Questions Regarding Shed Conversion/Restoration

[BigBrainOnBrad]

Hey all,

Been following for a couple years now and did some research before I wanted to dive deep into this (knowing the winter here in MA is looming). I have a ~20' x ~20' "pool shed" that I want to put a wall in to create a half pool storage/half yard equipment storage so I can free my garage up and build something there.

It is a bit of a unique placement as 3/4 of the foundation is a concrete block perimeter and the last bit has no foundation and walls to the ground and had some old rotting wood for a floor where it was all ground contact. I'm thinking it was build in the 1980's based on manufacturing labels on some of the plywood.

This is going to be a lot of learning for me, I feel. My idea is to essentially cut the walls to the same height as the walls on the concrete, dig a trench deep enough to put a few inches of gravel and two stacks of concrete blocks. I'd jack the shed on that side up a bit by putting 2 x 8's along that wall and using my floor jacks.

During that, I plan to remove that window and frame in a door large enough to get my lawn tractor into.

I just wanted to run in by some folks with experience and knowledge to see what they'd recommend and see if I am way off base.

Thanks everyone,

Brad

 

[kbs2244]

PIC's did not come through for me?

 

[Stuart in MN]

You have to change the 'https' to 'http' for imgur images to show up here...I quoted you and changed the URLs so they will show up.

That's an unusual construction method. Do those concrete block on the 3/4 of the building go down to a footing down below the frost line? You will want to match whatever is done there with whatever you put under the unsupported 25%.

Hey all,

Been following for a couple years now and did some research before I wanted to dive deep into this (knowing the winter here in MA is looming). I have a ~20' x ~20' "pool shed" that I want to put a wall in to create a half pool storage/half yard equipment storage so I can free my garage up and build something there.

It is a bit of a unique placement as 3/4 of the foundation is a concrete block perimeter and the last bit has no foundation and walls to the ground and had some old rotting wood for a floor where it was all ground contact. I'm thinking it was build in the 1980's based on manufacturing labels on some of the plywood.

This is going to be a lot of learning for me, I feel. My idea is to essentially cut the walls to the same height as the walls on the concrete, dig a trench deep enough to put a few inches of gravel and two stacks of concrete blocks. I'd jack the shed on that side up a bit by putting 2 x 8's along that wall and using my floor jacks.

During that, I plan to remove that window and frame in a door large enough to get my lawn tractor into.

I just wanted to run in by some folks with experience and knowledge to see what they'd recommend and see if I am way off base.

Thanks everyone,

Brad

 

[BigBrainOnBrad]

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for helping with the images.

I don't see any footings that may be penetrating the asphalt that most of the shed is build on unfortunately. Where I live, probably similar to your environment, I'd have to be going down at least 3 feet for footings. I wasn't planning on putting footings in the unsupported section either due to how deep I'd have to go.

Brad

 

[75gmck25]

When a pole barn is being constructed they initially set 4x4 posts in the ground, and the walls are built just hanging off the posts (not touching the ground). Then they come in with the concrete truck to pour the cement slab and fill in the space between the bottom of the wall and the ground. There are no traditional footings.

I wonder if you could support that corner in the same way they support a pole barn. Just dig down at the corner to below the frost line, and cement in a 4x4 post. Then screw the sill plates and wall to the 4x4. This would keep that corner from dropping and give it good support until you pour a concrete slab.

Bruce

 

[zak77]

Chances are that block doesnt go down 3' so i'd dig down to find out how far down they go and match the new foundation to that so that now if it does heave, it'll all heave at the same rate. Kinda like you wouldnt want a floating deck attached to a house that has footing's down 4'. The house wont move but the deck will and cause issues.

 

[BigBrainOnBrad]

That makes sense Zak. I am a bit worried that the blocks sitting on the asphalt we react differently than the blocks resting on the gravel but I think where the majority of it is on asphalt, it shouldn't do much harm. Thanks for the advice!

Brad