Backyard shed build - question

[Cudajas]

SO I am about to embark on my first back yard shed build, well not really, I am having the local menonite store build it. I decided I just do not have the time to do it and need it doen so I can get my hotrod in the garage.

My task is to level the area of the yard the shed will be built on.

The shed will be on a PT skids.

So, the yard has a lot more slope then I expected (new house) yard was snowcovered when we purchased.

My thougths were to dig down about 4 inches and the highest point, use that dirt to level out the lower areas. Then add some clean fill where needed. Compact it all down and add a layer of gravel for the skids to sit on.

Any other suggestions.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[Jeff95TA]

How much total drop is there? I'm in the same situation as you, probably not enough time to build one, but I'm going to do a post & beam foundation due to the amount of slope.

 

[Eslader]

Add me to the list of people in the same situation. The shed builder gave us two suggestions: Use pressure-treated timbers to frame out an area, and fill it with dirt and a top layer of gravel - this is the expensive and labor intensive route. The one we're going with is that the builder is sending us detailed measurements of where to put footings. You strip the sod off, compact the soil underneath, add a layer of gravel, and then put cement pavers on top. Just one on the high side, and stack them on the lower side.

 

[Chaznsc]

SO I am about to embark on my first back yard shed build, well not really, I am having the local menonite store build it. I decided I just do not have the time to do it and need it doen so I can get my hotrod in the garage.

My task is to level the area of the yard the shed will be built on.

The shed will be on a PT skids.

So, the yard has a lot more slope then I expected (new house) yard was snowcovered when we purchased.

My thougths were to dig down about 4 inches and the highest point, use that dirt to level out the lower areas. Then add some clean fill where needed. Compact it all down and add a layer of gravel for the skids to sit on.

Any other suggestions.

Thanks,

Jason

Photos of the subject area would be helpful. I'd be concerned with getting it too close to the ground.

 

[pmiranda]

I'd grade a couple feet past your level area on the high side so that water will drain around and away from the shed. Ideally, the ground will drop 6" from the bottom of your skids within 10 feet of every wall, but if you don't get alot of drainage across the area you can get by with less. Otherwise you'll occasionally get the floor wet in heavy rain. Even pressure treated will rot if it doesn't get drained adequately.

 

[Cudajas]

thanks guys.

I will try to get soem pics and measurements tonight.

Jason

 

[theoldwizard1]

Moving dirt around without some kind of power equipment is a lot of work ! Don't worry too much about compacting unless you are filing more than about 10".

A larger gravel pad is a good idea. 6" deep would be better. Put down heavy landscape fabric first. Use crushed stone (sharp edges) not "river rock" (smooth edges) and compact it. I would recommend putting the skids on top of some blocks. Critters love to burrow underneath low buildings where iit is dark. If the is light and air movement you won't have critters (skunks, raccoons, possums, etc).

 

[Cudajas]

ok, no pics, got home to late.

We are buildign a 10 X 14 shed and over the 14 foot span of the shed, the ground probably drops no more then 18 inches front to back.

Jason

 

[NUTTSGT]

My parents have a shed that is built on a RR tie frame. It sits on a gravel base and the inside of the RR tie frame is filled with tamped gravel. Those ties are probably 30 years old, under the shed and lived in a RR track before that. I believe they might just be getting ready to be replaced.

 

[Cudajas]

Well, finally had a chance to steak out the area for the shed.

I have a about a 12 inch drop over the 14 foot area of the shed.

I plane to have a bout a 2 foot border around the shed.

My plan is still dig down about 4 inches and the highest point, use that dirt to even out the lower areas.

I will then add 4 plus inches of gravel to level it out and for the skids to sit on.

I do not think I will need any borders on the low side, but I am open to that if it is the right think to do.

Any other thoughts.

I am off tomorrw to get the permit.

Jason

 

[jethrodawg]

Dig out the high point, put down a sheet of poly, then but down a 4-6 inch base of gravel. The company that builds the shed will shim the shed level when they install it so no big deal if you're off 1-2 inches. 12" over 14' you definitely need to knock that down.

Go with a 18-24 inch gravel perimeter around the shed for the overhangs or you'll get mud/dirt splattering on side of shed every time it rains.

And go with vinyl exterior. You'll thank yourself in the long run.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I used block to level mine off. It wasn't too far off, but there was about 4" difference.

Jim

 

[theoldwizard1]

You want your shed high enough off the ground so that light and air get underneath it. Critter won't make a home underneath if there is light and air flow.

 

[Cudajas]

Finaly made some progess on the shed "build".

Built a retaining wall on three sides out of 4x4 PT,(tied in the front portion with one course). The dimensions at 18 X 14 to allow for a 2 foot border around the shed.

The first course is tied in with rebar about 2 feet deep.

I have a deadman in the back on the third course and one on each side about the midpoint.

Next step is to backfill and compact the area and add about 4 inched of gravel, compacted of course.

Then they can build the shed...well once I get that pesky building permit.

Some pics.





From the edge of the yard.



There is nothing more satisfying then buildign something with you own hands.

Jason

 

[spotco2]

Looking good so far.

 

[atfulldraw]

you're gonna need some dirt......

 

[Cudajas]

Ok, So I have moved some dirt and have a pretty good base going...pics will follow tonight.

Here is my deliema, I used up all the pit run that I had, and I am a little short.

I am not totaly level on the compacted dirt / sand at this point.

I know I need to add gravel and was planing on about 3.5 inches.

My question is, can I add more gravel to a total depth of a bout 7 inches, or is it better to get some more pit run (sand gravel mix) and level everything off and keep the gravel at an even 3.5 inches.

The issue is around delivery charges etc. (can get 4 yards of gravel no problem, but can not get a yard of pit run and 3 yeards of gravel without paying extra delivery).

Thanks,

Jason

 

[NUTTSGT]

The gravel will be fine.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Built a retaining wall on three sides out of 4x4 PT,(tied in the front portion with one course). The dimensions at 18 X 14 to allow for a 2 foot border around the shed.

The first course is tied in with rebar about 2 feet deep.

I have a deadman in the back on the third course and one on each side about the midpoint.

I missed this update. Glad to see you are doing it right !!

There is nothing more satisfying then buildign something with you own hands.

Amen, brother !

 

[theoldwizard1]

Delivery charges can kill you !

Try to make what you have as level as possible. Don't get out a spirit level or screed it, but if it is obviously off, move what you have around.

Make sure the gravel has sharp edges, not river rock or pea gravel (around here we use 3/4" crushed limestone). Lay down a couple of inches (no more than 4") and compact it. You can rent a hand compacting tool cheap or rent a plate (powered) compactor. Once this later is compacted, go on the the next layer (they are call "lifts").

With sand and pit run as the base, you might be surprised at how much a 4" lift will compact down to, especially the first one. I would order an extra yard of gravel.

 

[M17715]

You want your shed high enough off the ground so that light and air get underneath it. Critter won't make a home underneath if there is light and air flow.

Uhhhhhh.......don't bet on that. Skunks like to go anywhere like that.

 

[Rockuf8]

You did the same thing I did. Build the base first then applied for a building permit which was later rejected, but had already built the base out of RR ties and framed out the entire shed.

Went from a 7x12 shed up to a 10x16 shed.

Zoning is as follows:
5ft from rear property line - It's at 4ft
10ft from side property line - It's at 4'6"ft

I built it anyway after discussing it with my neighbors who insisted they had no issues with it. It's been well over year ad I have had no issues. Of course when I go try and sell I will have a problem...I would happily pay a fine and apply for a variance if needed, versus tearing it down.

 

[Cudajas]

Thanks for the input guys. I will get a little more back fill prior to laying in the gravel.

Here are some pics of where I am now.





Hey does this look like 3 yards of gravel??? It is sitting on an 8X10 tarp and covers it (the silver is a seperate tarp).





Thanks,

Jason

 

[petee_c]

T
Hey does this look like 3 yards of gravel??? It is sitting on an 8X10 tarp and covers it (the silver is a seperate tarp).





Thanks,

Jason

Looks about right.

1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. three cubic yards is 81 cu ft.

That looks like it would spread at least 1ft deep on your 8x10 tarp. They may have given you a bit extra.... just going by the pics.

Peter

 

[Rockuf8]

My family owns a landscape supply company, I use the front end loader and have made hundreds of deliveries to homeowners, that looks like 3 yards for sure. We get these questions all the time. Yards are measured by the size of the bucket on the loader. We have loaders with 1/2, 1 and 2 yard buckets.

 

[Twiggss]

I learned with my first order of gravel that 1 yard is not much. Since then I always order more than I think I'll need. You can always use extra gravel somewhere.

 

[theoldwizard1]

3 cubic yards is 81 cubic feet.

At 18x14 you have 252 or area to cover.

81 / 252 = 0.32 feet or 3.85 inches. It will be less once you compact it.


Hmmm ...

Delivery charges can kill you !
.
.
.
I would order an extra yard of gravel.

Maybe even an extra 2 or 3 !


Well, you can save money on delivery by picking up extra yourself using 5 gallon buckets. A 5 gallon bucket holds about .67 cubic feet, so about 40 buckets is 1 cubic yard !!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Break out the wheel barrow and have at it. I've been there more than once.

 

[Rockuf8]

Once during the first few years of business I delivered 8 yards of mulch to a house where nobody was home, instructions said to dump near the basketball hoop, so I did. Hour later customer called looking for their mulch. Found out there was an identical house (which so happened to have a hoop too) with the same street name/number in the township, this was delivered to the borough. Homeowner wasn't specific. Two of our guys had to use pitch forks and load it back onto the dump truck, wrong homeowner didn't want the mulch for free so we had no choice but to pick it up and bring it back to the yard!

 

[Cudajas]

Once during the first few years of business I delivered 8 yards of mulch to a house where nobody was home, instructions said to dump near the basketball hoop, so I did. Hour later customer called looking for their mulch. Found out there was an identical house (which so happened to have a hoop too) with the same street name/number in the township, this was delivered to the borough. Homeowner wasn't specific. Two of our guys had to use pitch forks and load it back onto the dump truck, wrong homeowner didn't want the mulch for free so we had no choice but to pick it up and bring it back to the yard!

Oh man that would ****... at least it was mulch!

 

[Cudajas]

Well, I am beat...spent most of the day today finishing off the pad fro my shed.

Moved a yard of backfill last night, compacted that this am and then moved 4 yards of gravel and compacted that today.

Now I can schedule the build date for the shed and I can clear out the garage.







Jason

 

[Rockuf8]

Oh man that would ****... at least it was mulch!

It also happened once with 4 yards of crushed stone. My uncle was the driver that day.

Well, I am beat...spent most of the day today finishing off the pad fro my shed.

Moved a yard of backfill last night, compacted that this am and then moved 4 yards of gravel and compacted that today.

Now I can schedule the build date for the shed and I can clear out the garage.







Jason

Nice progress, base looks great.

 

[thinktwicez71]

looking good ! nice work !!!

 

[Anglia Guy]

You guys did good. Good job!!

 

[Cudajas]

Thanks guys...its not perfect, but I figure the skids for the shed can be leveled off in the base.

You guys did good. Good job!!

You GUYS...man I wish, no help here. Wife is laid up with a bum ankle or she would have helped.

Jason

 

[glider]

Looks like a great spot for a shed. I like the idea of not having lawn around building, no trimming! Keep up the great work!

 

[Cudajas]

Thanks guys...got the base finished last weekend and the shed is going up tomorrow.

Very excited and nervous...I hope everything goes well.

The building inspector is supposed to show up, but has not confirmed.

Oh well....we willsee what happens.

Jason

 

[Cudajas]

Finally...the day was not without without its challenges (notice the large 6X6 skids), I finally have my shed built.





and from the edge of hose.



I still have soem work to do and a ramp to buid...but I will now be abel to clean out this mess.



You can't even see the stuff infront of the car!!!

Jason

 

[Cudajas]

Wife just called...Building inspector approved the shed...now I can fill it full of ****!!!!

I may just get to drive my car yet this summer!!!