The basic tools you need are a hammer, screws, a drill, a shovel, a rake, a spirit level, measuring tape, a ground tamper, a pencil, and string. so every 2 or 3 feet. Solid concrete blocks cost about $2 per block at Home Depot. Place a level on top of the 2×4 to check that the beam is level. Preparing The Ground. The first thing that you need to do to prepare the ground for the new shed is to level the surface. The edges of the dug-out area serve as a retaining wall for the stone. Now you’ve ensured that the angle you’ve created at the intersection of the first and second stake is 90 degrees. Tie a string between each of the four corners and across on both diagonals … For more detailed information check out my post about how to find the best shed location. A shed can be a 4-by-4-foot tool bin or a 12-by-16-foot workshop. Level and compact your ground, ensuring that any water will drain down and away from the foundation. It also makes for a more stable base. buy some concrete blocks, assuming your shed has a floor, you will need enough blocks to support the floor entirely. Larger sheds — 160 square feet and up — need 4 feet of clearance. Therefore, you should use the shed’s actual dimensions when staking the corners if you are using this method. Using stakes and twine, set out the dimensions of your slab. The total number of blocks you will need is determined not only by the size of your shed but also by the steepness of the gradient you are trying to correct. You can also tell by the soil color. On a level piece of ground, mark out the corners of your gravel shed foundation allowing for at least 12 inches on each side. Any time you are digging into your yard, it’s essential that you know exactly where your utility lines are. Place a level on top of the 2×4 to check that the beam is level. Here are the basic steps: Using pegs and string, mark out the base area (allow 5 cm extra) Dig a 15 cm deep, level hole - Insert a wooden framework to contain the concrete Set vinyl floor on this platform and put up shed. Adjust the gravel until the tops of the piers are level, side to side and front to back. After pounding in your second stake, measure 3’ from the first stake. Unlike the graded area, which is larger than the actual shed, your concrete blocks will need to line up with the shed’s actual dimensions. Concrete paving slabs provide a good solid, long-lasting base for most garden buildings (wood, metal or plastic) however they are heavy to handle and require a lot of ground preparation, including levelling, removing turf, adding bottoming (ballast), and coarse sand. A level slab can be built on any firm ground that does not have a steep slope by varying the depth of the slab. Measure the slope to determine the different heights needed. Outline the shed area and rake it fairly level. Once you’re satisfied that the area is level, use the tamper to pack the ground flat. "World." Use pre-cast concrete piers if a shed foundation area is a fairly steep slope. Bob Haring has been a news writer and editor for more than 50 years, mostly with the Associated Press and then as executive editor of the Tulsa, Okla. Place the one end of the 2×4 at the highest corner of the site and place the level on top. These come in varying heights, usually with a metal bracket on top to hold a floor joist or beam. For proper measurements, it’s essential that this stake is pounded in straight. Then pound it into the ground. Once you’ve chosen a location, it’s time to begin staking it out. Not up for all that back-breaking digging, grading, and leveling? TIP: As any of us who have ever purchased topsoil for a landscaping or gardening project know, good topsoil is expensive. I suggest buying the blocks in both 4” and 2” thicknesses. Put a long board or beam on top of the blocks with a level on it to get the foundation level in all directions. You can then add either gravel, pressure-treated wood or plastic shims between your skids and joists to level your shed. Adjust the dirt until the tops are level. Make sure to move the plank throughout the area to ensure that the entire plot is even adding or removing soil where needed. Another way to level a shed base is with concrete blocks. Ground preparation is a crucial part of installing a plastic shed base, without the correct preparation the benefits such as permeabililty will not be as effective. See our guide on How to Build a Concrete Shed Base. Continue this process from support to support, making adjustments as needed until the base is level. In this article, we’ll discuss how to complete both options. Add pea gravel until it is nearly flush with the ground. The situation was putting a kit storage shed in the back where I have sloping ground. You’re going to need to create a level surface for that shed. A steeper grade will require more blocks on the low side to achieve a level base. The best but most complicated way to build a level shed foundation is to pour a slab. The best way to level the ground for a storage shed of this type is to use crushed stone. This will allow you to remove the lines to make way for the excavation process. Remember, the idea here is to create a level surface, so remove the soil as evenly as you can without leaving a lot of inconsistencies. Without proper drainage, the ground around the blocks can erode, allowing the shed to shift or sink. This is because it includes compost that plants use for nutrients. 2 Use a string level. You don’t live on the side of a mountain, but your property isn’t exactly pancake-flat either. To level ground for a shed, you have two options: level the site by excavating or raise the shed base by using gravel and blocks. After staking your second corner, you’ll need to stake the third one. Remember, you want that shed floor to stay level for a long time. Note the distance the end of the level is off the floor. Use the thinner 2” blocks during the leveling process to align all sides. Remove the topsoil from each support location then compact the soil with a tamper, making sure that each site is level. Once you’ve removed the topsoil, eyeball, which part of the area looks higher than the other and begin removing the subsoil. Don’t make an educated guess. Thus, if you have an 8 x 10 shed, your stakes should be set to create a space that measures 10 x 12 feet. Begin by locating the first corner and pounding in stake number one. Mark out the shed dimensions and excavate the area about 6 inches deep. Placing your shed in a low area that tends to collect rain runoff can lead to water damage and mold. The plastic pro base is a lightweight and eco-friendly alternative to a concrete base. If you don’t do this, it could result in the garden shed warping, broken windows and even damage to the wood. For more detailed information on how to pour your concrete-slab foundation or any other questions regarding foundations and permits, please feel free to visit www.outdoorlivingtoday.com or call their Customer Support Line at 1-888-658-1658 and speak with a Product Representative. A shed is a great addition to a yard. Now that you’ve completed the soil removal, it’s time to get out that 2×4 plank and see if it’s level or not. To level the ground for a shed, you'll need plenty of different materials, all of which you can buy at the local hardware store. The dimensions of the pad should match the shed size. Drop a 6x6x8 into the hole and get it level and plumb. Gather the basic materials. A shed can be built almost anywhere; the ground does not have to be perfectly level, but the foundation must be. This is probably the most difficult part of this process, but it’s also the most critical to create a square shed foundation. Concrete Hard-standing - When using concrete as a surface to support your new shed, you must ensure that it is level, flat and that it is dry in time for your shed delivery and installation. Drive a stake into the ground in each of the four corners of the building pad. From here, you should be able to extend a line 11’ from one corner and 13’ from the other corner to find the location for your fourth and final stake. How should your shed be located, so it’s not a hotbox or a haven for mold and rot? Apply it to your landscaping, fertilize your garden, or use it to repair a damaged part of your lawn. Begin by marking and squaring the site as in step one of this guide with one exception. Raise the low end of the level until the bubble is in the center of the lines. Many of us don’t have a naturally flat back yard. Our video shows how easy it is to get your site prepared and ready for your shed delivery from The Shed Yard. Set joists in place and double-check the level. As a side note - I had moved this shed from another property where it was set on level ground and the floor felt squishy as you walked on it. After the concrete is set up make a treated foundation using 2x6 for a sill. Subsoil typically has a lighter color than topsoil. Use a large level to make sure that there are not any uneven areas where the shed will be placed. How should you position your shed, so it doesn’t visually detract from your property? Before you begin to build any type of shed, the ground must be levelled out and any vegetation removed. Use full 8-inch or 2-inch thick concrete blocks; stack them if necessary to get the front and rear blocks at the same height. Find another use for it on your property. Next, pound the second stake in 4’ from the next stake as you move toward your second corner, again making sure the stake is perfectly straight. Lag it down to the foundation and bam, you have a shed. Another option is to have the pros come in and build a concrete pad, although be prepared to spend significantly more on this. The pad style plastic shed base, when laid on a solid level surface can produce a base that is almost as strong and supportive as a poured concrete. You’ll also need wooden grade stakes, a mallet, and a string line. Use the thinner 2” blocks during the leveling process to align all sides. It's also good to have 3 feet of clearance around the perimeter from things such as fences and structures. Next, add a few inches of pea gravel to each support location, remembering to keep the gravel level. For example, the size of a gravel shed base for a 10’x12’ shed would be 11’x13’. Note: If you are lucky your shed site will be relatively level. Other factors to think about include accessibility, slope, aesthetics, and sun exposure. Do you want to be able back a car up to the shed? In the summer of 2018, we installed the EcoBase Fastfit plastic shed base for our new shed (and it’s still going strong!). So, you’ve committed to building that shed, or maybe you’ve ordered a pre-built shed to be delivered to your property. How deep should you go when digging? Again, make sure that your stakes are firmly in the ground to prevent them from being moved during this step. You can do this by first putting in concrete, timber decking, or a garden slab. Lay them on your prepared base (don’t forget the weed membrane first) and connect each grid to the one (or ones) next to it. Put a long board or beam on top of the blocks with a level on it to get the foundation level in all directions. If you'd like to know how to build a wooden base, take a look at our video below: Remember, many of our wooden sheds can be used in conjunction with wooden bases; these are listed in … In our example, you would extend this line 13’, then drive in your third stake. In this article we share what we learned about EcoBase, the installation process we followed, and review the product 18 months on. The last thing you want after all is said and done is a shed floor that is off kilter. For most people, this isn’t an issue. Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. Ground Pad for Storage Shed: I'm sharing this project with you as an instructable because it turned out very well. You’ve decided on the shed you want. When a shed has to be built on any slope or other uneven ground, some accommodation will have to be made to make sure the floor is level so the shed will be square and solid. There are two main solutions to building a shed foundation on a slope: The deck. Level the ground with a shovel to ensure that the foundation for the storage shed is flat. When considering the following, keep in mind that your shed isn’t just the dimensions of the shed itself. Fill the area with gravel and compact it with a hand tamper. Why? If you choose this method, you will need to Smooth it out evenly using your 2×4 plank and level to even the surface out. So, if your shed will be 10×12, your gravel foundation should be 12×14. You can create a gravel pad by filling the area with a 4-5” of pea gravel. First and foremost, check zoning requirements, building codes, and HOA rules. An easy way to level a shed area is with gravel. It’s helpful to drive wooden stakes or bamboo canes into the … Total 6 posts and pier blocks. Then bring in the shed and set it on top. Drive wooden or plastic stakes around the area to be leveled. You may need to add two or three 4” blocks to the low side of the base to bring it up to the same height as the high side. Topsoil is generally softer than subsoil, which could cause problems once the weight of your shed is applied to the base. Use a level to help you accomplish this task if needed. In cases in which you need to level an area with a steep gradient, typically when one side is more than 8” higher or lower than the other side, you may need to build a retaining wall to prevent the slope that you’ve cut into from eventually eroding into your shed. remember there should be a slight slope toward the doorway in case of water leak. Haring holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri. Constructing, a flat shed base, even if it is on uneven ground, is incredibly important. Mark out the shed dimensions and excavate the area about 6 inches deep. Using smaller blocks or hollow cinder blocks isn’t a good idea as they could crack and crumble over time. If you opt for leveling the ground by excavating, then it’s time to begin digging. Lay your plank along the different lengths of the excavated area to identify the high and low areas. Most plastic shed bases are made from recycled plastics that can be fully recycled once you are finished with it. As the gradient on the sloping ground becomes steeper, the problem becomes greater. Prepare the Ground for the New Shed. If possible, avoid this extra project by choosing a location that doesn’t have a significant grade to contend with. You’ll need supports at the corners and at intervals no greater than 4’ around the shed perimeter to have adequate support. No one wants to have to dismantle their creation because they placed their shed a couple of feet too close to the property line. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Fine Homebuilding: A Firm Foundation for a Backyard Shed, Secrets of Shed Building: A Storage Shed Foundation That Is Easy to Build, Boston Globe: Building a Foundation for a Yard Shed, Family Handyman: Form and Pour a Concrete Slab. Attach strings to stretch between the stakes, a few inches above the ground. use a 2x4 and a level across the top of the blocks. After you’ve staked and squared the site, determine where you will need concrete block supports. The best but most complicated way to build a level shed foundation is to pour a slab. Then place the level on the top to determine if the ground is even. Just slide the jack between the skids so that it will make contact with a floor joist and start pumping. There are also gophers or moles here (underground), which makes the dirt unpr… Dig a hole for each pier, put a gravel base in it and set each in place. Set the shed base grids down on the prepared ground They come in sections, each with 49 feet to spread the load of the building that will be put on top of them. Traditionally the most popular shed base in the UK. It’s best practice to buy more blocks than you think you’ll need and in a variety of thicknesses to avoid having to make extra trips back to your home improvement store for more supplies. The slab should be the exact dimension of your shed base minus 3/4 inch on all sides to allow the shed to overhang the slab. Lastly, use spray paint to mark the footprint of your shed base. Which blocks should you purchase? Make sure to consider this when staking out the site. When building a shed on unlevel ground, as the foundation grade becomes steeper the problem becomes greater. Since retiring he has written freelance stories and a weekly computer security column. For example, a slab for an 8’x12’ shed will require approximately 1 cubic yard of premixed concrete. Outline the shed area with some edge restraints of plastic, metal or wood. Vary the depth to get the top level. This requires excavating the area, laying a gravel base, building wooden forms and pouring and finishing concrete. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! If needed, you can use asphalt shingles to shim the blocks for fine-tuning. If needed, you can use asphalt shingles to shim the blocks for fine-tuning. It’s important to plan your foundation with some extra space around your shed. It can provide space for potting plants and storing garden accessories or storage for tools, toys, out of season items or other objects. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Once that’s done, start by removing all of the topsoil for the entire area that you’ve marked out, including the areas that don’t need to be excavated. Begin by preparing the site. Now you just need to figure out where in your yard to put it. Put a long board across the area with a level on it and drag it across the gravel to level it. Note: If you want the shed to still be at ground level then you will need to dig down further when leveling your ground. This area gives you room to build the shed. this must be level when you place the shed on them. If the slope is fairly steep, dig out an area at the front of the shed. Place pea gravel in the area that you removed dirt and compact with a hand tamper. An easy way to level a shed area is with gravel. Will you need to build a retaining wall? Start on the high side, adding one block to each support location. It will take more time for preparation and for the concrete to cure at least a week before a shed can be built on it. Make sure you use only solid concrete blocks for this job. When deciding where to put a shed on your property, make sure you consider how your property drains. 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