Routing PVC through concrete slab

[MerlinsBeard]

I'm in the process of planning a 10x16 shed with a concrete slab floor that will be wired for power.

I'm having an amish shed built and delivered to be installed and mounted to the concrete slab. I plan to have 1 1/2" PVC for power, and another 1" for network, and I'm wondering what I should do.

One option is to route the conduit on the outside of the shed to go into the back of the panel and a junction box for the network. The other option that I'd prefer is to trench the PVC underneath the slab and bring it up either where the wall would be or just inside where the wall would be and then conduit up to the panel.

Since the shed will be built at the builder's warehouse and delivered, I don't want to get in the way of his needs to mount the shed to the slab.

Any recommendations? Are there issues with routing PVC through concrete slab I should be aware of?

 

[493mike]

Back in my working days we stubbed all kinds and sizes of PVC S-40 up thru concrete slabs to handle the plumbing requirements of the project. I think your supplier may want to slide that shed onto the slab so a stub up may get in his way. If you leave a coupling flush with the floor you can glue in any riser later.
Mike

 

[MoonRise]

Conduit roughed in to the outer perimeter of the shed, install shed on the slab, then run the Conduit up the OUTSIDE of the shed and through the shed wall into the back of the subpanel.

No fuss with the shed delivery or installation. No fuss with conduit location coming up through the slab.

IMHO.

 

[Bert_]

Put it in the slab. Only reason not to is half the time nobody has a plan figured out yet and I don't know where to put it.

Coupling flush with the concrete is the nicest way. Not in the way for finishing concrete either, little more work but not bad if you have a transit.

 

[MoonRise]

10x16 prebuilt shed is probably going to be just slid off of the delivery trailer right onto the slab and then pushed or otherwise nudged into position.

Not positioned vertically with a crane or anything.

Sure, you can try and position the conduit coming up through the slab. And then find out the the shed is 10x16 'nominal', and your conduit location is a couple of inches inside of the wall plate, or right in the middle of the wall plate, or halfway through the outside wall, etc.

Your call. Either can work, but I see possible 'issues' with location coming up through the slab and no real issues roughing the conduit to be outside the slab perimeter and then the shed just being delivered and anchored to the slab and you finish up the conduit and wiring after the shed is installed and anchored.

 

[PWC Repair]

10x16 prebuilt shed is probably going to be just slid off of the delivery trailer right onto the slab and then pushed or otherwise nudged into position.

Not positioned vertically with a crane or anything.

This is exactly why I would run it TO the slab then come in through the side. I built mine on site and still just came in through the side.

 

[MerlinsBeard]

Put it in the slab. Only reason not to is half the time nobody has a plan figured out yet and I don't know where to put it.

Coupling flush with the concrete is the nicest way. Not in the way for finishing concrete either, little more work but not bad if you have a transit.

That's a great idea, thanks.

Is there anything special you do to prevent accidental spillage from the pour into the conduit? Do you cap it or duct tape it?

 

[WyGuy1]

Duct tape should work fine. If you want to get fancy they make plugs though.

 

[Strouty]

This is perfect, if you run PVC in concrete, then you can use it for air lines!!!!

 

[dcg9381]

Duct tape should work fine. If you want to get fancy they make plugs though.

Look for caps in the plumbing section, they're dirt cheap and fit into the PVC (inside). Duct tape works, but then you have to get that **** off.

I ran all sorts of electrical PVC in my 40x60 slab.. Wish I had more.

 

[Boomstick]

This is perfect, if you run PVC in concrete, then you can use it for air lines!!!!

Yeah, if you want perpetual water problems in your airlines.

 

[mike93lx]

Yeah, if you want perpetual water problems in your airlines.

You're new here, so you get a pass

 

[rsanter]

External conduit to the back side of the shed.
Up to a breaker panel that is surface mount and then through to the inside of the shed

 

[mike93lx]

I would keep it simple and external as well

 

[larry4406]

My barn was stick built vs pre-fab and delivered.

I ran my conduit thru the slab. No stem wall in my case. Little bit of layout time and made some wood jigs to hold the conduit to the forms. My panel is mounted in the stud bay.

 

[Theruse]

I'd first call the shed builder and ask them how they place the shed on the slab. Then go from there with either the coupling flush internal approach or the external through wall. If appearance is important, the internal route may be the way to go.

 

[Jim greengo]

Conduit roughed in to the outer perimeter of the shed, install shed on the slab, then run the Conduit up the OUTSIDE of the shed and through the shed wall into the back of the subpanel.

No fuss with the shed delivery or installation. No fuss with conduit location coming up through the slab.

IMHO.

What he said,that way you can mount a disconnect if needed.

 

[mobetta]

I always prefer the conduit be out of sight.
Is the back of the shed out of sight? then do it the easy way, up the outside of the wall.

the only way I'd mess around with anything else would be if i had to look at it all the time...

 

[MerlinsBeard]

Thank you all for some good comments to think about. I hadn't thought about whether the shed will require an external disconnect, will have to check with the inspections office. If so, it seems to make sense to route outside up the back wall. Still planning to bring the network 1" PVC through the slab. Hopefully low profile enough to not cause an issue with the shed delivery.

 

[yeldogt]

How far is the shed ?... modern access points work in my big back yard.

I get the desire for wanting it all hidden and tidy -- I think you will find that having it outside will eliminate any potential problems. The guy doing the slab will not have to worry about it .... the pipes so often have the slab not level at the entrance point. Something changes and the pipe is too -- whatever.

With the pipe outside it's just a question of using an LB 90 -- putting it where you want it.

Also -- depending on location and placement you can mount an outlet box in line and even a spot light high up. That's what mine does ... I have a little garden work area hidden behind my shed and the outlet and light come in handy.

If this was a stick built garage -- then I would say yes. Also make sure you get the exact measurements -- you don't want the slab oversized .... you want to make sure the walls of the shed allow water to flow off the slab .... otherwise water will enter the floor. The slab must be square to itself ...

Is 10x16 the biggest w/o a variance? We can do 10x12 (I think) w/o any permit .... but we can do 12x16 with .. 12' is nicer

 

[readhead]

Check with the electrical inspector. In the half dozen counties I work in they all require an outside disconnect. It would be awkward to come up inside and then have to go outside and then back inside.

 

[drmarkr]

You're new here, so you get a pass

I laughed loudly.....!

 

[MerlinsBeard]

This is what I submitted for the permit. I'm definitely getting a vibe that it's better to route electric to be outside the slab for a delivered shed, and if it's coming up the back of the shed you don't really see it from the yard.

In my area county, as far as I understand, all sheds require a permit, but under 600 sq ft. doesn't require building inspection. And you have to have the proper setbacks.

Will keep in mind the shed base vs slab base measurement. I got the same message from the shed builder, so just have to rely on their quality of work.

 

[mike93lx]

Wow, 9k Sq ft. They really squeeze you in.

My setbacks are 25' to 40'. Sheds end up in the middle of the backyard, if you pull a permit

 

[yeldogt]

The conduit can run and should run direct .... no 90's underground. You can only have so many direction changes. I would swing it around to the back and add the outlet and light.

What's the feed going out there ... is it just outlets or a small panel ?

I used one of these: My feed went into the bottom -- it has an outlet and switch to control the light I placed above. I put a stub out in the back -- feed went in to my shed.


Lowes sells the boxes ... around $45 ... comes with the ground fault and switch. All metal