on the ground and then erect them. Use some diagonal braces to keep the walls verticle and square.

Wall framing is a simple job but does require a bit of framing knowledge. Should be a library book worth checking out.

2. Tack up some temporary stock to hold the roof ridge in approximate location. Cut _all_ your rafters using the first one you cut as a pattern so you have them all identical. You will need a helper. He nails the bottom of the first rafter to the wall plate, you nail the first one to the ridge which will be flopping around. Swap to the opposite side and repeat that. Then go to the opposite end of the ridge and repeat. That gives you 1 ridge and 4 rafters. Then just install the rest of the rafters. That can be done by yourself but it is a hassle. The ridge will automatically center itself IF you made all the rafters identical.

Harry K

 

[Jimbrown]

Well for an 8X8 I would just make a flat type roof. Here is a picture of one of my well houses it is 8x8 8ft on one side and 7ft on the other flat roof. whole lot easier to build.

 

[jinman]

Jim, your wellhouse is almost a "dead ringer" for mine, including the flat roof. Some of my neighbors joked that it looks like an outhouse, but I don't care. It works great and the assembly was very easy.

Now if style is a consideration, the possibilities are endless. My well driller just suggested that the main part of the wellhouse not cover the well. I just put a little "doghouse" about 2' square around the wellhead with an opening into the main wellhouse. That way if the pump ever needs pulled, the main wellhouse can stay in place and only the little wellhead house will have to be moved. I even screwed it into place for easy removal. After 6 years, everything is fine.

Edit: Found a picture...

 

[rlee6]

Thanks for the corner framing tips. I didn't know the right terminology "Corner Framing" and couldn't get any hits on internet. Now I know.

It never occurred to me that the roof can be flat! Also, thanks for sharing the 2x2 box design. That's exactly what I am going to do.

Followup questions: How do I connect rafters to the wall? Should I cut out notches on the rafters? Or a special hardware? What about wall studs to the slanting top plate? Should I cut the studs in angle?
Thanks.

 

[Jimbrown]

My wells are actually about 50 ft from my well houses. I just keep the pressure tanks and controllers, control valves, ect in the houses.

 

[Jimbrown]

Boy you need to go to a good home store or home depot and look in the framing section. They make all kinds of neat stuff to make what you are doing a lot easier. They make rafter hold downs, several types there is no need to waste time and effort trying to notch stuff. I think you are making this a lot harder than it really is. if there is any place close by that sells the pre built stuff just go and look at one and it will become very clear how to do it.

 

[Kays Supply]

There is a local lumber yard that sells "trusses" that are the walls floor and roof all in one. You buy 9 of them and you are floored ,framed and roofed.All you do is sheet the floor inside and walls and roof outside.

 

[Egon]

A book or phamphlet on framing may be of help.

Or as suggested; a small metal building. Quicker, easier to maintain and all the assembly tools will be inculded in the package.

Or some sheets of 5/8 plywood and a few 2x2's for eging and fastening it all together.