Things to Consider When Maintaining Your Old Barns

Old barns are becoming rarer and rarer as governments, heritage trusts, and wealthy societies are investing less and less in preserving them. It’s sad because old barns are really very beautiful.

Old barns are a source of nostalgia too. They hand down generation after generation. For many Canadians, many wonderful memories are associated with old barns.

Because of all these memories and artistic beauties, people don’t want to replace their old barns. They want to do all they can to preserve these old beauties. Many prefer to hire a barn roof painting service provider and get good maintenance work done.

However, repairing and preserving old barns is not without challenges. In this article, we will share some tips and techniques for restoring and preserving old barns.

Preparation for Repairs & Maintenance

If you want to preserve a barn for a long time, you need to pay attention to the foundation and roof. A barn can remain in good shape if it has a sound roof and solid foundation.

The main problem a barn usually faces is overgrown vegetation. It can accelerate the barn’s damage and make it old much more quickly.

Roof leaks are also one of the biggest culprits in the downfall of an old barn. Branches of trees and rotten leaves can also be damaging to a barn’s integrity.

Repair and Maintenance Steps to Follow

When you get your hand to repair your old barn, first determine what your objectives are. Are you trying to restore its old form? Are you looking to extend its space and features, or are you just trying to save it from falling apart?  The nature of your projects will determine how much you have to spend on repair and maintenance.

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Close Observation

Before doing anything, observe what’s wrong with your barns closely. A barn can be susceptible to ruins for many reasons. Even if you repair it, things can go back to their original damaged condition if you don’t figure out the cause.

Check the condition of the roof shingles. Check for any hidden rotten wood. Inspect posts and walls for plumpness as well as floors for levelness. Look at how your barn is doing during rain because it will tell you about the leaks and drainage problems.

Set Your Goals

Many people just want to keep their barn standing, and others with for a complete renovation. What your plan with your barn determines quite a few things.

If the damage is minor and you just want to keep it standing, you can probably handle the maintenance yourself. But, if you’re going to expand it and give it a completely new look, then you may have to hire professionals.

Landscape

The landscape surrounding the barn plays an essential role in how your barn is holding up. Cut down the tree branches and overgrown shrubs that block your barn foundation, siding, or roof.

Fix the Roof

The roof is the most essential part of a barn. It shelters the barn from heat and rough weather conditions. One or two leaks on the roof can be very damaging to your barn. Because the barn remains abandoned most of the time, and if there are leaks on the roof, no one will be there to notice.

Paint your barn roof to avoid leaks and corrosion. Replace some broken shingles until the structure is stabilized.

Due to leaky roofs, roof boards, rafters, and framing can rot, and even what is stored in the barn may be damaged. Make sure you check your roof each year to see if it is waterproof.

Investigate potential problem areas like rounded cupolas, ridge valleys, intersecting walls, and any place where snow or ice may fall from a higher roof.

Foundation and Drainage

Foundation is another vital part that will help your barn to stand still for a long time. You need to fix the foundation entirely and check out any issues that cause damage.

You must make sure that your foundation is solid before spending money and effort elsewhere. If you think your barn foundation takes too much damage, then I suggest you hire a professional to make a proper investigation and solution.

Siding

Siding may not play a critical part in keeping your barn standing, but it is still essential. It helps to keep rain and snow out of the building.

Original siding gives you a great deal about the age of your barn. It also gives your barn its iconic agricultural look.

Interior Design

Floor, framing, and other interior elements need to be repaired too. If you have a leaking roof for a while, the floor and joints can get easily damaged. Check for mold, rotten wood, and weeds that can grow due to a long abandonment.

For many Canadian farmers, a barn is more than a shelter for livestock or storage. It’s a cultural thing too. That’s why preserving the old looks is crucial when we plan to repair an old barn.