Shed Demo (part 2)

more progress on the shed demo

In February, I finally worked up the nerve to begin demo on the shed. That included working up enough nerve to stand close enough to the shed to begin pulling off some of the siding. I was proud of the little bit of progress I made during that weekend visit.

You can read about the beginning of the Shed Demo - The Shed Has Got to Go! here. 

Last weekend I was back at The Shack and I continued pulling some of the vinyl siding off the two sides that I could reach.  I removed the vinyl, cleaned off the dead bug carcasses and spiders, and stored it in The Shack to be used later. I worked very hard to keep track of the hundreds of rusty nails.

My plan was to remove all of the vinyl and plastic portions while dropping the wood and nails into the hole underneath. When finished, I planned on burning the wood then burying the remaining nails and metal trash. 

As I pulled the plastic barrier, dust and bugs flew everywhere and the shed shook and rocked. I removed some of the particle board wall. The wooden walls and studs were so rotten that they crumbled into dust if I squeezed too hard. 

rotten wood and rusty nails galore

I began to realize that there would be no safe way to lean a ladder on the remaining side in order to begin removing the vinyl siding. 

I decided to not leave the structure standing as it was so close to tipping over. I gave a couple of shoves and pulls and the building toppled over easily.

Looking out at my handiwork at the end of the day. I was pleased.

During my next visit I will find a way to continue to safely remove the vinyl and plastic from that final wall while dropping the rotten wood into the pit. 

It may not seem like much progress, but I am THRILLED. That was a giant step for me. Everyone who homesteads does so at their own pace. Or should. The important thing is to just keep moving forward toward your dream. 

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Shed Demo - The Shed Has Got To Go!

As with many projects, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and taking that first step. I've been planning to tear down this little building ever since the first time it blocked the view from the window. I've just been too afraid to begin.

The existing shed. Falling down and scary. 

The shed scares me. I think the previous owner/builder of the shed had planned on putting in an outhouse. Local rumor is that the owner argued with the county about whether or not he was trying to build an outhouse. It sure looks like a good beginning for an outhouse to me (which the county does not allow). There is a huge hole dug under the shed. 

I imagine all sorts of wildlife living under there... from bears, to skunks, to spiders and snakes and the bogeyman. The shed gives me the heebie-jeebies. I won't walk near it unless it is broad daylight for fear of what might jump out at me.

No, it isn't a rational fear. I know it's not rational. But I'm still very scared of that shed. And for everyone who thinks I'm brave to go camping at The Shack, you can see that I'm not really so brave after all. 

From the time I bought the land, that building has been shedding pieces (see what I did there? haha). Little bits of roof or siding are blown off and during each camping trip I'm out in the yard picking up bits of shed litter from the yard.

During my trip over the long weekend in February, the shed had lost even more shingles and siding. And it has started to lean noticeably.  I decided to be brave and even if I just pulled one piece of something down, it would be a start.

Over time the roof shingles have all blown away.

Rusty nails and rotted wood everywhere.

The amount of siding that has blown off.
And look how much the building has begun to lean.

I salvaged a crate full of brackets and some aluminum pieces from inside the rickety building - the rotting floor barely able to hold my weight. Then I started pulling some siding down.

Under that siding and plastic were a large variety of bug carcasses and spider eggs. It was very disgusting. But I kept at it. I worked very slowly and carefully, trying not to drop any of the rusty nails. There is already an enormous amount of rusty nails jutting out from the boards, I did not want to add to that danger.

I swept off the removed pieces of siding and I took it inside The Shack to store for later projects. I might salvage enough siding for a small chicken coop or dog house!  

I did not get very far. Other people could have torn down the entire shed in one day. On one hand I feel frustrated that I accomplish so little during each trip. On the other hand, I tell myself that it's okay. I'm not other people. And that I got started is progress enough. Not only is it enough, it's pretty darn remarkable. 

The progress I made removing siding.

I'm a "mature", out-of-shape grandmotherly type who has never demo'd any building on my own. Let alone a terrifying shed. 

Overall, I am pretty proud of the progress I made.

PS. I forgot to mention that the additional motivation to tear down the shed came from having reached out to a builder. I've sent him information about how I want to build the new Shack and I'm waiting to hear back for an approximate cost. There is a slim chance I can begin building in 2020!  That motivated me to begin working on removing that ugly old shed. 

*This article may contain affiliate links. If you shop via one of the affiliate links, I may earn a small commission - at no additional cost to you. I am very appreciative of every reader who visits my articles. Thank you.