Need advice on shed foundations

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by icw, Oct 11, 2009.

  1. icw

    icw Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi , I've just bought a shed off the web (7x7) to replace the my old shed (5x7) which is falling apart.

    I also purchased the installation ( so the people will put it up for me too) and I also purchased a "Waltons Portabase" you can see what that is if you google the phrase (not sure if you're allowed to post links)

    My question is this...

    the ground that I have cleared is rough and a bit slopey (due to a big tree next to it)
    Do you think i need to do anything to make the ground level before the people come to put up the shed or do you think that product i bought will be sufficent. (it says in the blurb that it should work but I wanted to check with someone who knows about things like this)
    I have included a picture of the ground so you can see.

    you can see the old shed in the picture. I'll plan to rip that down on the day they come so I can transfer all my bits and pieces straight in to the new one.
    Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Well I would have said that the fence was C R A P but the shed was OK.

    Nothing that a re roof and a good coat of preservative couldn't sort out.

    As to the new one and it being erected, I guess you get what you pay for, a shed where the old one was.

    PS, to mods,
    How C R A P, becomes a no, no is beyond me.:cnfs:
     
  3. icw

    icw Apprentice Gardener

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    Thanks for taking the time to answer,

    Point taken about the fence.
    But i figured the new shed would cover it up. It's not going where the old one is. it's actually going in the space you can see.
    PS - the old shed really does have rotten wood. And it only the thick coats of preservative I've been using for the past 6 years that have helped stay up this long.

    What about the Ground - Do I need to level or will that support be enough to do it. not sure if you commented on that.
     
  4. Paladin

    Paladin Gardening...A work of Heart

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    Pete....How C R A P, becomes a no, no is beyond me.:cnfs: Have to agree mate!:scratch:

    icw,I did a google and think the base will be fine. You will have a built in allowance for uneven ground and even more with packing. Why not use the existing base and repair the fence panels?:)
     
  5. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Ok so I guess the fence belongs to the nieghbour.

    Not so sure about a base that appears to be suspended on four spikes set in the ground.

    Could be fine for a while but I'm sure the spikes are likely to sink over a period of time.
     
  6. icw

    icw Apprentice Gardener

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    Thanks for your comments. much appreciated.
     
  7. Hex

    Hex Gardener

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    How about using the shiplap off the old shed to make a new fence? The upper planks should be in reasonably good nick?
     
  8. Doghouse Riley

    Doghouse Riley Head Gardener

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    I don't know how relative is this.

    I've found that corporation type paving slabs are excellent material to use as a base for any outbuilding. Many local authorities are replacing these with tarmac on pavements and they can be cheap to obtain. Another source can be found with a tour of the neighbourhood revealing houseowners who are replacing these with block paving, so they end up in skips.
    Using a few of these will support the weight of any garden building if they are laid on flat ground or supported by other slabs if the ground is sloping. It's also easy to lay and check that you've a level base with these, with a length of timber and a spirit level laid across the slabs, checked three at a time.

    My tea-house sits on 9 brick piers sitting on 9 paving slabs, supporting a ton weight in all. The joists are about 6 inches above the slabs to ensure good air circulation. Probably one of the reasons why it's still going strong after 22 years.
    The jukebox I added a few months ago weighs 3cwt. The only precautions I took was to sit it on a rectangle made from four pieces of laminate flooring to spread the weight. There's sometimes as many as four or five people in there too, but it isn't a problem.
     
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